Solution for our sport

[Pat Joffrion]

One doesn’t have to look very far to read the handwriting on the wall. But the handwriting is not going to change unless one takes the necessary steps to repaint the wall, and make the new handwriting that of their own.

Observing the regional market for drag racing venues, I see only three types of drag racing operations: Those that have closed; those that are about to close; and those that have ventured into alternate markets to remain successful.

Within the past two months, both Red River Raceway (Shreveport, LA) and Cherokee County Raceway (Rusk, TX) closed their doors, with the properties for sale on the market. It wasn’t that long ago that Red River opened with a bang. I was there, pitted on the fresh red clay with hundreds of racers. Nice track … but still closing.

Some will say the reason for demise was their location. Others will shout mismanagement, and still there are those who will cry that the track was unfair to them. I’m sure some will say it is just a sign of the economic times, while other state it was because they didn’t pay big enough purses. Only the operators know the real reasons, and until they make a public announcement, the rest of the racing world should not venture into speculation.

Remember when going to the drag race was fun? Remember when winning that trophy made you so proud? Remember how you met folks at the racetrack that became some of your best friends? Remember how much fun you had at your very first drag race event? If you think about if for a few moments, you used to really enjoy yourself “at the drags”. So, what is it that changed so much since you started racing?

Is it he cost to race? I doubt it. I know it costs more to go bass fishing than it does to drag race. I used to travel all over the country looking for “the big one”. Why a new bass rig with a 200-hp Yamaha and aluminum trailer costs more way than a ’69 Camaro in an enclosed trailer. So, ask yourself, “What went wrong?”

Is it all the rules? I can remember rules from the 1st grade. Everybody has to follow rules. Every job description has rules. Rules of conduct; rules for time off; rules for dress code; even rules for making rules!

Is it that money is just “tight”? That’s a possibility. But in south Louisiana, we have seen an increase every year in the gross revenues at No Problem Raceway. Money is tight everywhere, but people are still willing to spend their dollars to enjoy a movie; enjoy a nice meal; or enjoy a night out on the town.

Sure, money from sponsors had taken a dive. That will have a definite impact on professional teams that cannot afford the expenses involved in competing in the “pro” ranks. The pros don't keep local track running. It's Joe Racer from down the street. He races because it is fun, period! Ole’ Joe takes his 72 Nova to the local track because he has fun driving his 3,200 pound muscle car up and down the 1320. He smiles when he gets a win slip, and he loads up for the next race when he doesn’t. And after he loses out, he will sit with his buddies that are still in, and give them advice on the next round. More than likely, he will stay until the last car goes down the track, “just to see who won”.

Racers want to park next to their buddies. How much fun is it when a track official makes you park ½ of a mile from your friends? At our last big event, we had 17 racers come down from a small Mississippi town. They were outdone when they found out that I had made room for all of them to pit together. While it wasn’t on the asphalt, it did not matter. They just wanted to be with their friends at the track.

When the race was over, I had to make my rounds to shut down all of the lights and PA system. I noticed all of their gang was gathered around their campsite fire pit. I started to pass them by, figuring that one of the 17 would chew me out about something, but I bit the bullet, and pulled over just to chat with them. These out-of-state racers could not believe that “The Track Owner” actually stopped by to see how his customers were doing! Of course, I accepted their offer of a cold beer. My day was done. I spent 45 minutes just listening to these guy and gals. They kept saying how much fun they had, and they thanked me many times over for letting them all pit together.

If you read “their handwriting on the wall”, it is so obvious that they appreciated being able to pit next to all of their buddies. The little effort on my part made these racers value what drag racing is all about. IT’S ABOUT HAVING FUN…PERIOD.

Racers race to have fun. Spectators come to have fun. When track owners and sanctioning bodies remove the “fun factor”, racing then becomes all about business. Business is work. Work to most folks is a job, and to them, a job is not about having fun. Drag strip operators need to find a way to put FUN back into drag racing. Tracks that can keep the fun going will keep their doors open. Those that do not will close.

Maybe it is just a south Louisiana thing. I once saw a bumper sticker that read:
NEW ORLEANS… WE PUT THE FUN IN FUNERAL

I would like to end with my own saying…
The fundamental basics for drag racing success are the first three letters of fundamental…FUN

Keep it fun for the racers and fun for the fans, and you won’t have to worry about the economy. Even in bad times, people want to get away to relax and have a good time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Cajuns at No Problem Raceway.

Pat “No Problem” Joffrion & crew - NHRA SS/KA 4308