4/22/04

ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY THE LAST BATCH OF LETTERS ON ESPN TELEVISION COVERAGE!

It's taken me awhile to chime in on the TV packaging currently available. I don't like it either. I cannot put my finger on it, but it lacks energy, excitement and emotion. Maybe the production of drag racing on television has gotten beyond 'good, to perfection', and has lost the 'ragged edge' and immediacy and novelty of the old days of Diamond P and even the older IHRA productions with Bret (Kepner) and company. Today's production is so slick and polished. I would almost prefer grease and dirt.

Why the pro classes are so boring is beyond me. I would rather watch a Jackson Bros video, an old R&R or a Drag Racing Underground video than watch the current stuff. I would rather watch an old IHRA video shot at the old Bristol track than something from today. I don't know what the answer is, but for the producers of the current product might want to look at some of the older shows. They may pick up something there.

Just a thought.

Jeff Hayes

I couldn't agree more with you that the coverage of drag racing on tv is just not the same. I also miss the days of Diamond P Sports coverage when we really saw racing. I live in a seriously deprived drag racing area (Southeastern New England) and attend at least two NHRA events a year -- Englishtown, NJ and Maple Grove, PA. They are

ADVERTISEMENT

a 225 and 400 mile drive respectively. For the past bunch of years, my husband and I have been flying around the country in an attempt to see each national event in person. So far we have been to 10 other tracks and this year we will be going to Atlanta and Indy (we saved that trip for this year, the 50th anniversary celebration).

I guess what I'm trying to point out is that we are dependent on tv and the internet (audio at least) for our drag racing fix in between these few live events. I'm with you that I don't care to watch Bill Stephens and crew and their drivel when we could be seeing two cars going down the track. It irritates me enough that I keep my copy of Drag Racer magazine or my husband's National Dragster handy for entertainment when they get carried away.

My favorite class is Pro Stock and they usually get less airtime than Top Fuel and Funny Car (just another irritation).

Anyway, I'm glad I found someone who shares my opinion.

Thanks for letting me vent.

MaryLou Gallop