THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT?
Well, I read your piece, and to some degree
can agree with what you're saying. I sat out
a few seasons because of a broken car, limited
finances, and kids on the way. I enjoyed just
going to a race and watching, with out the
"between round stress". But, (big but) I am
not a spectator. PERIOD! I am a drag racer,
and more importantly, a SPORTSMAN drag racer.
I don't have any interest in top oilers or
any other "pro" category for that matter.
The problem as I see it, (in my humble opinion)
is that the SPORT of drag racing is becoming
the ENTERTAINMENT of drag racing mostly because
of the sanctioning bodies. They want full
stands/TV time/sponsors/etc. The problem is
that this is supposed to be about the
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cars/racing,
not just the fans.
What if baseball (sport) changed to home
run contests only?(entertainment) or if hockey
(sport) turned to a WWF type fight free for
all? (entertainment) or even swimming contests
(sport) changed to involve sharks(entertainment).
There is no question that entertainment sells,
the question is whether we (as racers) want
to be involved in a circus act instead of
doing what we love which is to race.
Are things getting better? For the casual
fan, sure. For the ones that want noise and
fire/accidents who only care about the "smash
em up excitement" yeah, the "show" is getting
better. But for the sportsman (yes I'm including
women) racer, NHRA has long given up, and
that's why a lot of us have changed to IHRA.
I am very disappointed with NHRA on the avenue
they have decided to take, and I am no longer
supporting them and am no longer a member.
Life is rosy for the fan that this week wants
to see a car on fire at 300mph, but what will
NHRA do next week when the same fan decides
he wants to see a monster truck jump 50 ft
in the air? Top Monster? 300mph... in a monster
truck..on fire...jumping 50 ft in the air...then
running into the empty stands at the end of
the track. Whatever, as long as they're making
money right?
I guess my point is, I would rather have
100 diehard drag racing fans on the edge of
their seats, than 1000 who are there for the
accidents, free t-shirts, etc. Problem is,
the 1000 bring in more $$$ and that's all
that counts anymore.
Thanks for listening to my rant.
Cpl Jim Miller
DRINKING THE KOOL-AID?
Burk, I hope your 4-01-04 column was for
the fans & was really bullshit. You, Wallace,
Dens & Martin are the few good guys left.
The rest either died or caved in.
Tell me it ain't so.
Keith Ferrell
BODY DOUBLES
Jeff, thanks for telling it like it is about
the Pro Stock and Funny Car bodies. I thought
I was the only one in the world who wished
for the days of actually knowing what brand
of Funny Car someone was driving by sight
alone. It is as pitiful as the NASCAR one-body
template rule. I say make the car makers come
up with the best aerodynamic bodies for each
class. Quit playing NASCAR and neutering everything
in the name of equalizing the competition.
Thanks for your views. I wish everybody would
read them.
Bob Dreher
