1963 NHRA Nationals Recording
If the one great regret of your life is that you missed the 1963 Nationals, then has Fleetwood Sounds got the thing for you. Digitally remastered from original stereo recording taken at those self-same races, this CD offers a great way to relive the race day, or to indulge in a bit of nostalgia. Or even to fill those occasional days when there're no races going.
The fundamental problem with a product like this, and likewise, of writing a review of it, is that it really is likely to appeal to a somewhat small group of people: the hardest of the hardcore drag racing fiends. Uh, I mean fans. And, quite frankly, if you're a member of that group, you're likely only reading this to learn about the sound quality of the recording. So, to assuage your fears here goes. The sound quality is mixed. The races were recorded with trackside mics, so the cars sound truly excellent. When the dragsters start up, and the rumbling and cackling starts in, it really is like being at the track. The races were recorded with several mics along the course of the track, so they're in stereo which is especially noticeable when they take off, and you can
hear them moving along the track. When I first started listening to the recording in my car, I nearly ran into someone, because I was unconsciously tracking left with my eyes, trying to follow the racers.
So the cars sound great. The crowd is mostly silent, or at least unheard, but you can hear the whistles and cheers of the fans and spectators. The announcer, however, is all but unintelligible. Aside from the sheer difficulty of picking his voice out over the background noise, there seemed to be some sort of bizarre distortion, perhaps from the PA system, that rendered his words so much gibberish. I don't know how much that will bother you, but take it for what you will.
The recording covers the elimination rounds of the Hot Car categories: Dragsters and Stocks. Each section lasts about thirty minutes, making the whole CD last just under an hour.
This is really a product only meant for a certain type of person. If you are that person (You know who you are), I can recommend this without reservervation. If you aren't, then you probably laughed at the very idea as soon as you saw what it was. Either way you likely already know if this is something that'll interest you.
Rating: 9/10 if you're an enthusiast, 2.5/10 if you aren't.
Available at the DRO Store. $17.99 Click here to buy.
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