on 4x4 TV (1-week preview of the top 150 package :D). And as much as I can appreciate the skill & teamwork, it's clear this is not a sport that translates well to TV. We have somewhat of the same problem with mud. With the exception of the very fastest classes, it loses a lot on TV compared to "in person". This to me seems a real handicap when it comes to getting sponsors, and even spectators. What do you guys do to overcome that handicap other than say, "You just have to see it in person to appreciate it"?




TEX

Failure is a lot more interesting to watch than success. It would probably be more interesting to watch someone struggling and then compare it with someone who does not struggle. That would be my guess, I don't have cable so I've never seen that show. The Big Rock videos are generally entertaining.

I agree with terry...

For me as a competitor I can't get enough of guys who walk over the obstacles and just make it look easy.

However, I feel like ignorant spectators enjoy watching people like myself and my driver thottle it out and put on a loud and ugly show, where a rollover is ALWAYS possible, and carnage is likely.

We may not have the finesse or a rig built for the specific purpose of kicking ass, but we're big, loud, and resemble something most spectators' wives drive to the grocery store. UROC has proven that the spectators come out to watch carnage and rolls... this sport is going to have to be filmed better and edited to show the loud action if you want to attract TV viewers...

I would watch Tracy spank obstacles all day, but it's boring for most of my friends... now show them a video of Chris Durham or Mike palmer and they are rapt.

Doug

Originally posted by Doug K
I agree with terry...

For me as a competitor I can't get enough of guys who walk over the obstacles and just make it look easy.

However, I feel like ignorant spectators enjoy watching people like myself and my driver thottle it out and put on a loud and ugly show, where a rollover is ALWAYS possible, and carnage is likely.

We may not have the finesse or a rig built for the specific purpose of kicking ass, but we're big, loud, and resemble something most spectators' wives drive to the grocery store. UROC has proven that the spectators come out to watch carnage and rolls... this sport is going to have to be filmed better and edited to show the loud action if you want to attract TV viewers...

I would watch Tracy spank obstacles all day, but it's boring for most of my friends... now show them a video of Chris Durham or Mike palmer and they are rapt.

Doug

Well said.

Every DVD I play- girlfirend: "Can we just watch the roll overs???"

Originally posted by Doug K

ignorant spectators

Doug

Do you really feel that way about the spectators? I love the spectators, and I hope I can get them cheering by either putting on a good show trying or aceing it. They are helping to fuel the sport. The ugly show is how you see it, maybe you should stop worrying about looking stupid.

Originally posted by ASH


Do you really feel that way about the spectators? I love the spectators, and I hope I can get them cheering by either putting on a good show trying or aceing it. They are helping to fuel the sport. The ugly show is how you see it, maybe you should stop worrying about looking stupid.


i believe DOUGK means is people who arent totally into this sport (meaning uneducated or ignorant of its intricacies) just wanna see carnage.... many nascar fans are ignorant to that sport, but love the high speed and crashes........ DOUGK was just using proper english.

and if you think all spectators know whats goin awwn..... well thats pretty ignorant too...... :D

I must have had 10 people come up and ask if we were gonna roll over with all the tube we had on our cage we must be looking to roll... I replied that I would try my best.

I like the spectators too... they make it fun, but they aren't the brightest.

I'm not worried about looking stupid. I like the way we drive. Plenty of onion. I just feel like spectators would rather watch US, a team that finishes pretty much last every time, over a team that makes every obstacle look easy.

I want to give props to team purple... they put on a helluva show and finished #1... that's what I'm talking about. Nice people, friendly attitudes, and a good sense of showmanship. Same with team Redbull... they all make this a spectator friendly sport.

Doug

Originally posted by Doug K
I must have had 10 people come up and ask if we were gonna roll over with all the tube we had on our cage we must be looking to roll... I replied that I would try my best.

I like the spectators too... they make it fun, but they aren't the brightest.

I'm not worried about looking stupid. I like the way we drive. Plenty of onion. I just feel like spectators would rather watch US, a team that finishes pretty much last every time, over a team that makes every obstacle look easy.

I want to give props to team purple... they put on a helluva show and finished #1... that's what I'm talking about. Nice people, friendly attitudes, and a good sense of showmanship. Same with team Redbull... they all make this a spectator friendly sport.

Doug


Sorry for the mis-understanding Doug. I wish I could say that I'm a good driver but I'm not (try to put on a good show w/o breaking to much stuff). We go out have a good time, and do the best we can. It's hard to drive like Curtis McNeil all the time on a limited budget. :D
:D :D :D

Originally posted by Doug K
I must have had 10 people come up and ask if we were gonna roll over with all the tube we had on our cage we must be looking to roll... I replied that I would try my best.

I like the spectators too... they make it fun, but they aren't the brightest.

I'm not worried about looking stupid. I like the way we drive. Plenty of onion. I just feel like spectators would rather watch US, a team that finishes pretty much last every time, over a team that makes every obstacle look easy.

I want to give props to team purple... they put on a helluva show and finished #1... that's what I'm talking about. Nice people, friendly attitudes, and a good sense of showmanship. Same with team Redbull... they all make this a spectator friendly sport.

Doug

you damn texas boys tore up my course on sunday and made it really easy for team purple...whats up with that..:flipoff2:

Most sports loose a lot in the translation to T.V. What could really make it intresting for T.V. would be to ba able to patch into the Driver/Spotter radios. That along with good commentating, caranage, and good coverage of the winners would help it out a lot. Coverage for a Rockcrawling event should be like coverage for a golf tournament. It would also help to be able to get some clips on some sports shows or segments of local news casts. (I know thats a lot harder than it sounds)

Originally posted by DEnd
It would also help to be able to get some clips on some sports shows or segments of local news casts. (I know thats a lot harder than it sounds)
This is not hard at all...just expensive to produce and get out on the Wire (satellite) the same day of the event. Every major sporting event does it and it's something that real "outside" sponsors look for as they are not as interested in the small coverage we get inside of the industry. It's called a VNR (video news release) and it will get you a ton more publicity than a 1 hour program as more people watch the evening news than anything else.
I've explained this to all of the event producers and showed them the basics of how and why it is done...so far it seems only one is making the real leap to do it...maybe...because like I said, it's expensive.