New DRO column: Hypothetical Saturday Eliminations

I like it Will. It would require some effort from the NHRA. But you are right if it is done right it would be a win win situation. For nationale events most of us are parking on Wednesday anyways so a run thursday evening wouldn't be a big deal although it would require a little more emphasis on parking wednesday, and teching either wednesday or thursday morning. I truly think this is a doable deal. Good call. Dave Germain

 

Will this is a good idea. To me the best thing however would be for live coverage on Sunday of the alcohol classes. Wouldn't take much TV time up and could be run under the existing format. The classes are already running at this time anyway. Lucas might divert some or most of the $$$$ spent on the sportsman TV show that is delayed to help promote the coverage live. I agree with you that until we get live coverage with the big audience nothing will be gained.
The only problem I see with the Thursday qualifing is that most of the teams are using crewmembers with regular day jobs and it would require more time than some may be able give. There are a lot of us that would be there on Monday if necessary but many can't. I guess the bottom line is you do what you have to.

 

great idea

Will,
I like your thinking and see this as a very easily accomodated change. Big problem is from what I've noticed in my twenty plus years as a member, NHRA doesn't like to change anything. I think you are right on with the same day coverage, all though i think anyone suggesting "live" coverage of drag racing needs to remember what that was like when they used to do it. many times they would have to cut the show off early (before the featured classes were finished) due to time lost for clean ups. I think a couple hour tape delay makes sense so that they can edit the best coverage possible, how many fans really care if its live or a few hours late (just have to stay off of the internet so you don't know the results). All that said, I think the tradeoff for having to be there a day earlier is in the going home saturday night or sunday morning. my crew all has jobs, and they have to jugle thier time off in order to race. thing is, nmany times they have to miss at least part of monday to accomodate the travel. we always go to the races planning to be in the final, so no flights are made early and we never plan on travelling on sunday (although it obviously doesn't always go the way we plan). If we knew we could make saturday night or sunday morning travel plans (whether flying or driving) it would guarantee they could be at work monday morning, so really haven't even lost a day. I think you are right about the promotion of the class, if NHRA and ESPN would just promote our classes as the little brothers of the fuel cars and expose some of the technology used, the unique personalities of the people racing (most all have other jobs, or businesses) and the heart and soul that is poured into our part time "sportsman" hobby by the voluteer crews (mostly) that make it happen, people would be INTERESTED. after winning the race in sonoma this year, i was shocked by the number of local "fans" of alohol racing we have right here in beautiful downtown Klamath Falls, OR. we don't even have a racetrack and there are lots of interested folks that have come by to see me or sent an email of congrats. way more people than i thought even knew what we were doing. Lets try to get this to the right people and make it happen!

 

Sorry Will, I'm with Clint on the tape delay. I'm not a fan of missing the finals because world poker tour 2001 had to start. I know that it's technically overtime but ESPN hasn't ever seen it that way. The big boys don't even get live coverage for the most part. Drag racing isn't run in the same format as NASCAR and therefore can't expect to get broadcast the same way. When it starts raining at the Superbowl they just keep playing. If it starts raining at a NASCAR race more than 1/2 way through they call it, leader is the winner. You can't really declare a winner in drag racing after the 2nd round. Odds are that the delay won't be the responsibility of an Alky car either. Probably, a low budget fueller trying a last ditch effort to make the show. I think you'll lose more with live coverage than you'll gain. My .02.

Oh, and on the Saturday eliminations, definitely for it. Just start the broadcast directly following pro-qualifying coverage and you'll already have the audience. The finals will be being taped either during the pro show or ours but there won't be a broadcast delay to have to fill. If you watch much NASCAR Nextel Cup they talk about the way the Busch race went the day before in gauging the track, number of wrecks, etc. Marty and Mike could do something like that if we were seen Nationwide the night before. Something like, "What we saw yesterday with the Alcohol fields was that the left lane was the lane of choice for the top qualifiers." This helps get viewers interested in our program as a build up for the "big show" on Sunday.

And I don't think NHRA needs to bring in filler. There are plenty of Comp, SC, SS, etc. that would love to get in front of the big crowd in earlier rounds, not just the semi's on. Some have sponsors, but for most that's not why they do it. We don't need wheelstanders or whatever. A portion of the crowd is just there for the nitro and that's it. So whether its Saturday or Sunday, when the "big boys" aren't running those people will head back to the pits, that's just how its going to be. The rest will watch racing because they like RACING.

And while we're on the subject, there's plenty of time in the broadcast to show 1st round of eliminations of both TAD and TAFC, not the burnouts and BS but the runs. 16 total at 7 seconds a piece = 1.867 minutes. Cut the dialoge at the begining of the show in favor of the COMPLETE 1st round.

Flash

P.S. Will , I think I should get credit for 2 posts when they're this long.

 

Sat Elim

That would be really great, but there are some down sides. As for the Thursaday run, remember most of the alky guys are not paid crewmen and must work to survive. Most of us show up Friday, so we miss one day. Expense are not covered by Schumacher or Force to pay our bills and hotels, travel, food,etc. As for NHRA and live TV, it won't happen. Remember, the pros are sometimes delayed just so we can see the last big bass weighed in or the final drug out minutes of a college shuffle board match. Great idea, but too many bridges to cross first.

 

Hey Mike are you Harry`s son? if you are, how is he doing ,and tell him that The Italian Stallion, (now the ginny gelding) says hello.

 

Shenandoah alky fc

yes , I'm Harry's son. He's fine, trying to get our car done so we can play again. Is an 80 Arrow with a Donovan and a Crowerglide still competetive now? Just curious? Hey 6.68 @ 206 MIGHT qualify today...if only 15 cars show up!