Video at NHRA events

[BKSG1198]

Originally Posted by robzneed4speed

I just attended my first Bracket Finals today. This event was run by NHRA and the tension was high. I went to get my usual starting line spot to do some videos at my "home" track and went to the tower to get my clearance, well...in leu of the enforcement the NHRA posted this week the track photographer was not there, another dragstrips team photographer was not allowed on the starting line and was told if they were seen in the stands with there high powered lens they would be escorted out! Pit shots only! I was considering not even videoing today! I just considered it...lol.
This also effected me as a team I was partnering with for the Maple Grove National event was no longer going to do video as a result of this, so more than likely I won't be able to attend this race as planned.
My videos are by no means perfect, however I've really tried to enhance my shooting to the best of my abilities and this year has improved alot, to the point that even the first race I did in Vegas this year I have a hard time watching because it stinks soooo bad! And with the improved editing software and cameras including the GoPro's everyone seems to have there is a lot of really good footage out there. I LOVE the sport of drag racing and really try to promote it from my videos to bringing people to the track that have never attended a race before. I'm not supporting the ESPN/NHRA's decision to what I think is cutting off the backbone of the sport that they don't seem to care about or ever promote, that being said this is STILL their show. Where do they draw the line? Your video isn't that good so your ok...your video is not bad so it's the axe for you!
I'll try to abide by their rules and see what I can and can't do and see if I can afford the kickback they need for their product. Most of my sportsman view count is from the sportsman racers themselves, so if I can't play I will change my page to Robzneed4speed Analytical Videos!
See you at the races.
--Rob

Rob, YOUR MORE THEN WELCOMED TO THE 2013 RONNIE "Uncle Buck" 90 Nationals and the Thunder in the Mountains Race. No need to file for a pass or pay for anything to come video for the sportsman guys!

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Be careful with your bitching.NHRA might get a bug up their *** and say that no pictures at all may be taken anywhere on the premises.You wouldn't want to see Patsy,Kenny,
Jack or Toby led into a car in handcuffs would you.Like Frey says,especially Jack.

Ed, when that sort of thing happens, NHRA will wish they had not.

[james schaechter]

I actually think the posting is more of a CYA on their part.
The problem is that their own will not even know what is right or not so it can have more harm than good. This is because there is no guidance from upper management on this policy for them.

It is unfortunate that the vacuum or abscence of true leadership is affecting them. They are leaving control to Lawyers and Accountants instead of people that love and understand the sport.
The executive leadership is suppossed to take legal guidance, fiscal guidance and input from marketing and their people that are close to the action and have a good feel for what will work at the ground level. This would help themto come up with a common sense approach that serves the good of the Association.

NHRA leadership should seek out the opinions from the talent that lies within their own ranks. They have some great people too. They just don't listen to them. The SRAC is not taken seriously either.
It is pretty clear that no one has the talent or inclination to do this at a high level within NHRA.

[X-TECH MAN]

Question........So WHY do you continue to go to NHRA events? There are many other venues to play with your toys. Im not being sarcastic just really courious as to why do you put up with the BS.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Question........So WHY do you continue to go to NHRA events? There are many other venues to play with your toys. Im not being sarcastic just really courious as to why do you put up with the BS.

Don't know if this is directed at me personally,but I do enjoy the NHRA events.

I don't totally understand their video policy,but that is certainly nothing new.

I used to support IHRA,but it is beyond me how an organization can be called INTERNATIONAL and not even have more than a couple of events within several hundred miles of Chicago?

I stayed at a hotel in Columbus,Ohio this past weekend and there was a sign that said 50% of the population of the United States lives within 500 miles of Columbus,Ohio.

If this is true,you would think an organization called the INTERNATIONAL Hot Rod Association would conduct several big events within this area.I guess not.

[Toby Lang]

Originally Posted by Bret Kepner

By the way, Don Kennedy mentioned. "I have never seen any Pros on YouTube". The reason for this is NHRA's quite vigilant watch for any and all clips on YouTube, (and everywhere else).

There are thousands of videos of the pros on youtube.

Originally Posted by Bret Kepner

If you only knew the dollars involved in the lawsuits concerning the posting of video and photos of the last runs of Scott Kalitta and Darrell Russell, you'd be stunned.

Well, I don't know the dollars involved in these lawsuits. Could you please tell us or better yet, provide some links?

I did a quick search on youtube and found at least five amateur videos of Scott's crash.

[boostedf22c]

What a joke.

[Ed Fernandez]

I'll bet it's a liability issue(insurance).A while back at an all AMC race at Cecil Co. one of a group of Mid-West racers was videoing the action and caught images of two cars (S/G cars running at the same race) leaving the line.One car T-boned the other about 100' out.The track personnel found out they had the video and went to their trailer wherein a tense situation transpired.They got the evidence and that crew swore they would never come back.And they didn't.

[Pat Cook]

does this cover the local bracket races at a NHRA track as well?.....

[chevy620]

And there for a minute I thought any exposure of our sport to the non-racing fan would be good for the sport.

NHRA and their group of whiners should be ashamed of themselves.
The day I cannot post a video of the view from inside my own car on my own account on Youtube, so others can analyze how to "fix" my car.......well, I guess the Liberals will have finally won control of the Internet too!

They cannot begin to fill the stands or grow the sport....so...let's not let anyone watch something that might peak their interest in drag racing and lead them to the pit gate or the spectator gate at a local strip and then maybe to a National event.

How can anyone be so short-sighted. The NFL, MLB, etc is different.....people actually pay to watch those games in huge numbers and the even isn't spread out over four days. Don't confuse major sports with NHRA drag racing it is not comparable in a manner. Netwroks bid for the rights to braodcast those events...I would imagine NHRA is buying their time slots...

This is so ridiculous...........maybe it is time for me to just sit back and watch it self-destruct...of course I will be filming it ;-). If the bleachers stay as empty as they have been at recent National Events....shouldn't be long.

Jok, HD Hero2 amatuer video producer...analytical videoing for the properity of the sport.