Pro Sportsman Racers

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by chevy620

I think getting a Points system and National Championship program to a place that offers the guys who have families, good jobs and limited time off from work a shot at a National Championship by not having to travel the Country is the kind of plan that would grow Sportsman Racing at the "participation level" and the enthusiasm level.

IHRA's been doing it since 2009. You could run the entire series and win the World Championship in five weekends.


While it's what I would call a good part time job, I can't race for a living. Granted, I couldn't make a living *without* racing, either. I run my own graphic design and printing business, solely focused on drag racers, tracks, and promoters -- so one is tied to the other. I've had a few good years where I could get by on racing, but it's not something you want to bet on.

[Andys dad]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

IHRA's been doing it since 2009. You could run the entire series and win the World Championship in five weekends.


While it's what I would call a good part time job, I can't race for a living. Granted, I couldn't make a living *without* racing, either. I run my own graphic design and printing business, solely focused on drag racers, tracks, and promoters -- so one is tied to the other. I've had a few good years where I could get by on racing, but it's not something you want to bet on.

IMHO

I think a simple solution would be to limit the championship points to the 3 national and 5 divisional races we are allowed to count.

No national after the third national event would count for championship points - and no divisional after the fifth divisional event would count for the championship points.

Win all of the money you want after you have completed those.

There it is ...

But I am sure there are many on here who will explain why that would never work.

It would not deprive the Pro Sportsman of race winning income but would allow those of us less fortunate in terms of work commitment and cash flow to give the championship a shot.


Ron

[Ken Miele]

Ron,

I'm a little perplexed, why do you feel there is a problem? Because of one article written by an online magazine that has issues with everything NHRA does. The article is creating an issue that does not exist.

Its called a National Championship, you should have to travel and run other racers across the country. The current system works just fine, and to suggest it does not only shows how self serving this created issue is.

Bill Grubbs was right, how about we all win just for showing up.... God helps us.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by chevy620

Hey guys I didn't just throw out a "problem" without solutions or at least some ideas for solutions.
The follow-up article will outline several ideas of ways that will offer Divisional racers a much more level playing field chance to actually have a chance at a national Championship without travelling all over the Country or having to have two or three cars to increase your chances of a payday.
The primary idea of this article is not to tear down people but to figure out and look for better ideas on increasing participation in NHRA and IHRA Sportsman categories.
The ideas I have are not new, at least I hope they aren't, but they have been run over by stacker trailers full of Sportsman cars so one driver can run three classes at a race. I know there is no rule against it because NHRA/IHRA needs every entry fee they can get. But does that make it the right way to approach it?

I do feel I am being pulled in two directions on this but the reasoning behind Editorials is to make people think and step back and see if an idea out of the ordinary might be a new way to approach things.

The new issue of ETDragRacing comes out the 22nd, the different ideas I have and those of others will be shared at that time.

Until then, you know how it works and if you are happy about the current program what I have to say about doesn't matter. I have participated in this sport at levels most of you cannot; as track owner, manager and having raced in every category but S/Stock I am not "blowing smoke" or "whining". I am concerned it is headed the wrong way; some agree and some don't... that is how Freedom works, we all have and get to express our opinion.

I think some of you will like the ideas I have about a true National Championship plan.

Thanks and good luck to you guys who are still racing this year,

Jok

I've always felt the problem with the "Touring Pro's" concept is not the racers but the foundation upon which they can race and pick the events where they obtained the most points and ad them to the points tally.
The fact they can run from one event to the other across the country, throw out the not so good and keep the best towards the championship is the real advantage. Those that do not have the lifestyle that allows them to race all year and be away from home / school / family (or whatever) can almost never succeed against the driver that has the ability to travel all year.
The non Pro Sportsman has a limited amount of races he / she can attend and if he wins half of them and looses half of them, it wont go well against the Pro Sportsman that can go to 3x as many races; when his average rounds won is exceedingly higher when you can throw away the races that you lost first or second round.
The solution? You claim a race as you enter it. Not after the fact. That goes against the allotted Divisional & National events your entitled to run towards the championship. I understand that was once the way it was done. Under this proposal hitting every race in the country is no longer an advantage (other than potential win money), and a non-touring sportsman is on equal footing against the Pro Sportsman.
Additionally, there should be points given to top qualifiers (top 10?) as well as national records set. That gives a reward for your efforts and could upset the balance at the end of the year. These are supposed to be "performance based classes" so reward those that do.
There, I've offered my opinion and possible solutions.

[D.Johns]

Someone will always have an advantage period. Someone will be better, smarter, more skilled, more money, more time, better resources. That is just the way it is.

Stop trying to penalize the people that are where you want to be and figure out how to get to the place you want to be yourself.

[Dan Fletcher]

Not that I really care, but your position on the points things is not correct even a little bit, IMHO. How do I get to pick and choose? It's totally to the contrary. I go to about 18 nationals, and the only picking and choosing is for the sake of family and travel logistics. I get points at my best 3 out of the first 6, period. What selection process is involved there? Pomona, Phoenix, Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Topeka and done earning points by the end of May.

When I shut this deal down in a few years, it will be pretty much the same thing. I'll go to around 6 nats a year and get points at my best 3, although, frankly, I may be able to pick and choose a little more readily in that situation than I can now. I might skip a potential 6th race to take it somewhere else. Currently, that is not an option.

[Ken Miele]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

Those that do not have the lifestyle that allows them to race all year and be away from home / school / family (or whatever) can almost never succeed against the driver that has the ability to travel all year.

Jeff,

Your kidding right? Do you actually believe what you just said. How self serving can you be, should we not reward people for success. I was wonder when you were going to jump in with your out come based diatribe. In your thinking... we should win for just showing up, after all we can only go to a few races a year, and we work so hard, its just not fair.

I guess you just blew over my post, but I will say it again, it’s a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP !! You already have a local Championship, its called the Division Champion. I guess you want that changed too. So in your convoluted thinking you want the first 3 national races to determine the national championship correct, and that makes it fair. So if someone goes to their first three and its only a 6 round race, its okay with you that they get the same win points as a 7 round race. See, you can find issues in any points system, and to suggest something different points out your self interest and not what's best for racing as a whole.

So let me get this straight Jeff, you want to penalize the racers that are successful and help the ones that are not.... now where have I heard that before.

[tim worner]

Maybe the successfull racers can give the less successfull ones some of their points. Sounds like the federal government has stepped in!

[mannymen]

My personal opinion is that Mile High is helping push the website for Jok. Their marketing is working apparently by the number of response. I have never even heard of this website/magazine and don't even remember the name.

[Ken Miele]

mannymen, your are most likely correct, but that's the nature of the internet. After a few weeks this thread will die down along with the traffic to their site.