Fancy Gadgets and Short Attention Spans: Is Motorsports Doomed?

[dpkimmel2001]

Frank Deford (on NPR and in Sports Illustrated) declared America’s “Love affair with the car” over and done.

“There are no more gearheads growing up in America.”
“Nobody cool wants to look under the hood anymore.”

Interesting read from buildingspeed.org

======> Click here to read the entire story. <======

 

[VaDirt]

I've been saying this for a few years now. Sadly, true. I do beleive that's a large part of the decline in attendance we've witnessed over the last few years. There are gearheads, but their numbers are a lot less.

 

[Matthew2470]

As long is there is a need for mechanics and "gear-heads" they will exist. As far as the decline in attendance and viewership, there are several factors and some of the things listed in the article are part of it.

Personally I think that NASCAR is right where it should be. Those insanely high ratings generated by the Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt rivalry were an anomaly. What we've seen in recent years is paramount to a market correction.

But overall the sport is still healthy but I don't think it will ever be what it once was.

 

[FenderBumper]

IMO, this is why nascar needs to be more about the competition and personalities and a little less about purest racing. People today will watch a bunch of jackasses on a deserted island as long as they are competing over something and screwing over each other to win.

 

[dpkimmel2001]

As long is there is a need for mechanics and "gear-heads" they will exist. As far as the decline in attendance and viewership, there are several factors and some of the things listed in the article are part of it.

Personally I think that NASCAR is right where it should be. Those insanely high ratings generated by the Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt rivalry were an anomaly. What we've seen in recent years is paramount to a market correction.

But overall the sport is still healthy but I don't think it will ever be what it once was.

+1