Drag Race Central closing???

[Bobby Fazio]

I don't really look for results from the other organizations but seriously why can't the NHRA website offer timely, almost live, NHRA national and divisional results to anybody with a membership? Why are DRC/Summit "responsible" for posting results and scolded when they don't post them 5 minutes after the runs are made?

[farmco r/sa]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I don't really look for results from the other organizations but seriously why can't the NHRA website offer timely, almost live, NHRA national and divisional results to anybody with a membership? Why are DRC/Summit "responsible" for posting results and scolded when they don't post them 5 minutes after the runs are made?

I think this is a great point and food for thought...

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I don't really look for results from the other organizations but seriously why can't the NHRA website offer timely, almost live, NHRA national and divisional results to anybody with a membership? Why are DRC/Summit "responsible" for posting results and scolded when they don't post them 5 minutes after the runs are made?

NHRA would have to have someone at every track to to take care of handling the data. At some tracks, results for divisional races have to be input manually -- either by typing as it happens by reading the announcer's screen or entering the results from the run logs after each round. In addition, before the first qualifying sessions are reported, someone has to compare the tech cards to the information on the computer to make sure that the driver has not changed cars or changed classes. Then, the results have to be sent to the website.

Since DRC already had someone doing just that at every divisional race, it made more sense for NHRA to use DRC's reports than duplicate the effort. There is no magical way for the results to just appear on NHRA's website.

Jim

[LethalRat]

Drag Race Central is definitely our lifeline for drag racing results. Hope it keeps going for many more years.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

NHRA would have to have someone at every track to to take care of handling the data. At some tracks, results for divisional races have to be input manually -- either by typing as it happens by reading the announcer's screen or entering the results from the run logs after each round. In addition, before the first qualifying sessions are reported, someone has to compare the tech cards to the information on the computer to make sure that the driver has not changed cars or changed classes. Then, the results have to be sent to the website.

Since DRC already had someone doing just that at every divisional race, it made more sense for NHRA to use DRC's reports than duplicate the effort. There is no magical way for the results to just appear on NHRA's website.

Jim

I would think that NHRA would have someone doing that as well, afterall, it's their race.

[Brett C]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I don't really look for results from the other organizations but seriously why can't the NHRA website offer timely, almost live, NHRA national and divisional results to anybody with a membership? Why are DRC/Summit "responsible" for posting results and scolded when they don't post them 5 minutes after the runs are made?

Very legitimate line of thought. However, I don't think that any of us are holding our breaths. After all, we are MEMBERS!

[jmcarter]

At the National Events NHRA already has audiocast and live timing so why do you think they would do more?

Emailed the Summit Communications contact provided on an earlier thread and trying to get a phone number of others to try and convey my concerns about them curtailing their support of DRC and this great service. I'm not giving up on them, I really do value their service and support of other programs plus great parts delivery and prices.


ARebescher@SummitRacing.com

[Dwight Southerland]

I don't see DRC as "responsible" to report. They saw an opportunity because of a need and market interest. The problem is how to make it financially practical. NHRA would say the same thing, and in their case would look at different options (maybe raising the membership fee to cover the expense, looking for corporate sponsors, etc.). If DRC chooses to charge a fee for their service, then each one of us would have to make the decision whether it was worth it. Remember that DRC reports a lot besides just NHRA. Possibly the revenue from a service charge would allow them to offer expanded services. Information is not free, nor is it a right.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

I don't see DRC as "responsible" to report. They saw an opportunity because of a need and market interest. The problem is how to make it financially practical. NHRA would say the same thing, and in their case would look at different options (maybe raising the membership fee to cover the expense, looking for corporate sponsors, etc.). If DRC chooses to charge a fee for their service, then each one of us would have to make the decision whether it was worth it. Remember that DRC reports a lot besides just NHRA. Possibly the revenue from a service charge would allow them to offer expanded services. Information is not free, nor is it a right.

Dead-on. Another thing to consider is the staffing pool. Larry might actually want to retire sometime in the next 15-20 years.

Add up any kind of hourly wage and travel expenses times the number of events they cover, and I think you'll find the cost to maintain DRC is pretty astronomical.

While there are other services out there like 1320go (which you pay for and isn't available everywhere), and fully produced live video like we'll have at the Auto Meter Northern Class Nationals through MotorManiaTV.com (which you know NHRA wouldn't have at a National event competing with ESPN, and wouldn't pay for it for a Divisional). DRC really has its own niche, not only for live results, but also as an amazing repository of archived research material. I use it extensively when writing race coverage for events.

Regardless of what happens, a heartfelt thanks to the whole crew for all their hard work over the years.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Regardless of what happens, a heartfelt thanks to the whole crew for all their hard work over the years.

Amen to that!