Solution for our sport

[Pat Joffrion]

One doesn’t have to look very far to read the handwriting on the wall. But the handwriting is not going to change unless one takes the necessary steps to repaint the wall, and make the new handwriting that of their own.

Observing the regional market for drag racing venues, I see only three types of drag racing operations: Those that have closed; those that are about to close; and those that have ventured into alternate markets to remain successful.

Within the past two months, both Red River Raceway (Shreveport, LA) and Cherokee County Raceway (Rusk, TX) closed their doors, with the properties for sale on the market. It wasn’t that long ago that Red River opened with a bang. I was there, pitted on the fresh red clay with hundreds of racers. Nice track … but still closing.

Some will say the reason for demise was their location. Others will shout mismanagement, and still there are those who will cry that the track was unfair to them. I’m sure some will say it is just a sign of the economic times, while other state it was because they didn’t pay big enough purses. Only the operators know the real reasons, and until they make a public announcement, the rest of the racing world should not venture into speculation.

Remember when going to the drag race was fun? Remember when winning that trophy made you so proud? Remember how you met folks at the racetrack that became some of your best friends? Remember how much fun you had at your very first drag race event? If you think about if for a few moments, you used to really enjoy yourself “at the drags”. So, what is it that changed so much since you started racing?

Is it he cost to race? I doubt it. I know it costs more to go bass fishing than it does to drag race. I used to travel all over the country looking for “the big one”. Why a new bass rig with a 200-hp Yamaha and aluminum trailer costs more way than a ’69 Camaro in an enclosed trailer. So, ask yourself, “What went wrong?”

Is it all the rules? I can remember rules from the 1st grade. Everybody has to follow rules. Every job description has rules. Rules of conduct; rules for time off; rules for dress code; even rules for making rules!

Is it that money is just “tight”? That’s a possibility. But in south Louisiana, we have seen an increase every year in the gross revenues at No Problem Raceway. Money is tight everywhere, but people are still willing to spend their dollars to enjoy a movie; enjoy a nice meal; or enjoy a night out on the town.

Sure, money from sponsors had taken a dive. That will have a definite impact on professional teams that cannot afford the expenses involved in competing in the “pro” ranks. The pros don't keep local track running. It's Joe Racer from down the street. He races because it is fun, period! Ole’ Joe takes his 72 Nova to the local track because he has fun driving his 3,200 pound muscle car up and down the 1320. He smiles when he gets a win slip, and he loads up for the next race when he doesn’t. And after he loses out, he will sit with his buddies that are still in, and give them advice on the next round. More than likely, he will stay until the last car goes down the track, “just to see who won”.

Racers want to park next to their buddies. How much fun is it when a track official makes you park ½ of a mile from your friends? At our last big event, we had 17 racers come down from a small Mississippi town. They were outdone when they found out that I had made room for all of them to pit together. While it wasn’t on the asphalt, it did not matter. They just wanted to be with their friends at the track.

When the race was over, I had to make my rounds to shut down all of the lights and PA system. I noticed all of their gang was gathered around their campsite fire pit. I started to pass them by, figuring that one of the 17 would chew me out about something, but I bit the bullet, and pulled over just to chat with them. These out-of-state racers could not believe that “The Track Owner” actually stopped by to see how his customers were doing! Of course, I accepted their offer of a cold beer. My day was done. I spent 45 minutes just listening to these guy and gals. They kept saying how much fun they had, and they thanked me many times over for letting them all pit together.

If you read “their handwriting on the wall”, it is so obvious that they appreciated being able to pit next to all of their buddies. The little effort on my part made these racers value what drag racing is all about. IT’S ABOUT HAVING FUN…PERIOD.

Racers race to have fun. Spectators come to have fun. When track owners and sanctioning bodies remove the “fun factor”, racing then becomes all about business. Business is work. Work to most folks is a job, and to them, a job is not about having fun. Drag strip operators need to find a way to put FUN back into drag racing. Tracks that can keep the fun going will keep their doors open. Those that do not will close.

Maybe it is just a south Louisiana thing. I once saw a bumper sticker that read:
NEW ORLEANS… WE PUT THE FUN IN FUNERAL

I would like to end with my own saying…
The fundamental basics for drag racing success are the first three letters of fundamental…FUN

Keep it fun for the racers and fun for the fans, and you won’t have to worry about the economy. Even in bad times, people want to get away to relax and have a good time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Cajuns at No Problem Raceway.

Pat “No Problem” Joffrion & crew - NHRA SS/KA 4308

[X-TECH MAN]

You are right on the money. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year back to you and yours.

[Michael Kilduff]

This will be an interesting thread.

I can't comment on what is happening in LA as I haven't been there for racing, but I can tell you what is going on here in the Carolinas.

Drag racing at local tracks seems to be fairly healthy. But I think there is a 600 pound gorilla in the room. When I was a kid and first started going to local dragstrips supposedly bracket racing 'saved' many of these venues. I can say that over the last 25 years the bracket programs are drawing less spectators as each year passes. As the spectator count and car counts have decreased over the years the 'tuner' crowd has increased and now the 'test and tune' nights are way more profitable for tracks here than is a regular bracket program. I spoke with one track operator who told me point blank it would be fine with him if he never hosted another bracket race as the tuners and 'run for fun' deal was the real money maker.

The 600 pound gorilla is the very real possibility that the 'tuner' generation is a passing fad.

If this fad does pass, then what will the tracks do to stay in the black?

I have never been a track owner or promoter. But if I did have a track I would in addition to having races also have concerts and car shows and whatever else would generate interest and get people to the facility.

For what it is worth I think there are many reasons why bracket programs aren't as profitable for tracks anymore. The public doesn't really understand it, dragsters and enclosed trailers have played a part as well. And, in previous generations people almost had to work on their personal cars, thus the creation of 'car guys'.......the current generation is more involved in computer games than anything else.

[Don Kennedy]

Pat :

Very well said.

Don Kennedy

Pat Joffrion For President .

[zracer305]

Very good post Pat. I enjoyed reading every word. There is a lot of truth in what you say. Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

[Jeff Lee]

My first experience at a drag strip was Beeline in Arizona. They had what was known as "The Midnight Drags". We would cruise Central on Saturday until around 11:30 or so and head over to Beeline as they didn't even open the gates until 12:00 a.m.. Then we'd race until 3:00-4:00 in the morning. And the place was crowded, and we all had FUN.
Then Beeline closed (a local infamous promoter ran the place and got caught with his hand in the cookie jar of the Indian tribe the land was on).
Then I started bracket racing @ what is now Speedworld in Surprise, AZ. The owner had this interesting way of getting us to like bracket racing. Realizing that the 1st round was often times the hardest to win, he provided a trophy to all 1st round winners and an even larger trophy for the overall win. It really got everybody interested in racing. I had so many trophy's to show the guys they thought I was some track champion. Of course the big trophy was few and far between but it was FUN to bring home another trophy.
And I see none of this anymore. It's too bad...

[Jim Wahl]

I have said it before and I'll say it again, NHRA has missed the boat in not picking Pat's brain! He obviously has the plan that works as far as running a successful track and event. I have had the pleasure of racing at 4 of 5 of Pats Cajun SportsNats and I can say without reservation that they are the most fun I have had at any National event, period. Nothing even comes close. Perhaps by trying some of Pat's ideas and making FUN the main goal, could be the reason the SSSSA has had such a successful first year. When will the other tracks and the NHRA figure out what we have known for years now, Pat has it going on! Jim

[Super Sport]

Great post Pat.

There is another track I hear that treats their customers good. Can anyone tell us about Bill Bader and his track in Norwalk? Does he have the same attitude as Pat "No Problem" Joffrion? Its got to be more than just a pound of ice cream that keeps people saying good things about his track.

[Whalen3186]

Pat, I have heard nothing but good things about you and No Problem Raceway and am looking forward to making the trip down for the Sportsnationals this spring. It will be my first national event and to say I'm excited about it would be an understatement. When I saw the date and realized it is during spring break I circled it and said that's what I'm doing (I'm a senior at Illinois). Good luck and keep up the good work.

Drew Whalen

[randy wilson]

i run a independent drag strip. even though it does not make you rich, you can fill the seats with no break out racing. go to www.headsup-racing.com.