A subject for discussion on a winter's day.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

But let's say we're putting together a 15 second local TV ad for a Divisional . Who are you going to show leaving the line , side by side, S/S or S/ST .. I know my answer...

I don't disagree with your point at all. SS is cool! Maybe a front-drive Stocker that the public can relate to would be better yet.

What I don't understand is the feeling I see often on this board in which NHRA is missing this grand opportunity to feature the true stars of the sport. We're just a bunch of people with cool stuff that like to piss our money away. Why would we expect that people want to pay money to watch any of it?

There is a relatively small percentage of people that are really into cars, and some even do show up to the races. Is the general public really missing out on the best-kept secret in entertainment in sportsman drag racing?

I also see a lot of lip service given to wishing for viable alternatives to NHRA, but it has been proven time and again that racers will not show up in meaningful numbers for any amount of cash or any other organization's points.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

What I don't understand is the feeling I see often on this board in which NHRA is missing this grand opportunity to feature the true stars of the sport. We're just a bunch of people with cool stuff that like to piss our money away. Why would we expect that people want to pay money to watch any of it?

There is a relatively small percentage of people that are really into cars, and some even do show up to the races. Is the general public really missing out on the best-kept secret in entertainment in sportsman drag racing?

I also see a lot of lip service given to wishing for viable alternatives to NHRA, but it has been proven time and again that racers will not show up in meaningful numbers for any amount of cash or any other organization's points.

quoted for the truth.

Originally Posted by FED 387

I have a problem with any electronics that are utilized in .90 racing

No one cares about your problem, least of which the racers competing in the .90 classes and the NHRA

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

What I don't understand is the feeling I see often on this board in which NHRA is missing this grand opportunity to feature the true stars of the sport.
Is the general public really missing out on the best-kept secret in entertainment in sportsman drag racing?

Every weekend, thousands and thousands of people from old Racers to Carguys to admirers of different forms of art to Grandma and Grandpa with the Grandkids go out to hundreds and hundreds of local Car Shows and Cruises to look at cars just standing still. Any of these groups of people could easily be entertained at a Divisional Event! Why don't they come? Usually because they don't know that they exist.
Yes, they are missing out on the "best-kept secret in entertainment" if they are into Car Shows! IMHO, probably one of the best darned Car Shows you could pay to see. And the cars owners are using them for the reason that they were built! Not to mention they can tell you every nut and bolt in it.

Oh, I've got some pretty cool stuff and I don't like pissing away my money.
Yac, are you pissing away your money again?

[Rich Biebel]

That's a good post Billy and it sure makes one wonder why.

No doubt some Stockers and SS'ers are show cars that do big wheelies and run way faster today than ever thanks to all the allowable modifcations.

And anyone who likes cars you'd think would like to look closely at every kind of car in the pits. Some are so nice I'd be afraid to race it !!

I think its true that Sportsman cars across the spectrum offer something for everyone and are just not promoted enough.

I never am at a race and not watching the other categories.....and looking at cars.....

[Rusty Davenport]

I thought Rich had a great comment and observation that was well said. The most expensive cars I have owned are gone now but in my senior years I do still own a legal car of little value. My thought is with the apparent fatalism we are seeing, when I see a "Big Buck" stock or superstock car for sale at a very big price, how fast are the value of those cars going away as the sport weakens ??? Are Comp cars harder to sale now more than ever ??? Just curious are car values dropping ????

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

when I see a "Big Buck" stock or superstock car for sale at a very big price, how fast are the value of those cars going away as the sport weakens ??? Are Comp cars harder to sale now more than ever ??? Just curious are car values dropping ????

Well Rusty, the way I look at "Big Buck" Stock and SS cars, there's a whole lot of things that people can do with their money. If they can afford to play then good for them. If they can't then they shouldn't be playing. There are very few "toys" that are going to make you money.
Just look at how many people "play" with things like boats and horses. Now there's a couple of ways to lose money.

[Mike Pearson]

My take is the track owners which are supposed to be the promoter have gotten lazy over the years and they figure they can make a living off of just a meager amount of spectators and the gate fees that the racers pay to play. Most tracks have gone to the test and tune format and don't actually have racing for purse money on a regular basis. the test and tune guys pay to get in the gate to make a few runs then load up and go home. the track does not pay any purse money. The younger generation seem to like to go to the track and run their cars up and down the track but not actually race. Most like power adders. They just want to see how fast they can run but don't actually compete.

Most of us Sportsman racers do not race for the lure of winning money. We race for the competition aspect and the money is a bonus if we happen to have a good day and win or make it to the late rounds. I have never won enough money to pay for racing. I do it because I enjoy it. It is nice to wing some cash once in a while to help offset the cost. With better promotion by the sanctioning body and the track owners everyone could make out better. Purse money has not changed in years and contingency money is all but gone.

[Lenny5160]

Not everyone is into sports but, if you are, think about why you watch sports on TV or attend games whether they are professional, youth, whatever. Personally, there are two things that will drive my interest:

1. I care about the outcome. Either it is my local team playing, or my child or someone I know is involved.

2. I am watching something happen at a very high level.

Most of the people at a racetrack likely belong to group #1. They are family, crew, or friends of a racer.

#2 is where our sport loses it. There are a ton of extremely talented people spinning wrenches and/or behind the wheel, but there is no way for a spectator to know that. 90+% of the passes look exactly the same. Wheelies are cool, but how many times is that exciting while the car disappears into the distance. The magic is at the finish line, but there are no grandstands there, you usually can't read the scoreboards, and Joe Carguy doesn't understand what is going on there anyway. We on this board love it because we understand it and can see the skill.

I know people will say Joe Carguy just needs to be educated on what he is missing, but if you need to convince people why it is so great, you've lost their attention already.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

Not everyone is into sports but, if you are, think about why you watch sports on TV or attend games whether they are professional, youth, whatever. Personally, there are two things that will drive my interest:

1. I care about the outcome. Either it is my local team playing, or my child or someone I know is involved.

2. I am watching something happen at a very high level.

Most of the people at a racetrack likely belong to group #1. They are family, crew, or friends of a racer.

#2 is where our sport loses it. There are a ton of extremely talented people spinning wrenches and/or behind the wheel, but there is no way for a spectator to know that. 90+% of the passes look exactly the same. Wheelies are cool, but how many times is that exciting while the car disappears into the distance. The magic is at the finish line, but there are no grandstands there, you usually can't read the scoreboards, and Joe Carguy doesn't understand what is going on there anyway. We on this board love it because we understand it and can see the skill.

I know people will say Joe Carguy just needs to be educated on what he is missing, but if you need to convince people why it is so great, you've lost their attention already.

#3 people liked to be entertained.

#4 people like to talk with and be around other people with whom they have common interests.

If "Joe Carguy" is a carguy, he doesn't need to be educated. He needs to be informed as to where and when he can look at and talk about cars.

[Rich Biebel]

One big problem we have is we got to complicated....

Drag Racing was supposed to be 2 cars line up and race to the end.
Winner crosses the finish line first.

Todays racing is anything but....