Did Anybody Else Catch This?!

[nickh]

Alan nailed it. Without Corporate Funding the first things that get cut are R&D, Testing, etc....

Until there is a way to wrangle in the cost of PS the numbers will continue to dwindle.

With the economy the way it is, it will be interesting in 2014 on Pro Car Counts. JMO

[H Hoover]

Our administration is giving a crushing blow to all entertainment dollars for every working average American now, and that is the biggest change we need.


Amen,

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by nickh

Alan nailed it. Without Corporate Funding the first things that get cut are R&D, Testing, etc....

Until there is a way to wrangle in the cost of PS the numbers will continue to dwindle.

With the economy the way it is, it will be interesting in 2014 on Pro Car Counts. JMO

It isn't just Pro Stock that is hurting.

We're hurting too, and we're not alone, either. I know a lot of long time racers who are struggling to keep their program afloat and justify the costs. Sportsman racers are hurting. A lot of them. Many are hurting badly.

[nickh]

Alan,

Yes it is across the board, even bracket racing. Sorry I didn't disclose that in my post but do agree.

[jmcarter]

Agree with Alan and others here but think bracket racers have proven themselves a resilient bunch. Might be more open trailers than stackers in the future but don't know that dimishes the experience for anyone. As long as there are tracks/operators like at Norwalk the sport will survive for the next few decades at least.

NHRA operating like they have the same kind of leverage as NASCAR or F1 has led us down this path, along with promoters like Bernstein who fed the fever for faster and faster Pros no matter the cost.

[bob3240]

Racing is expensive, sure, but what really is expensive is losing.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I watched about no more than 5minutes of tv coverage this year,did'nt really keep up with any of pro classes in ND either.
I don't really like what it has became w/multi car teams and countdown.
I like it when the guy driving can do whatever the car needs,from machining,porting heads,assm.engine,clutch,rear,chassis,down to driving the truck,there are'nt many of those guys anymore,like WJ,KJ,Gliddens,Big Daddy.etc.
I think thats one reason you don't see anybody dominating like you used to see,you have about one company doing the majority of pro stock heads, a few doing chassis,so I think that you miss out on that one guy doing something different and it happening to work way better than everyone else's stuff.
if you can dominate then countdown steals all that in the end anyway,what's next just give everyone a wally for showing up.
Mike Taylor 3601

[goinbroke2]

I agree the "car nation" is gone, most people drive a "grey" car or a "silver car", barely even know the brand. Cars are more appliances then anything else to most now.

Drag racing is like drugs, once your hooked you gotta do it and I think there will always be drag racing, but, cost is killing the huge programs. If your willing to pay to bracket race for trophy's or bragging rights or grudge race heads up then it will survive. Trouble is, most don't want it to be a "pay X amount to play" like golf or other sports, they want to win their money back.

Those happiest drag racing seem to be the ones who go for the friends and friendly competition.
I want to win as much as everybody else, but realistically, go knowing it will cost X amount to go to the track this weekend and I'm fine with that. If I get some back, GREAT!

The last two summer averaged about 7500km's towing the kids junior, he got 6th place both years and zero $$ back. Does it matter? Not at all, I plan on spending money for him and I for the experience.

The pro's? Yeah, they got issues as they're doing it for a paycheck. It's a free market so they too have to adapt/overcome or go out of business...and then get bailed out by the left. (sorry, couldn't resist)

Every other industry adapts to keep current, racing is no different.