Stock and Super Stock Air Time

[Dago Red]

This is a sort of rant, but more of a head scratching "what are they thinking" open talk with the NHRA (No Hot Rods Allowed).

Not that I expect that they'll listen, but here goes......

First off, I do not have a dog in this fight, I gave up racing Stock years ago, but no two classes are more near and dear to my heart. In order to watch them I have to dig around on You Tube to find, not surprisingly, well made and produced videos of St/SS qualifying, class runs, and rounds of divisional and national events.

My latest intel, has informed me that some of the better known video folks have been threatened will legal action if they continue.

To which I ask a very simple question of NHRA: WHY???

You don't EVER show any Stock or Super Stock racing on TV, so who are they competing with? I don't know what stick-and-ball sports marketing outfit you listen to, but I'm fed up with your 2 1/2 hour infomercial with a little racing sprinkled in it. I could not care less what some drivers favorite doll was when they were five, or where some crew chief's favorite fishing hole is, or what some chef is cooking for lunch for some pro team. RACING, GIVE ME RACE CARS RACING. I consider myself pretty smart and a keen observer. I know who sponsors who, I'll do my part.

You may not be able to see them from your air conditioned VIP boxes, but there's A LOT of empty seats at national events that you cannot hide with camera angles and colorful sponsor tarps (sorry, it's that keen observer thing again!). I stopped going when, after working my schedule out to see my two favorite classes (Stock/Super Stock) I arrive to find out they'd been changed because some professional dog-and-pony show ran too long, or some smacked-arse CEO who wouldn't know a drag race from a drag queen couldn't get there till later.

Well, if you take away the racing I want to see, then I'll protest with my billfold. There's plenty of REALLY good racing to take in: Nostalgia SS, pro mods, ADRL, Outlaw Fuel Altereds, the collection of Gasser Associations, even a good old fashioned Saturday night bracket race!

So let these folks post their videos. They're not hurting anyone, in fact, it's the ONLY way I've gotten to watch any door car action lately.

Well, I feel a little better having expressed my thoughts out loud, not that I expect any sort of reply, other than some sort of pompous grandstanding about intellectual property or some such nonsense.

NHRA, you can blow me off as just one dissatisfied race fan (and good riddance, yak-yak-yak) but you might want to unseat yourselves from your golden commodes long enough to see if other race fans, old dyed-in-the-wool race fans think like I do (check those grandstands...) The way my friends got treated in Houston was the tipping point for me. And now this video thing.

They couldn't stack arrogant that tall and not have it tip over...OR COULD THEY?

[HR9121]

You might want to check IHRA's web site, they have been broadcasting some sportsman events on the internet live. They done the World Finals last year and the Immokalee division race earlier this year. I do believe they are planning to do another race later this year. There was several different camera angles and it was pretty impressive I thought. I forget the website that runs the deal but you should find some info on IHRA's page.

[Michael Beard]

That would be Mark Walter of DragStory.com, with the live streaming video coverage at www.motormaniatv.com If I can secure sponsorship, I hope to have them covering the Northern Class Nationals at Columbus next year. They do a phenomenal job.

[chris ok]

maybe NHRA will have a show with the new super cars to promote. I love all stockers but that will be my guess. When a heads up class is run w them, it has a great shot of some tv time. They drag out the alky cars 1 hr show w 3 minutes max of the sportsman. Time for them to move over rover and let the factory stockers take over....
just a hunch.

[Dago Red]

Originally Posted by HR9121

You might want to check IHRA's web site, they have been broadcasting some sportsman events on the internet live. They done the World Finals last year and the Immokalee division race earlier this year. I do believe they are planning to do another race later this year. There was several different camera angles and it was pretty impressive I thought. I forget the website that runs the deal but you should find some info on IHRA's page.

My speechifying is not about WHERE to find door car racing, but NHRA's "I'm telling my mother" attitude on a service provided by race fans themselves because Glendora is too lazy/stupid/arrogant/out-of-touch. There's a good reason all the videos are being posted (and watched) and pulling the Big Brother act is certainly not going to bring back race fans.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

That would be Mark Walter of DragStory.com, with the live streaming video coverage at www.motormaniatv.com If I can secure sponsorship, I hope to have them covering the Northern Class Nationals at Columbus next year. They do a phenomenal job.

^^ X2 !

I am very impressed with what Mark and his crew have done in the last 2 years for live streaming coverage. The picture and sound quality has come a long way since 2011. (as well as good camera angles)

If I was an automotive based company and wanted exposure, I would check into being a sponsor on one of his broadcast.

[Bobby Fazio]

I've gotten replies from ESPN but still need more signatures.. this seems like another good thread to bust it out again!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/n...tsmancoverage/

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Dago Red

My speechifying is not about WHERE to find door car racing, but NHRA's "I'm telling my mother" attitude on a service provided by race fans themselves because Glendora is too lazy/stupid/arrogant/out-of-touch. There's a good reason all the videos are being posted (and watched) and pulling the Big Brother act is certainly not going to bring back race fans.

They don't do it, they don't wanna do it, and they're not allow you to do it. So, if you want it, you go where it is provided, and if it gets popular enough in their view, they'll invent it (ie., take the idea) and figure out a way to monetize it.

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

They don't do it, they don't wanna do it, and they're not allow you to do it. So, if you want it, you go where it is provided, and if it gets popular enough in their view, they'll invent it (ie., take the idea) and figure out a way to monetize it.

Can you say "payperview".

[Charrlie_S]

I don't go to NHRA races, any more, except to possibly visit with frends from out of state. Don't watch on TV either. When I heard NHRA was going to brodcast live, I thought "great", I'll see racing, other then the "Pros".
"NOT"!!!!!!
Couple of passes of PRO eleminations, and the rest filled in with BS.
NHRA should just go back to recorded coverage, and give the Pro cars back the time between rounds. If they keep that less then one hour turnaround, someone is going to get killed, due to a "hurry up" mistake.