I think there is a way to greatly increase the positive impact that the DAARA brings to a racing program. Their current presentation needs some improvement, in my humble opinion.
For starters, let me say that I love the way the DAARA preserves our racing heritage! The cars are beautiful, the craftsmanship is often excellent, and you gotta admire the spirit of the drivers and mechanics. Some of those men and women are as old as the hills, BUT they still pull on a helmet and mash the pedal. Cheers to you!
That being said, I don’t like the way they run “heats” and “features”. Generally the cars drive around in a formation that looks like a race, but at reduced speed. In their fastest class, there are a few guys who appear to really have their foot in it, but otherwise we all know that the “racing” is contrived.
Its not a good idea to present this to the fans as a real race. It isn’t, and blurs the distinction between a real race and an interesting demonstration.
Here is my suggestion to move forward. First and foremost, the DAARA needs to travel with their own announcer. Someone who knows the cars, their history and the drivers. There are alot of interesting things driving around when the DAARA is on the track, but we need an expert to tell us about them.
Also, either quit presenting them as a race, or be clearer that we are seeing a “demonstration race”. Call them something else so the novice fans don’t think that it was a real contest.
I know there are a few guys who run flat out and will disagree with me. Thats ok, we’ve heard it before. The difference between riding and racing is an on-going dispute in vintage racing, and I’m sure it won’t be settled here.
With no changes, I gotta say that the DAARA nights at the track tend to really drag on.