How do we promote sportsman type racing?

[Festus]

From purely my spectator perspective, Stock and Super Stock are some of the most entertaining classes in drag racing. Diversity of body styles but still cars we recognize, classic cars, great paint jobs, wheelstands, etc. It's probably not as big a deal as you racers think regarding the rules and why guys are on the brakes at the finish and why the faster time sometimes loses. It's the visceral aspects that makes it great. I wouldn't pay to see headsup, street muffled cars because they wouldn't have the sensory assault factor. You just have to find a way to get people there in the first place. Maybe I'm an exception but I think the product sells itself. I agree that lowering ticket prices might help a little but an extra $5 or $10 isn't THAT big a deal. I think an angle of more of a "show" than a "race" would intrigue potential spectators more.

And since it's been mentioned, I'm not the biggest fan of the 0.90 classes. While I can appreciate the technical challenges, watching a 2 second throttle stop and only having the scoreboard tell me who won doesn't really do it. I can't really see the finish line from the starting line so any jockeying that's happening down there gets lost. I remember the first time I saw Super Comp without knowing about the stop, I was thinking how weird it was for the guys to let off the gas after they launch. That didn't seem like real racing to me.

As I mentioned in my first post earlier in this thread, after watching many hundreds of passes, I STILL don't know exactly how Stock and Super Stock works. Maybe someone can explain it to me. Maybe a handout at the track would be useful explaining all the classes. But having that last little piece of knowledge wouldn't change the enjoyment factor for me at all since I'm there for the sights and sounds and not really for the technical aspects. I'd imagine most casual fans would feel the same way.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Festus

From purely my spectator perspective, Stock and Super Stock are some of the most entertaining classes in drag racing. Diversity of body styles but still cars we recognize, classic cars, great paint jobs, wheelstands, etc. It's probably not as big a deal as you racers think regarding the rules and why guys are on the brakes at the finish and why the faster time sometimes loses. It's the visceral aspects that makes it great. I wouldn't pay to see headsup, street muffled cars because they wouldn't have the sensory assault factor. You just have to find a way to get people there in the first place. Maybe I'm an exception but I think the product sells itself. I agree that lowering ticket prices might help a little but an extra $5 or $10 isn't THAT big a deal. I think an angle of more of a "show" than a "race" would intrigue potential spectators more.

And since it's been mentioned, I'm not the biggest fan of the 0.90 classes. While I can appreciate the technical challenges, watching a 2 second throttle stop and only having the scoreboard tell me who won doesn't really do it. I can't really see the finish line from the starting line so any jockeying that's happening down there gets lost. I remember the first time I saw Super Comp without knowing about the stop, I was thinking how weird it was for the guys to let off the gas after they launch. That didn't seem like real racing to me.

As I mentioned in my first post earlier in this thread, after watching many hundreds of passes, I STILL don't know exactly how Stock and Super Stock works. Maybe someone can explain it to me. Maybe a handout at the track would be useful explaining all the classes. But having that last little piece of knowledge wouldn't change the enjoyment factor for me at all since I'm there for the sights and sounds and not really for the technical aspects. I'd imagine most casual fans would feel the same way.

Thats one of the great things about this forum. If you have a question about any of the classes on this site all you have to do is join up and start a thread on your subject. The vast majority of the racers on this site will be happy to answer any questions that you have about how the class races and the rules involved.

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Festus

As I mentioned in my first post earlier in this thread, after watching many hundreds of passes, I STILL don't know exactly how Stock and Super Stock works. Maybe someone can explain it to me. Maybe a handout at the track would be useful explaining all the classes. But having that last little piece of knowledge wouldn't change the enjoyment factor for me at all since I'm there for the sights and sounds and not really for the technical aspects. I'd imagine most casual fans would feel the same way.

Here are some articles I wrote a few years back. Only the first page (or two) have the really important stuff. Take some time to read it, it should be a big help to any novice fans of NHRA/IHRA Sportsan racing.

http://forum.competitionplus.com/showthread.php?t=7224

[fredjohnston]

Originally Posted by Irv Johns

Whats really amazing is how you boast about being a COMBO HITTER, How much Horsepower have you got the 5,7 engine with illegal pistons. I have no respect for you the way you and Lynch have destroyed this combo....

Boosted22fc and Lynch are doing what needs to be done to this new combos. Since NHRA refuses to take matters in their owns hands and fix the HP situation. Great job to Boosted22fc and Lynch and a few others to help make the older cars competitive again. Now if some of the other new combo owners/drivers (Ford) to do the same thing.

[gonzo1066]

Originally Posted by Robbie Welch

I've been reading this post with great interest. First back in the day there where alot less entertainment options available (internet,tv,resturants, moves, malls, ect) Next to blame the demise of drag race on any one competion class is narrow minded,its the diversity in classes that make it interesting this encludes (stk,ss,comp and the .90 class's) and Mr.Gonzo 1066 if you believe that .90 racing is NOT A REAL DRAG RACE please give if it a try. I think you'll find out differently, its some of the closest racing you'll find just watch it from the finish line. Granted the throttle stops may make it a bit confusing to the casual spectator, the real race is after the stops come off.

Sorry to ruffle feathers, I am sure that the throttle stoppers ALL take the races they run just as serious as the Pro Class racers do. I assume that driving skill is just as important as setting the computer. I was trying to point out that FROM THE STANDS (at least to this old timer) electronic racing is hard to watch.

[Robbie Welch]

No ruffled feathers here (well maybe a little). I understand .90 and class racing in general can be confusing to spectators. I've explained how and why t-stops are used to spectators in the stands before. Try watching .90 or any class from the finish line there's alot going on down there.

[cicero819]

Robbie, I have to say that I'm an old school 90's but have come to enjoy watching top end strategies people employ. I'm glad that Rock Haas told me to look at the big picture and stop looking at the past. Racing is racing. CR

[Rick Leininger Jr.]

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

I would say have tech at the wal-mart or shopping centers (malls ) of choice .this way the people at these locations could get some understanding of the do's and don'ts as well as see the cars up close and personal with the curriosity to go see these cars run.
Maybe have a live radio station to broadcast at these locations with ocasionally talking to some of the drivers and possibly some of the tech guys for some insight.and a few ticket give-a-ways

I vaguely remember having to tech at a shopping center at a race or two out
west (Salt Lake City?) when my dad was running stock in the late 70's. Never thought of it as a promotional tool, great idea Danny!

[Mile High]

Just an idea here. Instead of going to the track days ahead of time to "stack" at the track maybe local racers can arrange for racers (local and out of town) to park at the malls or big stores to show off their rides. I think this would creat an interest from the locals to come and see the person and car they met at the store.

Jeff

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Mile High

Just an idea here. Instead of going to the track days ahead of time to "stack" at the track maybe local racers can arrange for racers (local and out of town) to park at the malls or big stores to show off their rides. I think this would creat an interest from the locals to come and see the person and car they met at the store.

Jeff

IHRA did that a few times years ago when Norwalk was under their sanction. Main street in Norwalk was blocked off, variety of race cars were on display, food vendors, music & much more....it was great! But I'm sure it wasn't easy to organize.