Time to Revisit the Super Times?

[CBS]

Plus NHRA loves us.....we don't bitch.....they check for a helmet and let us race.....like Jeff said...the only thing to talk about is the payout.....

Rock Haas

[Chuck Westcott]

Cabin Fever is coming early !

Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, paranoia, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark

[Michael Pliska]

Well said Jason and Bill. I've brought up the same thing, and been thoroughly chastised for having the audacity to question the status quo.

As far as whether the .90 classes have ever drawn a crowd, here is a late round at the 1988 Seattle national:


I have another photo somewhere taken by someone in the stands in this picture, and you can see the larger stands on the other side of the track are completely packed. Is the lack of fans only because of the timed throttle stops? Probably not, but it sure doesn't help. You guys keep bringing up payouts. As I learned in the small outlaw tracks in the South (where the weekly payouts rival an LODRS win), the key to higher payouts is to have something the spectators want to see. In those small towns in the South, even bracket racing was fun to watch. Maybe we should be thinking of something that will draw them back to the stands.

[Jeff Beckman]

I am curious, other than adding a 7.900 class etc, what Ideas or what would all of you do or change? How would you reinvent drag racing? What fresh new stand filling thoughts does anyone have? I am not trying to stir the pot here. I agree in the days gone by the stands were full, people were easier to entertain, thier choises were less, but now, we do need a future. So what is it?

[SuperCompDiv3]

All good points but the bottom line is there is nothing wrong with the system.

Too many racers go by the saying: If it isn't broken, then fix it until it is.

So many things are more important right now.

[Rollins_2241]

Flame suit on.

It's time to phase out the throttle stops - besides there are better ways to do it now that don't sacrifice as much accuracy and don't have the "spectator problem" of "broken" cars.

Here's my new slate. Tell them it's coming 1/1/2013.

Outlaw Super Comp - 7.60 index, dragsters OK, nitrous OK, delay OK, no SLE or stops, .4 pro tree (not .370). Older slower cars can step up with an add-on nitrous system, fast current cars can make the break or slow it down a bit, safety rules don't require the Advanced ET stuff.

Outlaw Super Gas - 8.60 index, left steer, nitrous OK, delay OK, no SLE/stops, .4 pro tree. Same deal for the current crop from fast S/G cars to low 9-second bracket cars wanting to give it a try.

Outlaw Super Street - 10.00 index, doors and a roof, nitrous OK, no delay, no stops, .4 pro tree. Same rules as Unleashed and Div. 2 10.00 index.

11.00 and 12.00 index just like Unleashed/Div. 2, just as they are now, entry-level classes for no-box no-stop racers on a .5 pro tree.

[Rollins_2241]

"Plenty of guys in the .90 classes show up at each Div race"

Not true anymore. Div. 2 had 90-100 cars in S/C four years ago, now they are lucky to get 60. S/G had 70-80, now around 50. S/ST had 60-70, now around 35-45. And they rarely fill quota at most Nationals - Pomona, Gainesville, Norwalk, and Englishtown the exceptions.

Plus, at bottom the money lubricating drag racing, like every other sport, comes from TV. That's what sponsors sign up for, and it trickles down the line to racers running a sticker and getting a higher purse or contingency. Super class racing looks retarded on TV, even though the trap speeds are high. Two 12.0 cars side by side "look fast" on TV - watch the Unleashed footage, then watch the Super class finals from a Lucas Oil show, and see what I mean.

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by Rollins_2241

The money lubricating drag racing, like every other sport, comes from TV.

If that's the case, the sport would've died a generation ago. The TV ratings for drag racing have never approached those of even an unranked pairing in NCAA football. That's why NHRA has to pay to produce and broadcast it...

The gate (front and back door) and concessions dollars have always been the money in drag racing. That, and the spend of the participants, on parts and consumables.

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by Rollins_2241

It's time to phase out the throttle stops - besides there are better ways to do it now that don't sacrifice as much accuracy and don't have the "spectator problem" of "broken" cars.

Never understood the passionate hatred of throttle stops.

Maybe I'm stupid, but help me understand the "better ways to do it now"?