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DaveInDaytona

Pro
Posts: 1696

posted February 12, 2002 08:46 AM

Hey Guys,

Well I'm torn, especially being in the "Birthplace of Speed" as they like to call it this time of year. I am a NASCAR fan, NHRA, WSB, AMA, whatever. I can't trash anyone for what they're into but I do object to Speedvision turning into the "NASCAR Channel". I think they got the message and won't go totally there, but you also need to understand that they are a business too and if the demand is there (read money) they would be fools to let it go away. We need to support and show interests in bikes if that's what you want to see and let them know. Join the AMA, go the the races, don't just spend your time on your couch with your remote and expect a sponser to care or even know about you. I think the NASCAR machine is able to show the interest and holds a lot of weight because of it and that's directing what we see on TV. It's just business.

If you don't think those guys can drive you're just fooling yourself. That arguement won't hold any water no matter how many times you try to spout that noise. To get to that level you need to be damn good and there are a lot of talented drivers in NASCAR of all levels.

SWFT - Smokey was the man, he will be missed. Best Damn Garage in Town, go get a copy of his book.

OK, back to work.

Dave
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madmike

Moderator
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Posts: 6579

posted February 12, 2002 08:55 AM

Otis I think you hit it man.

You know guys I love all kinds of racing and do like NASCAR!, and you do have to rember that they are running a business! I dont think the new Speedvizon will be all circle racing!! if it is they will be out of business in a very short time! when I had Cable I bought Digital cable, for the Only one reason and that was Speedvizon, and motorcycles!! I cant wait for the day that we are racing on TV!! and It is going to be Great. We all need to promote everyone that Promotes our sport of Motorcycles! and if they dont think we have a voice!! how about we all drop our cable! and give them the reason NO SPEEDVIZON!! hmmm.. that might get someones attention! and Harry, camping out and watching all the people is alot of the fun, man you need to get together with a group of people and campout and party for the weekend!! you will have a diffrent perspective then!! LOL.... Ill tell you the story of my weekend at Talledega sometime! Oh yea!
Mike
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ROCKET J

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Posts: 602

posted February 12, 2002 11:55 AM

IF IT AIN'T BROKE....

Rupert & Fox have a big stake in Nascar. That is probably one of the main reasons that they bought Speedvision. Obviously, if it was worth buying, it was doing ok in the first place.

Rocket
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ROCKET J

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Posts: 602

posted February 12, 2002 12:07 PM

I SEE THE LIGHT

You know what? You guys are right. Even though the drivers aren't F1 pilots (and that can be mighty boring to watch too), It is the fans that I don't like.

It is a lot like the Harley thing. It is not the low tech (there is a similarity) cruiser thing, which may not be my cup of tea, it is the little numbers in the back windows, the hats, the t-shirts, and the assumption that it is the ultimate form of racing. Much like the Harley dress up party clothes, the having to wear Harley on EVERYTHING, and the belief that it really is THE performance machine. Plus the snubbing if you don't ride one.

It comes down to this: it is my deep hatred of all things white trash.

Gotta go now, the roof's a leakin' on the trailer. Sorry, on the Mobile home.

Rocket

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zx11_12

Expert Class
Posts: 207

posted February 12, 2002 03:00 PM

I hate a Parade!

quote:
Even though the drivers aren't F1 pilots (and that can be mighty boring to watch too)

F1 is racing? I thought it was a parade. Don't you have to have a pass somewhere during the event to call it a race?
NASCAR may be low tech, but at least the winner isn't predetermined by the qualifying order.

My driver was also Dale Sr. (RIP). Go Dale Jr!!!

Steve
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ROCKET J

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posted February 12, 2002 03:23 PM

quote:
F1 is racing? I thought it was a parade. Don't you have to have a pass somewhere during the event to call it a race?

No, no, no. Racing is turning left AND right. Or at least using the steering wheel to control the car as opposed to the suspension being preset to go left.

And if it was a parade, they wouldn't be the highest paid drivers if not athletes (not my definition) in the world.

Rocket

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EastBayDave

Needs a job
Posts: 2245

posted February 13, 2002 07:51 AM

Edited By: EastBayDave on 13 Feb 2002 11:44

Speedvision or whatever it is now has never been available here unless you want to pay AT&T big bux. I've always wanted to buy it for the bike racing, but I don't need Digital Cable that bad. Thinking about Direct TV, but rather get Direct DSL.

I like just about any type of racing; & I also agree just because you don't like a specific type of racing is no reason to dismiss it. I don't like mud bog racing, so I just don't watch it. That's what the off switch is for. NASCAR racing is just like any other, the top guys are pretty good. Just like any other venue be it F1, WSB, CART or whatever.

I've raced AMA, AFM, NHRA myself so being a racer I have to respect all aspects of racing. I too however, fell asleep at the Sears Point NASCAR race (twice in two years)....

...(note: do not take lounge chairs to the races...)

I also spend a lot of time at the local NASCAR 1/2 mile, cuz my brother races "Pro Trucks" (very similar to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series), & they got ~650-700hp, & do 19 second half miles. Not bad mon....

He just put up a website if you want to see a pic of his truck: http://www.kwmotorsports.com

Here is the track link: http://www.altamontraceway.com

I enjoy going to the races to watch bro do good (he's almost always top three), & I also enjoy the sprints, Sportsman Modified, & all the other classes. Being there is better than watching it on tv... The smell of race gas, burning rubber, beer, piss

. Seeing hooters & bikini's

all over during the summer is fun!

Watching the "Baby Grands" & "Legends" is a gas too. Walking the pits was a surprise to find many ZX12r engines in these cars. Most of them are FJ1200 based, but many are KAW, SUZ, & even a few XX powered machines. They haul butt on the 1/2 mile....scary cars these guys.

Fun...don't dismiss it unless you've been there, done that...

Enjoy the ride...
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DaveInDaytona

Pro
Posts: 1696

posted February 13, 2002 08:34 AM

I like you're take on it Dave. It's all good.

You ever seen Lawn Mower racing ? I think these are the new breed of rednecks, but it's a blast to watch. Even Speedvision has covered some of their races in the past. I have a good friend that is big into it and is part of the organization. I'd like to see a ZX12 motor in one of those rigs.

http://www.letsmow.com/

Dave
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ROCKET J

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Posts: 602

posted February 13, 2002 10:22 AM

Bowflex?

You know a weird thing that Speedvision did, and apparently the Speed Channel is continuing, is that in the middle of prime programming, say at noon or six, they have an infomercial. What in the fuck is that about?

Davey, what do boobies smell like?

Rocket
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Turbo810

Expert Class
Posts: 286

posted February 13, 2002 07:00 PM

I just left them this message.

You have absolutly killed everything I liked about this channel. You have taken two wheeled Tuesday and made it worth nothing. If I wanted to watch a bunch of hilljacks go around in circles I would watch it on Sunday. Not 20 of 24 hours every damn day. As far as I'm conserned you can take your asscar channel and flushit.

22348bCVC

Zone Head
Posts: 798

posted February 13, 2002 09:44 PM

SPUD CHANNEL

...oh oh...I have SPEED CHANNEL on for background 'noise' as I 'speak' here...don't get me wrong, I like NASCAR, I like watching the RACE...I've had the TV set to SPEED CHANNEL since I got home from my ride today (thanks, ddpete3) at 7:30pm and all they've been showing is some kind of recent NASCAR TRIBUTE/HISTORY/DOCUMENTARY...it's close to 10pm now and they're still doing it!...it's like eating chocolate cuz' you like chocolate...but if you eat too much chocolate at one time, you get pretty sick of it...ARRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!....WHAT ARE THEY DOING!!!!!...with all that thick suh'then' aych-sent thing going, I feel like I'm in North Carolina again...C'MON!!! GIVE US SOME BIKES HERE!!!...no more chocolates for me tonite!>(
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Otis

Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028

posted February 14, 2002 04:09 AM

Yeah is up with the NASCAR PREVIEW every goddamn night for like 10 fucking hours. What a joke. It may be fine for a new fan who knows shit but please, this really sucks.
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Dino

Pro
Posts: 1422

posted February 14, 2002 11:20 PM

ok, now I'm fucking PISSED! Tuesday night is MY night for the main tv,has been for years cuz that's BIKE NIGHT on speedvision. Well tuesday night I kicked back to watch some bike stuff and guess what?......NASCAR!!! I don't care how fucking good they can drive around ovals...to me ,it's just not very interesting. I watched a race every now and then,and had nothing against nascar, but now it's being shoved down my throat and it's making me SICK!!! With all due respect to any of you that are nascar fans(don't wanna' hurt any feelers)..........FUCK NASCAR!! AND FUCK THE SPEED CHANNEL!!! at least for now anyway.

22348bCVC

Zone Head
Posts: 798

posted February 14, 2002 11:42 PM

...yup, I'm with you on this, Dino....I try to be fair with my opinions about alot of things, but THIS SUCKS!!! where do we voice our opinions?....what is FOX's e-mail...this is so freekin' stupid...
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EastBayDave

Needs a job
Posts: 2245

posted February 15, 2002 06:46 AM

Edited By: EastBayDave on 15 Feb 2002 07:10

Wow, sure glad I didn't buy it. I was getting close to getting a sat. dish just for Speedvision. Now I won't.

One of you politically correct types needs to write up a well thought out "correct" e-mail & post it on all the biking sites you can think of.

Let's mass e-mail (snail mail might be better?) them with complaints & see if they respond. Realize they are probably right now getting mass mail of "thank you's" from the car racing fans, & if we dont' show any kind of comparable response, we get screwed. Bitching about it here will not help anyone.

If we don't like it, as least let's try to change it...right? Pass the word folks, realize the car racing crowd has us outnumbered bigtime, & we need a MASSIVE response. 50 million motorcyclists agains who knows how many NASCAR fans, let's see who is stronger!

CALL TO ARMS! IT'S WAR! PASS THE WORD!
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kawipilot

Parking Attendant
Posts: 27

posted February 15, 2002 11:12 AM

This really sucks !!

I just purchased a second DSS so that I could watch the superbike races without being disturbed by my wife and kids!!!!

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magzx12r

Expert Class
Posts: 252

posted February 15, 2002 12:05 PM

Speedvision/Channel has been showing a lot of Nascar stuff because the Daytona 500 is this weekend. I went to the Speedvision/channel website and looked under Motorcycle Programming and found the following: AMA SS/SBK, World SS/SBK, MotoGP 125/250/GP1, American Thunder, Motorcyclist, Bike Week, etc. So it looks like they will continue to show a lot of motorcycle racing and shows. Also, if you look at the Tuesday programming starting next Tuesday, from 7pm eastern until late at night, it is all motorcycle programming. I also used their feedback form to let them know that a lot of us like the motorcycle programming and do not want a decrease in motorcycle racing/shows. In fact, I stated that we would like an increase in motorcycle coverage. If we get enough people to provide that type of feedback, hopefully the Speed Channel will listen.
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'12 1199S

ROCKET J

Zone Head
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Posts: 602

posted February 15, 2002 08:38 PM

Diversity is good

I liked the fact that they had cars, bikes, boats, planes, Baja, Paris-Dakar, round track, drag racing, rally, superbike, motocross,F1, tv shows, the list goes on and on. The main thing is that they had it in a fair PROPORTION.

Rocket
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ZrxRider1525

Parking Attendant
Posts: 3

posted February 15, 2002 09:42 PM

Edited By: redelk on 16 Feb 2002 06:30

Less Nascar & more motorcycle racing ...

Here is a petition you can sign. I have already signed it twice myself > #1293 & #1298
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?cel21&1
If you want to contribute your opinion and help get more motorcycle racing back on speedvision, please go sign it now!

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OutsiderZX12R

Zone Head
Street Racer
Posts: 841

posted February 15, 2002 11:05 PM

Petition

Just signed the petition.
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ROCKET J

Zone Head
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Posts: 602

posted February 16, 2002 02:41 AM

Just like Chicago...

Vote early, Vote often!!!

Rocket

TENN12

Posts:

posted February 16, 2002 06:30 AM

I went to the Speedvision/channel website and looked under Motorcycle Programming and found the following: AMA SS/SBK, World SS/SBK, MotoGP 125/250/GP1, American Thunder, Motorcyclist, Bike Week, etc. So it looks like they will continue to show a lot of motorcycle racing and shows. Also, if you look at the Tuesday programming starting next Tuesday, from 7pm eastern until late at night, it is all motorcycle programming.
__________________________________________

WRONG! It say's that's what gonna be on but it ain't.

Speedvision went from the only channel I watch, to the
only channel I don't watch. You guy's remember the
XFL?

redelk

Moderator
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Posts: 3212

posted February 16, 2002 07:24 AM

Edited By: redelk on 17 Feb 2002 20:58

Editing posts and #1379

I edited ZRX Rider's post so the address would be a link. I also voiced my opinion and signed. My opinion is this (in a few more words then I wrote to them)...

I too, find lawn mower racing interesting and entertaining. I also do not mind that they broadcast such events. What I do mind is that the "RIDER CUP" (a U.S. vs. England lawn mower racing event) would get the coverage and time slot that is far better then many other events that would be more deserving.

For example, IDBA drag racing is growing and it would be great to watch "grassroots" racing at it's best. This is the type of drag racing that all the "ole timers" talk about when they describe what the early days of NHRA/IHRA were like.

Another example would be CMRA, WERA, CSS and other "club level" motorcycle road racing events. Again, this is the "grassroots" type racing that many of today's champions went through before they got where they are today. I personally would find it to be more interesting then seeing a show on huge pleasure boats that 99% of their veiws couldn't afford the monthly payments on. Much less, give a rat's ass about going to small islands off the east coast.

Now, here's the punchline(s)...

1. I personally could care less about motorcycle drag racing. I'm just not that much into it. Still, it doesn't take a genius to realize that this form of motorsports is a great untapped broadcasting oppertunity.

2. I do like NASCAR and was actually very sad over the untimely death of Dale Sr. To imply that NASCAR requires little talant would be equal to telling Matt Hines that anybody could do what he does. If racing "requires" left AND right turns... that would surely rule out drag racing, now wouldn't it?

My favorite part is the "low tech" aspect of NASCAR. Many years ago, Road & Track magazine got a NASCAR car and a "Group 44" Jaguar road race car. They took them both to Daytona. The Jaguar was the latest example of high tech and automotive racing engineering. The NASCAR was a "shinning example" of 60's technology (and still is).

Needless to say, this was before the "restrictor plate" days, but with that 60's technology, overweight, ill handling piece of NASCAR shit, STOMPED the Jag. Kinda funny what on can do with an ole whiskey runnin' car, eh Cletus?

3. Though I'm a fan of NASCAR, I also equally enjoy SCCA, F1, touring sedans and even an ocassional truck race. Both in the Craftsman series AND the semis (those water coolers on the brakes are too cool).

4. Finally, being one in the advertising industry, I see Speed Channel's actions as both predictable and expected. It's not just NASCAR that's about "MONEY". ALL RACING is about money. Just ask Mad Mike. The only way one will have any effect on a network's programming is to voice their opinion both in mass and in a civilized matter. The petition is an excellent was to do this.

They only reason any network would be interested in changing it's programming would be to generate more viewers... PERIOD! It rather simple to see why. More viewers means that more can be charge for advertising time. Higher ad rates means more "MONEY" for the network.

With the upcoming Daytona 500, what would generate more viewers, a NASCAR profile/preview or a rerun of some AMA or WSB event? To be under the belief that NASCAR is a "fad" is almost laughable. Like I said, I am a fan of NASCAR, but I could not tell you what driver has done what, so far. I couldn't even tell you how the "Bud Shootout" or other "quailifying" events work (i.e. the "twin" 125s).

I do know that NASCAR has become one of the largest spectator sports in the world that has a combined attendence and viewership that dwarfs any other sport... PERIOD! Now as an advertiser, how do you believe I will spend my ad dollars? The demographics of those that attend or watch NASCAR events would surprise many of you. To a smart advertiser, it will not go unnoticed.

I assure you, I'd get a hell of a lot more bang for my ad buck by getting a "rotation" of spots on NASCAR related broadcasts then I would have by having 10 spots on the Super Bowl. And guess what, the demographics aren't that much different. Basically, they only difference is that the NASCAR fan spends more then their Super Bowl counterpart. Strange, but true.

The only way Speed Channel will increase the motorcycle programming is to be convinced that there is a viable market out there. Once this is brought to their attention, it will still take close to a YEAR before any major changes will happen. A vast majority of their programming has long been committed and it will be a while before they will have a chance to change it.

Just my opinion.
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