Calif. newspaper article - Page 2

Michael Beard · 11-11-2007, 10:50 AM

I went to Painesville Speedway in Ohio once - a small paved oval. Their Street Stock type class had a breakout. If you ran a lap time 'x' amount faster in the Main as you ran in qualifying, you were DQ'd. The announcer explained the rules, how it happened, and all the fans were fine with it, as far as I could tell. You've got casual fans that don't know and don't care, that just go to hang out, you've got novice fans who are interested and willing to learn, and you've got hardcore fans. You just see those types of fans in varying amounts at different events. Some people find golf riveting. To each their own. The key is to know your market.

1320GURU · 11-12-2007, 02:32 PM

A recent experience at Piedmont would be reason enough for the Glendora gals, err boys, take notice and get a clue. While watching the combo race I stuck around for the Big Dog shootout. My bleacher buddie had to point out to me the two "announcers" on either side of the track commenting (razzing) back and forth about the cars and each other. This created an atmosphere I have never seen at a nat'l event, or actually at any motorsports event. While no one here would hang around for "Top fool", or any of the "pro" stuff they cram down the publics throats on ESPN, IF they WANTED to create some excitement between runs and capitalize on the DRIVER fan following (THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL, LIKE NECKCAR), they should try the announcer on the sideline. first he would have to have a pulse and personality, God forbid he show some emotion and try to get the "fans" involved in whats happening on the line before the green.

How about some pit cam shots while they are actually "working" on the cars to add filler between rounds, not the boring same old interviews, but a helmet mounted cam showing the guy actually pulling a piston, or how the thing finally comes together under the gun. And mic some of these guys, it can't be any worse than the football "micked up" nonsense.

There are plenty of clues they could take form other forms of sport that have to fill the space between the action. They should take some of the $$$$$ and hire a production specialist form a major network for an entire rework of the TV format. People watch Pro wrestling for a reason, it was marketed to them and it is a slick package they have sold to their demographic. I could go on for hours (snowboarding, X games, Golf, whatever) there is obviously no thought going into what is presented on TV or it would measure up. Sorry but I care about racing and how it is NOT sold to the masses.

These are just my opinions (even if I did work in TV production) and don't amount to a hill of beans anyway.

Thanks Herb JR. for a really cool Big Dog race, it was entertaining. I'll be back.

1320GURU · 11-12-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1664SSJA

Bring back Steve Evans!

Old wine skin. Better to have a complete overhaul, format and all.

Buy you're right, at least he does have a personality and knowledge of the entire sport.

11-11-2007, 10:50 AM	#1
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Calif. newspaper article I went to Painesville Speedway in Ohio once - a small paved oval. Their Street Stock type class had a breakout. If you ran a lap time 'x' amount faster in the Main as you ran in qualifying, you were DQ'd. The announcer explained the rules, how it happened, and all the fans were fine with it, as far as I could tell. You've got casual fans that don't know and don't care, that just go to hang out, you've got novice fans who are interested and willing to learn, and you've got hardcore fans. You just see those types of fans in varying amounts at different events. Some people find golf riveting. To each their own. The key is to know your market. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

11-12-2007, 02:32 PM	#2
1320GURU Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Calif. newspaper article A recent experience at Piedmont would be reason enough for the Glendora gals, err boys, take notice and get a clue. While watching the combo race I stuck around for the Big Dog shootout. My bleacher buddie had to point out to me the two "announcers" on either side of the track commenting (razzing) back and forth about the cars and each other. This created an atmosphere I have never seen at a nat'l event, or actually at any motorsports event. While no one here would hang around for "Top fool", or any of the "pro" stuff they cram down the publics throats on ESPN, IF they WANTED to create some excitement between runs and capitalize on the DRIVER fan following (THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL, LIKE NECKCAR), they should try the announcer on the sideline. first he would have to have a pulse and personality, God forbid he show some emotion and try to get the "fans" involved in whats happening on the line before the green. How about some pit cam shots while they are actually "working" on the cars to add filler between rounds, not the boring same old interviews, but a helmet mounted cam showing the guy actually pulling a piston, or how the thing finally comes together under the gun. And mic some of these guys, it can't be any worse than the football "micked up" nonsense. There are plenty of clues they could take form other forms of sport that have to fill the space between the action. They should take some of the $$$$$ and hire a production specialist form a major network for an entire rework of the TV format. People watch Pro wrestling for a reason, it was marketed to them and it is a slick package they have sold to their demographic. I could go on for hours (snowboarding, X games, Golf, whatever) there is obviously no thought going into what is presented on TV or it would measure up. Sorry but I care about racing and how it is NOT sold to the masses. These are just my opinions (even if I did work in TV production) and don't amount to a hill of beans anyway. Thanks Herb JR. for a really cool Big Dog race, it was entertaining. I'll be back.

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