Divisional Spectator Attendance

[SBillinson]

Originally Posted by 427FE

The .90 stuff is very hard to watch.

That's a very polite way to say "impossible to watch."

Most .90 racers say that the race is on the finish line not the starting line, which is probably true.

It would be nice to have competent announcers who explained that point and encourage spectators to go to the finish line if they want to see what the class is all about.

Stands at the finish line and PA speakers would be good for all classes.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by SBillinson

That's a very polite way to say "impossible to watch."

Most .90 racers say that the race is on the finish line not the starting line, which is probably true.

It would be nice to have competent announcers who explained that point and encourage spectators to go to the finish line if they want to see what the class is all about.

Stands at the finish line and PA speakers would be good for all classes.

They long ago removed the stands near the finish line at Joliet. How many tracks currently have stands at the finish line?
Since you brought the topic up, do the televised Division races have a finish line camera? For the fans in the stands I've talked with, Stock and Super Stock are won at the finish line as well.

[David Lee]

when i loved in new mexico, we went to the shop classes at the high schools and gave them free tickets. the track made more money from the food and drink sales than they ever did selling attendance tickets.


this just the standard bracket race. many of the students stated racing

[FanOnly51]

From a fan's perspective, I would prefer to attend a divisional race than a national event, or any of the dog and pony show events. My dad, 83, and myself, 59, have been attending these events since the early 70's. We have seen a precipitous decline in attendance at all drag racing events that we attend, which are mostly the "points" meets as my dad calls them. We love the variety of cars represented in S/SS and they still connect to my early days being exposed to the sport. I have been to NHRA events from CA to NC. Raise your hand if these dragstrips ring a bell, Green Valley, Dallas International, Baylands/Fremont, Speedworld, Willow Run, just to name a few that are no longer around.

Unfortunately, we are a dying breed. We have gone to Thunder Valley and sat in the stands alone. Double divisional at Topeka, maybe 50 fans. I really don't understand it. Very underappreciated. I figure it the drivers can spend 4-5 days towing, hundreds if not thousands on fees/fuel/etc, and an ungodly amount on tow vehicles and race cars, then I can fill the tank up in my car and drive a few hours and be happy.

Sure, fans can be educated more but judging by some of the comments from "fans" regarding the NHRA divisional in Tulsa where I live, they are a long way from understanding the throttle stop, class indexes, and starting line and finish line packages.

I think you cannot ignore the no prep/call out/cash in the air/insult your opponent type of racing. It fills up the stands and the also the starting line (how do you get insurance for that?).

As someone pointed out, circus shows tend to bring the fans out. I am not against it; it seems to be the reality. That may have to be sprinkled into each show and promoted heavily. I have never been to Norwalk, but I would be the phone with that owner asking for his secret as to how you can butts in the seats.

[Keith 944]

Virginia Motorsports park let all spectators in free one year at the divisional, the place was packed, I’m sure they got some interested enough to return, and they all spent their money at the concession stands I believe it was a win-win

[BobbyH]

Do the alcohol classes still need grade points like we do? If they are required to run Divisionals as we do, then there is the show........