Make Divisionals Great Again

[1320racer]

they're not out there

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

they're not out there

Ed, I disagree with them not being out there, as I pointed out in my SEGA post.
The problem is that spectators don't want to watch what we do.It's boring to them.

First of all , there isn't enough time for a booked in show , with the current structure.
It's going to take a total re-design, and you guys are not gonna like it, when it's done.

Some ideas:
Single Divs only. Start qualifying on Thursday.
32 car fields on Saturday. Start elims mid day

.90 cars ..Closest to dot 90 qualifiers
(You will lose very few, because most can run .90 , either if they're lucky or good)

S/SS..You could do 32 fastest, but you'll lose guys at the bottom. Supposedly what lowering indexes will do. So that leaves RT's, just like the shootouts.

Top this'n that ? You tell me.

Alcohol ..Four remaining pairs, two of each categories, under the lights. The good guys don't usually blow up and cause a bunch of down time.

Now you've got some time Saturday for a booked in show..
Bring in a couple of the Street Criminals. Whodaddy or Daddy Dong .. whoever they are. Spectators will be out in droves, buying T-shirts, drinking beer, etc.

So far, we haven't lost many of of our current paying race entrants.

See, I told you you weren't gonna like it. ;-)

[Nick Heath]

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.

[Mike Gray]

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.

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by Mike Gray

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.

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.

[Neal Derochie]

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.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Neal Derochie

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.

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?

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Steve Stasko

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.

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!

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

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!

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.

[Mike Jones]

Originally Posted by Mike Gray

Maybe add one more category of quickest 16 imports. It will bring quite a few of the younger generation into the mix..

That sounds like a great idea. Are they going to be made the show? If
not and they are already popular, why would they put up with NHRA, who they don`t really need.