NHRA TV numbers are down. Again...

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Combination of circumstances...
1. Crappy economy

That seems to be the answer for everybody nowadays, and contrary to the Stock market setting records and all the talking heads, I think the lower ranks are still in a jam. But the racing bigshots are using this excuse, rather then making changes to get the fans back. Heck, mcDonalds is booming and they have kept it alive with a "dollar menu", and are still making money.

We are talking about spendable income...
With virtually everything costing more from electricity, food, fuel, rent there are simply fewer available $ to spend on luxury items.....
Actually thats one of the reasons for the Mac $ value menu does well....

Just my $0.05...

Yea... Count me in the camp of not believing inflation is running at less than 1% a year.
I know everything I buy goes up more than a penny on the dollars year.
Heck, 10 wings at MccDonalds are 9.99... What a joke

Posted By: Spaceman Spiff

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 12:49 PM

Why do I need to watch it on tv when I can check here for the results hours before its broadcast.

Posted By: Duner

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 02:18 PM

I just had to laugh at the "payment plan" option they are giving us. As bad as I want to go and show my support for having a track here - I think their outrageous pricing might make me change my mine.

Posted By: Gearhead383

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 02:45 PM

Have to agree with Cudadoug. I use to watch all the time. Now I very seldom open a Nation Dragster anymore. We went to a national event (to race) and walked through the T/F and F/C pits and couldn't care less about seeing anyone. Don't know what happened.

Is it the outrageous prices, same teams in the finals, racing 1,000' instead of quarter mile or just plane boring. I can't really put my finger on any one reason as to the loss of appeal. Maybe it's the bitter taste of NHRA greed and not giving a $hit about sportsman racing.

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 02:55 PM

.....what Gearhead said. I did go to the SCSN last weekend and rather enjoyed that. Guess I was afraid that I'd totally lost all luster for watching 1/4 mile racing....which they still do!

Posted By: dakotawilly

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 03:42 PM

in reality the racers spend wayyyyyyyy more than the fans,the sportsman racers are the true backbone of nhra.but,they could care less.how long would nhra be in business if NO sportsman racers showed up to a national event?when you do get a chance to see an event on tv,its an in depth interview about john forces shoe brand and size while all the real racing is going on in the backgound,un noticed by the camera crew.with just "professional" racers,nhra would have to lure in beef jerky and pabst blue ribbon sponsors,and accept food stamps for admission.AND line the side of the track all the way down with "spectator couches"

Posted By: BradH

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 04:16 PM

I have that logo on a t-shirt... gets me about 50/50 laughs & thumbs up vs. dirty looks, depending upon the audience.

Posted By: dirty magnum

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 04:50 PM

no respect to prostock , they do fuel interviews over prostock.

Posted By: Duner

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 05:55 PM

The interviewing and almost harrassing of the drivers as they were eliminated in the countdown was a terrible. It was about the same as finding the owner of a dog after it was run over and asking: How does that make you feel? You already know how they feel. Why rub it in and put them on the spot in front of the whole world? That's certainly not what I tune into the program for! I can't imagine there are too many people in the world that want to see people poked with a stick when they are down. Gee, I wonder why they have to put the show on the air at 3:00 am?

Posted By: gofish

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 06:13 PM

There is nothing about NHRA on TV that I want to watch. Even the Lucas Oil TV series focused on dragsters and Funny Cars. I want to watch real cars, not smokers and leakers.

Danny

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 06:20 PM

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Reserved seating ; Friday = $55, Sat = $80, Sunday = $85. General admission = "to be determined" - - WTF!!! General parking =$10. Premium parking = $25 - in advance only!. On the bright side, they now offer a payment plan. RU SHATING me!!! Wonder if I can use the payment plan for a hotdog?

Those prices are for Reserved Plus, what ever that means. Reserved are about the same as or cheaper than most races this year.
Fri-$43, Sat-$56, Sun-$58, Full Event-$134.Tickets

Posted By: dartman366

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 06:24 PM

I have lost a lot of interest in NHRA and their telecasts every since they went Nascar with the points system and 1000 ft for the fuel cars,,but the biggest thing that just pizzes me off is 30/40 min coverage of the fuel cars and 10 minutes of pro stock and ps motorcycle each round, verry verry lopsided

Posted By: Hemi Joe

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 07:59 PM

Here are my thoughts on why NHRA is losing interest!

My 1st comments pertains to ONE LANE RACE TRACKS - NHRA is suppose to have the best in the business in track preparation. Wouldn't you think that after the 1st or 2nd pair go down the track and go up in smoke, they would not stop the event and try and correct this problem. If they feel that they can't make the lanes equal, then do away with lane choice and draw for the lanes one way or another.
But they don't and let all 16 go down and normally at least 75% in the bad lane get trailered. If I were a sponsor paying that big money, I would be raising holy hell over it! Maybe that's why they are having problems acquiring sponsors.
Next, the fact that a lot of racing comes on at 2 or 3 in the morning, after we watch sports center review the game that we just watched for the past 3 hours, how boring, those same highlights of those games played have been on numerous times already.
Next is the countdown- Actually after Indy I believe the field is set, so why even spend the money to compete, you are already done for the season, if you did not qualify!
Last but not least, The NHRA LOVE FEST with the JOHN FORCE FAMILY, how boring! Yes, he has achieved a lot, so we already have talked about it for years! Lets move on and get away from him babbling about who knows what. The only thing that NHRA cares about is Top Fuel and Funny Car, they are getting a little better about the bikes, but have just about forgot about Pro Stock, the only class that I really watch.
Last but not least, you completely leave out the Sportsman Racers, which probably 95% of what you audience really consists of. They don't even mention the comp classes, alcohol classes or super stock classes. Thanks - HEMI JOE

Posted By: John_Kunkel

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 08:09 PM

Just keep on griping about the TV coverage and pretty soon we'll have a thread about NO TV COVERAGE at all.

Posted By: Dave Watt

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 08:54 PM

It's great to have the coverage but it could easily be condensed into a 2 hour show which would be more enjoyable to watch.

Posted By: Duner

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 08:55 PM

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Just keep on griping about the TV coverage and pretty soon we'll have a thread about NO TV COVERAGE at all.

How would you suggest we get the networks and NHRA to remedy the situation unless they know how we feel? Consider the griping as "constructive criticism." Because I'm betting that if they think everybody is completely happy with the 3:00 am airtime and more of the John Force show - that they won't be very likely to improve their product to the point of picking up new or continuing to keep the viewers they have.

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 10:00 PM

can Darrell Waltrip interview John Force during his run

Posted By: Duner

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 11:08 PM

Maybe... if they can share a tank of oxygen before hand to get ready.

Posted By: 11secdart

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/19/13 11:23 PM

We all know what that means....fees will go up and National Dragster will be once a month now. I just got my automatic renewal email two weeks ago I sent them an email back saying that the only reason I am a member is because I have to be to compete at the Divisional Bracket Finals and that is the only reason I am still a member . Funny.... I didn`t hear back.

Posted By: Twostick

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 12:52 AM

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Here are my thoughts on why NHRA is losing interest!

My 1st comments pertains to ONE LANE RACE TRACKS - NHRA is suppose to have the best in the business in track preparation. Wouldn't you think that after the 1st or 2nd pair go down the track and go up in smoke, they would not stop the event and try and correct this problem. If they feel that they can't make the lanes equal, then do away with lane choice and draw for the lanes one way or another.
But they don't and let all 16 go down and normally at least 75% in the bad lane get trailered. If I were a sponsor paying that big money, I would be raising holy hell over it! Maybe that's why they are having problems acquiring sponsors.
Next, the fact that a lot of racing comes on at 2 or 3 in the morning, after we watch sports center review the game that we just watched for the past 3 hours, how boring, those same highlights of those games played have been on numerous times already.
Next is the countdown- Actually after Indy I believe the field is set, so why even spend the money to compete, you are already done for the season, if you did not qualify!
Last but not least, The NHRA LOVE FEST with the JOHN FORCE FAMILY, how boring! Yes, he has achieved a lot, so we already have talked about it for years! Lets move on and get away from him babbling about who knows what. The only thing that NHRA cares about is Top Fuel and Funny Car, they are getting a little better about the bikes, but have just about forgot about Pro Stock, the only class that I really watch.
Last but not least, you completely leave out the Sportsman Racers, which probably 95% of what you audience really consists of. They don't even mention the comp classes, alcohol classes or super stock classes. Thanks - HEMI JOE

I have only attended 2 national events, both at Phoenix, this year and probably 15 yrs ago. If my experience is any indication, all you have to do is watch the crowd to see why NHRA does what it does coverage wise. Funny Car and Top Fuel, the stands are full. They call Prostock to the lanes and half the people head for the concessions. Prostock finishes and 3/4 of the half left leave. Me and 50 other people stay to watch Sportsman and Superstock.

Kevin

Posted By: Streetwize

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 01:10 AM

Baby boom demographic....been there done that. Doesn't appeal to anywhere near the same percentage of younger generation people as it did in the 60s through the 80s.

Cars in general don't appeal to the younger generation as they once did, including the burning desire to have one and establish your freedom and independence.

When the economy was booming a lot of yuppies who never went to NHRA or NASCAR races before all tried-it...once, over a couple boom years, took a "hey look at ME!" 'selfie' for Facebook, bought a 'been there, done that' T shirt and then.....moved on...never to return again.

Posted By: mprrlz

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 03:01 AM

I think they need to change the order they run the cars to keep the people in the stands.....don't run Top Fuel and Funny Car back to back.....such as::

Bikes, Comp, Pro Stock, Alcohol Funny Car, Fuel Funny Car, Alcohol Dragsters and Top Fuel...

Top Fuel, Alcohol Dragsters, Alcohol Funny Car, Comp, Bikes, Pro Stock and Fuel Funny Car...

or whatever order, but just add in other classes between the "PRO" classes...to try to keep the fan interested...

Also, change the schedules around, no need to start so early in the morning and getting done in the early evening....I am sure the teams wouldn't have an issue with that...

There are so many things the NHRA is missing, I have no idea how any one of the executives for NHRA can think they are running a solid business....oh wait, excepts for their paychecks....

I can go on and on about this subject, but unfortunately I don't work for NHRA, so my opinions and ideas are a waste of time..

Posted By: d100dragracer

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 04:42 AM

LMAO I think Wize hit the nail on the head!!!

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 05:03 AM

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LMAO I think Wize hit the nail on the head!!!

sure did

Posted By: Dart Racer

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 08:51 PM

I'd love to send this thread to the powers to be at NHRA. Yea, like they'd read it, but I'd still like to send it. They REALLY need to do something before it's too late.

Posted By: dakotawilly

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 09:14 PM

strength in numbers,send your comments to [Email]nhra@nhra.com. and tell them what you think about the way sportsman racers are treated,and the fans .especially the lack of sportman coverage......and dont forget to ask what time you can watch john forces lecture on fireproof underwear that dont pinch and bind.......and be sure to tell everbody you know to help....

Posted By: MRMOPAR622

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 09:38 PM

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strength in numbers,send your comments to nhra@nhra.com.tell them what you think about the way sportsman racers are treated,and the fans .especially the lack of sportman coverage......and dont forget to ask what time you can watch john forces lecture on fireproof underwear that dont pinch and bind.......and be sure to tell everbody you know to help....

Done,Thanks for the link

Hope their will be a lot more to do the same.

Posted By: maximum entropy

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/20/13 11:25 PM

i seem to recall getting some kind of email questionnaire from the nhra to former members (a couple o' two-tree years ago) and i made it abundantly clear why i was no longer a member (politely), and never did get any response. anyone else get one of those? am i not remembering correctly? again?

Posted By: Dart Racer

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/21/13 02:29 AM

Email sent!
If I get any kind of response I'll report back.

Posted By: julian2007

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/21/13 02:19 PM

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Posted By: tubtar

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/24/13 08:42 AM

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I think they need to change the order they run the cars to keep the people in the stands.....don't run Top Fuel and Funny Car back to back.....such as::

Bikes, Comp, Pro Stock, Alcohol Funny Car, Fuel Funny Car, Alcohol Dragsters and Top Fuel...

Top Fuel, Alcohol Dragsters, Alcohol Funny Car, Comp, Bikes, Pro Stock and Fuel Funny Car...

or whatever order, but just add in other classes between the "PRO" classes...to try to keep the fan interested...

I really like this idea. Unless there is a problem with the racing surface and what they need to do for a fuel car vs. pro Stock and slower , this makes tremendous sense.

Posted By: jcc

Re: NHRA TV numbers are down. Again... - 11/25/13 12:13 AM

But does it work for TV?

NHRA TV numbers are down. Again...