So...................

Ken Miele · 03-19-2009, 05:54 PM

I guess its my turn.

Houston last year.....305
Houston this year.....362

Las Vegas last year....370
Las Vegas this year....414

Bruce, a quota is what they would like, but they are not real numbers.
I think its obvious things are not as bad as people say. I feel bad when people are hurting, but I could give you many companies in the racing industry that are doing well and making money. I also do not see that flat line. I am busier then I have ever been. Right now the refinance industry is going nuts, soon they will be back logged with work. When one part of the economy goes down others go up. Hopefully people will be able to adjust or switch to the parts that do well. Housing is going to rebound and that will give this economy a good jump start.

Bruce Noland · 03-19-2009, 07:00 PM

Kenny,
Nice work on your research. I understand the quota is what they would like to have, but it gives us a base to work with. I wish the whole country was doing as well as New Jersey.

partsbob67 · 03-19-2009, 08:20 PM

very nice job ken! i wish more people on here had your attitude about getting out and doing something about whatever is bothering them. beautiful. now lets smile and go race!!!!!!

bsa633 · 03-20-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

I guess its my turn.

Houston last year.....305
Houston this year.....362

Las Vegas last year....370
Las Vegas this year....414
.

Wasn't Houston a total "floodout" 2008 and those who dared got thier rigs stuck for a week or so..or do i mix it up with something else? May not be a good example..

Bruce Noland · 03-20-2009, 06:23 AM

bsa633

I'm not sure about the conditions at Houston last year. But this year they do have Super Street running at both Houston and Las Vegas. They were not contested at Houston or Las Vegas last year. They did have Pro Stock Motorcyle at Houston. The comparisons between this year and last year are a little skewed.

Last year they had 377 cars at Las Vegas this year they have 416 with 33 of them running in Super Street. Once you factor in the extra category, no shows and a late entry or two the numbers should be about the same as last year. And, given today's economy that is a good thing. I think the car counts at these two races say more about the resiliency and tenacity of the racers than they do about nhra's fiscal condition.That's the good thing about participating in these threads - we get to learn.

The current nhra quota system was put in place to restrict the Sportsman Racers' access to National Events. Mostly because of the new TV schedule, pit spaces, event scheduling etc. Now, it is being described as a wishful number. And rightfully so.

Mike Carr · 03-20-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

The current nhra quota system was put in place to restrict the Sportsman Racers' access to National Events. Mostly because of the new TV schedule, pit spaces, event scheduling etc. Now, it is being described as a wishful number. And rightfully so.

Remember when NHRA used to have a lot of LIVE coverage from the races? Live finals, sometimes live first round, sometimes even live Pro qualifying or Top Alcohol eliminations on Saturday? Then with oildowns and such, they stopped doing it. Since then, with all the reductions in oildowns, 75 minute turnarounds, etc, why wouldn't they bring it back, now that they have a somewhat streamlined Sunday schedule? No more than eight cars in each sportsman class (except an event with inclimate weather) and an a hour and a half max between Pro rounds. Or is it something to do with ESPN(2)? I also remember NHRA expiramenting with an all day Live, pay per view deal...pay x-amount of dollars, and watch every run down the track on Sunday. My guess there is that NHRA wanted too much of a cut from the cable/satellite companies, so that no longer exists. That, and/or their current contract with ESPN. Seems like it could be a good moneymaker for the financially faultering NHRA.

I don't have anything to add to the "is the current state good or bad'. Car counts are up or down, depending on who you talk to, but it depends on which classes are being rotated out of a particular event. Stock one year, with class, might have 85 cars, the next year may be S/S without class and only draw 60. Some races may or may not have Bikes, Pro Mod, Alcohol or S/Street. Kenny and others brought up the point about all the big motorhomes and stacker trailers. But if a racer(s) have had them for several years now, it's not a fair guage. I guess by the end of the year, it will have a more accurate description of whether things are up or down. I remember a few years ago when gas was 3, 4 or more bucks a gallon, and people were prediciting doom and gloom then, but racers it seems will do whatever it takes to go enjoy their hobby, or profession. I guess it seems to be the case this season as well. Time will tell.

Speaking of quotas, I know they raised them this year. But when you have an eliminator advertised as "128 cars max--Class Winners plus Low ET qualifiers", and you only take 85 entries, whassupwitdat?? Shouldn't they take at least as many entries as there are spots in the field? That would be the same as making the quote for Top Fuel 11 or 12. There is usually around a 10% no-show rate for the quotas/entries, so couldn't you just bump them up a bit? If we didn't have the whole 10 acre circus show that is the NHRA Pro Pit area, you could take a hell of a lot more. I understand the concept of having a VIP/hospitality area for your sponsors, but not right in the pit area. Put them somewhere else, and maybe have a smaller area for some of the VIPS to hang out with in the pit. I don't know how all Nat'l event tracks are layed out. At Columbus, I would have put them where the playground area is (if it's still there). Maple Grove in the field closest to the gate you enter to cross behind the starting line. I'm sure Indy has enough room to give them their own area too. The amount of "stuff" in the pit areas is absurd. Throw out the 30 or so souvenir trailers (again, right in the pit area) to an area somewhere else also.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox.

63corvette · 03-20-2009, 11:17 AM

I attended the Phoenix National Event and the T Shirt trailers were down to only about 4 or 5 and the manufacturers midway was next to nothing also compared to years past. I think the economy is hurting the manufacturers as much as anyone else and they are cutting their costs.
With fuel as low as it is right now if you want to travel and race now is the time.
You can get into any National Event you want this year so far with a grade 1. Something unheard of in years past.
Lets Race!!!
My 2 Cents

03-19-2009, 05:54 PM	#1
Ken Miele Live Reporter Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 4,862 Likes: 461 Liked 16,562 Times in 1,523 Posts	Re: So................... I guess its my turn. Houston last year.....305 Houston this year.....362 Las Vegas last year....370 Las Vegas this year....414 Bruce, a quota is what they would like, but they are not real numbers. I think its obvious things are not as bad as people say. I feel bad when people are hurting, but I could give you many companies in the racing industry that are doing well and making money. I also do not see that flat line. I am busier then I have ever been. Right now the refinance industry is going nuts, soon they will be back logged with work. When one part of the economy goes down others go up. Hopefully people will be able to adjust or switch to the parts that do well. Housing is going to rebound and that will give this economy a good jump start.

03-19-2009, 07:00 PM	#2
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: So................... Kenny, Nice work on your research. I understand the quota is what they would like to have, but it gives us a base to work with. I wish the whole country was doing as well as New Jersey. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK

03-19-2009, 08:20 PM	#3
partsbob67 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rohnert park,ca Posts: 414 Likes: 11 Liked 79 Times in 11 Posts	Re: So................... very nice job ken! i wish more people on here had your attitude about getting out and doing something about whatever is bothering them. beautiful. now lets smile and go race!!!!!! __________________ bob beals 7244

03-20-2009, 06:23 AM	#5
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: So................... bsa633 I'm not sure about the conditions at Houston last year. But this year they do have Super Street running at both Houston and Las Vegas. They were not contested at Houston or Las Vegas last year. They did have Pro Stock Motorcyle at Houston. The comparisons between this year and last year are a little skewed. Last year they had 377 cars at Las Vegas this year they have 416 with 33 of them running in Super Street. Once you factor in the extra category, no shows and a late entry or two the numbers should be about the same as last year. And, given today's economy that is a good thing. I think the car counts at these two races say more about the resiliency and tenacity of the racers than they do about nhra's fiscal condition.That's the good thing about participating in these threads - we get to learn. The current nhra quota system was put in place to restrict the Sportsman Racers' access to National Events. Mostly because of the new TV schedule, pit spaces, event scheduling etc. Now, it is being described as a wishful number. And rightfully so. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK Last edited by Bruce Noland; 03-20-2009 at 06:28 AM.

03-20-2009, 11:17 AM	#7
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 552 Likes: 128 Liked 359 Times in 103 Posts	Re: So................... I attended the Phoenix National Event and the T Shirt trailers were down to only about 4 or 5 and the manufacturers midway was next to nothing also compared to years past. I think the economy is hurting the manufacturers as much as anyone else and they are cutting their costs. With fuel as low as it is right now if you want to travel and race now is the time. You can get into any National Event you want this year so far with a grade 1. Something unheard of in years past. Lets Race!!! My 2 Cents