Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days???

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by FED 387

Greg--that is what I'm getting at NHRA calls the shots here--Next question is who at NHRA makes the decision on what to show???? Somebody or a group of people does---who is it give us a name??? Then we can maybe talk to that person and see if why they do not promote anything other than Force aka Funny Car and a few other Pros---Probably wont do any good but at least maybe viewers could vent some frustration--FED387

Switch NHRA pros for NASCAR.Who gets all the coverage on their broadcasts.Usually the same cast of characters.If they had an equivalent of John Force,that's what you would see time after time after time after time.

[blkjack]

The bottom line here is ...the days of sportsman coverage on cable TV are long gone. The only thing we may have a future in is expanded live streaming coverage like the ADRL uses. Then again, the Pro Mods,Top Sportsman or other sub 7 second classes may get all the bandwidth

[danny waters sr]

Originally Posted by blkjack

The bottom line here is ...the days of sportsman coverage on cable TV are long gone. The only thing we may have a future in is expanded live streaming coverage like the ADRL uses. Then again, the Pro Mods,Top Sportsman or other sub 7 second classes may get all the bandwidth

I se a lot of good stuff on You-Tube toooo.

[FED 387]

OK talked to my Son in law who has 25+ years experience as an A Camera operator for both TV and feature length films---He related to me that as far as a live TV production and determining what comes up on your TV screen this is how it works

The Chain of Command goes something like this with the people from ESPN

The Director of Photography is in direct charge of the Camera men/crews

However he can be /is sometimes over ruled by the Director/Executive Director

Who sometimes is over ruled by the Producer/Executive Producer

Who can be /is sometimes overruled by the Client(NHRA) as to what is going to be shown on TV

At NO time does a Camerman ever on his own make a decision as to what he is shooting--he is controlled by the director of photography --he can suggest something

The Dir of Photography tells the camera ops to shoot it tight or wide range or give me a low profile shot or whatever or shoot only Red/Blue/Green cars today

This is accordance to the Directors wishes(or the Producers or the clients wishes)

Then you have the Executive producer overseeing the Executive Director/Director of photography too getting his wishes involved as to what ends up on the TV

Then usually in the TV production trailer at the races in addition to the Producer/Director/Photography people a REP from the Client( NHRA ) is probably there too saying we need more John Force or less Woodrow Josey or whover on the TV

The fact that NHRA is paying ESPN they can generally dictate what ends up on TV regardless of what ever is shot by the multiple camera crews on raceday even if the Director or Producer is Woodrows Bro-in-law or whatever-(Im only using Woodrow as an example cuz many recognize his name)

Now when it comes to announcers/annoucing there is control over these people too.
The announcer may be given a general guideline/script of what is to be covered during raceday or they can be on there own. But somebody ( Director/Producer/Client ) has instilled in them that we are going to talk about the Pros or whatever---Very little leeway is generally given as to the subject matter discussed on the air

So the next time you watch an NHRA race look on the credits and get the names of the producers/directors cuz that who is deciding what will appear on the TV !!!!! Unless of course NHRA is telling ESPN exactly what they want to appear on TV!!!! Which more than likely is what is happening--If so Jerry Archambeault is the NHRA VP of Communications and Jim Trace is the Director of Broadcasting & Video Communications---these are the people to complain too as well as ESPN

FED 387

[Marvin Robinson]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Marvin,it still comes down to numbers,as in participants and fan understanding.Most
people have bowled at one time or another and most people have gambled at one time or another.Not many of the + or - 300 million people in this country have raced or see
a whole lot of racing,least of all drag racing,to care to educate themselves about what we do.
Bar stool races,lawn mower races and the like are a novelty that they might watch for a good laugh.In the end Ed W is right about the situation.

Your point is well taken... what do we do to connect the average Joe to the sport??? Sounds like a "try your hand at a drag race" simulator in the Malls of America would be a good idea.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Marvin Robinson

Your point is well taken... what do we do to connect the average Joe to the sport??? Sounds like a "try your hand at a drag race" simulator in the Malls of America would be a good idea.

Marvin,I don't think there's really anyting we can do to lure new fans to S/SS.We'll have enough trouble luring new racers.
In this world there's just too much competition for the public's money and time.Ed Wright got it right in one sentence."What we do just isn't that important in the scheme of things.
That and the fact (here it comes again) the organization isn't doing much to keep up the
enthusiasm for the current racers.I hope I'm wrong.

[Don Kennedy]

The one thought is live streaming Stock and Super Stock . Don't watch the pro stuff anymore tired of the same stuff, but if enough live streaming is shown at each drag strip then just maybe the network tv will take notice maybe ???lol

I like live streaming and think it would be another profit center for the track owners as they can sell spots around the live streaming like what is being done at some tracks now (cool)

[71mavlouisville]

I found this video from Australia
http://www.youtube.com/user/ANDRADra.../0/IWI-B5ANMW4
Looks like they have sportsman as part of the coverage

[Bret Kepner]

Originally Posted by FED 387

So the next time you watch an NHRA race look on the credits and get the names of the producers/directors cuz that who is deciding what will appear on the TV!

Hey! Didja ever notice that, in thirty-two years of existence, ESPN has NEVER posted credits for the directors or producers?

Didn't think so.

If you wanted to know the "chain of command" in the ESPN production truck during NHRA events, I would've been happy to supply you with the facts. However, I have this strange feeling you'd rather stick to your own assumptions. I still get a kick out of the fact you think NHRA is telling ESPN what to air! LMAO!

Some of you guys kill me!

[FED 387]

Brett--is Shawn Murphy(Senior Coordinating Producer-event coverage) still the guy in charge of ESPN 2 coverage of NHRA drag racing???