Make Divisionals Great Again

Mike Pearson · 11-21-2023, 11:27 AM

If you want to get more spectators you have to give them something exciting and worth watching especially if you are charging them $25 + a head to get in the gate. I can tell you that 3 classes of JR Dragster, SC and TD along with SG and SST are not going to do that. Dragsters are terminally boring to watch unless you understand the nuances of that type of racing. If I were NHRA I would drop JR Dragster from the divisionals and I would lower the indexes on the .90 cars one full second across the board so its not so evident when the stop comes on. Look more like a real drag race. Most of the cars now can run those numbers without the stop. Stock , super stock, Comp and TS are pretty good action classes to watch.
You have to have a good announcer that can explain to the spectator what is happening on the track for the different classes so they can understand what is happening. not just announce the ET and speed of the runs.
Lastly you need some good food at the concession stand at a reasonable price and nice clean bathrooms with toilets that flush with toilet paper and doors that close and latch for the women..

1320racer · 11-21-2023, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

If I were NHRA I would lower the indexes on the .90 cars one full second across the board so its not so evident when the stop comes on. Look more like a real drag race. Most of the cars now can run those numbers without the stop.

That won't put asses in the stands but I agree the indexes should be dropped a full second but the NHRA ain't going to do because of the vocal minority that feels it would push them out or make them less competitive.

cgall · 11-21-2023, 11:55 AM

Bader nailed it in his statement "an evening of entertainment." Look at all the TV racers, all run at night. Night of Fire, jet cars, fireworks, all at night.

Edgewater ran a Divisional event in August for about 25 years, the stands were full on Saturday night and completely empty on Sunday in the 90° heat. Then NHRA declared that all qualifying be finished by 6:00 PM on Saturday, so no Alky cars running at night. They also required fees for the manufacturers midway and t-shirt sales, so that died out. It was around 2002 that the track gave up the Divisional.

They now have Pro Mod shows and Nitro Chaos shows at Edgewater, and they run them on Friday and Saturday night with good spectator counts.

Maverick · 11-21-2023, 12:22 PM

Please don't talk about lowering the indexes. That only hurts the little guy. Everyone knows what the problem is and they use them, but it is the way it is. If you change the I sexes, they will screw it up.

1320racer · 11-21-2023, 12:31 PM

there are no little guys racing the .90 classes, this isn't 1990 when a 700HP 454BBC in a S/C or S/G car was competitive and your car was on a open trailer. If you can afford the tow vehicle, trailer, entry fees, race fuel, tires, yada, yada, yada and time off of work you can afford to upgrade your program but all this is off topic.

Mark Yacavone · 11-21-2023, 01:14 PM

It has been said here, many times, that we're not a car culture anymore and that young people have no interest in cars, racing.
So, how does one explain The Southeast Gassers phenomenon ?

Started about a decade ago by Quain Stott with one car, there are well over a 100 cars being built or raced.

Strictly enforced rules ..1967 or earlier cars, appearance
Stick shift only, clutchless forbidden
1/8 mile only, on smaller southern tracks
Must do a wheelie
Strongly suggest car names..NO vinyl or air brush
No ETs on scoreboard
Burn outs across the line,...Back up girls allowed
Flat out racing. First to the finish line wins
Racers don't pay entries. They are the show!
Annual points fund

Spectators travel hundreds of mile to watch these races and usually pack these venues.
Many videos available on Y/T

Now, compare this to NHRA Divs, with throttle stopped BBC PG ....Never mind

GUMP · 11-21-2023, 02:00 PM

The fans understand HEADS-UP RACING!!

The match race that Robin and I put together at the NMCA event at St Louis is a great example. By the last round, almost everyone at the track was in the stands watching.

Class Racers have the ingredients to draw crowds. But, do we have the will?

goinbroke2 · 11-21-2023, 02:36 PM

Don’t confuse what well established racers want, with what the fans want.
A sea of 69 Camaros is boring, regardless of their amount under the index. A group of diverse cars racing is more interesting and enjoyable for the fans.

And for the record, people aren’t stupid, where are all these people that “can’t understand handicap racing”??? Anyone that doesn’t understand at first can be taught very easily. To say fans only want/like heads up is not true otherwise the stands would be full for class heads up runs and empty when running eliminations, but it’s the same “class racing people” that watch.

I would say, find what brings in more racers. Reducing hp on unused combos, make records worth something (recognition and $$) tear downs before awarding records, etc.

That’s my $.02 Canadian which is what -$.00001US��

Mike Pearson · 11-21-2023, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUMP

The fans understand HEADS-UP RACING!!

The match race that Robin and I put together at the NMCA event at St Louis is a great example. By the last round, almost everyone at the track was in the stands watching.

Class Racers have the ingredients to draw crowds. But, do we have the will?

We already have 3 classes of heads up racing in the .90 classes. Unfortunately the indexes are too slow for the technology that we have today. That is the reason i brought up the index change to make the racing seem more like actual heads up racing. It would still have a breakout just less time on the stop. Maybe rename those classes Heads Up Comp, Gas and street. Like I said earlier you have to give the spectators something exciting. Then maybe they will come back to the next event.

11-21-2023, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUMP

The fans understand HEADS-UP RACING!!

The match race that Robin and I put together at the NMCA event at St Louis is a great example. By the last round, almost everyone at the track was in the stands watching.

Class Racers have the ingredients to draw crowds. But, do we have the will?

There’s no match racing out here anymore!
He!! Yeah!
We need a West Coast Indy here!
All class runoff with winners of each class running off an index until we have a winner. No dial in! Ok start shooting at me now.
I’m a huge fan of Top Sportsman and Top Dragster for obvious reasons. When you see the stands and fences lined watching , that’s the first clue!
It has to be exciting!

11-21-2023, 11:27 AM	#1
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,445 Likes: 614 Liked 1,919 Times in 576 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again If you want to get more spectators you have to give them something exciting and worth watching especially if you are charging them $25 + a head to get in the gate. I can tell you that 3 classes of JR Dragster, SC and TD along with SG and SST are not going to do that. Dragsters are terminally boring to watch unless you understand the nuances of that type of racing. If I were NHRA I would drop JR Dragster from the divisionals and I would lower the indexes on the .90 cars one full second across the board so its not so evident when the stop comes on. Look more like a real drag race. Most of the cars now can run those numbers without the stop. Stock , super stock, Comp and TS are pretty good action classes to watch. You have to have a good announcer that can explain to the spectator what is happening on the track for the different classes so they can understand what is happening. not just announce the ET and speed of the runs. Lastly you need some good food at the concession stand at a reasonable price and nice clean bathrooms with toilets that flush with toilet paper and doors that close and latch for the women.. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

11-21-2023, 11:55 AM	#3
cgall Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 36 Likes: 0 Liked 23 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again Bader nailed it in his statement "an evening of entertainment." Look at all the TV racers, all run at night. Night of Fire, jet cars, fireworks, all at night. Edgewater ran a Divisional event in August for about 25 years, the stands were full on Saturday night and completely empty on Sunday in the 90° heat. Then NHRA declared that all qualifying be finished by 6:00 PM on Saturday, so no Alky cars running at night. They also required fees for the manufacturers midway and t-shirt sales, so that died out. It was around 2002 that the track gave up the Divisional. They now have Pro Mod shows and Nitro Chaos shows at Edgewater, and they run them on Friday and Saturday night with good spectator counts.

11-21-2023, 12:22 PM	#4
Maverick Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 299 Likes: 2 Liked 36 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again Please don't talk about lowering the indexes. That only hurts the little guy. Everyone knows what the problem is and they use them, but it is the way it is. If you change the I sexes, they will screw it up.

11-21-2023, 12:31 PM	#5
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again there are no little guys racing the .90 classes, this isn't 1990 when a 700HP 454BBC in a S/C or S/G car was competitive and your car was on a open trailer. If you can afford the tow vehicle, trailer, entry fees, race fuel, tires, yada, yada, yada and time off of work you can afford to upgrade your program but all this is off topic. Last edited by 1320racer; 11-21-2023 at 12:36 PM.

11-21-2023, 01:14 PM	#6
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,814 Likes: 2,903 Liked 5,118 Times in 1,950 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again It has been said here, many times, that we're not a car culture anymore and that young people have no interest in cars, racing. So, how does one explain The Southeast Gassers phenomenon ? Started about a decade ago by Quain Stott with one car, there are well over a 100 cars being built or raced. Strictly enforced rules ..1967 or earlier cars, appearance Stick shift only, clutchless forbidden 1/8 mile only, on smaller southern tracks Must do a wheelie Strongly suggest car names..NO vinyl or air brush No ETs on scoreboard Burn outs across the line,...Back up girls allowed Flat out racing. First to the finish line wins Racers don't pay entries. They are the show! Annual points fund Spectators travel hundreds of mile to watch these races and usually pack these venues. Many videos available on Y/T Now, compare this to NHRA Divs, with throttle stopped BBC PG ....Never mind __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

11-21-2023, 02:00 PM	#7
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,822 Likes: 2,166 Liked 2,346 Times in 552 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again The fans understand HEADS-UP RACING!! The match race that Robin and I put together at the NMCA event at St Louis is a great example. By the last round, almost everyone at the track was in the stands watching. Class Racers have the ingredients to draw crowds. But, do we have the will? __________________ Daren Poole-Adams NHRA Stock/SS 2007

11-21-2023, 02:36 PM	#8
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 888 Likes: 1,594 Liked 386 Times in 150 Posts	Re: Make Divisionals Great Again Don’t confuse what well established racers want, with what the fans want. A sea of 69 Camaros is boring, regardless of their amount under the index. A group of diverse cars racing is more interesting and enjoyable for the fans. And for the record, people aren’t stupid, where are all these people that “can’t understand handicap racing”??? Anyone that doesn’t understand at first can be taught very easily. To say fans only want/like heads up is not true otherwise the stands would be full for class heads up runs and empty when running eliminations, but it’s the same “class racing people” that watch. I would say, find what brings in more racers. Reducing hp on unused combos, make records worth something (recognition and $$) tear downs before awarding records, etc. That’s my $.02 Canadian which is what -$.00001US�� Last edited by goinbroke2; 11-21-2023 at 02:42 PM.