IHRA and Memphis

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

* Double-header divisional events which includes lower entry fees and less days off from work.

I approached IHRA with the idea for double headers many many years ago, and was told it would never work. Later that year, Ralph Hester at Immokalee had the same idea, and made them try it. They've been boasting that it was their idea ever since.


IHRA has been a death by 1,000 cuts. Some of the decisions may not even register as a big deal, but innumerable decisions throughout the years have added up to where we are now -- decisions by all involved: sanctioning body, racers, sponsors, etc. It was tough even in the best of circumstances. I don't see how it is financially viable to save at this point.

[66chevron]

First and foremost, I love the IHRA format, their racetracks and their personnel. Have supported them for many years. But for reasons I cannot comprehend, IHRA has plain lost competitors. Many to the NHRA. They either need to figure out how to get them back, which is highly unlikely, or grow new participants. I believe there are a fair number of local bracket racers who would compete if entry fees were lower, travel was significantly reduced, and possibly fear of racing against more seasoned competitors was lessened. I think there is a possible solution. Contest the divisional races at many more local tracks, maybe once/month, with track personnel. So IHRA doesn't have to travel a gang to every race, they reduce expenses. The divisionals occur with a high frequency at your local track, so travel is minimized. And since they are in your house the fear of the seasoned traveling racer is reduced. And one more tickler. Run a big money bracket style race in conjunction with these "divisionals." You attract more local racers, plus some that want to travel, plus some racers that chase big money bracket races. And you can have divisional champions and a run for a national champion.

This seems like it could be a win for the IHRA with reduced expenses, a win for the tracks due to increased car counts at IHRA events.

The points structure would need to be re-worked, entry fees and purses will need rework also. But the current structure is not working. Seems like no amount of tweaks will pull in more racers, so something radical needs to be done.

Ron Cannatti

[Dan Fahey]

Mike Beard makes a good point...bleeding from a thousand cuts.
One of the annoying issues with IHRA are the inoperable scales.
Having to use portable unreliable scales.

All the tracks should have professional operating scales.
MIR had operable scales. Keystone that had the portables.
MIR was 25# heavier with same amount of fuel.
At Empire barely made weight despite filling up the fuel tank full.
At MIR would have weighed 120 heavier.

This is one of the things that detracts from otherwise well run races.
I bet NHRA has proper working scales.
Just one small thing that can be corrected..

On a positive note.
Did like the fact Empire improved its rest rooms..very clean.
Guess something happened. Sunday they had portables..

[Dan Fahey]

Another idea...
If NHRA requires four day...IHRA might want to do that too.

Thursday arrive and Tech and night time BBQ.
Maybe a little music entertainment at night.
Some of us are musicians too. Bring the Axes!
Maybe have a car show...we got the right stuff.

Friday and Saturday are Divisional Races.
Sunday the National.
Attend all three races 15 extra points.

Do a good bit of social media to attract the curious!

D

[j gardiner]

Like Michael said death by a thousand cuts. I know people who had gold cards and didn't race with them this year. That's bad when you can race for free and don't go. It's like somebody else said they have lost their mojo, they don't matter anymore. I don't know how they fix it at this point, or if they can.