NHRA and the Olympics

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

the normal fan does not understand handicap racing

This is a myth. This is like saying The Price Is Right is too difficult to understand. People have watched and understood game shows for decades. Here's the set of rules, here's the objective. It's NOT hard. I have explained the sport to novices in the stands (or over the PA) on numerous occasions, and people not only pick it up quickly, but also start to enjoy it -- once somebody BOTHERS to tell them what it is they're looking at. It was only a matter of minutes before a 12-yr-old boy watching Super Rod running at Tri-State (1/8th mile) was pointing to the scoreboard, "Dad, look! There's another 6.40!"

Announcing at a bracket race with all racers and no spectators is a different discipline than announcing at a National event. I was given the opportunity to give an NHRA announcer a pizza break at Maple Grove one year, and got to announce a round of Super Comp. I had Stocker guys tell me that was the most interesting Super Comp had ever been to them... like, they actually paid ATTENTION to it.

Know your audience. Inform, then entertain.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by FED 387

5-6 years ago we could qualify a car for a National meet and with our qualifying money pay for our entry fees/ most travel expenses/misc race expenses like gas-oil- tires/plugs & other small stuff now it costs us about $500 min maybe $750 just to go a coupla hundred miles down the road--we cut out National events other than one that is about 50 miles away and stay/eat at home no motels, just do Opens and Divisionals still have fun but not as often---what really gets me is I watched qualifying (Daytona 500) today and saw sponsor names/products on cars of companies that I know many guys(everything from T/F to PS as well as Sportsman cars too) have put proposals to and in no uncertain words were they interested in "anything" to do with racing/ motorsports of any kind, totally against it--- now maybe the Nascar guys are asking for a minimal amount of money maybe a one race deal and thats it but they are still getting money no matter how much and drag racing is not!!! I do not understand it do you???

If you followed the NASCAR coverage over this past weekend, there are a few companies paying large sums (millions) of dollars and not getting a penny's worth, while others spending a few dollars are getting tons of exposure. In the few short hours we watched, Danica somebody got more exposure than a company which spent most of their last years earnings for no dollars!! Where are the shareholders?

[Curmudgeon]

Addressing Greg's initial observation about NHRA/Olympics media coverage,at least the sport gets coverage as flawed as it is. Without the "Pro" and "star" coverage drag racing would probably be relegated to the airtime given to Figure 8and Demolition Derby events. I cite by example the SCTA which drag racing evolved from,with the exception of terrible Bonneville coverage they get no airtime at all. Much as I despise the format of National Event coverage , I am thankful drag racing is being aired at all. I remember the days when the Daytona 500 was shown six months later interspersed with figure skating and drag racing was barely covered if at all .

[Bret Kepner]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I remember the days when the Daytona 500 was shown six months later interspersed with figure skating...

No, you don't.

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I cite by example the SCTA which drag racing evolved from,with the exception of terrible Bonneville coverage they get no airtime at all.

As a veteran of twenty-eight years on the salt, I can attest the SCTA doesn't actively pursue any television coverage of their events.

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Without the "Pro" and "star" coverage drag racing would probably be relegated to the airtime given to Figure 8 and Demolition Derby events.

I'm beginning to get the impression you read NONE of my replies to your observations in the "Why Can't..." thread.