IHRA Just Sold

[Gary Smith]

I watched what they did for PBIR after taking over from Sue Moroso. Dezer and Lubeck are car guys with deep pockets, and not afraid to spend money....LOTS of money. Everyone remembers how that place became the laughing stock of facilities, and the new team turned it around. Also, these guys are racer friendly, not just a group of business people. Hoping it's not wishful thinking, but after years being privy-ed of information at that facility, this IS the perfect arsenal of people and cash capable of delivering NHRA a blow of earthquake proportions. Last year I was informed NHRA has a "weak financial pulse" and wouldn't take much to topple them over in a heavy litigation war as they no longer have lucrative growth prospects. I'll guarantee Tom Compton was not prepared for this. With Bruton Smith waiting in the weeds, knowing the hands on reputation Ritenberry possesses, then add in other "strategic" people who've been maneuvering the last couple years, this could get interesting quick. FYI I read where Ritenberry mentions adding PBIR back to the NitroJam schedule, most likely next year. My fingers are crossed this is the much needed shakeup for the sport.

[chevy620]

I agree. With some careful planning and support from racers who are always complaining about the NHRA "enhancements"..it might be time to "put up or shut up".

The next few weeks will be interesting as their plans are announced.

I hope they make the moves to grab the Sportsman racers.

Jok

[69Cobra]

Originally Posted by gary smith

i watched what they did for pbir after taking over from sue moroso. Dezer and lubeck are car guys with deep pockets, and not afraid to spend money....lots of money. Everyone remembers how that place became the laughing stock of facilities, and the new team turned it around. Also, these guys are racer friendly, not just a group of business people. Hoping it's not wishful thinking, but after years being privy-ed of information at that facility, this is the perfect arsenal of people and cash capable of delivering nhra a blow of earthquake proportions. Last year i was informed nhra has a "weak financial pulse" and wouldn't take much to topple them over in a heavy litigation war as they no longer have lucrative growth prospects. I'll guarantee tom compton was not prepared for this. With bruton smith waiting in the weeds, knowing the hands on reputation ritenberry possesses, then add in other "strategic" people who've been maneuvering the last couple years, this could get interesting quick. Fyi i read where ritenberry mentions adding pbir back to the nitrojam schedule, most likely next year. My fingers are crossed this is the much needed shakeup for the sport. :d

x2!!!!

[Run to Rund]

In the southwest, strips are few and far between, especially with the problems at Phoenix and in California. Vegas is big into the Nationals and NASCAR, and the other events get what is left over as an afterthought. I'd like to see IHRA get involved somehow.

[Mike Keener]

Larry...You are right! It would be a blast to run with the old rules again, and yes-we would definitely race!

Dana...Thanks for the kind words and if Team Checkmate is to blame for your addition we are proud to have been the reason!

Jimmy C...How are ya man!!? Merc is doing great! Still plugging away, and we are currently working on aluminum and iron headed versions of the 396/375.

Dick...The original weight break was 8.25 pounds per NHRA HP rating. If the class were revived I think the fair thing to do is level the HP ratings where there are different ratings for the same engine,

For example In cases like the 396/375 there are various HP ratings depending on the class, cylinder head, transmission choice, etc. My thought would be to add all the ratings together and divide them so you would only have one rating for Top Stock. In this case there would only be one rating for all aluminum headed engines, and one for iron heads.

Regardless I wish the best to the new owners of IHRA as well as all of the support staff!

MK

[Mike Pearson]

This group has done a great job with the facilities at PBIR. The potential problem is the do not have a nitro jam or pro am at their track. I don't think Feld pulled the plug on their events. I think the management dropped these events due to lack of support. I could see the potential for ths group to go in a different direction due to the lack of support from the existing sportsman classes. I would not be suprisef to see them go in a direction like ADRL and drop the existing class structure with the exception of top sportsman and dragsters. The program at their track in south fla is a bracket race facility with a few other big money non class events like the 5 day bracket deal. Let's hope they want the stock, Super Stock and HR,SR and QR in the future of their program.
Just an observation on my part as I have run most every class event run ther since the remodel of the facility.

[randy wilson]

Maybe they will bring back modified. Come on, someone had to say it.

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by randy wilson

maybe they will bring back modified. Come on, someone had to say it.

Modified Production

It always had an attractive Marketing ring to it...!!

[Michael Kilduff]

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

Modified Production

It always had an attractive Marketing ring to it...!!

The IHRA does have classes in Super Stock that are probably the closest thing today to Modified Production.....the current classes are 'Super Stock Production' and I'm glad to say we have quite a few racers that run these classes in the Carolinas. Some classes are single carb 4 barrel and some are single carb 2 barrel.

Jimmy Flynt w 66 Chevy 2 327 4-speed, Mike Boyles (sp?) with a '57 chevy wagon 283 4-speed , Gil Carty with a Chevy 2, James Stoneman with a sbc 4-speed 68 Chevy 2, Mark Young old and new Mustang,are just a few SS/Production racers and many of them are manual transmission cars. I think a member here by the name of Jim Reynolds runs a SS/PAA '57 Chevy and a '60 Vette.

There is probably some video action of these cars on Youtube if ya search for 'em

Okay...I couldn't resist....here is Boyles in his Good Ol' Charlie Brown '57 wagon way back in 1993....car is raced in the same configuration today iirc.

*look at the fans in the stands...packed to the hilt and all are on their feet*

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQxvKFQMKw0"]MIKE BOYLES 57 CHEVY WAGON - YouTube[/ame]

[TOM KASCH]

http://www.ihra.com/News/2013/01/29/1/