Las Vegas 4 wide

[63corvette]

Originally Posted by Warren Evans

Alan was (still is) great at what he did, no question about it. It just didn't work out for both Alan and NHRA moving forward, and I truly believe he is enjoying his new opportunity with IHRA.

Having said that, the situation creates opportunities for some different voices behind the mic at the national and divisional level. This weekend, I personally got to be part of the announcing team and called eleven hours of sportsman racing at the NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide event. That included multiple rounds of the sportsman categories that you care about - which, by the way, I care about them as well. I'm not Alan; none of us are, and I don't think we're trying to be, either. He was immersed in all the nuances of these cars, and can explain the race in front of him in terms that fans of all levels could understand. There's not a lot of people that can do both of those things well.

I'm personally not a "car guy" at that level, although I do love the sport and appreciate everything that goes into it. I'm just trying to do the best job I can behind the mic in an entertaining and informative way, and to do whatever I can to help move the sport forward. I appreciate the opportunities when I'm given the chance. Not everyone is a fan of what I do, but for those of you that have shared positive feedback, thank you. I appreciate it.

Warren

Warren, I understand things change and everyone needs to have a chance to improve with time.
If you listen you learn something every day so I have a little constructive criticism for the program at the national broadcast this last weekend. We were at the track listening over the track radio station.
Point one is do away with 3 and 4 commentators on air at the same time talking over each other. This sounded far less than professional.
Point two is keep the volume the same when going from the comments to the music. I was constantly changing the volume to limit hearing damage when the music came on far too loud.
Point three is later in the day the winner of a pair in the sportsman categories was not announced. The race was announced however, the winner was not noted at the end. If you were not in the stands the listener was not sure of the outcome. I can understand after doing the announcing for hours it?s harder to keep going with all the info.
The final thing is Alan was comical with the comments and was a natural comic. This last weekend some of commentators seemed to try hard to be a comic also and fell short in my opinion. That made me think some were trying to hard and came across as less than professional.
Please do not take my comments as as hate of the program. These comments are just mine and are meant as constructive criticism to give feedback. Others probably have different observations and opinions.
I wish the best for all the past weekends commentators.
I guess I just expected something closer to the past.
Just my 2 cents
Rick Cates
Canyon TX

[Warren Evans]

Originally Posted by 63corvette

Warren, I understand things change and everyone needs to have a chance to improve with time.
If you listen you learn something every day so I have a little constructive criticism for the program at the national broadcast this last weekend. We were at the track listening over the track radio station.
Point one is do away with 3 and 4 commentators on air at the same time talking over each other. This sounded far less than professional.
Point two is keep the volume the same when going from the comments to the music. I was constantly changing the volume to limit hearing damage when the music came on far too loud.
Point three is later in the day the winner of a pair in the sportsman categories was not announced. The race was announced however, the winner was not noted at the end. If you were not in the stands the listener was not sure of the outcome. I can understand after doing the announcing for hours it?s harder to keep going with all the info.
The final thing is Alan was comical with the comments and was a natural comic. This last weekend some of commentators seemed to try hard to be a comic also and fell short in my opinion. That made me think some were trying to hard and came across as less than professional.
Please do not take my comments as as hate of the program. These comments are just mine and are meant as constructive criticism to give feedback. Others probably have different observations and opinions.
I wish the best for all the past weekends commentators.
I guess I just expected something closer to the past.
Just my 2 cents
Rick Cates
Canyon TX

Hi Rick -
Thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate it.
Some of your comments are things that I can personally improve on, and will continue to work on, as I want it to be the best show possible. For the rest, I will pass those comments along to others at the organization that can work on those areas.
Thanks -
Warren

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

This is a great idea for serving NHRA clients another issue I have with Indy is the condition of the pits >a first class track should always have first class pits no holes no bad pit spots and pavement every where or at least no gravel or dirt that a racer has to drive through like the pits at indy it is a disgace that the pits at a national event have gravel ,hey the NHRA people would not even drive their street rod on dirt or gravel

Same for Gainesville, driving from the road course area involves a long stretch of dusty pot hole filled drive which doesn't serve the racers or spectators well. Would have thought the Atlanta Dragway sale would have netted a bit better racer/fan experience at Indy and Gainesville.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Same for Gainesville, driving from the road course area involves a long stretch of dusty pot hole filled drive which doesn't serve the racers or spectators well. Would have thought the Atlanta Dragway sale would have netted a bit better racer/fan experience at Indy and Gainesville.

It is my understanding there will NEVER be paving to the road course, or even the finger road. That is until there is a change in City/county government. It is my understanding (now, I may be wrong) that "back in the day NHRA paved some roads without approval from the local governing body. The result is there can be no new roads, and some roads may not be maintained in any way.

I may be wrong...but that is what track/NHRA management told me "back in the day".

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Spectre

It is my understanding there will NEVER be paving to the road course, or even the finger road. That is until there is a change in City/county government. It is my understanding (now, I may be wrong) that "back in the day NHRA paved some roads without approval from the local governing body. The result is there can be no new roads, and some roads may not be maintained in any way.

I may be wrong...but that is what track/NHRA management told me "back in the day".

darn enviropmment with the dust going up imto the sky what is real reason no more paving will be done? I just bet the old sportsman pits for the pros will be paved big time watch

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by 63corvette

Warren, I understand things change and everyone needs to have a chance to improve with time.
If you listen you learn something every day so I have a little constructive criticism for the program at the national broadcast this last weekend. We were at the track listening over the track radio station.
Point one is do away with 3 and 4 commentators on air at the same time talking over each other. This sounded far less than professional.
Point two is keep the volume the same when going from the comments to the music. I was constantly changing the volume to limit hearing damage when the music came on far too loud.
Point three is later in the day the winner of a pair in the sportsman categories was not announced. The race was announced however, the winner was not noted at the end. If you were not in the stands the listener was not sure of the outcome. I can understand after doing the announcing for hours it?s harder to keep going with all the info.
The final thing is Alan was comical with the comments and was a natural comic. This last weekend some of commentators seemed to try hard to be a comic also and fell short in my opinion. That made me think some were trying to hard and came across as less than professional.
Please do not take my comments as as hate of the program. These comments are just mine and are meant as constructive criticism to give feedback. Others probably have different observations and opinions.
I wish the best for all the past weekends commentators.
I guess I just expected something closer to the past.
Just my 2 cents
Rick Cates
Canyon TX

Not sure what kind of music was playing but it seemed the crowd was not the crowd fitting to the music of course i am older lol

[SuperStock fan]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

Not sure what kind of music was playing but it seemed the crowd was not the crowd fitting to the music of course i am older lol

They need to get RID of Jason Logan period!!!

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by DG

My friend Peter from Sweden tells me at their races pit spots are assigned in advance to each racer. They ask the size of your rig and who you would like to pit next too. When you get to the track on the designated day there is no stacking, you simply drive in straight to your designated pit spot. Best of all, every pit spot has electrical hook ups.

Wouldn't that be awesome!
Hey NHRA you could place a camp host on site and open the pit parking as an RV park on the off days for travers passing through or visitors to the area. Generate some extra income when the track is not in use.

[Tex013]

Here in Oz at national events and my local track rounds it is always designated . You are sometimes asked how much space/area your trailer etc needs and you can ask to be pitted with specified racers .

Tex