Nhra

[skills]

Ed my sportsmen friend I enjoy your opinions because I know your just being honest. I do have a question how do you think they can fix what's ailing nhra? Everyone says about the entry fees, maybe you should get a discount if you enter more than one class or if you enter 3 or more national events get a discount. I never knew how expensive it was to run s/ss but the larger the fields the better. Look at the dutch the last couple years the crowd has been getting larger.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by skills

Ed my sportsmen friend I enjoy your opinions because I know your just being honest. I do have a question how do you think they can fix what's ailing nhra? Everyone says about the entry fees, maybe you should get a discount if you enter more than one class or if you enter 3 or more national events get a discount. I never knew how expensive it was to run s/ss but the larger the fields the better. Look at the dutch the last couple years the crowd has been getting larger.

Thanks for your support.What would I like to see?
1) Increase in the payout structure for the entry amount we pay.
2) Real tech at races.If you go fast you get torn down,no questions asked.
3) Use ALL runs at Nats/div/opens to impliment the AHFS.Some cars (not only the new ones) are so fast they can get hit even running the next class up.I've seen it
more than once.And I don't want to hear "They work on their cars".Bullpoop.If you go
1.25-1.30 under the new indexes,you're in the wrong class.
4) Clean house in Glendora.They've over extended their welcome.Nothing constructive comes from there anymore.
5) Lastly,for now,ban Jack from a 500 mile radius of any race in progress.End of
aquatic problems.

Mickey thanks for the heads up.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Thanks for your support.What would I like to see?
1) Increase in the payout structure for the entry amount we pay.
2) Real tech at races.If you go fast you get torn down,no questions asked.
3) Use ALL runs at Nats/div/opens to impliment the AHFS.Some cars (not only the new ones) are so fast they can get hit even running the next class up.I've seen it
more than once.And I don't want to hear "They work on their cars".Bullpoop.If you go
1.25-1.30 under the new indexes,you're in the wrong class.
4) Clean house in Glendora.They've over extended their welcome.Nothing constructive comes from there anymore.
5) Lastly,for now,ban Jack from a 500 mile radius of any race in progress.End of
aquatic problems.

Mickey thanks for the heads up.

10-4 on #4. I agree with everything else to but #4 is the most important.

[Tony Mandella]

Normally, I don't post on these kind of topics - but ideas are always a good thing.

Skills - I think you bring up some good ideas about discount programs for fans, racers, etc... that would and could possibly work. Getting those into effect may be another story, but never hurts to try. I am in my mid-20's and yes I have been around racing my entire life so being a racer for me came from the family, however, I know that when someone is driving a muscle car around town, on the freeway, etc... it turns heads - mostly everyone around takes a second glance or stares because you don't see them that often and lets face it they look awesome.

My idea would be something to try and generate more fans for the sportsman racers. It would start at the divisional level and working with the individual tracks themselves.
Work with local businesses to help promote the event (get a couple of sportsman racers to bring their cars out for half a day/night the weekend before right out front of Bass Pro Shops, Hooters, or anywhere local and pass out FREE tickets to the divisional event) I think the key is giving out FREE tickets and getting people to come to the races. Think about it - if you give out 3000 tickets for a local divisional and lets say only 5% of the people take advantage of the free offering, that is 150 more people at the event than they had before. People would be more apt to buying food, apparel, etc... since they got in free. Tracks could sell more vendor spots because more people would be coming out. Then, hopefully out of those 150 extra people that came - maybe a percentage of them would become actual fans or even racers. The other benefit is that the sportsman racers would then have a little more appeal to sponsors since they would be getting a little more exposure.

It sounds small, but I think it could have a huge impact if done right.

[stefan callender]

Originally Posted by Tony Mandella

Normally, I don't post on these kind of topics - but ideas are always a good thing.

Skills - I think you bring up some good ideas about discount programs for fans, racers, etc... that would and could possibly work. Getting those into effect may be another story, but never hurts to try. I am in my mid-20's and yes I have been around racing my entire life so being a racer for me came from the family, however, I know that when someone is driving a muscle car around town, on the freeway, etc... it turns heads - mostly everyone around takes a second glance or stares because you don't see them that often and lets face it they look awesome.

My idea would be something to try and generate more fans for the sportsman racers. It would start at the divisional level and working with the individual tracks themselves.
Work with local businesses to help promote the event (get a couple of sportsman racers to bring their cars out for half a day/night the weekend before right out front of Bass Pro Shops, Hooters, or anywhere local and pass out FREE tickets to the divisional event) I think the key is giving out FREE tickets and getting people to come to the races. Think about it - if you give out 3000 tickets for a local divisional and lets say only 5% of the people take advantage of the free offering, that is 150 more people at the event than they had before. People would be more apt to buying food, apparel, etc... since they got in free. Tracks could sell more vendor spots because more people would be coming out. Then, hopefully out of those 150 extra people that came - maybe a percentage of them would become actual fans or even racers. The other benefit is that the sportsman racers would then have a little more appeal to sponsors since they would be getting a little more exposure.

It sounds small, but I think it could have a huge impact if done right.

Tony, one year we were at the Virginia points meet. The track owners gave free admission, and I believe $5.00 parking. The place was packed, the concessions were packed and everyone was cheering in the stands. This is what is needed. If fans can see organized Drag Racing, maybe you wont see the misconception of two idiots speeding on the Expressway called "drag racing".

[FINESPLINE]

I believe Gary Richard gave away many free tickets in Division 1 this past year as he is a major sponsor ( P.C. Richard ) . I never heard any comment on the turnout at the track due to his generosity. Did anybody notice ?

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by FINESPLINE

I believe Gary Richard gave away many free tickets in Division 1 this past year as he is a major sponsor ( P.C. Richard ) . I never heard any comment on the turnout at the track due to his generosity. Did anybody notice ?

Tony and Finespline.That was tried at Englishtown a few times.I don't think 50 people took advantage of it.I'll bet some of them were coming anyway.Jack did his best to distribute passes and it was a bust.It's not for not trying that the tracks can't pull in fans for divisionals.Years ago they did,I think for two reasons.One we were more of a car culture and two,they used to run fuel cars and P/S at those events.
Maybe if they booked in a show with fuelers,you know the local leakers,and do some advertising,they might fill some seats.I'm not just about negativity,see Ken?

[Wisman Racing]

Just on the topic of younger guys. Just got back from a CanAm race. There are 3 of us younger guys ( believe I'm the oldest at 23) who just built cars. A '68 baracuda, '68 Camaro, and mine is a SS/JA '69 Camaro. Some of us still know where it's at.

John

[skills]

I can only speak for my part of the country. Gary Richard is great and if he is at the dutch I plan on thinking him for his support of D1 sportsmen. I don't see too much advertising for maple grove and I am only an hour away. That's why I believe we need to bring back match racing. Maybe a big weekend s/ss combo with the sunoco series. Maybe a pro mod shootout, something to really give people the over the top with the bloodline of drag racing.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by skills

I can only speak for my part of the country. Gary Richard is great and if he is at the dutch I plan on thinking him for his support of D1 sportsmen. I don't see too much advertising for maple grove and I am only an hour away. That's why I believe we need to bring back match racing. Maybe a big weekend s/ss combo with the sunoco series. Maybe a pro mod shootout, something to really give people the over the top with the bloodline of drag racing.

That could be a start,if they recognize the fact.