Divisional Spectator Attendance

[4284spd]

It's all about the money! Young people can't afford this sport. Being at the Vegas double the last few days, the only young people are the children of people already established in the sport and are financially set.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by 4284spd

It's all about the money! Young people can't afford this sport. Being at the Vegas double the last few days, the only young people are the children of people already established in the sport and are financially set.

You got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHRA's "entry-level" classes (Super Street and Stock) are now full of 150/160 MPH cars! That's not "entry-level"!

[doglover44]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

You got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHRA's "entry-level" classes (Super Street and Stock) are now full of 150/160 MPH cars! That's not "entry-level"!

But you don't have to have/build a 150/160 car look at McNeals taxi !

[M120]

None of the import crowd would want to attend an NHRA event to sit around old folks to see their buddy make a pass.

Imports have there own events and don't want any part of a divisional. Try telling them they have to put a dial on the car. Their heads would spin. They want to race to finish line.

The only NHRA imports you see are Comp cars because an engine builder saw something in a combo to run fast.

Oh, and the Toyota Funny Cars

Drag racing as we know it is dying in my opinion.
We'll still race,watch and follow but not many to replace us when we stop.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by doglover44

But you don't have to have/build a 150/160 car look at McNeals taxi !

and McNeal's not a "kid"! But he's having fun like one.

[Chevy55]

I had a thought, on Friday night of a points meet a car show where the racers line their cars on the track

like the pro's used to do back in the day and also include the locals to join and display their hot rods whether it be classic or imports.

Maybe something like that could get the community involved and create a friendly atmosphere.

[SBillinson]

Originally Posted by Chevy55

I had a thought, on Friday night of a points meet a car show where the racers line their cars on the track

like the pro's used to do back in the day and also include the locals to join and display their hot rods whether it be classic or imports.

Maybe something like that could get the community involved and create a friendly atmosphere.

Great idea.

Regardless of the naysayers, there are lots of ways to make the races an event that spectators want to attend.

[Ron Ortiz]

Did you ever notice that there are movies out there showing the new blood all about cars. Like a series of Fast & Furious. There aren't too many "American " brands. Ya got drifting, circle burns, and side by side racing. Who's gonna go faster, bolt this on, add this, add that, go faster. So what do you think what the new blood thinks.

I have never seen a movie with class racing as a backdrop.
You could have a comedy where if you go real fast, but get penalized, but that would be a long running series where it becomes a documentary.

I've seen these different import events, there is a wide variety. Some of these cars are very fast, rather impressive, but they don't weigh much. Race fans like to see cars, and they like it when these cars are on the verge of losing it. We all hold our breath momentarily when we see that scenario, and then talk about it. And the stands are full.

I don't know about the future of our sport, I've seen the decline in attendance at divisional for a long time. NHRA is safety conscious and its racers are basically perfectionists trying to go faster in a structured environment. NHRA started out so that any car could run, there was a class for it, from pros to the little guy. There was no imports then. Times have changed, just look at the "American " manufacturers now compared to back then.

It's your choice what to do, me, I'm just about finished with my car for a return to Stock. I don't mind who I'm against, some fast COPO or Jet, a real quick A-G class car, any ole H-Q class car, time retardant R-W class car, or maybe, just maybe, any import.

[SBillinson]

For thousands of years the Golden Rule has been "he who has the gold makes the rules." If we can find ways to pack the stands at divisionals then maybe NHRA and the tracks will begin to take notice.

Look at division 4 Comp. The racers have banded together to promote participation, make qualifying an event and increase the purse significantly. There's a full field in Noble this weekend, with drivers participating from far away places. Brogdon has invested heavily in the saving the class, and others are doing their part providing quality video and other incentives. The results speak for themselves.

There are more Comp cars at Noble than super stockers and almost as many as stockers.

While it's true that times have changed, and the glory days are probably far behind us, there's still opportunity to make an impact. Every time I bring someone in their teens or early 20's to the track, they have a great time.

If we encourage young people to attend and they show interest, we can always offer to help them build a car. Maybe invite them over to the garage or shop to wrench on a car and learn.

Event attendance is the key.

Why do people still go to the crappy town carnivals every year? It's free to get in, a fun environment and exciting. They spend money on cheap rides and games, and...funnel cakes.