What can NHRA do to improve the quality of their show?

#31 04-15-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Wilt

And for the fans sake, I firmly believe having an exhibition program at every event, on every day would add tremendous entertainment value. Whether wheel standers, Jets, nostalgia cars, nitro bikes, or even run TF vs. FC; It could be marketed ahead of time, and even shown on TV. It doesn't need to be a points series or best of 3 or anything like that, and nothing that would alter or interfere with the current daily schedule.... 6 minutes out of each day just to entertain people. NHRA should just pay for these guys to show at each race - and they could book different people in different parts of the country.

thats a great point. I go to IHRA national events on Saturday's. Their night of fire is awesome. At Martin people sit there for the quick super stock class, they watch the alky funny cars and of course nitro. Then they roll out with at least one jet and usually wheelstanders too. My kids love it seeing the wheelstanding school bus. They make it a show while also maintaining the integrity of sport. Sure I'm not seeing the "big name" teams there but to me it's just as enjoyable as going to an nhra race and all for less money a ticket.

In fact I dropped going to an NHRA race this year to take in and IHRA one.

#32 04-15-2008, 01:38 PM

I will say one thing they did right with the LV1 show was wiring John Force. Several times we actually heard discussion of car setup and the input that goes into decisions in the heat of battle instead of the usual guarded and uncomfortable conversations.

A season or two ago Don Prudhomme spent a couple of fuel sessions in the booth. I still remember it because he and Mike Dunn were spectacular together (Larry Dixon was very good this past weekend too) and it was one of the most enlighting and entertaining hours of drag racing I've ever seen on TV.

These things need to happen more often and not just on a whomever is available basis (I still feel sorry for Doug Kallita when he was thrust into the 'penalty box').

One lane tracks make for a horrible show on TV and in person.

#33 04-15-2008, 01:52 PM

Re: What can NHRA do to improve the quality of their show?

let me see............................maybe unplug someone's microphone???

#34 04-15-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Wilt

Very true, Jim. But I think that greatly depends on the individual tracks. I was shocked last year my first time at Topeka, to see some top fuel & funny cars pitted past the finish line. And God only knows where the sportsman pits were. It's not NHRA's doing, and no fault of HPT either. I'd like to know the square mile land mass of that place. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful facility & great surface.... but it's just so damn sprawled out.

Which is exactly why I quit going there! You had better rent a Golfcart or invest in some walking shoes or you'll be in Trouble there!

#35 04-15-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Goldsberry

I will say one thing they did right with the LV1 show was wiring John Force. Several times we actually heard discussion of car setup and the input that goes into decisions in the heat of battle instead of the usual guarded and uncomfortable conversations.

A season or two ago Don Prudhomme spent a couple of fuel sessions in the booth. I still remember it because he and Mike Dunn were spectacular together (Larry Dixon was very good this past weekend too) and it was one of the most enlighting and entertaining hours of drag racing I've ever seen on TV.

These things need to happen more often and not just on a whomever is available basis (I still feel sorry for Doug Kallita when he was thrust into the 'penalty box').

One lane tracks make for a horrible show on TV and in person.

Good call having Froce mic'ed AND wondering around was great. Not every driver could pull that off but for the ones that could I would like to see that done more often

#36 04-15-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzie Oberhofer

let me see............................maybe unplug someone's microphone???

Thank you, Suzie, for making my morning!

Remember when NHRA National events had soooooo much on-track racing action that they would have never dreamed of having a cacklefest or some other on-track distraction during the late rounds on Sunday? That wasn't all that long ago...perhaps as little as 5-6 years. Don't get me wrong...I think the cacklefest is way cool but it has it's proper place...like during pre-race ceremonies or, say, at a nostalgia event. Remember when Sunday at an NHRA National event cars were going down the track as early at 7:30 am? When was the last time sportsman cars ran that early on Sunday? Sunday used to be full of RACING. Seems as if the quick turn around rules have produced less racing in a shorter period of time. Was that the goal?

#37 04-15-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzie Oberhofer

Re: What can NHRA do to improve the quality of their show?

let me see............................maybe unplug someone's microphone???

You don't like Reinhart?

#38 04-15-2008, 03:33 PM

I would like to see each race throughout the day bring up the team owner or tuner, driver, crew guy, of a team if their car goes out and do some commentary. Make it a guess who'll be here next thing. Bring in say rival team tuners whove just gone out in a session. No matter what class they visit the broadcasting area, that would interesting. One rule, one min of airtime for sponsors AFTER they do their time assisting in commentary. Fans win, sponsors win.
As far as at the track, Id honestly be happy with seeing the cars slowed way down. I look at it this way, itd be one more second Im watching the competition. I dont want to see cars go any faster than they are now. Call me scardy cat, because I am. Flaming competition at 250-275 would be fine by me.

#39 04-15-2008, 03:41 PM

That'd be cool Suzanne. I'd like to know how or who sets up the RaceDay guests and who determines who comes to the booth during the evening telecasts. There's so many colorful people out there besides Force & Scelzi. That's a huge un-tapped resource for ESPN. Shouldn't matter who your sponsor is or how many races you've won.

#40 04-15-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Burgess

You don't like Reinhart?

Nahhhh, she doesn't like Dunn