The Pro RWD Class is probably the best in terms of parity between the top-level cars. Yet, we still have a long way to go before we see a full 16-car field separated by a few hundredths of a second as we do in Pro Stock. The fans want to see lots of side-by-side racing. That's key, but how can that be achieved in a class such as Hot Rod, where the fastest car is running in the low-8s and the slowest can be in the 11s?
I've heard people talk about having new rules on tire sizes, restricting power levels and introducing stiffer weight penalties. Perhaps we need to bring in new classes or shelve some of the existing ones. One thing is for sure: We have to give the fans an exciting experience that makes them want to come back again and again.
3) Increase promotion for the events. This is another tough one. All of the sanctioning bodies do a good job of advertising the events in the specialist press. We need to expand our horizons and work more with local radio and TV companies in the areas that host events to attract more fans.
Once again, however, cost rears its ugly head. How long would it take to recover the cost of producing a really exciting ad and airing it on local TV channels and radio? The bottom line is we need to attract a lot more fans to the races. With the additional income, our sport can grow and become all that we hope it will be. I'm not an accountant, but it's obvious the crowds at some events are extremely sparse, so the promoters must be hurting.
It's easy to be critical. But I do feel we all need to raise our game to secure the future of the sport. We have an opportunity to take the sport to the next level. We just need to figure out how to do it.
Sport compact drag racing is still in its infancy compared to other motorsports, and we're suffering from growing pains as we morph into a truly professional sport. It's up to everyone to make it happen. What are your views?