5/4/05

PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING

Re: your latest column on the sanctioning bodies and the auto manufacturers.... Dead-on!

The Pro categories are certainly the major draw. It's obvious that it is incredible for the everyday fan to see TF/FC/PM/PS cars. For some reason, everyone thinks that they are the only attraction. In fact, you don't need as "much" of a show as NHRA/IHRA puts on to have a successful spectator event. Norwalk Raceway Park's Night Under Fire is a prime example. Eight Nitro Funny Cars (w/ the obligatory John Force), jet cars & fireworks. . .one night, 40,000+ people.

What people forget is the overall entertainment value of the entire show. It's all about informing the spectators. My first time at the IHRA World Nationals at Norwalk, I was amazed that hardly anyone left the stands, ever. From Top Fuel to Super Rod to Stock to Pro Stock... they watched it all. I overheard fans around me asking questions about things you and I would take for granted. In short, with just a little guidance about what they were watching, they became absorbed in and entertained by what they were watching. It's all in marketing and presentation.

Why do people watch, and focus on, the Pros? Because it's the biggest, fastest, loudest thing there. Take them away, and the next class down becomes the focus.

Another thing I've found is that announcers control the spectators. When they tell them to go back in the pits and hang out with the Pros, they go. Well no kidding! You "told" them to! When I finally got them to start offering the fans a "choice" -- "Here's what's going on in the pits, but we also have Super Stock coming up next," some will go to the pits, and some will stay and watch.

I was at an IHRA Divisional race last year, with somewhere close to zero fans. A father and son wandered through my pit area. It was his kid's first time at a race, and the father's first time at a Divisional. We went up in the stands, and within two minutes, they were yelling and pointing at the scoreboard when Super Rod was running, "Wow! Another 6.40!" (on the 6.40 index). I think we'd agree that index racing is the hardest to watch, but even these two rookie fans found entertainment in it, because they understood it. Why? Because someone took the time to explain it.

Heck, people watch golf, tennis, pool, bowling, and poker on TV. I'm convinced we can make anything entertaining. Top Stock and Pure Stock. Market it. 'nuff said.

Michael Beard

OF COOKIE CUTTER CARS AND WINGS

Jeff, you and your magazine are the best. Keep up the good site. I like the fact that you tell the truth.

As you know we no longer live in the '60s. What I mean is everyone mind set is different, racecars looked like car then, even the original funny cars with the blowers out of the hood and the injector stacks made you want to drive that model of car. Today they only look at speed, and wind tunnel test. Who cares if it looks like a car, but be sure and put more wings on it so as to increase the speed. If I had to drive a car that looked like today's Funny Car or Pro Stock, I would become an Amish guy and ride a horse.

The race cars are all the same, the paint schemes are from your worst drug overdose of the 60's and do nothing to enhance the body lines of the cars. Cars with faces and tongues sticking out were never met to be on a car. Even Top Fuel has lost its pizzazz; they do not look like anything from this planet. NHRA has a big cookie cutter and that is how the cars of today are made. HOW BORING?

So keep lowering the E.T. and raising the speed to a generation that cannot relate to what you are doing. Yesterday I showed a 10-year-old kid in a baseball uniform our car (Jr. Fuel Dragster) and all he did was look at it, shrug his shoulders and walk away. When I was his age I would have given my right testicle to be near a car like that. They, the fans, must be able to relate. Last year a single mom asked me to take her 11-year-old son to the qualifying at the U.S. Nationals. After 4 or 5 runs by the funny cars on Friday night he told me he was bored and wanted to go home.

Racing has evolved, but it needs to stop and look around; it is going to kill itself if something is not done and nostalgia is the best attempt, but those cars with all the wings need to be kept out. If you want to race cars with wings I ask you to join the USAF.

I can tell you understand what I'm talking about as writing is not my best attribute. Enclosed are a couple pictures of Troy my son who drives this car and him at the races back in the 60's. So I say thank you for listing to me.

Mike Coker
Coker Racing, LLC