National Dragster
 

Was I the only person that noticed that they chopped the sportsman national event coverage from two page spreads down to a single stinkin' page in the new dragster? It sure appears that they replaced it with more "advertising revenue". Honestly, ND has slowly evolved into a "fan magazine" with far too much "pro racer worship" over the years. What happened to the added sportsman coverage that they spoke about?

Re: National Dragster
 

Oh the February issue received March 15th, forgot I had a subscription

Re: National Dragster
 

I noticed and not a good thing as far as I am concerned.

Re: National Dragster
 

I recently acquired a bunch of ND's from the late 70's through the early 90's. They are so much more enjoyable to read and look through than the new ones, and they only had a week to put them together...

Re: National Dragster
 

Even the NHRA web site doesn't have one thing about Gator Nationals sportsman coverage yet!

Re: National Dragster
 

Burgess explained in the issue that just came out they had to trim some coverage because they had reached the maximum number of pages that good be printed and mailed.
Maybe if they cut back on the weight of the paper it would help.

Re: National Dragster
 

Sure not what it used to be.

Re: National Dragster
 

It’s primary purpose is to showcase existing Sponsors and serve as a tool to attract new Sponsor $$. That thick paper and color coverage of the Pros is impressive when it’s tossed in front of the client in meetings.

We’re lucky Drag Race Central is hanging in there.

Re: National Dragster
 

It is NHRA just being NHRA

Re: National Dragster
 

Some of you might recall that about a year ago, NHRA said they were going to reformat Natl Dragster to put more focus on sportsman racing, wonder how that went?

Re: National Dragster
 

From what I have seen, they cut their staff to a minimum that used to do the writeups.....

They focus on promoting the Pro's and their sponsors and the advertising dollars. $$ and revenue is what it's about....

They do some good articles and features but few and far between

The old paper days were huge with 2 pages for every sportsman winner at National events and many special articles and features

Even when I wasn't racing, one big highlight of every week was receiving the latest paper and reading it from front to back.....

Ancient history now....

The latest ND arrived days ago or longer and I haven't even bothered to look at it yet.

Re: National Dragster
 

Unless I missed it, there was absolutely no mention or photos of last year's division champions.

In the past, each division was given a page, with all of its champion cars pictured.

Re: National Dragster
 

Years ago we got 48 issues a year. Then they cut that down to 24 a year. Now we get 12 a year and they can't even deliver them in the correct month!! I realize the price of everything has gone up but the coverage sucks compared to what it was. Maybe I'm being anal but there is a lot of errors in the coverage that we do get.

Re: National Dragster
 

I worked in an auto parts store many years ago. When we had price increases, the manager would describe them as "new low prices". He didn't tell people that they were higher than the "old low prices". In this respect I guess the "new expanded sportsman coverage" isn't as extensive as the "old expanded sportsman coverage".

Re: National Dragster
 

National Dragster used to be a must read before the internet and this great forum, but it's been a rag for many, many years.
I especially loved the class winner photos from the Big Go.

Re: National Dragster
 

I received my August 2020 issue last Friday. Can anyone top that one?

Re: National Dragster
 

I love the way you get the future division event information and schedule AFTER THE EVENT ……you are already back home when event info comes ……so helpful lol

Re: National Dragster
 

Fire everyone at the ND and put Bill Howell in charge to reorganize. Jim


.

Re: National Dragster
 

I think the only way the national records will be put back in ND is if someone sponsored the page. I wonder if that would be doable and if someone would be willing, and what the cost would be?

Re: National Dragster
 

Anyone else get the feeling that NHRA wants to do away with ND and the costs associated with print and postage and go digital only ?

Re: National Dragster
 

Absolutely, and while they are at it they can keep there pin, decals, and coupons too.. give me back the rule book!

Re: National Dragster
 

Looked forward to receiving ND in the old days. 48 issues a year, a rule book, national record holders in every class in every edition, and a profile of national event sites and how to get there. I have to admit I've seen a lot of changes and have been against almost every one. Enhancement isn't always what it seems.

Re: National Dragster
 

You'd be getting rid of the few good people still there. And though I have high regard for Bill Howell, he wouldn't be able to do squat unless you could magically "put" him as Vice President (Executive VP?) of publications.

I knew all of the staff during the times we all miss - the 48 issue era. The reason it was a good publication then was that every staffer was just as much into drag racing as we all are. They cared about racing and racers and it showed.

I'm not going to throw firebombs, when when the "times are tough" thing became the motto in Glendora a bunch (most?) of the people were simply fired. OK, let go, if you want to make it sound better.

I haven't had any interaction with the remaining veterans in many years, but I will guarantee you that they are more upset with the product in 2022 than you are. It's a shame, but paychecks are important to all of us.

Even back then, there was a very short leash on the staff and the suits kept a firm grip on it. I can't imagine what it's like now with all the staff and budget cuts.

Re: National Dragster
 

Sure, OK, so put Bill in as V.P of PR and Publications. Problem fixed! Jim


.

Re: National Dragster
 

NHRA website playing trivia games, yet not one thing about sportsman at Gators yet! Sad!

Re: National Dragster
 

Reminds me of not long ago before they went to the thick pages that almost every issue they would have a full page black and white photo from the 1950's or 60's.

Yet......not one single page was available to publish the National Records at least once every 3 months.....

Re: National Dragster
 

Doesn't that seem to be the direction EVERYTHING in this country is going?

You pay more and get less...

Re: National Dragster
 

In the way-way-back the results filtered out to the reading public over time. In this day, we know most of the results almost instantly. All of the record information, etc. is available on the NHRA website. What is the need to continually print information that the vast majority of readers have zero interest in?

I would like to see recognition for setting a record, number one qualifier, etc.

Personally, I like the new "glossy" Dragster. I think that they do a pretty decent job of representing the NHRA and drag racing to the general public. Especially in a time where print is struggling to survive.

Re: National Dragster
 

So, a few years back I used to submit articles to ND for my series, when it was 48 issues, we would have no problem on getting them published. A few years back when it was 48 issues they came out with new rules and regulations on how many words and how it needed to be formatted. I kind of knew the writing was on the wall for the direction the paper was going in. I kindly asked that the wording amounts could be reviewed because I believe it was 200 words or less and if it went over, they would send your article back and not publish it. Well, when you went by their formatting rules (Track, Location, Date, Series, Title) you used up about 30 words automatically so trying to fit 2 races with 3 different classes each day became a struggle. I still submitted them only to find that they chopped the article up so bad to make it fit the 3 pages they would have for member track news that I gave up last year when they went to 12 articles. I just submit to Drag Champ, Drag Racing Online and other publications now instead of waiting 3 months past an event to get the coverage printed. It is a shame but, I think with the costs of everything and us being in a digital world now this is the new direction for the newer crowd. I can say the older crowd wasn't soo happy about it as my dad was not happy, they cut down to 12 because like most of us, that is the "throne" reading material so now he analyzes that article from front to back till the next ND is delivered and god help if it's a few days late.....lol.

Re: National Dragster
 

Well at least you still have all that the contingency money to race for!

Re: National Dragster
 

An old friend said years ago,,"Enjoy what you got,,cause it ain't going to last forever". Linda and I decided last year we were going to travel around the US and compete at as many Divisionals and Nationals as we can and it paid off with a Divisional win in Topeka Kansas. When covid had people hiding in their closets,,we were running at races in 4 Divisions.
This year we are doing the same with,hopefully,the Western Swing to add to our HUGE list of memories!! We had a GREAT start to this year by winning the Baby Gators and will work hard for our first National win.
Many of our friends have decided to stay local because of high fuel prices and refuse to go to Indy because of the AHFS. We turned 68 this year and REALLY LOVE Stock Eliminator and before we hang it up we are going to enjoy what we have left.
We are by no means rich,,except for Linda and I having each other,but I know how to manage my $$$$.
Nothing going to change,,for quite awhile unless we get President Trump BACK. But,we all have cures and Linda and I are enjoying what's left and meeting some really fantastic people!!

Re: National Dragster
 

I thought the last n/d I got had all kinds of sportsman stuff, 7/8 page Jackie frick, 2 page photo spread sportsman cars, several articles, 50 wins, full page each class winternats etc

Re: National Dragster
 

I love your attitude! Hope to meet you soon.

Re: National Dragster
 

Well spoken, Tim! Pretty soon we will all be 76+, at the end of our run, checking to see if the win light will come on one more time.....better enjoy!

#5458

Curt Rees

Re: National Dragster
 

It took a while but, credit where due, there is a 2021 division champion section in the new March issue of National Dragster.

Re: National Dragster
 

It`s as if someone read this thread.

Re: National Dragster
 

I started getting National Dragster weekly in 1965 when I was in tenth grade in High School, and I still get it. That's 57 years of ND. Back then it typically came the same day every week and you couldn't wait to see who won what. Back then if you went to a bigger size-speed shop, they had a stack of ten fresh ones for sale each week. Then 1970 rolls up and I get to go to ARMY basic training in Fort Jackson, SC. Luckily the US MAIL had it together and the latest issue of ND correctly followed me through eight weeks of basic training on “tank hill” and then made the trip across the base for my eight weeks of AIT ( advanced individual training) again without missing an issue. It made those four months a lot more pleasant. Happiness for me was being on the cover of ND with one car, then three cars, and then five cars. Those were the good old days for sure. Not going to complain but the latest issue that arrived on Saturday is the best they've done lately

Re: National Dragster
 

I received mine yesterday, April 5; and it contains more Sportsman coverage than I have seen in recent issues.