Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

So just writing out thoughts here...

What problem are we trying to solve?

Is the problem that Divisionals are not profitable to the track owners and so we need more spectators? If so, then your answer is pretty simple. Partner with a "sideshow" or two (meant in the most respectful way possible) that gets people in the door and gets them to spend money. Who cares if it's street outlaws, jet cars, pro match races (like the 2 Elite PS cars at Rock Falls in D5 this year), etc.

Or is the problem that we need spectators to grow S/SS racing and grow the winning purses, etc.? If so, I think Ed has a valid point. It'll be quite hard if not impossible - for a variety of reasons.

Ultimately maybe Mark has the best point here. No matter the outcome, the hard-core class racers and fans won't like it. It's either the classes get overshadowed by the money making show and people get upset, or the classes will get restructured so badly and people will get upset.

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

One other way, it came to mind remembering a T&T I went to at Bakersfield. There were a drove of imports making passes with plenty of their friends watching. Maybe add one more category of quickest 16 imports. It will bring quite a few of the younger generation into the mix.

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

I like this. Street legal, Tagged/Insured, and a DOT tire. I'd go to the fence and watch that. The only debate would be the driveline...The FWD guys won't come out if the AWD (Subaru) or RWD (Supra) cars are running with them. I'd rather see it a FWD only class.

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

A lot of the appeal to casual fans was lost long ago when cars started being hauled in enclosed trailers, as a young kid it was a thrill to see these cars in motel lots or pulling down the road, sadly those days will not be back.

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

Steve, I don't know about the tagged/insured thing but the FWD/import stuff is plenty popular! If you have nothing to do some Saturday, go to a Cecil Co. T&T. 1/4 mile, fully prepped track and on a nice day, 300+ cars and probably half of them pretty quick FWD stuff. I'm impressed and love to watch!

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

I know it's plenty popular. My thought is the tagged/insured/FWD thing would draw out more casual participants...such as a HS/College age. Leaving it wide open leaves the door open for Comp cars to enter...after all, this year's national champion is Toyota powered.

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

I was getting to this next. Thanks

Some of you might remember Indy tech in at the shopping center down the street?
I can't see why something like this wouldn't help to bring the locals out to a Divisional.

In today's world, Mr. Top 10 rolls into town with his rig, pulling a big white box.
All the locals see is what could be Joe's Lawn Care. or Mom and Pop RV-ing, with their Jeep inside. In other words, no help getting the word out about the race this weekend.

How about this:
My revamped schedule has time on Thursday and Friday evenings for a free car show in the staging lanes. Let the locals in , no charge ,after the day's qualifying.
Sort of a Meet the Racers night.
They might just pay to come back on Saturday to watch their new friends.
How many here , of those who want to make Divs great again, would participate?

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

We tried to bring some Pro Mods to some local events at Bakersfield and it was explained to us that depending on what class cars and ET they run you have a whole new level of insurance costs as well as Safety personnel needed to run the Nitro or Pro Mods . Now with that being said I’m not sure if they can even add classes to the now Double Division races through the season ? The Bakersfield Double had a pretty high car count if I’m not mistaken. Bring back the days of Pro Stock , Wheelstanders, Jet cars , might attract more fans to the Divisionals . Please don’t flame me about Jet cars lol …

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

Trailers don’t come into play in my opinion. Cars are outside their trailers all weekend for viewing. Enclosed is to deter theft and to protect your investments.
Tracks found an easy way to increase fees ( post covid) and they did. They don’t want to spend on jet cars or a pro mod show much less on advertising otherwise they would have already done that!
That’s why the Heritage Series is successful, they have fast exciting cars and they advertise! There’s your template!

Re: Make Divisionals Great Again
 

Barry, I think you miss the point, when cars were on open trailers the public outside the race track were able to get up close and interest was generated by people who may have never been exposed to drag racing, in the young kid who talks dad into going to the track, as I said I know those days are surely gone but it did make a difference at one time.