If a Pirelli World Challenge race happens at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and no one is there to see it, did it really happen?

This has happened to me on three occasions in the past three years. I go to a major BIG TIME racing event, see quality racing, but am amongst the only ones in attendance. What gives? It seems impossible to blame promoters as they put up quality facilities and top racing series. It is not necessarily the racers themselves, as they are sticking their necks out racing ten-tenths at the limit, door handle to door handle. It’s not the teams, who are spending monumental sums to purchase and race great cars that are appealing to all the senses.

I guess that just leaves the fans. They are out there. They read about this stuff. They watch it on TV and stream it on the Internet — but why are they not coming to the races?

The whole ride home from Mazda Raceway this past weekend, poor Jonathan Sieger, my travel companion, had to listen to me angrily berate the 21st century racing fan. My spite for the fans who cannot get off their ass, pack up the kids and see something really interesting, befuddles me.

Racing has always been about technology, speed, sound, visual candy — and really beautiful women. The race at Mazda raceway had all of that. It had Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Ferraris, Porsches, Mazdas, Mustangs and Camaros going wheel to wheel through the twists, turns and elevation changes of the classic Monterey Peninsula track. It had a beautiful day, filled with sunshine and color. And then there was the chicks: Wow! Serious beauties in branded Lycra and spandex … Zowie! What a sight!

Where the heck were you? Were you spending quality time in a productive activity with your children? Building your own racecar in the garage? Working extra hours to put a few more dollars in the bank? Or were you just sitting on your ass in front of a computer or TV? If you answered ‘yes’ to the last scenario, shame on you!

There was a day when racing was a bigger deal. Thousands — and I mean thousands — of people would pour through the gates to see the IndyCars, sports cars, the Can-Am, the Trans-Am… These races made heroes, and thrilled the large audiences.

If you are reading this, cars and racing matter to you. Right? You love the howl of a motor at full song, you love the smell of burning rubber and oil. So where the heck are you when all this is going on? I am glad you are a fan and like to read about it — but get out there and experience it. While you are at it, bring a kid — ignite their fascination and passion in something besides a smartphone.

There are cool car events going on all around us, all the time! Where are you? We want to see you there, enjoying it right along with us. Am I missing something?

Two years ago, I berated Tony Kanaan for his temper tantrum in the post-race press room at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. He was upset, that, despite his podium in what was one of the best races I had seen from IndyCar in a very long time, he was “risking his life for 3,000 fans.” I now share his frustration. It was a great race: four-wide racing all the way around the two-mile banked super speedway, 220 mph speeds, flashes of color, lead changes — pure and intense racing for 500 miles under the lights.

Auto Club Speedway can easily accommodate 250,000 fans. Consider what 3,000 fans look like against that backdrop? If pitiful crosses your mind, you are right!

I HATE taking pictures of cars at speed with a backdrop of empty stands. Butts in the seats add contrast, color, depth. The pics I snapped at Mazda Raceway last weekend showed plenty of motion, but with a plain, stainless steel backdrop that actually takes away from the photo.

All said, there is so much to experience at a major racing event. Make and be part of

the stories that people will tell twenty years from now. Come catch the fever!