State of affairs of U.S. racing by...

I remember when I was young back in the '60s and '70s, F1, Indy, and LeMans were the ultimate, no-holds barred, run-what-you-brung racing. That is, until Andy Granatelli blew everybody away and Jim Hall's movable wing. Can't have that stuff, it's unfair, right?

I dunno, to me F1 and Indy should be the ultimate technology in going fast. If that means traction control, so be it. If it means electric, so be it. If it means autonomous cars, go for it. Anytime you start limiting what a team can do, it gets boring.

 

Because it's about the racing, not the pit stops. At least it should be. Pit stops are an artifice created by the rule makers because some marketing genius has convinced them that they're exciting, as is some brain deciding "tire strategy" from behind pit wall. Obviously I'm speaking more of F1 that other types of racing.

A long time ago there was a sub-series for Indy cars (perhaps it was still CART) called the Marlboro Challenge. When it first started it really was exciting. As I recall it was something like 20 or 25 laps on high speed ovals......not so long as to require pit stops. After a year or two of that somebody decided it needed mandatory pit stops to get the "teams" involved. Puh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeze. They took great mano-a-mano racing and totally screwed it up.

 

I didn't say the personalities are particularly compelling. But it's easier to sell today's consumer on a slick character who can sell tires or insurance or sandwiches.

 

Again....the behind the pit wall management theory. The great names made theirs on the track. Another reason to not watch.

 

The original article goes into some depth about sagging television ratings. And, this
should be everyone's beef as we all know television doesn't do racing or most any other
form of sports justice vs. actually being in attendance.

There has just always been something about racing that doesn't translate to TV and
having these inept announcers blathering on and on in faux accents doesn't help. I've
posted about this now a couple of times lately and it rings true to this thread as well, the way
racing is presented on TV needs a completely fresh approach.

It would seem racing is in the beginning throes of its eventual extinction unless or until
some serious thought goes into how it is all presented. Remove the dead wood from the
television networks that are rooted in the past. Bring in fresh blood such as actual film
makers and (you know) artists with some sensibility rather than button pushers who used
to work on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Turning back the clock and being nostalgic for the 60s, 70s and 80s isn't the answer either.
Remembering those days when losing drivers on an almost weekly basis became routine
to the point where racing's enemies (and there are a lot of them) were all but ready to bring
racing to an end.

Watering racing down so it translates well on TV hasn't worked especially when TV itself
is mired in the past. But, you can't tell the various series or the TV networks this. They
are a constant revolving door of fresh college grads with their pretty marketing degrees
who think they're going to make their collective fortunes marketing racing rather than
hiring (you know) actually racing people

This is probably one of racing's biggest problems, people running it who have no clue.

Steps off soap box.

BHW

 

The internet is killing it off.

Pre Internet, If you wanted to watch a race, you and your buddies went to an event, camped out for the weekend, and made a 3 day party out of it. For many in attendance, the race was secondary to the party.

 

Respectfully disagree. Many went for the technology. I cut classes to go and watch the Porsche 917/30 "Turbopanzer" run. Best waste of a day in my life. Nothing beats that sound or the speeds that were generated. Party...yeah......girls....yeah too.....but the choice was obvious. 200+mph and 17 -20 other fat, loud big blocks at the Glen is the party itself!

You don't out much do you?

 

The Bridge was my favorite track.

 

I was just at Petite Le Mans at Road Atlanta - Friday it was pretty empty - shocking as the weather was superb. Saturday for the race it was busier but no where near capacity.... I think the issue is that people don't know the drivers as well, the classes are all screwed up, and finally there major manufacturers are not there - no Audi, No Porsche LMP etc... its the household brands that bring out the casual fans ... the hard core guys will always be there.

as for TV- its a disaster. there are spots of good coverage, but there is no build up... NBC is atl east giving 1/2 hour pre F-1 and 1/2 hour after.... but that is about it. NASCAR is OVER publicized... taking too much air for nothing in return.

Drivers - no body really knows them.... as for social Media - it needs to be better coordinated and tied into offers to get fans to tune in and attend. IMSA has a great app.. you can follow cars live on their app, live timing etc.. and its Free - F-1 you have to pay for... its crazy. with the Free to air tv - I can see pay per view for intensive coverage of your team - if you had the ability to hear team radio, follow the drivers on cam etc... but its not built like that yet..... Finally Millenials are not as into cars... its just not their thing... sad but true.

 

Definitely miss the Bridge, too.

CW

 

Lime Rock.......where you find out if lunch meets you at the top of the hill!