First, I want to thank everyone for their input on dB Drag Racing and the thought that many of you have put forth with regards to the upcoming 2004 rules. Tension on the Audio Forum is always high whenever new rules are proposed or anytime a change takes place. I would ask that you consider all of the positive things that have taken place with respect to rules changes over the years. I hope you will agree that these changes have always been beneficial to the sport. I expect the same will be true this year as well.
This post is not about any specific rules changes that will take place in 2004. That will come in the next few days. Today, I want to talk about dB Drag Racing and the future of dB Drag Racing in the auto sound aftermarket.
First, you should know that I have been involved in the auto sound aftermarket for almost 20 years. I started as a competitor in 1984 and won the first ever national finals. Shortly thereafter, I became employed in the auto sound industry as an engineer. However, I have always maintained involvement with auto sound competition. This is truly what I love to do. I was involved in the initial formation of NACA, IASCA, and dB Drag Racing. I have been to almost every World Finals event since the very beginning. I cannot even fathom how many soundoff events I have attended over this period of time. I have attended CES each year for the past 20 years and I am in constant communication with the movers and shakers of the auto sound industry on a daily basis. I am telling you this because it is important that you understand that I LIVE in the auto sound aftermarket. I believe I have a good perspective of what the market is doing from every possible angle. Competitor, Retailer, and Manufacturer alike. With that being said, let me tell you how I feel about what is taking place in dB Drag Racing right now.
First, you may recall that dB Drag Racing is an Industry Support Organization. Our charter is to stimulate interest and participation in auto sound and auto sound competition. We hope to generate interest in auto sound by hosting sound off competitions. These events provide a place for auto sound enthusiasts to get together and compete against one another. This, in turn, stimulates the sale of auto sound products and it also exposes auto sound to spectators, who we hope will eventually get involved.
There are 3 critical elements that are required to make dB Drag Racing successful. These are the competitors who participate in the event, the retailer who hosts the show, and the auto sound manufacturers who subsidize the sport by sponsoring vehicles and participating at the dB Drag Racing World Finals. All three of these elements are crucial. Take away any one, and the sport will fail. Sometimes, competitors forget this simple fact. Let's take a look at the role each element plays.
Competitors purchase auto sound products. This is the motivating factor that drives the Retailers and Manufacturers to invest their time and money in support of dB Drag Racing. Competitors expose auto sound products to others. Again, this stimulates the sale of products. Competitors participate at events. Most competitors participate because of their love for auto sound and the fun they have at the shows.
Retailers host shows in an effort to sell product. By creating interest in auto sound, and by exposing auto sound competition to spectators, the retailer is hoping to recoup his investment at a future date. Retailers provide the arena where competitors get to play.
Manufacturers want to sell more product. If the retailer is doing well, then this will ultimately benefit the manufacturer. Manufacturers also sponsor competitors, sponsor shows, and support the dB Drag Racing Association by becoming members of the Association and exhibiting at the World Finals.
At the most fundamental level, retailers and manufacturers support dB Drag Racing in an effort to make money. It should be clear that the only way that this can happen is if the competitors participating in the sport are using products that the retailer sells and that the manufacturer makes. If a retailer can't sell the products that are being used, then what is the incentive for the retailer to host an event? The same is true for manufacturers.
I am convinced that we are heading down a path that will ultimately result in failure if we don't make some decisive changes to the rules for dB Drag Racing. Many believe that the sport has become so elitist, and the cost to remain competitive has become so high, that many competitors and retailers have simply given up because they feel that participation is pointless.
Fortunately, things haven't imploded yet. We still have an opportunity to put things back on track. The following list is what I believe must take place before that can happen.
First, we MUST insure that normal, everyday enthusiasts with everyday run-of-the-mill sound systems have a place to play. This is the only way we can grow. Our success requires new participation each and every year. The only way this will happen is if we offer classes that give these "real-world" systems a fair shake.
Secondly, we MUST insure that the products being used for competition are legitimate retail products.
Third, we MUST eliminate the remaining few loopholes in the rules so that ALL competitors have a fair chance.
I hope that this post helps to explain some of the issues that we are facing in dB Drag Racing and the auto sound industry as a whole. Please don't despair. I believe that dB Drag Racing is the paramount of auto sound competition. We had a great season last year and we are finally starting to garner major media coverage. But we cannot get complacent. We must address issues while we still have a chance. I hope that you will assist me in this endeavor.
[ 11-27-2003, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Harris ]
-------------------- "Keep it Loud and Make me Proud!"
posted
Exactly wgat I have been trying to get across Wayne. Perfectly said and I hope every other competitor will see all the positives in the future changes made in Db Drag Racing.
Sincerely,
Jason Meyer
-------------------- 2004 SS 1-2NW World Champion 2005 World Finals SS 1-2NW 2nd Place 2006 World Finals SS 1-2NW 3rd Place Team Maxxsonics Member of Broken Silence Competition Team Posts: 194 | From: Sedalia, MO, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
This is the best post EVER here at termpro !!!
Maybe some people understand that we are doing/have to do this "hard choices" to make everything better in the end !??!!
-------------------- Tor Aamodt
*Head Judge at World finals 2004, 2006 and 2007 *Judge at World finals 2002 - 2003 *Norwegian dB Drag Racing Association. (NdBDRA) *Certified multi point judge.
posted
Wayne, if you are going to come down on quad coil and using equipment that is actually sold, you really need to come down on modified amplifiers, and subs that are not for sale at stores. I think all of us know what these are, I am not going to call anyone or any company out. It seems if you are going to limit 1 area, you are going to have to limit a few others as well.
This was a very nice post and i hope you had a happy thanksgiving.
quote:Originally posted by jarfunkz: Wayne, if you are going to come down on quad coil and using equipment that is actually sold, you really need to come down on modified amplifiers, and subs that are not for sale at stores. I think all of us know what these are, I am not going to call anyone or any company out. It seems if you are going to limit 1 area, you are going to have to limit a few others as well.
This was a very nice post and i hope you had a happy thanksgiving.
Very well put, lets not single out one area of our sport. If this issue is going to be addressed lets take it all the way across the board and not just a certain area or item.
I must say that it seems you are having to make some very hard decisions but that you are making the right ones. Keep doing what you are doing, and you have my support, as I am sure you have the support of many others, do what you think is best and I am sure it will benefit us all and the growth of the sport,
THANKS for everything Wayne.
Eric
-------------------- Team SPT (Co-Founder)
Former Super Street Deathmatch World Champions Former Super Street 3-4 World Record Holders Former Super Street 3-4 2nd Place World Champions Former Super Street 5+ 2nd Place World Champions 3 Time DBDrag Street World Record Holder 3x MECA World Champion and Record Holder And Helped a Few Break some Records along the way! And Got some help.
posted
First, we MUST insure that normal, everyday enthusiasts with everyday run-of-the-mill sound systems have a place to play. This is the only way we can grow. Our success requires new participation each and every year. The only way this will happen is if we offer classes that give these "real-world" systems a fair shake.
Secondly, we MUST insure that the products being used for competition are legitimate retail products.
Third, we MUST eliminate the remaining few loopholes in the rules so that ALL competitors have a fair chance.
well then ban 16 volt batteries and 16 volt batcaps 16 volt alts,and modded amps, stop competitors from reconing there own speakers
Posts: 228 | From: Your distant future | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
I agree that this is the best and most important post ever on the forum. I to support wayne in any decision he makes. I am glad to see we are headed on the right track now. I hope that all what was talked about in this post will happen and the loop hole finders wont bring down the postive drive that wayne is trying to make.
quote:Originally posted by Wayne Harris: This post is not about any specific rules changes that will take place in 2004. That will come in the next few days.
cool only a few days to wait for some idea on the rules.
***starts warming up the sawsall***
-------------------- ---Member of Team Gates---
Don't knock it, if you know nothing about it. Posts: 3071 | From: Okla USA | Registered: May 1999
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As you know my feelings about dbdrags reflect that of yours, in Africa we have a very small sound competition following spread over a vast area so in order for us to continue bringing in new blood we have to tighten the rules rather than making new divisions for certain members.
Thanks keep up the good work. dbdrags South Africa.
-------------------- dB Drags South Africa. Posts: 152 | From: Johannesburg - South Africa | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Wayne Harris: This post is not about any specific rules changes that will take place in 2004. That will come in the next few days.
cool only a few days to wait for some idea on the rules.
***starts warming up the sawsall***
randy we both know you need dynamite, sawzall isn't going to cut it...
well then ban 16 volt batteries and 16 volt batcaps 16 volt alts,and modded amps, stop competitors from reconing there own speakers
thats a lil rough now, yes I see what your saying about the batts but you know how many ppl run 16 volt batts and how many ppl have??? to try and sell there batts and buy all new ones, that gets costly. and Recoing subs, that helps cost as well, if you have a 2 woofer class and you can;t recone, then you gotta buy 2 more 3-500 dollar woofers.
You guys ever notice that when Wayne post, its like the second coming, Wayne, you really know your **** guy.
-------------------- SoundWerx Car Audio SoundXtreme Sundown Audio DC Sound Labs T3 Audio PowerMaster Posts: 6552 | From: Buffalo, NY | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote:Originally posted by dreid: thats a lil rough now, yes I see what your saying about the batts but you know how many ppl run 16 volt batts and how many ppl have??? to try and sell there batts and buy all new ones, that gets costly.
Same thing as replacing the 20 quad coil subs youve purchased to compete with!
-------------------- Team Speakers Are Stupid
My friend said that my speakers are cooler than yours.... therefore I'm cooler than you are. Don't argue with me about it either. Posts: 2371 | From: Vegas | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Meyer: Exactly wgat I have been trying to get across Wayne. Perfectly said and I hope every other competitor will see all the positives in the future changes made in Db Drag Racing.
Sincerely,
Jason Meyer
That's also what I've been saying for the past two years, but when people say things like that you get flamed
I also think we have to find a way to make this sport T.V. friendly so we can get more money into the sport
quote:Originally posted by Wayne Harris: First, we MUST insure that normal, everyday enthusiasts with everyday run-of-the-mill sound systems have a place to play. This is the only way we can grow. Our success requires new participation each and every year. The only way this will happen is if we offer classes that give these "real-world" systems a fair shake.
That is true, everyone must be able to compete.
Unfortunately banning something that is already in the market place will prevent "everyday enthusiasts with everyday run-of-the-mill sound systems" from competing at dB Drag events.
QVCs offer more wiring opertunities than SVC an DVC subs, they are becoming more and more poular by the day in "everyday run-of-the-mill sound systems". These guys wont sell the QVCs, they wont get recones, they wont be able to compete.
How can you say everyone must be able to compete and then tell them they cant use the equipment they already have???
Ben
-------------------- Ben ----- www.EastCoastChoons.co.uk UK SS 1-2 NW Record Holder Team UK - Team ECC - Team RE - Team DD Posts: 2964 | From: Deepest Darkest Norfolk | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Well if he is willing to bann quads then he should bann the non street amp in street class....that would help things grow and doing that would let us run the cars again.....
-------------------- Team TAZM Team Gates Exotic Dreamz Car Club Team Cartunes
quote: I am convinced that we are heading down a path that will ultimately result in failure if we don't make some decisive changes to the rules for dB Drag Racing. Many believe that the sport has become so elitist, and the cost to remain competitive has become so high, that many competitors and retailers have simply given up because they feel that participation is pointless.
Fortunately, things haven't imploded yet. We still have an opportunity to put things back on track. The following list is what I believe must take place before that can happen.
First, we MUST insure that normal, everyday enthusiasts with everyday run-of-the-mill sound systems have a place to play. This is the only way we can grow. Our success requires new participation each and every year. The only way this will happen is if we offer classes that give these "real-world" systems a fair shake.
Secondly, we MUST insure that the products being used for competition are legitimate retail products.
Third, we MUST eliminate the remaining few loopholes in the rules so that ALL competitors have a fair chance.
Wayne, as a person who has been a competitor, worked in many roles in this industry, and is currently once again a retailer, I completely agree with you. This sport has become too elitist and costly. I have multiple competitors from our shop who compete in other organizations where they feel there is a more level playing field for what I call street systems. Guys here in the local area that want to be the loudest guy in town, or what have you who are fiercely competitive with someone they went to school with that had an install done by the shop down the street. Things of that nature.
For the average guy on the street, one mono amplifier per subwoofer is EXTREME. But what we seen in street or even super street classes is not an all what the average street or even most of the more extreme street competitors can do.
I have been wanting to host DB Drag events for quite some time now, but simply can't justify doing so because the rules for DB Drag simply is not conducive to what we see here in our local market.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I applaud you for taking steps in the right direction.
Posts: 279 | From: GA | Registered: Nov 2003
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