It would seem that the economic challenges of running the NHRA tour are beginning to show.
For the past few races, there have been bye runs (and more than one bye in the same class) in all NHRA professional classes except for Pro Stock Bike.
Earlier this season, Bob Vandergriif closed up his two car top fuel team at a moments notice. He stated it was due to personal reasons as a result of the owner of his primary sponsor passing away, but his sponsor was in the US oil field service industry which has taken a major hit since OPEC decided to flood the market with crude oil, thus making it uneconomic for US oil production.
However, two less top fuelers doesn't explain why NHRA is struggling to fill a 16 car field in both Funny Car and Pro Stock, and that's even with "local yokel" drivers being contracted in by NHRA to ensure a full field.
So it looks like NHRA drag racing has some serious economic hurdles to overcome if they wish to maintain or expand their fan base going forward.
Personally, I have attended the Mopar Mile High Nationals in my adopted hometown of Denver for the past dozen or so years, but after looking at the entry list for this year, I'm hesitating before making any plans. Unlike other years, I have not booked my ticket ahead of time and with only 10 regular fuelers, 12 regular funnies, 12 regular Pro Stockers and 13 regular bikes entered, I might just sit and watch the highlights on the telly this year.
How is the racing economy over in UK?
For the past few races, there have been bye runs (and more than one bye in the same class) in all NHRA professional classes except for Pro Stock Bike.
Earlier this season, Bob Vandergriif closed up his two car top fuel team at a moments notice. He stated it was due to personal reasons as a result of the owner of his primary sponsor passing away, but his sponsor was in the US oil field service industry which has taken a major hit since OPEC decided to flood the market with crude oil, thus making it uneconomic for US oil production.
However, two less top fuelers doesn't explain why NHRA is struggling to fill a 16 car field in both Funny Car and Pro Stock, and that's even with "local yokel" drivers being contracted in by NHRA to ensure a full field.
So it looks like NHRA drag racing has some serious economic hurdles to overcome if they wish to maintain or expand their fan base going forward.
Personally, I have attended the Mopar Mile High Nationals in my adopted hometown of Denver for the past dozen or so years, but after looking at the entry list for this year, I'm hesitating before making any plans. Unlike other years, I have not booked my ticket ahead of time and with only 10 regular fuelers, 12 regular funnies, 12 regular Pro Stockers and 13 regular bikes entered, I might just sit and watch the highlights on the telly this year.
How is the racing economy over in UK?