9/8/03

TV WORTH WATCHING

f you haven't seen IHRA racing on Speed Channel lately, you owe it to yourself to check it out again. I recently watched this year's event from Martin, MI, and despite already knowing the results, I have to say it was an entertaining couple of hours. Announcers Ken Stout and Jim Marchyshyn have developed a good rapport, along with pit reporter Kathy Fisher, and the camera work and editing seems much more complete and cohesive than the last time I checked out an IHRA telecast a few months back.

Unfortunately, IHRA's televised product is hobbled by the need to broadcast two one-hour tape-delayed shows featuring Top Fuel and Pro Mod in one segment, with Funny Car and Pro Stock sharing the other. This time, however, I was pleasantly surprised when the network aired the two shows in back-to-back episodes. It greatly increased my understanding and enjoyment of the event and if there's any way that IHRA and Speed can arrange similar scheduling for the future, it'd be well worth their trouble.

Both shows got right to racing after the obligatory scene setting and announcer introductions, and I don't know if it's just me, but there seems to be more cameras in use now. Maybe it's just that they're being used more effectively, but it felt like I was watching professional race coverage, instead of the home-movie-like feel that some earlier broadcasts conveyed. Of course, it could be that after years of watching roundy-rounders through their viewfinders, the camera operators are just getting the hang of covering drag racing the way it's meant to be done. Regardless, it's led to a much-improved product.

It's a more complete product, too, with both the winner and loser of each pro round getting a little airtime in most cases -- which is a bonus to more than just sponsors since it's often the loser who has a more interesting tale to tell. He's usually explaining tire shake, missed shifts, loose conditions, or broken parts, while the victor typically calls it, "a nice straight run" before thanking his sponsor and crew. Hey, anything that can spruce up the tired post-race interview formula -- for all forms of motorsports, not just drag racing -- has to be applauded.

I even enjoyed the personal profiles and background pieces. The true sense of excitement and accomplishment that Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana exhibited after his first four-second and 300-mph passes made for great TV, and kudos go to the editors at Hallbrook Productions for sticking with it rather than just offering up a short sound bite. The piece on Jason Collins and his family's racing operation was sweet without getting too sappy, and even a brief insight like showing Donna Baker and her "lucky rocks" did a good job of illustrating the unique personalities of IHRA racing.

Among the best moments of the night, though, came from a couple of Sportsman winners (who actually get their final rounds shown on TV; try finding that on an NHRA national event telecast!), as they accepted their trophies and congratulations from Fisher. Hot Rod winner Brad Chenevey's voice cracked with emotion, as he described how he never imagined he could back up his 2002 Martin win. Then, with just a few words, the vindication of years worth of money, sweat, busted knuckles, and late nights in the shop came pouring out of T.C. Morris after he earned a career-first Super Stock title. Great emotion; great stuff!

About the only thing I had a negative reaction to was the weird, convex-like image sandwiched between a red header and footer that Hallbrook used for its Night of Fire coverage. Granted, it's a relatively minor complaint, but Speed is marketed to a general motorsports audience and to the casual clicker a cheesy video affect does little to enhance IHRA's image. I just thought the use of that graphic detracted from the overall professional appearance of the show.

No matter, it was a good show, clearly improved over previous years and well worth watching. The announcers were in synch, the on-track performances were there, the cameras caught all the important action, the venue looked good, and at least this viewer was left entertained and informed. What more could a race fan ask for?

Race safe,

tocher@dragracingonline.com

P.S. Guys like Clay Millican and the Stott brothers get a lot of credit for being good interviews, but after watching the Martin IHRA race I wonder if there's any better in front of a mic than Funny Car points leader Rob Atchison. I have no idea what Atchison's plans are for the future, but while watching him I couldn't help but think what a great representative he'd be for a big-dollar nitro flopper team. If this were NASCAR and a Cup team was looking for a hot young driver to groom, with his talent on and off the track Atchison would no doubt be snapped up in a second.