"Auto
racing is the number two spectator sport in this country and is second only to soccer in the world in paid attendance." "Auto racing is the fastest growing sport in this country and the world." I'm sure
you have heard the aforementioned statistics before and have your own opinion why auto racing has reached its present status of prestige. It is apparent though, the growth of the sport must attest to the fact it has
been a good source of entertainment for the spectator. To be successful on any level, the sport must continue to entertain. It is the promoter's job to see this is accomplished. Due
to increased competition by other sources of entertainment, this job becomes more difficult each day. However, a promoter with an adequate knowledge about the spectator will be more successful in his efforts to
entertain him.
Although the numbers and proportions of spectators differ from one area to another, they will generally fall into one of three basic groups.
If you procured a copy of this booklet, you are probably not a member of the sport's largest spectator segment, the infamous 'blood thirsty fans.' In this classification are those spectators who
have not been educated to the finer points of the sport by the announcer, press, program or continued exposure to the sport. These spectators usually begin their trips to the races hoping to see mishaps. If they see
them, they will have been entertained. Conversely, if they do not see any, they will not have been entertained as anticipated when they purchased their tickets. This segment comprises about one half of the spectators in
the grandstands.
I will refer to the second basic group of spectators as the "competitors fans.' This group includes the family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and anyone else
who has an affiliation with a race car owner, driver, pit crew member or sponsor and attends the races due to that affiliation. These spectators usually comprise about twenty percent of the total number in the
grandstand.
Finally, there is a group of spectators who are truly sport fans." Usually evolving from the two prior groups, these spectators have become educated to the finer
points of the sport or in some other way became more closely associated with it. These people are permanent followers of the sport, which they enjoy at more than face value. Approximately thirty percent of the people in
the grandstands fit into this category.
Obviously, auto racing's spectators are the backbone of the sport. They come in all ages and from all walks' of life, but will usually fit
into one of the previously described groups. If these spectators are sufficiently entertained, auto racing will maintain prominence among sports.
