Forum: Racing From The Past (go)
Moderators: Racing From The Past

I know this looks boring, but it shows quite a bit about ....well.....what it shows.

Interesting...

Very cool video,,it would be interesting to go to several race tracks and be able to get the age percentage brakedown that are in the stands ..And then get the avergae age in the Pits in different list like one for drives average age ,then car owners avergae age ,,and then the rest in the pits..Then see if it has simalirity to the video.. That video is very interesting.

Win as if you are use to it.And lose as if you enjoyed 
it for a change.Its hard to get to the top and alot 
harder to stay there.

I used to go to car shows and races with my Dad, and I found it a lot more fun to hang out with him over the years. Swap meets were the biggest pull for us. Even when we couldn't talk about anything else, cars were a way for us to relate. Still true to an extent today.

When I go to a swap meet today, I see many of the very age groups I showed in the video. "Speed" is NOT the most important item, but rather 'how it's presented'.

I noticed when they put restrictor plates on the Daytona cup races, people weren't too bothered with the lack of new track records. Then I noticed they slowed the pace a bit at Indy, still most people were okay with that. The show and the positivity were what sold. Racing excitement only sells for a while, and too often we get to thinking racing action is the only game in town- it ain't. Todays cars are faster, more dependable overall, safer, and more sophisticated than in the past............yet the short tracks are losing.

Me thinks a combination of 'what was' and 'what is' will have to be the answer for short track racing to survive in the future. "Relating history to today, could put the urgency back in for the fans to be there."

When the WoO came in the late 70's and early 80's, crowds went up and that was great for business-one thing you cannot argue with. Somewhere in the mid-90's the steam seemed to fade, and many people I've talked to, have lost a lot of interest in racing since Earnhardt died. Like it or not, the death of Dale Sr. hurt everybody a little bit, for it seemed as if a golden era had passed.

Hands down, I find an old race car much more fun to look at. People like curves, colors, and style. That's why they mess with Harleys and Street rods more now, and yet no particular style is the only thing to do- they are very diverse.

Here's something to think about- Considering reproduction, and original tin, there are more 1932 Fords in progress or on the road now than , get this- 1932! Curves and personality never go out of style. Instead they inspire us to WANT to get involved, maybe even drive. I honestly believe there's a connection.