Super Street License

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

Simple cure eliminate the timers, we go back to when Super classes first started the throttle stops where set up off of the shifters and closed when you hit high gear and if many of you remember we had people in the stands watching them back then instead of the "stop-n-go" racing we have now.

[Michael Pliska]

Originally Posted by Nitro Joe Jackson

Simple cure eliminate the timers, we go back to when Super classes first started the throttle stops where set up off of the shifters and closed when you hit high gear and if many of you remember we had people in the stands watching them back then instead of the "stop-n-go" racing we have now.

x10000!!!

I have photos of me in late rounds of national events in the 80's, with the stands absolutely packed. The crowds loved us, as we had wheels-up launches and close racing, and with the true win light it was easy enough to understand (and even the people who didn't understand could still see who won). I know, as some have said I'm just a has-been and a whiner, but I think our classes would be more popular if we ran things the old way.

[TS310C]

While I agree that the super classes are boring for the average spectator to watch (although I don't think they should be changed!) it won't mater if we stop using timers or not. There isn't anyone in the stands at most races even when the super stock, comp, alcohol, etc... are running. There just aren't any spectators coming to division races period, at least in div 3. There is one exception and that is Norwalk. This is because he promotes the race. If I am not mistaken he gave away tickets this year too. It works well for ADRL. If you can get the people to come they will buy food and t-shirts. That is where you make your money. It would be better to sell food and t-shirts to 10,000 people than to sell tickets to 100 people. I guess what I am trying to say is that changing the super classes is not going to fix the spectator issue! There aren't enough spectators on the property in the first place.

[Michael Pliska]

I agree that the crowds are down overall. I haven't been to our local LODRS race in a few years (I race a diesel-only series that usually has a race that weekend), but it used to draw a decent crowd. I'll have to ask the track operator what the spectator count was this year.

In the diesel series (NHRDA), we have seen some crappy crowds and some big ones (8000+ people) this year. The bigger events had lots of free tickets given away by event sponsors, as well as radio advertising. My company is sponsoring a big diesel event in a few weeks (July 24), and there are already threads on enthusiast forums organizing convoys up to watch. I'll be taking the race truck out to several locations around town (automotive shops and parts stores) to set up a display to get more exposure to the general public. This was done a couple of weeks ago at an event in a tiny venue (Douglas WY), and the track operator said that our crowds were even bigger than the last LODRS races they had there (back when the economy was good).

I guess my point is that increasing spectator turnout is going to take more than complaining about it on internet forums, and I'm trying to do my part for the series that I run the most.