Pinks 100% - NHRA Races 0%

[FlyingMonkey2565]

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

Yes, you are exactly right, especially with #4. it's on TV-so-it-must-be-cool... and the Average America Drone can figure out what's going on with simple heads up racing. It has nothing to do with anti-throttle stops, it has all to do with simplicity.

I've seen spectators totally confused at divisional and national races. Indexes and throttle settings are beyond their comprehension.

If NHRA had a TV show on a couple times per week (with sportsman or ET racers featured, that the general public can actually relate too) our audiences would be huge too.

[B CHILLIK]

ok,heres a idea....i went to the adrl race at norwalk this year...the tickets were free...the stands were packed and the consession stands were packed...hence ..more people in the stands and more money brought in by way of food,shirts hats.etc.....just a thought,but if nhra tryed just one divisional with get free tickets,but pay for parking and concessions....the place would be packed.....just my .02

[Superfan1]

Originally Posted by Bob Verwold

S/G1809, I think his board name say's it all super FAN 1 . These .90 cars are so easy to build and dial I don't know why everybody doesn't run them. As far as leaving the stands, I try to get back up to the starting line or go to the finish line to watch them as soon as I've made my run............................... Sorry to get off the subject !

Keep in mind that without fans of all types, both hardcore like me and casual like most, there is no racing at least at the National event level. Just imagine the NHRA's reaction if no one, or very few, attended a National event; you and I both know that they aren't going to foot the bill. I stated my opinion just as you or anyone else has the right to do; it was not my intention to ruffle anyone's feathers.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1

[Jason Oldfield]

Originally Posted by BKSG1198

you can start calling me Jason O. Jr now...haha

Huh...who knew I had a long lost illegitimate son.

Ready for my $0.02? The guys on Pinks are technical drag racing morons (they are learning though). But, Rich (or whoever is involved in that show) knows how to promote a race. All out, doorslammers, and no throttle stops.

Yes Pinks is on SpeedTV ALL the time, but that's also a reflection of its popularity. If it wasn't that popular, Speed wouldn't be showing it that often. Unlike the NHRA show, Pinks doesn't have to pay for their air time on Speed. NHRA is too pompous to stoop to the level of having their show on a non-premium TV channel as they fancy themselves as just as popular as NASCAR. Earth to Tommy-Boy - sorry, you're not as popular as NASCAR, and probably never will be. So, how about rather than spending millions of dollars every year for 6 hours of ESPN air time each weekend at 10pm EST or later, how about you put together two 1-hour shows in PRIMIE TIME on Speed? Pinks is more popular than you now, so obviously Speed has the viewship to be able to market to the masses.

Oh, and please give Kenny Nowling or Rich Christensen a call (heck, even call Aaron Polburn, as he has much more of a clue than you do).

Hope to see you at PRI!

Love,

[chris3racing]

Pinks All Out is like old style class racing only difference is you run what you brung. You make qualifying passes, flat out. They record all of the times in a data base. They review all of the times whether it's 6.90's or 13's. The tightest group 16 cars within a couple of thousands of a second will more than likely be selected. Those 16 cars, old gassers, muscle cars, pro street, stock, superstock, they run heads up, no brake-out, all on the same et. You are disqualified if your time during the race is more or less than the times you recorded during time runs. That means you did not run all out during the time runs There are cars that are now making this a circuit. The fans are loving the wheels-up, no brake lights, first one to the line wins racing.

If you want to enter one of these events, you have to be quick. They advertise a date and a time of day to register and registration is by computer. Within a matter of a couple of minutes all 450 slots are taken. It is a ton of fun whether you are selected or only get to make time runs. By the way, you can get your car on TV even in the time runs, Pinks All Out and Pinks All Out takes.

[SG1809]

[QUOTE=SG1809;95603]That makes tons of sense, Why not give away the tickets or charge a few bucks for a carload. What the venders can make should more that compensate for ticket sales. The track owners should take the lead on this. When we used to run US 13 in Delmar, at eleven o'clock in the morning there were people in the stands! He advertised the event.

NHRA can learn alot from the producers of PINKS, IMHO[/QUOTE


From the various suggestions the idea of free tickets keeps coming up, In addition how about:

1. Make one day of an event a special day for the public, say Saturday
2. Put first round back on Sunday like it used to be and free up Saturday for Special Races
3. Go with a Top 16 for all the Classes and run it Saturday.
4. Have a great Announcer @ Lew Bloom explain things well and keep the excitement going.
5. Have a Midway for the fans. etc.

Just some ideas, I hope someone from NHRA is reading this thread.


Pat I.
SG1809

[Bob Verwold]

S/G1809,

I think most of the things you mentioned would go back to the track owner or manager wouldn't they ?

[SG1809]

Originally Posted by Bob Verwold

S/G1809,

I think most of the things you mentioned would go back to the track owner or manager wouldn't they ?

Exactly, They are business men and the way the economy is I'm sure they would like to bring in more money. They need to take the lead on this. I'm sure the racers would back them 100%.

Pat I
Sg1809

[BKSG1198]

3. Go with a Top 16 for all the Classes and run it Saturday.

Jim Fordyce and I were going to put something together for the June D-1 race to have a Quick 8 on that Saturday for all the Super Classes. We acted kinda late on the issue and were turned down by the D-1 officials. We then were going to try to do one for the D-1 October race at Atco and we planned ahead and made the proper e-mails to the D-1 staff. We figured since there was no TA/D and TA/FC we should have no issues with getting it going. Anyways I was told that a few years ago during one of the Top 8 shootouts at a D-1 track someone crashed really bad and was hurt very seriously thus, due to that incident they decided to do away with any extra shootouts at D-1 races. So we will most likely never see a Shootout at a Division race again. Thats why Maple Grove went to the Bogey Runs on the 2nd qualifing shots of the Dutch Classic.

[chebby2]

I don't spend much time looking in the stands when I'm racing. Unless I wave at my mommy.They make enough off our entries',fans are just icing on the cake. If the tracks can't promote their race it's their loss.
i heard pinks was thinking of going to throttle stop racing so they wouldn't have to spend so much time picking a field...