Give me a break. Sideshows aren't a desperate last-ditch ploy to get fans but (if done right) are just a part of a promoter's bag of tricks to draw people out and part of the motorsports tradition (as opposed to just racing). There's no doubt the regular classes should be the focus of the track and to where virtually all of the track's efforts should go towards, but if you can get people in the door by doing stuff like that (and get more people watching you) then why not? The fact of the matter is that things like that, while they might piss you and the other racing-centric purists off, are working to draw casual fans in across pavement and dirt tracks alike and turn some of them into regular fans when they're done correctly.
Well said. The buses were a great example - the drivers may not like it but the fans loved it. It is time for promoters to start thinking like the fans of today, then maybe they'll fill the stands more often.
And by the way one of the BEST special events I remember as a kid was the Hell Drivers. I wouldn't dare call those guys a "side show" to their faces. 🙂
Mark
Not enough race fans out there. Fine then make some.
A darn hockey game dosen't need a sideshow and its packed. Why do all of you view our sport as being so lame that it cannot stand on its own???
If I was a potential fan listening to this, I would avoid a track. I can see a demo derby at the local fair, and most likely they have a beer tent. Racing alone can't entertain me, so why have it get in the way of my demo derby?
Not enough race fans out there. Fine then make some.
A darn hockey game dosen't need a sideshow and its packed. Why do all of you view our sport as being so lame that it cannot stand on its own???
If I was a potential fan listening to this, I would avoid a track. I can see a demo derby at the local fair, and most likely they have a beer tent. Racing alone can't entertain me, so why have it get in the way of my demo derby?
+10
Everyone here can stand racing on its own...if we didn't then why watch it in the first place. The demo derby is a one night event...which people are looking forward to. We still come out every other night...if I didn't like racing why would I spend the 20$ a week to get in the pits...???
I mean why don't you just let it be...we obviously want to see the derby and nothing you say here is going to change that!
And P.S hate to brake it to you but even hockey games have side shows...if you've ever seen one...its between each peirod when they do things to entertain the fans!!
racing is racing...and always will be no matter what track you go to...no matter what time of year (past, present or future) your going to have the fans there for the racing...and some there for the side show either way the track is making the money, and having fans in the seats! Thats just the way it is!! So get over it already!!
The demo derby is a one night event...which people are looking forward to.
What the point is, is its a slippery slope to mix these sideshows with racing.
The demo derby will bring out more fans, but to say these fans will come back, would not be true. You will get increased attendance for one night. You risk the promoter looking at that and saying hey, lets do it again, to increase the numbers in the stands.
Problem now is, all the true racing fans are getting sick of watching this crap. The novelty has worn out. So they pick another track, with RACING to go to. These are the guys that SUPPORT the track night after night, not just showing up for one sideshow a year. Numbers start going down, so the promoter goes back to his bag of tricks and makes even more side shows. More RACING fans leave, the place is 1/2 full of people that want to see a side show. Thats the end for that track, we lose another track. All the racers lose, and the sideshow fans move on to the next quick thrill.
Hockey games do not hold a tractor pull a demo derby or a dancing bear that jumps a motorcycle over fire during intermission! They concentrate on ther product, HOCKEY.. Hint hint nudge nudge