Questions & Answers

[Larry Merk]

Northwest Class Racer (NWCR)

Question: What are the NWCR membership fees?
NWCR annual membership is $150.
NWCR annual “Gold” membership is $250 which includes a special decal for your car indicating your additional commitment to the success of NWCR.
All members receive 2 NWCR T-shirts and 2 NWCR-logo decals.

Question: Where does the money from membership fees and entry fees go?
Membership monies received go toward guaranteeing the races purses. Entry fees go into the purse of the current race (and future races) or to pay minor expenses of the association. Minor expenses include post office box fees, postage, a winner circle NWCR banner, a BIG check for winner circle presentation, and other similar incidentals. Everyone involved in creating, promoting, or running Northwest Class Racers are volunteers doing this to support the future of Class Racing. Nobody receives any compensation for their efforts.

Question: Why can't I just pay the membership fee at the first race I attend?
We are asking everyone to pay in advance so we know the number of T-shirts to make and have them available at the first race. We will accept membership fees at any race, but may not have T-shirts due to limited supplies. Like almost everything these days, there is a lead time to get shirts made and delivered. It also lets us know you are committed to supporting the race series. If the series isn't supported by good car counts, this could be the only year for NWCR.

Question: Can I get an NWCR T-shirt without being a member?
Yes you can, once we have some made. The funds from selling t-shirts go directly into the race purse. Shirts are $25 each. Send a check with the sizes and number of shirts you want to: NWCR, PO Box 1874, Richland, WA 99352.

Question: What car counts are needed for the association to thrive?
We need 32 cars at each race. That may not seem like a lot, but in the past, many non-NHRA races had car counts which fell below that. Do you have two race cars? Support the series by bringing both cars. Have a friend drive one car. Perhaps a racer you know is waiting on parts? Put them in one of your cars. We plan to pay better than an LODRS race, including round money beginning in the second round. Win the first round and you have some money coming.

Question: What happens if car counts generate excess funds?
All monies in excess of the purse are retained by NWCR for future race purses. At the end of the season if there are funds remaining, we will determine whether to pay those monies out as a season championship bonus. If any remaining funds are too low to warrant a championship payout, the monies will be rolled over to race purses for the following season.

Question: Will there be a points series?
We will keep track of points beginning with the first race. Only members earn points. This is another reason to join. We will post the points standings after each race weekend. At the end of the season we will announce any championship payout. Potential for championship payout is dependent upon car counts at the races.

Question: Can't you secure some sponsors to increase the purse?
We would love to! We’re just starting out and realize that we must walk before we can run. There are currently three people working together to start up and run NWCR. As things start rolling we’re working on reaching out to manufacturers and vendors who would benefit from participation in this race series. Can you help? Do you own a business, work for a business, or know of a business that could leverage involvement with NWCR to their benefit? Let us know. Provide a contact name, telephone number, and details about the contact. Product sponsorships are also welcomed as part of the purse and for random drawing awards.

Who are the organizers of Northwest Class Racers (NWCR)?
Steve Teeter - is a current competitor in Stock Eliminator with a 71 Camaro in G/SA. Steve believed opportunities for racing class cars in the Northwest were limited and wanted to organize a race series to fill that void. Steve contacted numerous tracks to arrange dates when NWCR could race. It has not been easy since many tracks had their schedule set by the time Steve contacted them. He was able to secure 3 weekend dates for this year with hopes to expand the series next year.

Larry Merk - raced in Stock and Super Stock many years ago with Cal Method in a 66 Nova (currently restoring the car). Larry does not have a race car but thinks Stock and Super Stock are the most impressive cars in drag racing. He currently goes bracket racing with his son. Steve met Larry at a Yakima combo race in 2021 where Larry was acting as the race director. Steve called later and asked if Larry would help organize and run a class racing group in the Northwest and he agreed.

Kathy Haste Poitra - is the daughter of Cal & Mary Ann Method. She races in Stock and Super Stock and has been going to the races her entire life. She was happy to join the team and manage the NWCR Facebook page.

Chris Barnes - has a Max Wedge wagon ("Wagons of Steel") that he races on occasion in Stock Eliminator. Chris is supporting NWCR by printing our T-shirts, with the proceeds going directly into the race purse.

Post your questions here, on our Facebook page: Northwest Class Racers, or via email to nwcrassn@gmail.com.