NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020

MR DERBY CITY · 12-27-2020, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't at least one of the talking heads who occupy the "Ivory Tower" say about exactly the same thing every year about this time?

Ya know Billy, kinda reminds me about the huge dog and pony show that I attended at the GATORS years ago. Graham Light reassured all of us Sportsman racers how VITAL and important we were.....And you know how that worked out....

james schaechter · 12-27-2020, 07:23 PM

They probably are seeing the big money class races being organized and now they want to follow suit. Well maybe big entry fees anyway...

Kevin Panzino · 12-27-2020, 09:15 PM

Sounds like great news to me.
Maybe we could wait and see rather than posting negativity right away.

rboyle · 12-27-2020, 10:06 PM

What makes Street Outlaws so appealing to the mass public? There is zero performance revealed, no ETs no MPH no Reaction Times. But they get publicity and coverage.
Sure they dramatize everything. Sure the fans love the recklessness but a lot of it is edited down to highlight reels. Rivalries can be drummed up.
My point is NHRA can promote or create rivalries in any number of ways all the way down to the Sportsman ranks. The AA/SA heads up final between Poole and McLanahan shows this too. If they take the Sportsman coverage and edit it down to a few rivalries not just final rounds, coverage of the personalities from the pits, show some of the behind the scenes shenanigans etc. you can create a following as well. Promote the sport. Promote the rivalries. Promote the Sportsman. All good things happen from there. Yes the Pros keep people in the stands but thats because those are the racers the fans know. Promote more classes and fans will follow.
I know for me when we would go to the Summernationals or Keystones I always liked walking the sportsman pits more. Seeing if I could find the long distance license plate, or how they camped out, some of the home made modifications, up close viewing of the maintenance between rounds. That was where I took most of my pictures. But alas with Super Stock & Drag Illustrated's demise as well as others over the years we lost a life line to some of the fans
Just my opinion.

GUMP · 12-28-2020, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rboyle

What makes Street Outlaws so appealing to the mass public?

I would say that the number one factor is that it is HEADS-UP.

The stands are always full at our local track for the "Shadyside Outlaws", "Southeastern Gassers", and "No Prep". Very few racers are interested in brackets here anymore.

I see all these big "Class" races and local "S/SS" races being promoted, but with little emphasis on the performance component of what we do. I don't get it. The dumbing down of Class racing will be its demise. (IMO)

Billy Nees · 12-28-2020, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUMP

I see all these big "Class" races and local "S/SS" races being promoted, but with little emphasis on the performance component of what we do. I don't get it.

Oh forget it.

GUMP · 12-28-2020, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Oh forget it.

???

Glenn Briglio · 12-28-2020, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUMP

I would say that the number one factor is that it is HEADS-UP.

The stands are always full at our local track for the "Shadyside Outlaws", "Southeastern Gassers", and "No Prep". Very few racers are interested in brackets here anymore.

I see all these big "Class" races and local "S/SS" races being promoted, but with little emphasis on the performance component of what we do. I don't get it. The dumbing down of Class racing will be its demise. (IMO)

Maybe talking with the promotors of these big money events. Have them run class/ and or run against your index with sponsors putting up cash for a win and the participants putting in money too.

Andy Friar · 12-28-2020, 02:08 PM

Does someone know the actual count of different STK & SS racers that ran at pts meets or national events in the last 2 years? I would be curious to know the total number of racers actively competing in these 2 classes in the NHRA.

Billy Nees · 12-28-2020, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Panzino

Sounds like great news to me.
Maybe we could wait and see rather than posting negativity right away.

Ya know, it might be negative news but it's not fake news.
Time to stop kissing me and telling me how much you love me. Prove it!

12-27-2020, 07:23 PM	#2
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,988 Likes: 1,282 Liked 1,428 Times in 296 Posts	Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020 They probably are seeing the big money class races being organized and now they want to follow suit. Well maybe big entry fees anyway... __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

12-27-2020, 09:15 PM	#3
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 575 Likes: 298 Liked 747 Times in 136 Posts	Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020 Sounds like great news to me. Maybe we could wait and see rather than posting negativity right away.

12-27-2020, 10:06 PM	#4
rboyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 604 Likes: 1,454 Liked 586 Times in 162 Posts	Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020 What makes Street Outlaws so appealing to the mass public? There is zero performance revealed, no ETs no MPH no Reaction Times. But they get publicity and coverage. Sure they dramatize everything. Sure the fans love the recklessness but a lot of it is edited down to highlight reels. Rivalries can be drummed up. My point is NHRA can promote or create rivalries in any number of ways all the way down to the Sportsman ranks. The AA/SA heads up final between Poole and McLanahan shows this too. If they take the Sportsman coverage and edit it down to a few rivalries not just final rounds, coverage of the personalities from the pits, show some of the behind the scenes shenanigans etc. you can create a following as well. Promote the sport. Promote the rivalries. Promote the Sportsman. All good things happen from there. Yes the Pros keep people in the stands but thats because those are the racers the fans know. Promote more classes and fans will follow. I know for me when we would go to the Summernationals or Keystones I always liked walking the sportsman pits more. Seeing if I could find the long distance license plate, or how they camped out, some of the home made modifications, up close viewing of the maintenance between rounds. That was where I took most of my pictures. But alas with Super Stock & Drag Illustrated's demise as well as others over the years we lost a life line to some of the fans Just my opinion.

12-28-2020, 02:08 PM	#9
Andy Friar Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Howell, MI Posts: 250 Likes: 699 Liked 226 Times in 76 Posts	Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020 Does someone know the actual count of different STK & SS racers that ran at pts meets or national events in the last 2 years? I would be curious to know the total number of racers actively competing in these 2 classes in the NHRA. __________________ Andy Friar