When Leaders Lead

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by ken robinson

Ok good point but if the 2 camaros from 1969 are not good enough for the fans . What would you add to the list/ guide of cars and manufacturer s
? Which car would you like to field ?

If you want to attract younger fans, you have to include the kind of cars those younger fans are interested in and would like to own.

People around my age (62) enjoy watching '69 Camaros because they were cars we lusted after when we were old enough to start thinking about what kind of car we wanted when we were old enough to drive.

I can see a time when there will be Teslas racing in the Stock classes.

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by ken robinson

Ok good point but if the 2 camaros from 1969 are not good enough for the fans . What would you add to the list/ guide of cars and manufacturer s
? Which car would you like to field ?

Cars that people are buying and driving in 2019? I wrote the following in another thread in 2016, and the situation has not changed since then, with one exception:

How many FWD combos never were built because they aren't even in the Classification Guide? Ford, for example, has had no legal FWD cars since the 1997 model year (meaning both weight and engine specs). Dodge and Chrysler have nothing since 2004, not even the Dart used in Pro Stock. Chevrolet is the most recent, with the 2008 Cobalt, and that is already eight years old.

I neglected to mention Honda at the time, which still has had nothing since 2007.

Here is the total list of 2017, '18 or '19 cars in the Classification Guide:

• Chevrolet Camaro Coupe 2 Dr COPO
• Dodge Challenger Coupe 2 Dr Hellcat
• Dodge Challenger R/T Coupe 2 Dr 1320
• Ford Focus Sedan 4 Dr RS
• Ford Mustang Coupe 2 Dr Cobra Jet

Camaros, Challengers and Mustangs comprised only 1.2% of US car and light truck sales in 2017 and 1.1% in 2018. So not only are the only current models in the Guide a tiny fraction of the cars that are being sold, only limited editions of those models are legal to race.

[voltdr]

With the exception of current racers interests, our sport is "entertainment". Most of us watch our different classes race because of an interest in that race. Whether that is because we know the racers involved or we race a similar class/vehicle. Getting "outsiders" interested is very difficult. In my class, Super Comp, the casual spectator doesn't understand, or want to, all the different variables it takes to make our cars do what we want them to do. Most friends that have come to the track to watch me race are stunned at what goes into making a run down the track. Most can't believe that we have weather stations at our trailers to help with tuning.
We as racers have caused our own confusing circumstances. Using a throttle stop to slow a 7.20 car down to 8.90 isn't very exciting from the grandstands, but very complex. More explanation needs to be given for spectators understand why. It's to help confuse the car in the other lane as to reaction times. If everyone could only run 8.90 @ 149, it would be easier to see who is ahead due to a better reaction time.
We can't put the Jeanie back in the bottle as to limits on electronics, mph etc. We need to better educate outsiders as to how difficult it is to do what we do. C'mon to make any car run within .005 between the early morning and late afternoon runs is pretty precise. The cars without electronics, just all slow down as the weather deteriorates. We have to know how much it slows down and what to do make them run the same.
Take time at the track and show a spectator what it is you do and make them enjoy watching you and your class race. Let them sit in your car and take pictures. Show them that there is a personal side to our sport.
Whew.................
Dan Foley
SC 4698

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by voltdr

With the exception of current racers interests, our sport is "entertainment". Most of us watch our different classes race because of an interest in that race. Whether that is because we know the racers involved or we race a similar class/vehicle. Getting "outsiders" interested is very difficult. In my class, Super Comp, the casual spectator doesn't understand, or want to, all the different variables it takes to make our cars do what we want them to do. Most friends that have come to the track to watch me race are stunned at what goes into making a run down the track. Most can't believe that we have weather stations at our trailers to help with tuning.
We as racers have caused our own confusing circumstances. Using a throttle stop to slow a 7.20 car down to 8.90 isn't very exciting from the grandstands, but very complex. More explanation needs to be given for spectators understand why. It's to help confuse the car in the other lane as to reaction times. If everyone could only run 8.90 @ 149, it would be easier to see who is ahead due to a better reaction time.
We can't put the Jeanie back in the bottle as to limits on electronics, mph etc. We need to better educate outsiders as to how difficult it is to do what we do. C'mon to make any car run within .005 between the early morning and late afternoon runs is pretty precise. The cars without electronics, just all slow down as the weather deteriorates. We have to know how much it slows down and what to do make them run the same.
Take time at the track and show a spectator what it is you do and make them enjoy watching you and your class race. Let them sit in your car and take pictures. Show them that there is a personal side to our sport.
Whew.................
Dan Foley
SC 4698

That really sucks !

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by voltdr

Take time at the track and show a spectator what it is you do and make them enjoy watching you and your class race. Let them sit in your car and take pictures. Show them that there is a personal side to our sport.

That's great but first you have to get them to the track.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

You're not wrong.

The biggest issue with F1 is that the performance of the cars is so far apart. I guess I like the cars being the same on an oval or road course when the driving can really shine.

It's not to say that there aren't driving skills used in professional drag racing, but it usually isn't impressive to watch from the stands or on TV. I do enjoy watching nitro in person, but it's a sensory experience for the noise, smells, and feelings.

Nitro classes SUCK BIG TIME !

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

[I][B]It will be interesting for me, if RP can reach young fans. Few are as fascinated with cars as we were.

How about this to reach younger fans ... Two participants stand at the starting line. When the light turns green, they pull out their cell phones and call for an Uber or Lyft. When the driver arrives, the participant hops in and the drivers drives down the track to the finish line. The first participant to reach the finish line and pay the Uber driver wins.

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

In my mind, the biggest problem with the NHRA pro series is that there is no room for innovation.

There is even less innovation in IndyCar. You use the approved chassis and body work. You used the approved aero package. You have your choice of two engines. You use the approved tires. Not much else there to innovate.