Should Pro's be seperated from Sportsman

[69ss/rs]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Which means what, exactly? Many racers didn't support IHRA when they were at their strongest and were doing everything the racers said they wanted.


Didn't most people pitch a fit years ago when they separated the Sportsmen from Gainesville and sent them to finish up at Orlando?

Mike, the difference is the ones that want to race and the ones that have image problems. Like you said when IHRA was strong I preferred running IHRA than I did NHRA. One of the main things I liked was that when they had you on the schedule to run, that almost always within an hour of that time you where going down the track. They didn't give preference to the Pros over the sportsmen. Plus for some reason it seemed that you where not rushed like they do in NHRA. They also made you fill like your opinion meant something. You will always have those that will drive by an IHRA race to go to an NHRA race an get treated like crap, but what can you do ; some people just don't see the forest for the trees. Where else could anybody just show up at a national event, join the sanctioning body and the race in the same day. I may be in a minority, but I could give a sh-t if Top Fuel and Funny cars are left out of the mix.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by 69ss/rs

Mike, the difference is the ones that want to race and the ones that have image problems. Like you said when IHRA was strong I preferred running IHRA than I did NHRA. One of the main things I liked was that when they had you on the schedule to run, that almost always within an hour of that time you where going down the track. They didn't give preference to the Pros over the sportsmen. Plus for some reason it seemed that you where not rushed like they do in NHRA. They also made you fill like your opinion meant something. You will always have those that will drive by an IHRA race to go to an NHRA race an get treated like crap, but what can you do ; some people just don't see the forest for the trees.

The very first IHRA National event that I ever attended had some rain.After they dried the track,they went right into the PROs.(skipped the Sportsman)This was when they actually had PROs.

And IHRA can treat you like crap too.They actually would not let me pit with my parents,because we "didn't arrive together".

With the contingency of today's IHRA,you could WIN the race and probably still not break even for the weekend.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by 442OLDS

The very first IHRA National event that I ever attended had some rain.After they dried the track,they went right into the PROs.(skipped the Sportsman)This was when they actually had PROs.

And IHRA can treat you like crap too.They actually would not let me pit with my parents,because we "didn't arrive together".

With the contingency of today's IHRA,you could WIN the race and probably still not break even for the weekend.

IHRA always had a published schedule, specifcally stating the times that Pro sessions ran. That's not 'treating you like crap', it's following an explicit published schedule. Have they always been perfect? I don't think anyone has. One thing with Bader was he always told what a decision was and WHY it was made.

Didn't allow saving of spots? Good! I always hear people holler about all the roping off of multiple spots at NHRA events. Again, IHRA had a published policy. If I couldn't park 'here', I park somewhere else. Not a big deal.

Contingency? Refer to previous post. NHRA contingency is lower now than IHRA was 10 years ago. We and the sanctioning bodies should be kissing the feet of every sponsor out there. Where might NHRA be in 10 years?

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Didn't allow saving of spots? Good! I always hear people holler about all the roping off of multiple spots at NHRA events. Again, IHRA had a published policy. If I couldn't park 'here', I park somewhere else. Not a big deal.

Will friends/family be allowed to pit together at the upcoming CLASSNATIONALS event you are promoting if they don't "arrive together"?

[skills]

May I inject myself into this discussion from a spectators point of view. Don't not separate the pros from the sportsmen one supports the other if the hra's would do it properly. First move everything back to 1/4 mile that is the true sport. Make the fuel cars simple to give the independent race a shot. One fuel pump and mag that will slow them down and make it safer which can speed up the program. Get back to night time qualifying on sat night, header flames are the coolest thing in motorsports. Chase fans for sportsmen by putting them on tv with a weekly show about sportsmen racing around the country highlighting differnt classes and tracks. Push your stars! You have the touring guys that people can see come to their event and race against the local guys. Fix the horsepower ratings so the older combos have a equal shot against the new cars. Everybody has a favorite regardless of domestic or import and the more combos that show up with a legitimate shot the better. Its about the full show, 10 hours of pure racing with open access to a full car show. Young people love cars we just have to show them our style. Regardless of age there is something cool about a hemi with wheels in the air motor singing chasing down another car.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by 442OLDS

Will friends/family be allowed to pit together at the upcoming CLASSNATIONALS event you are promoting if they don't "arrive together"?

I don't have a problem with people saving one spot. That's quite reasonable. I would prefer not to see one rig roping off half a row, however.

[THE LEGEND]

Do Not seperate Them. Adjustments yes.
1) Sportsman Thursday-Saturday
2) Pros Friday- Sunday with a Friday night session

I miss the days when IHRA had real pros. We would race during the day and see a decent Pro show at night.
I'm planning to race a couple NHRA nationals in 2014 just to be able to see that type of racing again.
Chip

[James L Miller]

I would think starting the Sportsman racers on Wednesday would give another day for one or two more qualifying rounds. I think the final round or two on Sunday should be maintained so some of the fans can see them and give those classes some exposure. From what I've seen over the last 20 years or so at Ennis, most of the typical "fans" leaves the stands after the nitro classes run. I've seen them clear out with Pro Stock coming up. It mystifies me, but that's what I've observed over the years. Maybe that is what NHRA markets the most, or is NHRA just catering to the typical "fan"? Even on the TV coverage, they tend to skip some of PS runs, but they can spend a half an hour letting Force run his mouth endlessly. I'd rather see X/S class runs than watch JF jabber on. Any racing is better than jabbering. The TV people like to see "drama" on these shows. The hot rod car shows are full of drama/BS. I guess it's something they learned in their college drama classes. I've always been attracted to the technology aspect of racing.