I don't think it was the promotions that were flawed or the racers fault for a lackluster "show." It was the track manager's fault (that was me!) for putting on an event that was totally geared around what the racers seemed to want or like. I realize the racers are the highest paying customers, but after the payouts are done the racers are basically just another pit pass as far as income is concerned. I have some ideas that are in use at some smaller tracks as well as some of the larger national event style tracks on a weekly basis. These tracks seem to be getting solid spectator attendance and have supportive racers who have adapted to help put some "SHOW" into a bracket race.

1. Limit the time for the event to be completed. The tracks that attract spectators take no more than three hours from the first pair of eliminations to the completion of the race. The tracks doing this have over 250 cars first round so they are dealing with six to seven rounds of racing in at least two or three brackets.
2. Do not publish the pit gate opening times in the same ads that are geared towards spectators. I found out that one of the worst things to do is get a "new spectator" to come to the track at 9:00 AM when the pit gates open and expect them to sit around for nearly four hours before the "real racing" starts. I think the track should mention the time eliminations start ONLY. People will know they have to park and get seated ahead of time, as with any outside event.
3. It is critical the "show" starts and finishes ON TIME. To do this a track operator will need 100% cooperation from the racers. No certain amount of time between the later rounds for cooling the engine or charging the batteries. Simply return to the lanes, top off the fuel cell if necessary, and get ready for the next round.
4. One thing I now see that is VERY CONFUSING for spectators is the BUY-BACKS. The more knowledgeable race fan realizes drag racing is an elimination style tournament. They watch a racer get beat and "bam" he is back in the second round or in a special round of racing for first round losers. If a track wants spectators, dump the buy-backs and put a Consolation Race into the race schedule for later rounds. (Note: This a tough one for me personally as I always buy back and just did so last weekend and turned it into a $700 runner-up check. But I believe they are not necessary IF there were spectators in the bleachers every week.)
5. The key to all this "SHOW" talk is that there has to be PEOPLE IN THE BLEACHERS. Whether they pay the first few weeks is not important if we want to turn this trend around.

I am going to talk with our local track owners and see if they have even considered an idea like this. I know from when I was operating a track that it is easy to get all wrapped up in getting the VHT sprayed just right, the roll-out set perfect, and making sure payouts were as high as the surrounding tracks. I got so focused on the back gate I forgot about the spectator gate possibilities. Sounds stupid and so basic, but it is harder than you think. The main thing here is to find out a way to make it work. If the stands had spectators in them every weekend, I guarantee the track operator would lower entry fees and pit passes and maintain payouts to make sure he can present a quality show for the spectators he now has sitting there and buying concessions from him.

This isn't some new idea and most track operators have tried about everything EXCEPT for asking for HELP FROM THE RACERS. Take a minute and talk to your track manager about things like this. If you think you can get some people from work to come watch you race, especially if you give them a FREE TICKET, maybe they will start coming every week and PAY. That has to be of interest to the track manager. I am going to try to get about 20 tickets for next weekend and invite a bunch of people from American Family Insurance, where I work, to come out and have some fun with us. I think explaining how the racing works -- time trials, dial-ins, reaction times, breakouts, etc. -- will make it a LOT EASIER for them to enjoy. I am going to try to get the track manager to acknowledge our group during the lunch break, which they might think is pretty cool.

If the first experience of coming to the drag races weren't a good experience, why would they come back? It usually isn't because of the food! It will be because they had a good time and met some of the best people I have ever known -- drag racers and their families.

I hope this will get you thinking at least. For purses to grow, admission prices to stabilize, and local tracks to prosper and make improvements, we all need to work together -- that means the racers, track operators, sponsors and friends -- to make our sport stronger. The strength will come from the spectator side, new racers and NEW THINKING about putting on a SHOW every weekend. It doesn't have to have jets, funny cars or truck jumpers to be a SHOW. It has to be one thing: ENTERTAINING TO THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING AND PARTICIPATING.

Good luck at the races and ENJOY THE SHOW! Better yet, BE A PART OF IT at your local drag strip this weekend!

jok@racingnetsource.com

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