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Another Observation on Fan Appeal
Comp is quite an enigma to fans, but I think a large part of that is because there is no exposure to the class away from national and divisional events.
Think about it.
Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock are on television on a near-weekly basis.
Alcohol dragster and alcohol funny cars regularly make exhibition runs at local race tracks or at special summer events.
Stock and Super Stock field combo races all over the country, and some take their cars to the local bracket races every now and then.
Fans usually recognize a competitor or two in the throttle stop classes from their local bracket racing series.
What about Comp? Where do you see Comp on a normal "off" weekend from the LODRS and national events?
Even an avid Comp fan like myself doesn't get to see the category more than five times a year, and I'm at a race track every weekend.
In my opinion, multiple regional series would go a long way in helping Comp maintain stability and viability.
Comp racers don't like fickle and poorly-prepared race tracks- who does? Look at Pro Modified, though: their operations are just as expensive, and many more so, and they will race on all kinds of surfaces. And you know what, the outlaw pro mod races are the most lucrative events many small tracks put on all year (why am I telling you this, I'm sure most of you already know that to be the case).
Am I saying Comp racers should race on tracks that aren't safe? No, what I am saying is that there is an untapped local scene that could really get into screaming small block motors as they race by.
Every NHRA class does it in some capacity- every class except Comp.
There are many solid race tracks in every division around the country that hold regular weekend bracket racing programs that love a booked-in show a couple of times a month, and these events are always well-attended.
My local track started an annual Stock/Super Stock combo race last year. The inaugural event only had 16 competitors. This spring, however, we had 25 racers and the spectator count was so strong, our race track decided to have a second combo race this year in October. Spectator interest in the combo racing had grown rapidly in the span of two events.
For the sake of argument, let's say such an indenpendent Comp organization were to exist in Division 5. You could have a three or four-race schedule. We'll say the tracks are Cordova, Earlville, Kansas City and Eddyville. Kansas City and Eddyville are both good race tracks that never see Comp cars. In Eddyville's case, imagine an 1/8 mile Comp race- talk about cool! All four tracks have solid surfaces, and all four tracks have strong community support.
And why not throw a tenth or so back on the naturally-aspirated indexes? Afterall, these races would just be for fun and a good payout with no worries of national or divisional points being on the line. Maybe that would shake the local -.30 under cars out of the woodwork, or maybe a few Top Sportsman guys would give A/A a try, and likewise with pro mods in AA/PM or A/PM- after all, fans love those fast Comp cars!
All classes have a pyramid connection, if you will. The apex, naturally, is the national event. The divisional events and national opens form the body of the pyramid. The foundation, though, is the connection every sportsman category has with the local racing scene. With Comp, that foundation is absent.
What Rob posted about Comp turnout should concern everyone. Comp needs to connect with the local fan base, its survival may very well depend on it.
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Tyler H
Comp Fan
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