Pro classes sold?

Harry 6674 · 02-19-2015, 11:17 PM

DRO claims its a done deal and NHRA sold the three pro classes to an entertainment company. Haven't we heard that before?

Dave Noll · 02-20-2015, 03:41 AM

The article:

Rumor! NHRA sells three pro classes

DRO has verified as fact that Tom Compton and the NHRA board hired a financial company in the Los Angeles area more than two months ago to package and sell the top three pro classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock) to an entertainment company. The Agent has the name of the company but has been unable to contact them yet. DRO’s source said today that there is an entertainment company that has agreed to terms. We have been unable to verify that rumor as of 6 p.m. (Central) Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Selling off their top three pro classes was one of the options that was discussed when Tom Compton tried to sell the NHRA to Direct TV majordomo Eddy Hartenstein and his HD Partners group back in 2007. Our source says the deal that NHRA made was essentially the same one they had in 2007 when an attempted sale fell through at the last minute. In the original deal NHRA would sell the pro classes and as part of the sale a large chunk of the buyout money would go to the NHRA to ensure that the sportsman part of the NHRA would continue on. As we understand it that is the same type of deal the new sale would be.

The Agent always felt that selling off the NHRA top three pro classes wasn’t a viable or smart option since none of the racers in those classes works for the NHRA; they are all independent contractors who can race where and when they wish. On the other hand, maybe a professional entertainment group can sell nitro sponsorships better than the NHRA can.

Stay tuned, this one could get interesting. [02/18/15]

600ci · 02-20-2015, 10:23 AM

sounds like a monster truck show. are there tax's to be paid on that ?
I think clear channel owns the monster truck show

Lyn Smith · 02-20-2015, 12:44 PM

Didnt the Clear Channel used to own the IHRA?Im thinking NHRA got out of the management of the Pro classes so they could promote the Sportsmen racers more.There will be a Sportsmen TV show,more money for event wins.Contingency sponsors will be jumping back on the band wagon and who knows what else.LOL

600ci · 02-21-2015, 07:31 PM

still throwing darts

MikeMoller · 02-22-2015, 11:30 AM

I cannot believe that ANYBODY could make money in such a deal. And if there is no money to be made, it doesn't happen.

02-19-2015, 11:17 PM	#1
Harry 6674 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 589 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pro classes sold? DRO claims its a done deal and NHRA sold the three pro classes to an entertainment company. Haven't we heard that before? __________________ Harry6674

02-20-2015, 03:41 AM	#2
Dave Noll Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Div. 6, Eastern, WA Posts: 696 Likes: 2,313 Liked 220 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Pro classes sold? The article: Rumor! NHRA sells three pro classes DRO has verified as fact that Tom Compton and the NHRA board hired a financial company in the Los Angeles area more than two months ago to package and sell the top three pro classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock) to an entertainment company. The Agent has the name of the company but has been unable to contact them yet. DRO’s source said today that there is an entertainment company that has agreed to terms. We have been unable to verify that rumor as of 6 p.m. (Central) Wednesday, Feb. 18. Selling off their top three pro classes was one of the options that was discussed when Tom Compton tried to sell the NHRA to Direct TV majordomo Eddy Hartenstein and his HD Partners group back in 2007. Our source says the deal that NHRA made was essentially the same one they had in 2007 when an attempted sale fell through at the last minute. In the original deal NHRA would sell the pro classes and as part of the sale a large chunk of the buyout money would go to the NHRA to ensure that the sportsman part of the NHRA would continue on. As we understand it that is the same type of deal the new sale would be. The Agent always felt that selling off the NHRA top three pro classes wasn’t a viable or smart option since none of the racers in those classes works for the NHRA; they are all independent contractors who can race where and when they wish. On the other hand, maybe a professional entertainment group can sell nitro sponsorships better than the NHRA can. Stay tuned, this one could get interesting. [02/18/15] __________________ Dave Noll, E/FS ,L/SA 6526

02-20-2015, 10:23 AM	#3
600ci Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 163 Likes: 5 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Pro classes sold? sounds like a monster truck show. are there tax's to be paid on that ? I think clear channel owns the monster truck show

02-20-2015, 12:44 PM	#4
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,126 Likes: 229 Liked 860 Times in 160 Posts	Re: Pro classes sold? Didnt the Clear Channel used to own the IHRA?Im thinking NHRA got out of the management of the Pro classes so they could promote the Sportsmen racers more.There will be a Sportsmen TV show,more money for event wins.Contingency sponsors will be jumping back on the band wagon and who knows what else.LOL

02-21-2015, 07:31 PM	#5
600ci Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 163 Likes: 5 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Pro classes sold? still throwing darts

02-22-2015, 11:30 AM	#6
MikeMoller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 629 Likes: 27 Liked 244 Times in 74 Posts	Re: Pro classes sold? I cannot believe that ANYBODY could make money in such a deal. And if there is no money to be made, it doesn't happen. __________________ Mike Moller NHRA 203 Q-R-T/SA