BRACKET RACING....

TNT usually brings out a larger crowd than racing. As popular as Mustangs, Camaros and TransAm cars are, I think that the tracks should have a bracket class strictly for the stick shift cars.
One thing is for sure, if we don't get the younger people interested, this sport will die.

I got a book for Christmas last year called muscle car confidential. My favorite article was on the Connecting highway in the Bronx. They would street race while spectators would watch from the bridges above. It would be cool to have seats above the track.

Ok...I wish I could say it was my idea...but here it go's. Dunn Tire in Lancaster NY has a deal one night a week that local radio "shock jocks" host...They have a burnout contest...and it costs $5 to make a pass down the track...thats for each pass..IE 6 passes costs you $30. The admission is free and half the time they run out of beer and food.....THEY MAKE MORE MONEY THAN THE REGULAR RACE NIGHTS>>>>>BY A BUNCH......I would suggest that to every track....brings new people to the sport too.

It's absolutely amazing to me that so few track managers (at least in this part of the country) do anything special to bring in the spectators.
They know it's required to keep the pockets full but so few really put forth any effort. And as everyone knows watching bracket racing is about as exciting as watching grass grow.

There are a few tracks who have gone to exceptional lengths to bring in the shows, pro mods, fuel altereds, etc, etc, etc. Some of the racers have even passed these tracks by to go to a track where there's more time for the bracket guys. IF THE TRACK CAN'T MAKE MONEY IT WILL CLOSE!!!!

I firmly believe this problem is a direct result of the managers not doing what's required to fill the stands. In some places there's not enough bracket racers to make it.

My local track, Milan, hit a goldmine in the last few years. They have a monthly NO E.T race. $40 to race, $15 for spectators, and no purse. The racers set up their own races for however much $$ they want, and the clocks are turned off. They will use the tree, a flagman, whatever the racers want. I have been to the last two, there were easily 200 cars and 2000 people there and the concession stands were making a killing.

Dennis

In eastern Missouri there is a new track being built. Mid America Raceways Too, located in Eolia, MO. 30 miles north of I-70 on Hwy. 61. Head to Wentzville on I-70 and go north. Track is supposed to open in June 2011.

Monte, your points are well taken, and true. The professional climate today does not allow for match racing, as you and I remember it. The cost is too high, and with all the national events the schedule is too full. I suppose it's a natural progression....

That being said, I do think that the lack of big name match racing has hurt these local tracks badly. The biggest pure spectator crowds that I can rembember at old Keystone Raceway Park (now PRP), Beaver Springs, and the rest were on nights where there was a Sox-Jenkins match, A Nicholson-Stiles, or things like that. I have pictures of those evenings here when the place was absolutely packed with spectators, who paid an extra ten bucks admission.

Those guys bought the big names to the people...to those who read about them but were not in a position to drive to Indianapolis or St. Louis. Since those days, nothing has come to fill the void.

I'm not sure what the answer is. Here in the east, the Nostalgia races draw big crowds and are money makers, and the tracks are fighting over them, and that's the one bright spot that I see. The bracket guys are self supporting, but will not draw a crowd by themselves....they can probably pay the light bill, but will not make a living for the operator. The problem with some of the booked n circuits is that folks are usually disappointed in the overall quality of cars...there will be one or two good ones, and a bunch of leakers. A couple of those and the paying public will not come.

I think, if I was promoting, that the key would be to have something for everyone. Maybe a booked in circuit once a year, special events for whatever niche' segment is out there. I am one of the few who believe that the faster bracket classes can draw a crowd, if marketed right. However, the electronics and the other stuff that make them cookie cutter cars would have to go, so that is not realistic, either. One or two of the IHRA style "Night of Fire" would probably work.

If there was a way somehow to get a Del Worsham or a Phil Burkhart, An Allen Johnson or a Greg Anderson to the local tracks that would be the answer. But, that isn't going to happen. On top it off, we do not participate in a politically correct sport, and that is another thing working against them.

It's a real dilemma. As much as I love this sport, I am not sure I would invest in a drag strip right now.

americans just dont have the love of automobiles that it did have. remember the days when you spent all day sunday under a shade tree waxing you cars. now it is a way to get back and forth and when it goes bad ill get another. that is it.where will drag racing be in the next 25 years. its scary

One of our local tracks did a $10 a carload night with Fuel Altereds, Pro Mods and other specialty race cars. They encouraged people to bring their grill and make a party out of it. So many cars showed up they had to park them on the access road leading to the track. I went to a baseball game today and it cost me and the wife $150. Try this: my son-in-law went to an NFL game and spent over a grand. Just give the folks a little bang for the buck. We are all watching our nickels.

A night/afternoon at the drag strip can be a lot of fun. Any track owners ever thought of letting the average Joe in on this little secret?

One of the best days I had at a dragstrip in a long time was Milan, when the Dragweek cars came through town. Free admission, some very interesting cars to look at, and some very fast 1/4 mile runs. I even got to see Monte. If they would have done any kind of advertising, I beleive there would have been a lot more spectators, there was still quite a few for a rainy thursday morning. The drivers were all great, very willing to talk, ansewer questions, and just in general shoot the bull. I hope it comes back to Milan next year I'll be there for sure

thank you guys for these responces
it sounds as if we all have work to do to bring out the spectators and get our track managers
involved better
its our field of dreams to either win or lose
this is a great example of ideas and explanation of how our sport is changing
some good some needs great improvement

Went to Nostagia day at Lebanon Valley last sunday. Major decline in spectators and race cars.
a few years ago the racing last past dark. all down my 5:15 this year.

I still remember the first dragstrip I raced at. It was the early 80's and after the race was over they had beer, a band and a wet t-shirt contest. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

Many more things competing for the entertainment dollar now a days.