S/SS alternatives

Alan Roehrich · 03-24-2011, 03:06 PM

The idea that Stock and Super Stock are too complicated for the spectators is completely bogus.

If you had announcers like Allen, Bob, Leo, and a couple of others, and allowed them to talk about the cars and the classes, instead of playing that gawd aweful racket they call music, and having what's his name hawking parts, the spectators would have an opportunity to learn about the classes and the cars. NHRA has chosen to promote the pro classes exclusively, and put on a dog and pony circus side show, instead of a real drag race.

Stock Eliminator and Super Stock provide good racing, and a good car show, all rolled into one. The fact that no one promotes that, and educates the spectators, is not the fault of the spectators, nor is it a reflection on the intelligence of the spectators. It's a reflection on how far NHRA has strayed from what made it such a success.

Mark Yacavone · 03-24-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

The idea that Stock and Super Stock are too complicated for the spectators is completely bogus.

If you had announcers like Allen, Bob, Leo, and a couple of others, and allowed them to talk about the cars and the classes, instead of playing that gawd aweful racket they call music, and having what's his name hawking parts, the spectators would have an opportunity to learn about the classes and the cars. NHRA has chosen to promote the pro classes exclusively, and put on a dog and pony circus side show, instead of a real drag race.

Stock Eliminator and Super Stock provide good racing, and a good car show, all rolled into one. The fact that no one promotes that, and educates the spectators, is not the fault of the spectators, nor is it a reflection on the intelligence of the spectators. It's a reflection on how far NHRA has strayed from what made it such a success.

Ain't that the truth...

The uniqueness and appeal of S/SS is completely lost on what few spectators remain in the stands for it...

Instead of:

" Next out is Joe Mocci's 69 Camaro .This one is equipped with the basic 350/ 2bbl package, but JOE'S car runs way down in the low 12 second range"

You get Pro announcers spouting things like "neat car" , "cool car"... "I'd love to have one in my garage"

In other words, no specifics at all.

You'll never promote S/SS this way

Alan Roehrich · 03-24-2011, 03:43 PM

Exactly Mark. When Bob, Leo, and Allen are announcing, if they're given the reins, you hear them say things like "here comes Kevin Cradduck's big orange 69 Camaro with a 427, this thing is way cool, watch for the big wheelie". I've heard Bob, Allen, and Leo say that about our stuff several times, and it gets the spectators attention, but a lot of times, the announcers they have don't do that. That's just one example, but it is what we really need. But it isn't what we get all that often. And we need it at the LODRS races, too.

If they'd talk up some good matches, and tell the spectators what they're looking at, the spectators would care enough that they'd learn how our racing works. Then, if NHRA didn't feel the need to take a huge cut of everything, we could do things such as have some t-shirts made with the class cars on them, and sell them at a decent price. That sort of thing really makes a difference with spectators, it turns them into real fans. But then, I'm not sure they actually want us to have real fans.

John Quinn · 03-24-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

That sort of thing really makes a difference with spectators, it turns them into real fans. But than, I'm not sure they actually want us to have real fans.

I think these are words of wisdom. NHRA has been trying to diminish the sportsman fan interest since they decided that guys who run nitro are "PRO's" while everyone is merely a "sportsman". I am old enough to remember the days before NHRA made that distinction. We were all just racers trying to conquer our respective eliminators. It seemed to me like the races were more fun then and everyone was treated better.

I believe Modofied eliminator was eliminated because it was too popular with fans, it drew some fans away from PRO worship.

Marvin Robinson · 03-24-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Quinn

I think these are words of wisdom. NHRA has been trying to diminish the sportsman fan interest since they decided that guys who run nitro are "PRO's" while everyone is merely a "sportsman". I am old enough to remember the days before NHRA made that distinction. We were all just racers trying to conquer our respective eliminators. It seemed to me like the races were more fun then and everyone was treated better.

I believe Modified eliminator was eliminated because it was too popular with fans, it drew some fans away from PRO worship.

Interesting observation... I remember the days of the fans cheering for the local racers, and identifying with a car like the one they owned. A lot more information was given to them about what was going on, because the PROS and Sportsman racers were being treated with the same enthusiasm by the tracks/sanctioning bodies.

Gary Smith · 03-24-2011, 11:05 PM

Let me reiterate...I mention the average fan...I'm not saying there aren't any fans. I'm talking about the non-car guy who brings his family like it's a visit to Disneyland. The one who pays to see the circus. They see two cars go down the track and assume the first one to the stripe is the winner. As far as announcing goes, Alan Reinhart and Bob Frey do a great job....then there's Hasley Hood down south, perhaps the best sportsman announcer of our time.

There were a good number of fans watching Stock & Super Stock Thursday morning at Pomona, and Reinhart said it best "you fans are the the real deal. You are the true 'car guys', not the casual fan, and understand what these cars are about". He also says "I love these racers. Perhaps the hardest working and most knowledgeable of all racers". However there were far more empty seats during sportsman racing than during the pros.

My point is we need to BE THE SHOW, not part of a bigger one.

03-24-2011, 03:06 PM	#1
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,104 Likes: 1,560 Liked 1,784 Times in 407 Posts	Re: S/SS alternatives The idea that Stock and Super Stock are too complicated for the spectators is completely bogus. If you had announcers like Allen, Bob, Leo, and a couple of others, and allowed them to talk about the cars and the classes, instead of playing that gawd aweful racket they call music, and having what's his name hawking parts, the spectators would have an opportunity to learn about the classes and the cars. NHRA has chosen to promote the pro classes exclusively, and put on a dog and pony circus side show, instead of a real drag race. Stock Eliminator and Super Stock provide good racing, and a good car show, all rolled into one. The fact that no one promotes that, and educates the spectators, is not the fault of the spectators, nor is it a reflection on the intelligence of the spectators. It's a reflection on how far NHRA has strayed from what made it such a success. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

03-24-2011, 03:43 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,104 Likes: 1,560 Liked 1,784 Times in 407 Posts	Re: S/SS alternatives Exactly Mark. When Bob, Leo, and Allen are announcing, if they're given the reins, you hear them say things like "here comes Kevin Cradduck's big orange 69 Camaro with a 427, this thing is way cool, watch for the big wheelie". I've heard Bob, Allen, and Leo say that about our stuff several times, and it gets the spectators attention, but a lot of times, the announcers they have don't do that. That's just one example, but it is what we really need. But it isn't what we get all that often. And we need it at the LODRS races, too. If they'd talk up some good matches, and tell the spectators what they're looking at, the spectators would care enough that they'd learn how our racing works. Then, if NHRA didn't feel the need to take a huge cut of everything, we could do things such as have some t-shirts made with the class cars on them, and sell them at a decent price. That sort of thing really makes a difference with spectators, it turns them into real fans. But then, I'm not sure they actually want us to have real fans. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S Last edited by Alan Roehrich; 03-24-2011 at 08:45 PM.

03-24-2011, 11:05 PM	#6
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Re: S/SS alternatives Let me reiterate...I mention the average fan...I'm not saying there aren't any fans. I'm talking about the non-car guy who brings his family like it's a visit to Disneyland. The one who pays to see the circus. They see two cars go down the track and assume the first one to the stripe is the winner. As far as announcing goes, Alan Reinhart and Bob Frey do a great job....then there's Hasley Hood down south, perhaps the best sportsman announcer of our time. There were a good number of fans watching Stock & Super Stock Thursday morning at Pomona, and Reinhart said it best "you fans are the the real deal. You are the true 'car guys', not the casual fan, and understand what these cars are about". He also says "I love these racers. Perhaps the hardest working and most knowledgeable of all racers". However there were far more empty seats during sportsman racing than during the pros. My point is we need to BE THE SHOW, not part of a bigger one. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating"