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from Speedvision Online - September 1, 1999 written by Jerry Bonkowski - Contributing Editor © Speedvision 1999 |
This is the second of two collections of reader responses to the "What's Wrong With The NHRA" series. Once again, thanks to the dozens of readers who took the time to contribute and share their thoughts and feelings on the state of NHRA drag racing.
In the near future, we will be running a second series called "What's Right With The NHRA," which will feature comments and observations from NHRA officials, drivers and others in the drag racing community who remain bullish on the future of the sport and the sanctioning body.
If any of you wish to chime in with your thoughts on what you also feel is RIGHT with the NHRA, please don't hesitate to send your responses in, and we'll post them in conjunction with the series. Thanks again, and have some more enjoyable reading!
From Dale Chavez, Colorado Springs, Colo. [dchavez@horizonint.com]:
I've been a long-time fan of NHRA (since 1967), and the problems you mention I've seen coming since about 1995 or 1996. I grew up building/restoring hot rods in Colorado and taking them to Continental Divide Raceway to see the match races between Garlits/Prudhomme and Prudhomme/McEwen (just to name a few).
Sadly, NHRA has missed the marketing boat by a long shot. Having attended the Mile High Nationals in Colorado for many years, I know there were opportunities over the years for the NHRA to bring some of the Pro cars downtown on the Thursday or Friday before qualifying and "light 'em up" for the downtown crowd. NASCAR does this, and when I was in San Francisco a couple of years ago during the weekend of the Sonoma race, about a dozen NASCAR cars and drivers came downtown and signed autographs and chatted with the folks. It was great!
I think it's time for the powers-that-be (read Wally Parks) to bury the hatchet with the greats of drag racing like Don Garlits and make him an official ambassador for the sport. He's very articulate and would do a great job of selling and marketing the NHRA to corporate sponsors.
The NHRA should also embrace (maybe even sanction?) the nostalgia drags that are popping up. What a great Saturday/Sunday show if the fuel altereds would run again. Or bring back Sox & Martin for some match racing with "Grumpy" Jenkins. The NHRA needs to fill the seats and bring in the viewers.
Name recognition? Save for John Force, Kenny Bernstein, and Warren Johnson, I would bet the casual NHRA fan couldn't name more than five professional drivers -- a very sad thing considering there are some very good drivers in the pro ranks that get little, if any, air time. The sport has two very talented females in Angelle Seeling and Shelly Anderson, who would be great "faces" for the sport and would attract both men and women. In fact, my wife has enjoyed listening to Shelly in the booth this year because of the perspective she brings.
Let's face it, Force and Co. are approaching the twilight of their respective careers and someone needs to step up and identify/market the new young faces of the NHRA. Not only does television need to take a huge step forward and come on board, they need to improve the broadcast technology. As you know, TV doesn't do pro drag racing justice. There's nothing like the earth-shattering sound a Top Fueler/Funny Car makes. TV needs to find a way to broadcast this pure excitement you only get when you're at the track.
Regarding the cars, I would like to see the Pro Stock rules modified to allow more flexibility in cubic inch displacement and weight, or introduce a new class modeled after the Pro Mod guys. And lastly, though I personally don't care to watch them, the advent of the European cars that are joining racing leagues all over is another potential market for the NHRA. This "Gen-X" crowd is very intelligent, has more money than we did when we were building our hot rods, and is looking to belong. The NHRA needs to welcome them with open arms. Need more?
You said more than a mouthful, Dale. You make some excellent points, particularly about Don Garlits and the Euro-cars. When pickup trucks became all the rage, the NHRA saw their potential and invented Pro Stock Trucks, which have become one of the more popular classes in less than two full years of competition. The same could happen with Euro cars. And your point about Euro car owners having lots of cash should definitely perk the ears of NHRA officials who are always looking to bring in an extra buck or two!
From Don Wilshe
[dwilshe@ivga.com]:
I enjoyed your article, and if I can circulate it amongst the races and web pages I would appreciate it. Not very often do you see a person with vision. I have a few comments about the status of the NHRA and NASCAR.
First, it has been going downhill since 1968. That was the day that NHRA took over and forced out the AHRA. Second, it's NASCAR that is taking all the money from NHRA. Why? It's simple. If you are a sponsor and you have $10 million dollars to spend, would you spend it on a 44th place NASCAR car that could get you four hours of TV exposure weekly, or on a four-second drag racing pass that's sometimes not even televised?
If NHRA was unable to beat out roller derby, how can they expect sponsorship? If the TV time was about (spending) a few (extra) bucks for NHRA, they blew it because they cost their race teams millions and might have sealed the fate of the sport.
So, I'm a person with vision, eh? Flattery will get you everywhere, Don (ha ha). Thanks for writing.
From Daniel Trevor
[dgtrevor@toddalan.com]:
I saw your posting on Speedvision.com, and it all seemed real simple to me. I mean, the problem of why drag racing is suffering and what to do about it. I've only watched drag racing for about four years now, but ever since the first race, I've been hooked.
Lets be frank, drag racing is in the youth. Without youth interest, anything will diminish within a matter of years. Meaning, NASCAR is big because middle-aged guys love it, and their sons sit around and watch while the father enjoys it. Soon, the kid is hooked. And so on and so on.
Also, all racing starts with the "grass roots." NHRA has focused WAY too much on their professional categories. In a way, they're trying too hard to promote drag racing. Look back in the 1940's and 1950's when drag racing was booming.
Granted, I'm only 16, but I can probably make a good guess that there were no commercials, etc., back then. Grassroots racing is what separates drag racing from NASCAR. Realistically speaking, not everyone can afford to go to their local dirt track and run outlaws. But someone can take a rusted-out Pinto to their dragstrip and win a bracket race. And sometimes cash in quite nicely, too.
What am I suggesting? If the NHRA wishes to be the motorsport of the new millennium, it has to be smart about where and how it promotes drag racing. Also, the NHRA needs some class revisions or new classes. I think NHRA should go back to the way it started. Sometimes the only way to go forward is to go back. The old front engine dragsters were a huge hit. I have heard stories about 30-plus car fields. Now, Top Fuel is sometimes lucky to have 16 or 17 cars show up for a race. I agree that sometimes Pro Stock and Pro Stock Trucks have 20-plus cars or trucks show up for a race. I also hear you thinking, "Well, with that many cars, they'll never finish a race."
You're right, but this is where NHRA needs to get their thinking caps on. I mean, take NASCAR: They have Winston, Busch, Feather Light, etc. They have leagues inside of their league. And it works like a charm. Not only does it sometimes build up awesome drivers, but it gets spectators. They say, "Well if Busch is this good, imagine how NASCAR must be. Let's go to a NASCAR race."
Drag racing offers many things that NASCAR lacks. Granted, a typical drag race lasts between five and eight seconds, but you have to include the hours between rounds where hundreds of people go around the pit areas looking at cars. People remember personal encounters more then seeing a car run. Between rounds, they can meet their favorite drivers, get autographs and sometimes talk a little.
Drag racing was built upon innovative minds; now it seems like that innovation is gone. Drag racing needs another Don Garlits, Tommy Ivo, Don Prudhomme, Roland Leong, etc. They are, in my opinion, drag racing at its finest.
Some food for thought.
I'm still munching on all that food for thought you gave me, Dan. Gee, you sure now how to make a guy go off his diet (ha ha). Thanks for writing!
From Marshall Lillie, Greenville, Pennsylvania
[servant@infonline.net]:
Hey Jerry! I've been giving this some thought the past few days. In no particular order:
1. Publicize/glamorize the female drivers. Not in a sexy driver way, but guys like girls, and girls that drive fast throws together girls, speed and cars. Seems a good combination for us male sacks of hormones.
2. Create two or three more classes. One each in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock that requires the cars/drivers to operate within a one second window down the quarter mile. For example, Funny Cars could only advance or win if they did a six-second quarter mile. Take timing to the thousandth. We have to get competition people can believe in. Just going fast isn't enough. The perception is it takes too much money. NASCAR is starting to hit this wall, too. A good marketing effort would help this. A "limited" class would make drag racing seem more "man on the street."
3. Sponsors and TV go hand-in-hand. The more TV, the more sponsors. NHRA has to go to the networks and convince them that drag racing is filling stands and vendors'/sponsors' pockets.
From one sack of hormones to another, I like some of your ideas, Marshall, especially cars having to finish within a one-second window to advance to the next round.
From Tom Worthington, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
[Tom396@aol.com] or [http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396]:
What needs fixing in the NHRA scheme of things? Nothing. That's my opinion. In your piece on Speedvision.com, you said that the NHRA was founded on, among other things, money. I disagree. However, I do think the need for money has become the overriding concern. Well, live by the sword, die by the sword.
Professionalism is, in my opinion, what is wrong with today's drag racing. As the money gets smaller, the professionalism drops. I hate professionalism in a hobby or sport I enjoy. Professionalism means "doing it for the money." It says so in Webster's. As long as the push is for money, the sport is going to suffer. It has even hurt every local hole-in-the-wall dragstrip. Today, I'd rather watch Stock Eliminator than the pro show, anytime.
Show me more of the amateurs and fewer of the mercenaries and maybe I'll take notice.
Call it a wild guess, Tom, but I take it you're not a member of Kenny Bernstein's or John Force's or Warren Johnson's fan clubs?
From Tom Maggs, Tulsa, Oklahoma
[tsmaggs@busprod.com]:
I'm just your average drag racer, weekend brackets, street racing and online simulator drag racing. I, too, share your concerns about the future of the sport I love and participate in.
First off, I would like to address your comments on the sponsors. I realize that wrestling, girls and comics may not be what some think are good and wholesome entertainment, nor the right image. However, NASCAR does have wrestling sponsors in the form of WCW, although that's in the Busch series and some of the entry levels of NASCAR competition.
Secondly, the same can be said of comics as NASCAR has cartoon sponsors such as Cartoon Network and such, although Mad Magazine is a little more to an older taste of bad humor. My kids loved Jerry Toliver's car last year (Dale Creasy's this year), and they've never read Mad Magazine. Plus, Mad is giving its money to a racer who needs and deserves the leg up.
Thirdly, as for Penthouse, I agree a "girlie" book may not be good family values, but they don't have naked girls in the pits or breasts painted on the car, they don't advertise their content, just the name to appeal to those who know and are interested. And, besides, beautiful girls have always been a part of the aura of drag racing, like Jungle Pam and Linda Vaughn, as long as it is kept in good taste.
Those sponsors may be viewed as "castoffs" because they don't match some schmo at NASCAR's view of "family values." But what does advertising beer and cigarettes do for that? To me, Winston and Busch and Budweiser just spend more money more consistently. To be honest, I was shocked by the Winston No Bull program I saw at the Topeka race a couple of years ago. It was the first NHRA national event I attended. And there were tons of people pushing fans to change to Winston cigarettes, giving away free packs. "Would you just like to try smoking Winstons?" was said directly to me.
I don't believe that sponsorships and types of companies is the root of the problem (although I admit it is indeed a small part, though) because I personally think beer and cigarettes are just as far from good family values, but they are part of Americana and do represent the freedoms of individuals that we hold dear in this country.
I have some more views on the "decline of drag racing," but that'll be in the next letter, hehehe. Thanks for your time, bud. Just call me "4spdtom."
I guess this means you don't collect Marlboro points, either, huh, Tom?
From Scott Marshall, Anchorage, Alaska
[sebastian@alaskalife.net]:
I have a couple of things. Number one, there is no personality among the drivers anymore. In the old days you had the Snake, Mongoose and Jungle Jim among many others. With today's drivers, only a select few like John Force and Scotty Cannon stick out when it comes to personality. The NHRA has squashed the drivers from openly voicing their differences or really having a true rivalry with any one driver.
Second, letting in sponsors like Penthouse really didn't do any good for the sport. I have a collection of pictures of cars; needless to say, that isn't one of them!
Third, there should be more classes, like a Top fuel VW class which is a rail, but with a 4-cylinder engine running on nitromethane. Also, Pro Modified from the IHRA is an awesome class. Fans love it and I love it.
I think you get my point. The average guy like myself would love to race, but the cost is a killer! This is just the opinion of a guy from Alaska who loves drag racing and, really, the only way to stay in touch is through TV or the Internet like the WHRA, which is a simulated drag racing league (best one out there, I might add). The game is Bethesda championship drag racing, and now we have NIRA Import drag racing coming online. This is really taking off and is a blast without killing the wallet. It's a chance to race all kinds of people around the world. That's it, folks. Thanks for letting me speak my piece.
So, how're the snowmobile drags doing up your way, Scott?
From Roland
[roland.dishongh@pdq.net]:
The NHRA is in a big mess, and the flakes in the main office don't have a clue because most of them are non-racers. First, they need someone in charge like Bill Bader of the IHRA. Then, the whole drag race format needs to be changed. The simplest thing would be to adopt the IHRA format. The sportsman deal is too confusing, with dial-ins, etc. The pro deal has too many cookie-cutter cars. The Top Fuel and Funny Car classes are way too expensive. The Pro Stock class is getting boring.
One other thought: get rid of Glendora (NHRA's home base in Glendora, California) and consolidate the IHRA and NHRA. But it'll never happen!
Is there anything GOOD you can say about the NHRA, Roland?
From Roderick Burke
[KIA1320@aol.com]:
My view on the NHRA is there are some definite problems there. I think the major problem is TV coverage. I believe the only way to go would be live coverage, but the eight-hour shows just will not cut it. A diehard fan such as myself will watch an eight-hour show (which I did when NHRA tried it on USSB and Direct TV), but the occasional fan will not.
Drag racing should be the No. 1 motorsport, considering that it is much easier to participate in than NASCAR, Indy car, or Formula 1. Any individual should be able to relate to drag racing in some form or another, and they can take any street car to a local track and get the same thrills of competition as John Force.
My solution for the TV coverage problem is to shorten the races. What I mean is: from Stock to Super Comp, run their races from Thursday to Friday or Saturday. The professional and semi-pro categories (including competition eliminator) run the remainder of the weekend.
Maybe they should think about combining Top Fuel and Funny Car permanently without the head start (as was the case at last month's Winston Showdown exhibition race in Bristol, Tennessee), but with a weight break. This may be to the extreme, but why not even combine the Pro Stock car and truck categories? If Detroit wants to continue using the small block engines in the trucks, allow them to use nitrous oxide.
Combining categories and re-scheduling others would allow the Sunday show to be broadcast live and then broadcast the sportsman (super classes and stock) categories on tape delay.
Better marketing of the drivers is also a must! Look at that NASCAR commercial of Mike Skinner exiting his street car from the window and entering his house through the window. Simple, but effective.
With some of those ideas, Roland, have you ever thought about sending a resume to the NHRA personnel office?
From Ronald W. Sharp, Paris, Kentucky
[rwsharp@ibm.net]:
The management at NHRA does not believe there is anything wrong with the sport. I dropped my membership in the NHRA a couple of years ago because the price of National Dragster kept going up every year or so, and I did not see any added value to it. Also, being retired, I asked the NHRA about a membership discount for retired folks. Of course, I never even got a response.
Short, to the point and comments that speak volumes, Ronald. And the NHRA wonders why so many old-time racers and fans fail to renew memberships. Duhhhhh, hellooooooooo, NHRA.
From [WAllenX@aol.com]:
Hiya, Jerry. Great article. I think you were right on target on the problems of the NHRA several times in your article. Let's consider spectators. We have the pro spectator that has watched and enjoyed the sport of drag racing for many years and has most likely taken part in more than a few races. This spectator attends most events and should have a lot of input for the future of drag racing. They like to see quicker ET's and higher MPH's, however, the NHRA seems more concerned with attracting new spectators and attracting new money.
I think we need to take a look at promoting what the general driver would like to know, also. Will their Mustang pass a Camaro in a pinch, or can their Firebird get out in front, from a stop light, in time to make a right turn from the left lane without causing a confrontation with the driver of the Daytona.
We need to appeal to the enthusiast. Cater to the customer and they will come. I would love to hear the announcer say, "OK, folks, can this showroom stock Chevy do it again?"
Oh come on, now. When was the last time a Firebird lost to a Daytona?
From Cricket White, Spokane, Washington
[birdlt1350@icehouse.net]:
Yes, Cricket is my real name. I am writing about the problems in NHRA. It all boils down to one thing: the almighty buck. The sport has gone so high that people like me just couldn't afford to race anymore. But that isn't so much the problem for those of us who can't go to a race easily; we rely on TV to bring the race to us. It is very sad to me that (TNN) dropped the NHRA Today show. It was by far my favorite show.
The NHRA needs to get back on TV so that sponsors can get the exposure they are looking for. If that doesn't happen, sponsors like Budweiser are going to call it quits when Kenny Bernstein retires. And after one goes, they all will start to go, and then no more NHRA. That will be a very sad day for motorsports. Something needs to happen soon, or there will no longer be NHRA. Thank you for your time.
God, I love your name! Gee, if the NHRA marketing types were smart, and if you could drive a dragster, you could be the next Angelle Seeling or Shirley Muldowney.
From C.J. Patterson
[Cjp7560@aol.com]:
I am a 20-plus year member of the NHRA and an African-American. I compete in the sportsman ranks of Super Stock. The problems I see as a competitor are that NHRA has given all its focus to the professionals, all the sponsorships go to the professionals, all the TV goes to the professionals and no assistance goes to the sportsman ranks.
The sportsmen are thought to be an important part of the drag racing scene, but we are only considered a fill for the professionals for their between-round maintenance. The sportsmen are provided with no assistance in securing sponsorship to advance in NHRA racing.
The other major issue is the NHRA does not promote diversity in its sport. There are very few African-Americans involved in the professional category. They are Tom Hammonds and Larry Nance in Pro Stock and Antron Brown in Pro Stock Motorcycle; these men are competing primarily out of their own pockets. I personally know these competitors, and there have been no efforts from NHRA to assist them in securing assistance like they do with their other competitors.
As a sportsman racer, I have been actively seeking support for my racing operation but with no assistance from NHRA. NHRA needs to start promoting diversity within the sport like NASCAR and CART are stating that they are going to do. At the recent (Diversity in Motorsports Conference) that was held in Washington, D.C., where Rev. Jesse Jackson was in attendance, NASCAR and CART sent representatives, but where were the representatives from NHRA? Even the IHRA was in attendance. NHRA needs a lot of help.
You are right on target with your comments, C.J. The NHRA is missing a golden opportunity by not marketing more to the African-American community in terms of potential fans, potential drivers and sponsors as well. I can tell you from past experience, and I have traveled to NHRA national events from coast to coast over the years, I have yet to see even one banner in a predominately black neighborhood promoting an upcoming race at the nearby track.
Also, guys like Nance and Hammonds can afford to race out of their own pockets, but they are the exception, rather than the norm. The fact that the NHRA was not at Rev. Jackson's diversity in motorsports conference was an unconscionable embarrassment for the sanctioning body and a direct slap in the face of African-Americans who want to become involved in drag racing.
From [BEisel3130@aol.com]:
You're right on target! Bite the bullet, don't compromise and accept porn magazine sponsors. It drags the sport, the competitors and the fans down to a level we can't recover from. We need TV desperately. Why can't the NHRA, with all their millions, start producing a magazine show, even a race telecast, if need be. If done right, it would pay 100 times dividends.
They also need to concentrate on attracting youth or they can forget it. When I was in high school (1964), all the boys knew who the racers were. Now they don't know what drag racing is unless Mom or Dad are involved.
Better yet, ask today's youth what a four-barrel carb is, and watch the replies. A four-barrel what, dude?
From Travis Woods, Fenwick, West Virginia
[thunder@mtec.net]:
The NHRA is going downhill fast. I have lost all interest in watching drag racing on television because there is never any to watch. The NHRA needs to invest in some serious TV time. Listening to the races at Broadcast.com is not my idea of good entertainment, either. The NHRA does need to have criteria for sponsors to meet in order to weed out potentially harmful sponsors. However, I feel that drag racing fans are not concerned about who sponsors the NHRA. They just want to see some drag racing!
In all fairness to the NHRA, Travis, there still is a good amount of drag racing on TV. Of course, you may have to wait a week or two or three after the event just to see taped highlights, but, hey, that's better than nothing, right?
From Jack Mackey, Seaside, California
[MackoJack@aol.com]:
How about being packed like a sardine in the stands for about $50? Give the fans room to breathe.
Hey, Jack, I know things are cramped, but do you think you could get your elbow out of my nacho chips and your foot out of my Miller Lite, okay? Thanks, buddy.
From Lana J. Sosenka, driver of the Mr. Magoo Nitro Funny Car
[jjsl@gvtc.com]:
My Thoughts:
1. Limit the pro classes to one engine and one spare and one body. Also, nitro, blowers, etc., should be standard throughout the fields.
2. Right of refusal for sponsorship.
3. NO ALCOHOL IN THE PITS.
4. Have a covered playground for the many kiddies who attend with some unwise adults who keep them in the sun all day.
5. Make drag racing a true test of driver and mechanic.
Excellent points, Lana. And who says Mr. Magoo didn't have any foresight?
From Ken Howatt, Las Vegas, Nevada
[khowatt@leisuretech.com]:
Hi, here are my thoughts on drag racing's problems. Too many races are spoiled because one or both cars have mechanical problems. De-tune the engines with restrictor plates, eliminate nitro, burn alcohol or racing gas and regulate boost pressure (on the superchargers). Do what is necessary to keep the engines alive for a few seconds so the race can be run. Of course, this will slow the cars down, but the RACING will be closer. Lighten the cars to gain some speed back. The cars will still be the fastest racing vehicles, just by a smaller margin.
TV coverage should include more innovative camera angles. An overhead camera directly behind each car at the start line, one overhead on a helicopter, one above the track looking back at the start line from the big end, more use of super slow motion to illustrate reaction times and hole shots.
Make coverage of each run last longer by repeating the race from several different angles. At the track, display reaction times on the speed/ET sign. Take a page from NASCAR and make the car number tied to each driver (#3 is ..., #6 is ..., #24 is ..., etc.). Make the numbers large enough that they can be seen and put them in the same place on each car. This will help fans at the track and on TV identify their favorites more easily. I hope these ideas help, because I do enjoy watching drag racing and I hate to see coverage dwindling.
Uh, Ken, given some of your ideas, you wouldn't be interested in directing NHRA's TV coverage for 2000, would you? That is ... if there is any coverage after 1999's embarrassing debacle.
From Bob Byrom, Chicago, Illinois:
I'm relatively new to drag racing, but here's my two cents:
1. Create some sort of Pro Compact class. Like it or not, Hondas, Toyotas, Neons, etc., are what a growing number of kids are racing today.
2. Remove restrictions from Funny Car bodies. Let's face it, they don't even vaguely resemble the production vehicles anyway.
3. Create a jet class and raise the speed limit to at least 330 mph. I think they're cartoonish, but people really seem to love 'em.
4. Promote local racers when the tour comes to town. Prior to the Fram Nationals (in Joliet, Illinois, this past June), I heard plenty of commercials on Chicago radio but no mention of Tony Schumacher or Chris DeSalvo.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on my thoughts. Thanks.
From one Chicagoan to another, I couldn't agree more with your points, Bob, particularly No. 4. As for the other points, I think you'll see some sort of import racing in NHRA competition within the next couple of years. The jets are too loud, bulky and carry too high an insurance liability to make them a regular class, in my opinion, but they do put on an interesting show whenever they're run as an exhibition.
As for Funny Car body restrictions, I disagree. Even as wild as the designs are, they at least carry some semblance to the real thing. If you take away restrictions, you'll have some homemade vehicles resembling anything but cars; the class might look more like something you'd see in the cartoons.
From Jo Ann Davis, Griffin, Georgia
[jad429@webtv.net]:
Short, simple suggestion: More in-car cameras.
In-car cameras are certainly one of the more popular aspects of coverage both on TV and in-person (on the WinstonVision video boards at each race). But the cost factor makes it near-prohibitive to install a camera in every car on the pro tour.
From Wes Swinford, Fort Worth, Texas
[wesley.a.swinford@lmco.com]:
Hey Jerry, I find it pretty amazing and very coincidental that I should come across your column (June 29, 1999) today regarding the struggles of the NHRA. Being a self-proclaimed gearhead and avid drag racer myself, I have to agree with a lot that you mention and until reading your column I haven't really put all the pieces together.
Having spent the better part of the last six months finishing my drag car, I have to admit that the lack of television coverage has been a tad bit concerning, not to mention NHRA Today being beaten out for roller derby. Now I am really mad! I mentioned that it was very coincidental that I came across your column, because just this past weekend my girlfriend and I were watching television and we came across a tape-delayed broadcast on TV. I thought to myself this was the first drag racing that I had seen on TV in some time.
Even my girlfriend (who, by the way, is a marketing director for a large corporation here in Fort Worth) made the same comment. Keep in mind that she doesn't even like drag racing and only participates in support of my aspirations and love for the sport, so for her to notice this was a big shock to me. During the show, the TV crews panned over all of the large billboards on the tower at the starting and finish lines, and she says, "You know the corporate sponsors are loving that!" Well, I'll be the first to admit that I am an idiot when it comes to money or advertising, but I have learned a lot from her over the past few months regarding the importance of corporate sponsorship.
I kind of laughed and made the comment that for the cost of a new enclosed car trailer and truck to pull it with, they could paint their corporate logo all over my car and I would be happy to drive under their name. She laughed and said, "You get me national air time and its a deal." She was serious. Well, I am an average racer, and the chances of me getting into the final round on national TV is a long shot, to say the least.
Anyway, some ideas that seem to be working around some of the local tracks down here are the combination of specialized classes like 5.0 Mustangs, imports, no electronics, etc. Also, the cost of getting into the local drag strip on Friday or Saturday night doesn't kill you either.
I volunteer with Big Brothers here in Fort Worth and took my "little brother" to an NHRA national event at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas about a year ago, and it cost $100.00 for the both of us to get in on Sunday. That didn't include food or souvenirs. We take my car out on weekends, and unless its a special event it costs $20.00 for us (not including fuel) to get in and run the car, too.
As I said, I am no marketing wizard, but maybe it wouldn't hurt for the NHRA to look over the shoulder of NASCAR (yuck, I can't believe I said that) and see what has made them so popular. Maybe it's because they have races every weekend and the NASCAR organization promotes their sport. Now that I think about it, I don't ever see an ad on television promoting drag racing and its sponsors that's actually funded by NHRA. It's usually the track having the race or the individual sponsors. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind words, Wes. And given some of your girlfriend's comments, any chance of her being interested in going to work in a marketing capacity for the NHRA? They could use a sharp gal like her!
From Geoffrey J. Fryman, Super Gas racer
[fci@one.net]:
Well, finally someone is trying to address what's wrong with the NHRA, 'cause Lord knows it hasn't happened inside their hallowed walls. I would like to give two perspectives on what's wrong; one is from a fan's viewpoint, the other from a racer's viewpoint. I am a 32-year-old NHRA member (not by choice, but I have to be a member if I want to race the big races).
A fan's viewpoint:
The treatment that the average fan receives now is not much different from those early years that I remember. Although the track conditions have improved greatly, the fan accommodations haven't changed significantly. You can't find a bathroom where all the toilets work. There is no easy access to the seating. Look at Indy (Indianapolis Raceway Park): you enter one gate, and if your assigned seating is on the non-tower side, you have to walk over one mile to get to your seat. Then you have to walk back across the track to see the in-between rounds, pit action, etc. My wife and I were given Top Eliminator Club tickets for this past SpringNats -- now that's the way to go to a race -- but at $150 each, even our 6-figure income can't afford to do that very often.
Maybe all the fans should get that kind of deal without having to pay $150. Where are the cooling tents that people can sit down in for a few minutes? Ever been to a dragstrip when the temp was 90-plus degrees with high humidity? You'd give anything to cool off for a few minutes!
Treat the fans like decent people, and I think you'd see a greater turnout! They are not sheep to be herded, they're average people who may be scraping together the $50-plus for a Sunday ticket. They could just as easily have a cookout with their family for that same money and not have to fight traffic, etc.
Now from the racer's viewpoint:
Where does all this money go? I spend $300 for entry fees to a national event. In Super Gas in the Midwest the turnouts are about 150 cars (usually over 200 at Indy). Do the simple math: that's $45,000 for a $2,000 payout from the NHRA. All the rest of the money comes from the contingency sponsors. Yes, they have round money, etc., so let's say that they cleared $20,000 in that class; how many classes are there? Add in your membership fees, etc., and it's fairly steep to be a racer that competes in these events.
The escalating cost for the sportsman to finance the pros who can't keep major sponsors is the biggest problem I see. Although there have long been rumors of a sportsman boycott, it would seem this would be the only way to get NHRA's attention about these problems. Let them figure out what they're going to do for fill time if they don't have the sportsmen.
My list of complaints from the racer's side could be very long; I'll give you the short and simple explanations of a couple of them.
Treatment from NHRA officials: Having attended several events, both national and divisional, the treatment from NHRA officials is very poor. I'll give you an example. While at the 1997 U.S. Nationals, my truck broke down. I had to go to Dayton, Ohio, to get my dad's truck to tow my trailer home. Now, you can't get into the pits unless you have the sticker on the windshield.
So I go to the tech booth to explain the problem. They had me take an official back to my pit and show him my truck wouldn't start; only then was I allowed to get another sticker. Now, there's a sure way to get me to come back! Treat me like a kid. (By the way, a friend of mine who has a Pro Stock car gets 10 spectator passes, crew passes, and 2 vehicle passes for free because he has "touring pro" status and attends less events than I do; oh yeah, he doesn't have an entry fee, either).
Cost of equipment: I have $50,000-plus in my Super Gas car, 24-foot enclosed trailer and a 1993 dually that has a rebuilt motor and trans. How can the average guy get into this stuff? I am lucky because I can afford it, but then I see folks who have Kodiak-style trucks with all aluminum trailers to haul one car. What does the average guy think? How can he afford to compete with that?
Getting into national events: I sat out the 1998 NHRA circuit (due to building a new car). Because of this I cannot get into a national event in 1999 (to race). Never mind that I had eight grade points for the three years prior, that doesn't count. Hmmm, really makes me want to come back when I can show up at an IHRA gate and get in without having to go to their points meets.
Selective rule enforcement: Just read some of the info on the Joe Aluise vs. NHRA lawsuit, and you will fully understand. He has a letter from one (NHRA) official that says his parts are legal, goes to Indy and gets suspended for a year for illegal parts that he's got approval for. Huh?
Sorry for the length, hopefully this is aimed at what you were looking for. I enjoy your columns and appreciate you taking this effort on. Hopefully you will receive many responses and be able to help the folks in California get their heads out of the sand out there.
Now, from the reporter's viewpoint, Geoff, you have covered as much ground as there is in a quarter-mile dragstrip, definitely making strong and viable points every step of the way. You have hit some of the problems with the NHRA like nails on the head. I just hope those nails don't eventually wind up being coffin nails tolling the NHRA's demise because of either its ignorance or just plain indifference to the plight of the true backbones of the sport, the fan and the sportsman racer.
From Carla Stewart, Tigard, Oregon
[stewartracing@mindspring.com] and [Carla_Stewart@www.dragstore.com]:
Amen, Jerry! What an excellent letter! I am a 43-year-old female drag racing addict since the early '70s, and the mother and wife of three racers. The bottom line: Drag racing IS a "family sport," and having the WWF and Penthouse as sponsors is embarrassing. We might as well add Jerry Springer to the list! I can just see it now written on the side of my 13-year-old son Brandon's Junior Dragster -- I think NOT! Everybody has lost sight of good old fashioned family values and morals. The media is in a feeding frenzy for all the smut and, unfortunately, the public eats it up.
TNN needs to get a grip. Sheeesh, replacing NHRA Today with roller derby? What could they possibly be thinking? Other ideas:
1. There should be major promotions for kids, who are the future of our beloved sport (once again back to family values).
2. Special programs should be created to make it more affordable for the less fortunate to attend races.
We are all drag racing addicts and drag racing will never die, but the NHRA may die if they don't stop in their tracks and do a bit of personal inventory! There is no other sport out there that has such a big grouping of wonderful people. It has been proven over and over again that we are one big family. Let's keep it that way!
Amen, Carla! Your husband is a lucky man, and your children are lucky to have such a wonderful, insightful mother.
From Mike Lewis, Indianapolis, Indiana
Pro Racers Organization
(which represents most of the fuel teams on the NHRA pro tour)
[ProRacers@AOL.com]:
Simply, we can dwell on the perceived mistakes of NHRA's management over the past few years, or we can recognize the resiliency of the sport and its enormous growth potential. Yes, your editorials will attract negativity from your readers. Those readers don't have the opportunity we do to participate with NHRA in planning for our future. They can react to personal experience or, more likely, to the words of a respected journalist like yourself.
We hope you'll provide your readers a more balanced look at drag racing and its future in today's highly sophisticated world of professional sports. NHRA's biggest mistake may be that it waited too long to make the decisions to recruit professional expertise to guide the sport through the tangled web of public relations, television and marketing in 1999.
Granted, this series is about what's wrong with the NHRA, Mike. But I also plan an additional forthcoming series on what's right with the NHRA, one in which PRO will figure prominently. I look forward to speaking with you in the coming days on that issue.
From Chris Russell
[CHRIS RUSSELL@prodigy.net]:
My comments are geared toward the professional categories because that's what viewers want to see most.
Camera angles: Why does the race have to be shown from the side? This problem has been getting better over the last few weeks. The shots coming toward the finish line are great. How about some from the starting line?
Nighttime racing only: NHRA recently conducted a night race at Gateway International Raceway. This is a step in the right direction. A lot of other sports are conducted at night, why not drag racing? I know that going to the track in the afternoon can be grueling when its hot and muggy. The same can be said for spectators at national events. When the sun goes down everyone is cooler and relaxed. The sights and sound of the racing (especially the fuel cars) is crisp and clear.
Fires/accidents: Let's face it, fans say they watch racing for the competition and not because they may see a fire or an accident. So do I, but fires and accidents do make racing exciting. It's a part of racing and it should be a part of the show. NHRA tends to downplay fires and accidents. NASCAR shows the fires and accidents; why shouldn't the NHRA?
Burnouts: As far as I'm concerned, drag racing would be nothing without burnouts. Too often the drivers are being interviewed after a race when the next pair are doing their burnouts. The only time a driver should be interviewed is if something significant took place during their race. Otherwise, devote that time to the burnout. Also, the burnouts should be shown in slow-motion, from the front, the side, or the rear.
Starting line personnel: There are too many people around the cars. At this year's Gatornationals we had seats close to the starting line. Problem was, there were so many people around the cars we could not see them. There must be a way to limit the number of crewman and photographers.
Pro Stock Trucks/Pro Stock Bikes/Jet Cars/Imports: Drag racing has too many pro classes. Trucks are made for hauling and motorcycles are made for road racing. Both of these "pro" classes are boring. NHRA needs to drop the categories and move the money to alcohol/fuel injected dragsters and Funny Cars. The jet cars make drag racing look like a freak show. They should not be allowed to compete at national events. Why an import category? Who cares? Another waste of time and money that could be moved to another category.
Funny Car bodies: How about getting back to bodies that actually resemble a real car? Even though a racer may call his car a Mustang or a Firebird, there is no way a TV viewer new to the sport is going to identify a Mustang or Firebird with the bodies currently in use.
Pro Stock: Great close racing. What does it need? How about some variety. I'm a Chevy guy, but I would like to see competition between GM, Ford and Mopar. Why no Corvettes? I'm not sure how difficult it would be, but why not change the cubic inch and weight rules so that all three manufacturers can participate? No imports. Also, I think Pro Stock should not be permitted to run electronic fuel injection. Why? Costs (besides, I like the looks of the big-assed hood scoops, it identifies drag racing).
Thanks for the opportunity to voice my opinion.
Many points well taken, Chris, but one especially sticks out and has been a sore spot in my side for many years, the issue of all the people hanging around the starting line. There have been some races I've attended over the years that I've counted as many as 30 people in and around the starting line (not including media types like photographers).
It seems as though every crew member, girlfriend, wife, etc., HAS to be there at the starting line. For what, I ask. Not only do they serve to block the view of some folks who have seats at near-ground level, they also prove to be a distraction to the seriousness of the racing going on. I mean, if a really good looking woman in shorts and a halter top is standing near the starting line watching her husband or boyfriend, I guarantee you that there are probably as many eyes in the stands on her as there are on the two cars at the starting line. That's not drag racing. That's a beauty contest, of which there is no room for in the sport, particularly when the pros run.
Well, that's it for the fan's side of "What's Wrong With Drag Racing." I hope you've enjoyed all three parts of this series. Look for the upcoming rebuttal series, "What's Right With Drag Racing."
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from Speedvision Online - September 1, 1999 written by Jerry Bonkowski - Contributing Editor © Speedvision 1999 |