Pinks 100% - NHRA Races 0%

[Bob Verwold]

Originally Posted by SG1809

Bob,

That effects us with cars, It still doesn't account for the appeal to the spectators.

I think it's like Mark stated, the first year they had a NHRA Div. race at Norwalk they had all the hoop-la (jet cars and such) and the stands seemed full. Also part is the amount of publicity the track does,something Balder seems to be great at. And everyone want's to be on TV...............my .02

[H.A.A.C. Racing]

I think T V has all to do with it, and the newness of it. It is not every weekend, does not go to every track once or twice a year. It's like seeing your wife every day, or seeing your girlfriend once or twice a year. Even is she isn't as hot as your wife, you will still be more excited to see her.

P.S. I don't agree with cheating on your wife, just using it as an example (my wife made me add this part!)

[LB Racing 3179]

I was at the U.S. Nationals this year, in the stands watching Comp Eliminator. There were a lot of people there. Then Super Comp came up and almost everybody left. I think it has a lot to do with throttle stops and breakouts. Also some people who are not around Drag Racing a lot do not understand that the first car to the finish line may not have won because of the breakout. I hear it all the time.

[Sean Haning]

I agree on the promotion aspect. If a non racer wasn't dilligent, he wouldn't know a division race was at his local track. Heck some may not even know they go on. They may just assume that you pay money and race at a national, then bracket race your car on a wekly basis at your home track. Shamefully there was a time I thought anyone with a legal car could run at a national event. I didn't know you had to earn points to go and compete. Another possibility is The P.A.L. has a diverse car count trying to get in. 8 second street cars to full blown race cars and anything in between. Street car being the key. It could be their friends car, or a car like they own and wanting to get their car to the same point.

[ChevyII]

It's a couple of things which appeal to everyone who loves racing;

1) It's a fresh idea.

2) It's heads up and the first one to the other end WINS.

3) Door cars which the fans can relate to.

4) It's on TV every day! Pinks is in your face all the time.

5) Rich Christenson keeps coming up with novel ways to change the format SLIGHTLY.

6) The entry fee does not force you to mortagage your family!

7) The concept employs the KISS principle. It's simple for a part time drag racer!

8) It has appeal amongst the old school and the new school racer.

9) It FLAT puts butts in the seats!

I dare say Rich now runs as many or more races as the NHRA has national events. Quite an accomplishment for 5 years in existence.

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

[Superfan1]

Originally Posted by LB Racing 3179

I was at the U.S. Nationals this year, in the stands watching Comp Eliminator. There were a lot of people there. Then Super Comp came up and almost everybody left. I think it has a lot to do with throttle stops and breakouts. Also some people who are not around Drag Racing a lot do not understand that the first car to the finish line may not have won because of the breakout. I hear it all the time.

I agree completely about throttle stops being a reason that people leave the stands when the .90 classes run; however I don't agree that the breakout rule has any thing to do with it. I am a hardcore fan and NHRA member, and have been for 47 years; I attend 8 or 9 National events every year, including Indy, and I also attend 2 or 3 Div.1 Lucas Oil events and Div.1 National Opens. I am at an event from Thursday (Wednesday at Indy) until it is over and I never leave the stands when cars are running EXCEPT when the .90 classes are running; I refuse to watch them because they are boring and senseless. Please explain the logic of building a car that can run 1-1.5 seconds faster than 8.90, 9.90, or 10.90; and then slowing it down with a throttle stop to run those numbers. That is the reason that people will watch Stock and Super Stock which are breakout classes, and Comp which does not have a breakout, but has CIC, but they won't watch the .90 classes. Comp., Super Stock, and Stock are performance based classes; you certainly can't say that about the .90 classes.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1

[63corvette]

Anyone who says Stock and Superstock are performance based classes just does not get it and does not know a real class racer.
All the stock and super stock racers I know are always bagging .1 to .5 of performance on every run unless it is a record run.
They run for consistancy just like the .90 classes.
I hear just as many newby's in the stands ask why does one car get a head start for the stock classes.
Everyone has their likes and dislikes and have their special class to watch at any type of racing.
I was at Indy this year and the stands were not nearly as full as years past.
The stands being full at any race has more to do with promotion and the cost to attend.
If I was not there racing I would not go to Indy on the last three days due to price of tickets alone.
Monday at Indy this year you could sit almost anywhere you wanted. There were more empty seats than full ones all day long.
My 2 Cents

[SG1809]

Originally Posted by Superfan1

I agree completely about throttle stops being a reason that people leave the stands when the .90 classes run; however I don't agree that the breakout rule has any thing to do with it. I am a hardcore fan and NHRA member, and have been for 47 years; I attend 8 or 9 National events every year, including Indy, and I also attend 2 or 3 Div.1 Lucas Oil events and Div.1 National Opens. I am at an event from Thursday (Wednesday at Indy) until it is over and I never leave the stands when cars are running EXCEPT when the .90 classes are running; I refuse to watch them because they are boring and senseless. Please explain the logic of building a car that can run 1-1.5 seconds faster than 8.90, 9.90, or 10.90; and then slowing it down with a throttle stop to run those numbers. That is the reason that people will watch Stock and Super Stock which are breakout classes, and Comp which does not have a breakout, but has CIC, but they won't watch the .90 classes. Comp., Super Stock, and Stock are performance based classes; you certainly can't say that about the .90 classes.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1

Bill,

Some pretty strong words regarding the .90 classes " they are boring and senseless". I have to take exception to your comments. This thread wasn't started to slam the .90 classes. I have brought many a new one to the track and after expalining how we dial, what we do, and how it's done I have never had anyone tell me it was boring or senseless!!

This has nothing to do with fans attending or not. Maybe free or discounted tickets with more advertising or even some TV coverage of the Sportsman catergories no doubt would improve attendance.

Try building a .90 car and see home many times you can run dead on.

[Mark Markow]

i believe the biggest reason for the crowd . is that at most of the races the majority of the racers entered are street type cars not class racers. and they usually bring a carload of buddy's with them to the track. it's the same way at our local track. street night packs the stands , and they are empty on sunday.

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by ChevyII

It's a couple of things which appeal to everyone who loves racing;

1) It's a fresh idea.

2) It's heads up and the first one to the other end WINS.

3) Door cars which the fans can relate to.

4) It's on TV every day! Pinks is in your face all the time.

5) Rich Christenson keeps coming up with novel ways to change the format SLIGHTLY.

6) The entry fee does not force you to mortagage your family!

7) The concept employs the KISS principle. It's simple for a part time drag racer!

8) It has appeal amongst the old school and the new school racer.

9) It FLAT puts butts in the seats!

I dare say Rich now runs as many or more races as the NHRA has national events. Quite an accomplishment for 5 years in existence.

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

Yep, Christensen counts the people, the cars, and the ideas.....the Glendora Bean Counters just count money.