A subject for discussion on a winter's day.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by CMcAllister

A few years ago, we went to PRI. There were a number of the Street Outlaw guys there walking around as well. People were following them around, stopping them for photos, standing in line to meet them wherever they stopped to shoot the breeze with someone. I had to ask a buddy who they were and why they were such celebrities.

Later in the weekend while walking, we saw the Top Fuel World Champion car in a booth, stopped to look at it a second and noticed the Top Fuel World Champion sitting there at a table with hero cards. No one talking to him, no line to meet him, just sitting there watching people walk past. That was an enlightening moment.

^^ this is a good example of what exposure does for a "sport". Those shows are popular ( and the people on the shows) because of constant exposure to the viewing public.
People that don't race are tuning in to watch these episodes. I hear it all the time from non drag racing people at work.

The Discovery channel has many scheduled hours of the Street Outlaws and No Prep Kings episodes as well as the offspring shows from that ( Memphis Outlaws, etc.)

How many hours of TV time do NHRA classes ( pro or sportsman) get ? Very few.
Plus not many people are up watching FS1 @ 11:00 pm or 2 am

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Tim H

Was there not a "Classracer "event held a few years ago ? where was it contested and might there ever be another one ?

I was there. Not enough racers supported it so there will not be another one. The “I only race nhra events” racers won’t show up to a race like that. Their “too” good for it. Michael put a ton of work into it. I put together the SS/K stick shootout. Raised 7700.00 cash, product, certificates. It could of been a great deal but........

[Mark Yacavone]

Good thread , Billy Boy

I don't know where to jump in ,at this point.

Just some random points:

I thought NHRA was supposed to help out with the local radio spots as part of their divisional scam...I mean package? I don't think promoting Alky cars works with the fuel zombies anyway. Better off showing wheelstanding S/SS cars on local TV ads.

.90 cars..What can I say ? They had a chance to fix their non- spectator friendly act ,about ten years ago . Most of them voted NO ..Much easier to adjust the stops.
Probably end up costing them in the long run, down the road.

If anyone figures out how to separate out the Sportsman car..make sure you bring along the FS/XX or FX or whatever they're called , new cars. The clown show doesn't need them anyway. The annual fuel fume breathers don't watch Pro Stock now, as it is .
Come to think about it, even a 2 out 3 , old style match race between 2 of the best in the division, might bring in some spectators, if promoted correctly.

Ed Carpenter, Sadly, right on the money. No Wallys , no support. No NHRA? Quitting time for many, I believe. Might start a thread on that subject, soon.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Good thread , .90 cars..What can I say ? They had a chance to fix their non- spectator friendly act ,about ten years ago . Most of them voted NO ..Much easier to adjust the stops.
Probably end up costing them in the long run, down the road.

That must explain why at divisional events the stands, which were packed for Stock and Super Stock, suddenly empty when us .90 guys roll into the water.

I generally don't pay any attention to the Pro circus, because it is mostly a bunch of rich people out blowing money for fun and I don't care who wins.

We Sportsman racers are about the same, but most of us are a little less rich than the Pro guys. Why should people pay money to come watch us play? Especially for what many tracks charge at the gate for a divisional event.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

That must explain why at divisional events the stands, which were packed for Stock and Super Stock, suddenly empty when us .90 guys roll into the water.

.

Good point, TL
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...

[FED 387]

I have a problem with any electronics that are utilized in .90 racing--- it should be a function of the driver to "be able to adjust the vehicle " to run the numbers--- no thousand dollars ET control units should be allowed. And we all know that if that came into play most racers would either stop racing or find a place to race that accepts them. NO BOX racing !!!! FED 387

[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.....