How do YOU..... promote drag racing?

[Gary Smith]

Anywhere and as often as I can without getting in trouble. Carshows play a big part...the opportunities are endless. Many show promoters welcome drag cars with open arms. Why let the car sit in the garage or trailer when you can at least display it between races? And I gain a couple new fans for S/SS at each event. I've even let kids sit in the car, and the parents take pictures...you can imagine the seeds planted into those young kids minds.

[Jimi B]

Nearly perfect post Wade.

I think we all need to be proactive and spread the word. It may be a hobby for some and not a biz, but who doesnt want to race in front of more fans? More fans, equal more, money for the track which hopefully translates to more payout.. More fans hopefully equal more sponsorship money. I know that is a perfect world scenario, but trying to be positive and proactive is better than sitting in front of your internet machine and complaining about, NHRA, gas prices, track owners, small purses, the sport not being what it used to be etc... Certainly Class Racers have an uphill battle going on right now with the new cars and technology and the way NHRA seems to be catering to them... I love the cars. Love the technology. I dont think they need a new class... I think they just needed to be factored right out of the box instead of changing the ahfs etc for everyone.. Sorry to stray off topic. Anyways... That might be one of the harder fights, but if you want more payouts etc, I dont think that doing what each and every one of us can to help get folks out to the track is a bad idea or too much to ask. I will admit I never really thought about it that much until recently. As of late I find my self inviting colleagues and customers from the day that have little knowledge about racing or cars.

I am also having a little fun with a side project that I am starting. My blog...

Its not finished, and right now I am just using a blog template but you guys can review it and give me some ribbing if you like hahah. But I do touch on the promotion and advancement of the sport, specifically the sportsman side.

http://jimibracing.com/

[Wade Mahaffey]

You know, I was thinking today about something that nobody has mentioned. I think most of us look at an NHRA National Event Win as the ultimate prize. Indy would ofcourse be the top, and a World Championship as well. Either of these would place one in the NHRA history book forever. But what would happen if we did'nt blow our oun horn just a little? What would happen if we just turned the other cheek and accepted the next NHRA beat down? How long will it be before they say "we don't need you anymore"? If you look at the car counts at any track, they all point the wrong way!
Think about the veteran/retired (racers) that have built racing to what it is today. They made major sacrafices in life and paved the way for you and I to race! The past winners and champions deserve to be remembered forever in my opinion. If we let the sport/class die, so will their memory. What good is winning the ultimate prise when nobody cares anyway. Class racers commited most of their life to automotive performance, and it would be a shame to let them be forgotten. It is important that all racers keep in mind that you have a place to race.
USE IT OR LOOSE IT!!......STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

I want to personally say to the veteran and retired racers:
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID !

Wade Mahaffey

[Geerhead55]

The promoting at car shows,,on weekends at car events and so on is the easy part, I think. Its what we do Monday through Friday to reach out to people that has to reap dividends. I drive a 5 ton truck hauling for a steel fabricator,,and I have an NHRA member sticker on my wing window, and it inevitably draws attention in my daily pickups and deliveries. Once someone notices it and mentions it to me, they get the full assault of my best promoting device,,, my mouth, knowledge and experience of over 45 years of drag racing. If they have kids,,all the better,,as I'l tell them about Jr.Dragsters or High School competitions that are held locally, as well as on a national basis.
If they start talking about muscle cars,,I'll steer them towards talking about Stock/Superstock and so forth. If they have a basic knowledge of racing,,I'll try to help them have a deeper understanding of the sport, and of course always mention our local tracks in case they aren't aware of them or have forgotten them.
Its all about trying to get them to come out and enjoy a day at the track,,,no different than what somebody did to me years ago as a teen, and it certainly got me hooked.
Like someone famous said,,,"Never stop selling!",, niether should we ever stop selling.
Danny Durham

[Dragtime Dodge]

I love our sport and promote it the best I can by publishing my website The Dragtime News. Many here already know it, but it's found at www.DragtimeNews.com.