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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: BobR]
#612937
02/15/10 02:16 PM
02/15/10 02:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
jim sciortino
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
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Quote:
Quote:
Almost unwatchable.....except for the few minutes of prostock. Unless of course you happen to be in love with the whole Force thing.
The coverage is geared towards automotive simpletons.
If it weren't for the NHRA there would be no drag racing. Think about that before crapping on them.
Sure there would.
Rt.25 is right down the street from me....
Dead flat, 3 lanes of concrete, with shoulders, limited on/off ramps, hardly any traffic at night. Just perfect.
If NHRA folded today, I wouldn't lose a seconds sleep.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: cgall]
#612938
02/15/10 02:57 PM
02/15/10 02:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
kissmyaspen
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
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Quote:
If you watch the 1000 ft. video from the weekend, most of the drivers are still not pulling the chutes until after the 1/4 mile. On long tracks like Pomona, the fuel cars hardly even need the chutes. Arend and Capps both had the chutes not blossom fully, and easily made the turn.
The 1000 ft. racing is crap. Many cars are blowing up, crossing the centerline, etc. on the shorter track. And the grandstand past the 1000 ft. yesterday was completely empty.
Pomona's shut down is shorter than National Trails..then past the sand there is a nice guard rail and then the road, plus a couple of those guys took the corner way to fast.. 
79 Dodge Aspen
12.265 at 109.75 MPH
67 Satellite NSS/E
11.83 @ 110
1968 Plymouth Road Runner 472 Hemi
3 time MOPAR NATIONALS CHAMP '03 FWD and '06 & '09 Street.
'07, '10, '12 Mopar Nats runner-up Street.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: 11secdart]
#612939
02/15/10 03:03 PM
02/15/10 03:03 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,424
Florida STAYcation
dOc !
The village idiot's idiot
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The village idiot's idiot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,424
Florida STAYcation
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Quote:
I saw a lot of empty seats especialy on the spectator side.
I have not seen a recent ESPN coverage but I remember from even BEFORE the most recent "meltdown" .... like at Rt66 .... ESPN would AVOID areas of the stands that were deserted.
NHRA has priced-themselves OUT OF THE MARKET for many people.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: dOc !]
#612940
02/15/10 03:17 PM
02/15/10 03:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
CHAPPER
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
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I agree with the 'cameras not showing crowd count'
that is the same thing NASCAR does when the spectators are absent. They both know the economy is in the gutter but seem to believe that there are people watching on TV that don't know it! They always announce "Sell Out Crowd" "Standing Room Only" etc. I know for a fact that there were around 30,000 empty seats at Bristol (of ALL places) recently! Daytona appeared to have a decent crowd. First race of season? NHRA...not so good. NHRA will start taking a GOOD look at NOSTALGIA racing before long! Any bets?
If you like drag racing, support your local track.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: CHAPPER]
#612941
02/15/10 03:41 PM
02/15/10 03:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 570
Brea, Ca
Dart Racer
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 570
Brea, Ca
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Quote:
NHRA will start taking a GOOD look at NOSTALGIA racing before long! Any bets?
I was there on Saturday and right after the pros ran the Nostalgia funny cars were up, and sadly the fans left the stands in droves..... so not sure Nostalgia will save them (NHRA) either. I'm 63 so stayed for every minute of the Nostalgia car runs. Sure would have enjoyed seeing the Hawaiian car run plus several others that were there.
My other complaint at the event was that the speaker system was horrible! Jack in the box makes a better system. We couldn't understand a word that was said.......
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: Crizila]
#612943
02/15/10 09:55 PM
02/15/10 09:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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Bob R,
You're dead-on my friend, but many of our compadres can't see the forrest for the trees.
1000 ft. Racing: The facilities can't handle the speeds the fuel cars are capable of.. PERIOD!!! END OF STATEMENT!!
320 at a 1000ft..these cars are simply unbelievable, the most incredible machines anywhere. The problem is they are too expensive to build, too expensive to maintain, and too expensive to race in this economic climate. But the spoiled rotten, crybaby NHRA Nitro Fan, says "Turn them loose, let them run 350 to the 1/4, build better facilities, to contain them, and by the way I want a perfect seat for 20$".
Sponsors: sponsors/advertisers are leaving all kinds of sports, not just motorsports, Golf, football, basketball,..all of them are scrambling to replace lost revenue right now.
The only way NHRA and drag racing is going to continue is to try and reduce the cost of competing, and I'm not talking entry fees or licensing, I'm talking rules such as the "no exotic materials" rule in Pro Stock. The fuel cars need limits on fuel pumps and mags similar to the nostalgia cars..WE MUST GO BACKWARDS on performance in an attempt to limit cost so guys like McMillen, Bodie, Tuttle, the Pedregons, Hartleys, can continue to survive in this sport.
Facilities: many of the top notch, world class facilities that we attend to watch or race Pinks All Out, PSCA heads up, Summit bracket racing, our favorite all-Mopar event etc. would dissapear if the NHRA Full Throttle National Event Series fails. They count on this once or twice a year cash cow to keep the gates open and stay solvent!!!
The current economic situation has me on the sidelines, and unable to compete at NHRA Nationals, and Divisionals this season...I hope when I am able to return and support them that I still have a place to race!!
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: MoparBilly]
#612944
02/15/10 11:41 PM
02/15/10 11:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102
Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102
Byron, NY
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NHRA and IHRA are turning their backs on the trditional drag fan(one that know's the sport inside and out, would spend the weekend sleeping on a pile of rocks just to be there) and are looking for the "fan" that wants to go to the races then stop for a quick meal on the way to the movies. No Die Hards welcome...they are trying to dumb it down to the simpelest observer, problem is with this economy the simple observer can only afford the movies...
Last edited by W.I.N. racing; 02/15/10 11:41 PM.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60
'01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust,
'05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list
'60 Willys CJ5
'01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison
'64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: 10 o to go]
#612945
02/16/10 12:54 AM
02/16/10 12:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,245
Between a rock & a hard place
cudadoug
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,245
Between a rock & a hard place
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Quote:
saw this on another website . 
I don't usually get involved in NHRA "political" discussions, but feel the points on this sign need a counterpoint:
1/4 MILE-LESS: We're also Scott Kallita-less. Where's that on their sign? I DO NOT agree with the choice of how to slow the fuel cars down (HELLO NHRA: Single mags and single pumps!!) but they reacted to a serious situation the quickest way they knew how. I have attended four National Events since the 1000' foot deal and I hear WAY more gripes about having to sit through the sportsman classes that are 1/4 mile. I understand tradition, but those guys beating on the traditional band wagon, shouldn't support their local 1/8 mile track either, right?
US SMOKELESS-LESS: THIS is what killed that deal: http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-stores/4486530-1.html Guess what? That's the same reason we're WINSTON-LESS!
BUD-LESS: Don't blame NHRA. Blame the IDIOTS at InBev. ALL sponsorships have been reduced; the NASCAR program was cut 20%. They offered KB a deal, but it was quite a bit less than the current contract. While other guys are taking LESS from the sponsors to keep their "deals" and pulling the balance from their own pockets, KB wasn't going to do that. I used to be a AB vendor. InBev came to me and said they were reducing my rates about 15% across the board. My reply was...let's just say we're not doing business together anymore.
SNAKE-LESS. Now that's a darn shame. But see the US SMOKELESS-LESS paragraph. Did NHRA do all they could to help him? Probably not; they have their own issues. But for a company not to step up and back the Snake and a very marketable driver baffles me. Snake said it: He wanted enough to run a 1st class team and contend for the championship and it wasn't there. Tells me he probably was offered deals, but for far less than he's worth...can't blame him
MEMPHIS-LESS: The balance sheet of a NHRA (or ANY track for that matter) is up to the track, itself. They weren't making it on the balance sheet and it's toast. Just like ANY company. NHRA hosted a National Event there, how is their demise NHRA's fault?
NHRA doesn't care about that sign, those 2 morons PAID to get in!! THAT is clue-less!!
Last edited by cudadoug; 02/16/10 01:03 AM.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: chryco]
#612946
02/16/10 01:01 AM
02/16/10 01:01 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,384
Worst Weather USA
493_DART
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,384
Worst Weather USA
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Quote:
Quote:
I saw a lot of empty seats especialy on the spectator side.  Yes NHRA did a lot of great things in the past and makes it possible for most of us to race. But the last couple of years the mgmt has made a lot of bad decisions and they are in it for the $$$ losing sight of what is the backbone of the sport , bracket racers and sportsman racers. They are after the " Big Show , Big $$$" which is losing its appeal rapidly. Stars are leaving the sport and how long can they continue to survive and appeal to the fan carrying on about the Forces and the Dixon/ Schumacher rivalry? They refuse to believe that there is anything wrong with the economy and have done nothing to easen the financial burden on the sportsman/bracket racer, to make more money to line their pockets they double fees and raise ticket prices and entry fees.
One thing that grinds my gears is the completely inane process of making my perfectly good safety equipment obsolete when there`s NOTHING wrong with it . This policy might be great for big time racers , not the little guy who just likes to get out with his / her car when time permits.
Chryco
agree 100% .
Just another way for NHRA to financially rape the racers that support them. The SFI is also getting a cut of that.
I had to buy belts last year. My "old" ones were in MINT / PRISTINE condition.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: B Dartman]
#612948
02/16/10 10:59 AM
02/16/10 10:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,329
NC
DCM71cuda
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,329
NC
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Quote:
On long tracks like Pomona, the fuel cars hardly even need the chutes
Pomona is practically the shortest track on the circuit.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: MoparBilly]
#612949
02/16/10 11:01 AM
02/16/10 11:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,165
Left Coast
BobR
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,165
Left Coast
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Quote:
Bob R,
You're dead-on my friend, but many of our compadres can't see the forrest for the trees.
1000 ft. Racing: The facilities can't handle the speeds the fuel cars are capable of.. PERIOD!!! END OF STATEMENT!!
320 at a 1000ft..these cars are simply unbelievable, the most incredible machines anywhere. The problem is they are too expensive to build, too expensive to maintain, and too expensive to race in this economic climate. But the spoiled rotten, crybaby NHRA Nitro Fan, says "Turn them loose, let them run 350 to the 1/4, build better facilities, to contain them, and by the way I want a perfect seat for 20$".
Sponsors: sponsors/advertisers are leaving all kinds of sports, not just motorsports, Golf, football, basketball,..all of them are scrambling to replace lost revenue right now.
The only way NHRA and drag racing is going to continue is to try and reduce the cost of competing, and I'm not talking entry fees or licensing, I'm talking rules such as the "no exotic materials" rule in Pro Stock. The fuel cars need limits on fuel pumps and mags similar to the nostalgia cars..WE MUST GO BACKWARDS on performance in an attempt to limit cost so guys like McMillen, Bodie, Tuttle, the Pedregons, Hartleys, can continue to survive in this sport.
Facilities: many of the top notch, world class facilities that we attend to watch or race Pinks All Out, PSCA heads up, Summit bracket racing, our favorite all-Mopar event etc. would dissapear if the NHRA Full Throttle National Event Series fails. They count on this once or twice a year cash cow to keep the gates open and stay solvent!!!
The current economic situation has me on the sidelines, and unable to compete at NHRA Nationals, and Divisionals this season...I hope when I am able to return and support them that I still have a place to race!!
And you, Mopar Billy, are exactly right. I've got NOTHING to add.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: B Dartman]
#612950
02/16/10 11:13 AM
02/16/10 11:13 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
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Drag racing used to be about drag racing. Now it's about entertainment / personalities, cause that's where the $ is. Look what's on TV these days. That should give you a clue as to where NHRA has headed. Again, all about the $. One event during the entire year packs the stands at my home track. The wheel standing championship - and the big ink goes to the guy that flips over.  The big draw has nothing to do with drag racing and the people in the stands - they ain't drag racers. The track owners don't care as long as the stands are full - again, all about the $. Very few people that go to the track these days are impressed with a slant 6 in a dart running in the mid 12's. They can't relate.
Fastest 300
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#612953
02/16/10 12:25 PM
02/16/10 12:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,570
md
mopars4ever
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,570
md
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Quote:
Fell asleep by the semis
Funny thing is I couldn`t wait for the start of the season and then half way through the first race of the year I fell asleep too. Either I was real tired or very bored.
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: mopars4ever]
#612954
02/16/10 12:56 PM
02/16/10 12:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
jim sciortino
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
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Quote:
Quote:
Fell asleep by the semis
Funny thing is I couldn`t wait for the start of the season and then half way through the first race of the year I fell asleep too. Either I was real tired or very bored.
What....you didn't like all the worthless non-tech bits about the nitro classes while prostock was running???
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Re: NHRA fan sign of times
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#612955
02/16/10 12:58 PM
02/16/10 12:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
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Guess there has to be a happy medium between grass roots racing ( the way it was initially intended ) and entertainment racing. Just feel that the grass roots racers are having to flip more and more of the entertainment bill - and getting less and less for it. A good example is Rt66. Beautiful complex. I went to the inaugural race in 99. Got a chance to listen to the complex management talk one evening the following year. The speach was all about the $ and what ever the racers / spectators could bear. The guy was for real - and he really turned me off. Never raced there. Don't intend to. Last time I checked, a bottle of water ( which you can't bring in any more - for safety reasons ??? ) was $3.50! BTW, you are allowed to make 3 passes ( T+T )- max! If it's busy, they cut that to two!
Fastest 300
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Suit & Tie on the starting line 11 AM for first pair of TF screaming..."Gentleman Light Em Up" An immediate turn off (Maybe "Fire em up" might of worked better considering they weren't even cranked yet). 
And yes...like many pointed out...too much Force air time. 
