Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

for nastalgia superstock bring back the old c/sm class and have them run a spec head like brodix makes for all 3 car co. keep it cheap, no porting, manual cluth assisted 5 speeds only for crowd appeal.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Aaron Polburn and Skooter Peaco....It hasnt been the same since these two came in. Just my opinion

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Make Hank Blankinship national tech director and can Baker.....lol.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

It's very simple.When I go to the races, I want to race. Not sit and sunburn. I don't want to invest $200k on a place to sit because we are not racing. Give me some runs and I will race more. Three days off work and two or three runs is way out of line. First rounds in front of a Friday crowd does not entice me. I don't mind paying to play, but we're really not playing that much anymore.

I understand why NHRA wants to sign up more cars per event. However, the advertising messages are being diluted by too many competing companies as a result of the massive amount of cars at each event. Subsequently, there is less perceived value for current and prospective event and team sponsors. I hope the pendulum is about to swing the other way.

Anyone ever wonder how a bass tournament winner can win so much more than us? I genuinely do not know the answer, but it is worth a discussion.

Mike
Forgive the thread hijack...thought it was an NHRA question...sorry

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I would change the schedule!!! Put the President's Cup back to September!! Quit scheduling their races on top of close NHRA races!! Once you start doing that you may see higher car counts!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

It's 5:40 pm on Sunday and still no first round of Super Stock??? I know it rained Friday and Saturday but?????

IHRA has too many classes at National Events! And then add in the Super Summit Series and it makes for a very long day on Sunday! Either they need to have 4 day events or eliminate some classes at nationals!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I am with you Bryan. Especially at the events where they have something extra like the SSS, or Moser Axle Mania, etc. They need to add another day to the event. It looks like Top Sportsman is the only "sportsman" class that has made their first round runs.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

All I've ever read was that IHRA was "sportsman's best friend". What's going on at Rockingham? What a joke, they could have easily ran at least 1 round of Stk, SS, SG, etc., instead of all the other BS.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

smells like Norwalk in '06.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

The only sportsman classes that ran first round today were Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Hot Rod.

Stock is first out 9AM Monday morning for first round...

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Adding another day to National events: Bad idea
Eliminating classes at national events: Bad idea
We're not trying to turn it into the NHRA, where you have to use a years worth of vacation to attend a single national event, then, the next year can't attend!! The SSS is a total of 16 cars!!! Mother nature has been a bitch this season for the IHRA. Add to that the unbelievable amount of downtime for the pro classes and yes, IHRA has an issue. How do you fix it? Who knows, but I don't think it has anything to do with getting rid of Aaron and Skooter. My .02

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

does anybody realize we lost a complete day with rain...on top of the cold temps at night not allowing runs? I think that the decision could have easily been made to only give one time run/qualifying attempt but for the "racers" Skooter decided not to do that and to do what it took to give everyone a second qualifying/time run shot.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

it started raining at 3 o'clock or so on Friday during p/s....never got back on the track racing....saturday morning the track crew was there at 5:00 a.m. and it was freakin pooring until about 6:30 or so...the jet is not started until the heavy water is off the track b/c all it will do is move the puddles from place to place....we tried like he** to get this thing in and I know you came along ways i hope you had a good time despite the delays... hopefully you will give us another try cause we would love to have you, i'll be at the head of staging smiling so please intro yourself sometime.

Again, thanks for coming and sorry for the delays

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

If a sponsor isn't found, there will be one less class next season - nitro funny car!

I feel bad for anyone who can't race. But that should be a little consolation towards the time issues next year.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

One solution to the money problem for Nitro cars & Too many sportsman classes(sportsmen not getting enough runs) would be take all the sponsor money that is gathered & used to clutter the track with all these Shootouts & pay for the Nitro class. The spectators don't understand the shootouts & they only help the touring or Pro/Semi Pro Sportsman racers. Let's face it they just get in the way & take up time. Why not Give the money these sponsors spend on shootouts back to the little guy in the form of expanded purses. Get back to the grassroots that supported IHRA. Oh yea, Didn't they do away with Modified because of too many classes? Now they don't have time for the other classes with all the "Special "races inside a race. Go figure.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Bob,

I understand that your idea could be an option. But these shootouts are a method of marketing for the companies that step-up and sponsor them. Basically, they get a whole season of special attention at the races, decals, ads, headers in the points standings charts, etc. It also encourages racers to buy their products to be able to participate in them. (i.e.: Moser) . After Summit stepped up for the Sportsman All-Stars, they did not require any special product purchases and opened it up for more racers to qualify. So basically, their title-rights get them a lot more exposure than they would get otherwise. They already spread some of their money around through their contingency program. Of course, they could have title-rights to the classes when they are announced, like Mr. Gasket did, i.e.: Accell Super Stock, Hays Stock, etc. But it's up to their marketing department to determine what will give them the most "bang-for-the-buc".

Personally, I think the attention the Moser Shootout gets from its huge purse is quite significant, from racers as well as spectators. It may work the same way as "Deal or No Deal". The huge audience seems to be attracted to the show to see an average person win a huge amount of money, with some drama thrown in. Same with the Moser Shootout. $22,500 is a lot in anybodies book and there is an interest to see what "little guy" sportsman will win it. Their market would seem to be more with the participants rather than the spectators. But, again, it's their marketing department that determines what to do and where. They went to using divisional points ONLY this year so more racers outside of the "touring pros" could qualify.

The Summit Shootout puts the qualified racers in front of spectators which appear to be a much bigger market than Moser would get. $5k isn't anything to sneeze at either. Just signing up and displaying decals gives you a chance to qualify. This and the Moser deal also helps educate spectators to the sportsman classes and handicap racing. It's a perfect opportunity because the shootouts are normally mixed in with the Pro's. This is one way sportsman racers can get some attention and credibility.

The Summit ET Super Series puts local racers on a national event stage and more exposure for Summit. Remember your roots. Wouldn't it have been cool to be able to qualify for something like that by just racing at your local track back in the '60's or '70's? Not sure about IHRA, but NHRA offered the ET racer their first shot at a World Champioship in 1980. I was fortunate enough to win my division in Pro ET and traveled to Ontario, CA with 2 other winners representing Orlando Speed World also. We didn't get much money, didn't get anywhere near the exposure and I got hassled in tech after passing everywhere else. I redlighted in the first round, but it was an unforgetful experience. Opportunities like that sell parts, which is why Summit sponsors it.

It's all boils down to marketing. Despite racing at all my possible claim races, I certainly don't consider myself a pro/semi-pro sportsman racer. But I'm grateful for the shootouts because it can help racers, including me, by just qualifying. If I can't win back at least 50% of what I spend, I won't be able to race, and I'm very budget-minded. So I hope that Moser and Summit (presented by Mr. Gasket) find it feasible to continue their programs. I'm sure there are other ways to get the race in more efficiently, weather permitting.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

You can howl atr the moon till your nuts fall off and nothing will change for the good for us sportsmen racers.Just read the article in DRM with Feld and it seems he's wetting his pants over the monster truck series.He said there's international interest(as in eorope,asia)in a series like that.Then he says he doesn't know how much international
interest drag racing would have.I guess he doesn't know about the racing in many european countries,the caribean and the near east.The guy is totally clueless about our sport.But he said he would form an opinion after being at the Rock this past weekend.I wonder what effect the rain had on him.All the other events are pretty much unaffected by rain.Just a dumb old drag racers thoughts.

Ed F.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

STOTT LEAVING IHRA
Written by Bobby Bennett; Photo by Roger Richards
Monday, 20 October 2008
Quain Stott has come a long way in IHRA competition. From his humble beginnings of racing on a shoestring budget to making the most of a modest one, the Inman, S.C.-based driver scored a world championship in 2006 and picked up nine national event victories in 14 finals.

After entering his 144th consecutive event at Rockingham, N.C., Stott says he's made a tough decision regarding his future. He’s walking away from the series in 2009, at least in terms of chasing a championship.

Stott says the troubled U.S. economy didn’t make the decision. He’s adamant that customer service or lack thereof from the sanctioning body did. He’s under the impression his comments won’t be taken seriously.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

You left out a very important sentence.He complained that the pros have to actually PAY an entry fee to race.My heart bleeds for them.I guess that must cut into their beer money.

Ed F.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

If every racer quits racing that has said he was going to NEVER go back really does our sport would have been gone long ago. Ive had over 15 racers tell me int he past 18 month they will never be back to Piedmont. guess what,,,,,,,,,all have been back. We all lash out when we are pissed off. I just wish some of these racers who make these comments would really quit.

Herb jr

What would U change @ IHRA
 

Here is an Idea.
There are several Eliminators
Market one Eliminator to ONE Track.
Spread them out.
One Eliminator Meet at ONE track.
ON the same Weekend
Spread out over several tracks.
Maybe have two Eliminator at one track.
But you get my idea.

Have One Big
Stock
Super Stock
Modified
Competition
ET, .x90 races.
Pro Classes at another.
More time for each class
Each class has a different unique draw and inspection routine.
Make and market each Eliminiator as special as the Pro Categories.

Each Class can be Marketed for that Track.
Make it a big deal rolling the Divisional and Points meets from one track to another.
If more business is brought to a smaller track they can afford upgrades the following year.

Being a ole' Stockers guy myself.
Advertise the old Jr Stock mysteries...Increase incentives.
Turnout would be large enough that Class Run Offs could be a major thing again.
Each class would being in a different set of fans.
Instead of a grinding hurry up and wait 3 -4 day Meet.
Now it is a better paced 2 day Meet.

The advantages would be a in National in scope but more manageable.
Make them each Eliminator special to the fans.
More runs, more bragging, more run offs, Class Records.
Make a big Deal out of it.

Think BIG.

Have the IHRA Media post the races results in the NYT, WPost, Sun, USA Today
With a small blurb to describe the event.
Build the volume of fans and attendee's

If you can reduce the time, costs and increase the fun factor.
You can suck the business away from NHRA.
AND get home for work Monday morning..

Dan Fahey
(my old nick name was "Mr. Flat Tow". Because that is how I got to the track with my car.)

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Lots of great ideas but in the end the sportsmen got F'ed.The theory is the pros put people in the seats.That is probably true but there is a way to make all of this better.First as they did in Epping run the sportsmen after the pros at night especially when you know it is going to rain the next day..Take advantage of the weather every time you can.Especially if they are right and the fans don't care about sportsmen no reason not to run them as long as you can after the pros at night it would just be a bonus for the fans who stayed.
Next cut out all the side show crap.Run your jet truck or school bus but that is it one of those not the whole dog and pony show.
Next bring back TOP Stock and run it with the pros.People like to see real cars do big wheelstands probably more than a jet motorcycle(although that guy was nuts)
I agree start friday and have one time shot saturday morning for those who come late.
Try to find a big track.We lost Virginia and Norwalk and they were great.Too bad the tracks are not neutral and open to both sanctioning bodies.So you could run IHRA ans NHRA at Norwalk or anywhere else for that matter in the same year.
As far as Scooter,Baker,Aaron I don't have any beef with them they are doing the best they can with what they have and what we are facing.Fuel and the **** economy has hurt all tracks on both sides of the isle.From what I saw happened to BO it does not look like it is much fun to race NHRA,its like being in catholic school every time you turn around somebody is slapping your hand or paddling your *** or telling you how to live or run your life.Who needs that ****.I go to the races to race my car and hang with my family and friends and have fun.My biggest beef is wasting time by not racing the sportsmen after the pros.
Shoot out races are great for the shooters but frankly I dont think the fans give a **** about those either.Fans want to see speed,crashes, and wheelstands and that is the truth face it.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I can tell you one thing that fans and racers are tired of seeing................Pro's oiling down the track. I think it is as simple as that. Until someone can find a way to cover the race tracks and pits to eliminate rain delays, the next best time saver would be to cut back on oil downs. I am not sure how to go about that, maybe giving some sort of penalty to repeat offenders to start.
Rockingham was a real disappointment. It only rained from 3 pm Friday until about 1 am Saturday. That is something that usually happens at 3 day races. It should have been able to be absorbed, but it couldn't because of all of the oil downs and all of the cars that had to be run down the track. I don't know what the best answer is, but something has got to change. If it doesn't, I know a few people including myself that will be doing something different next year.


Jeff Day
#3731

PS...Kudo's to Hank and company for lobbying for the stockers not to go down the slick Sunday night track. I think that most of us were not all that disappointed to have put them away for the evening.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

i hope mr feld was paying attention at rockingham after the last promods ran on sat night the stands almost emptied i was kind of suprised but after watching several runs of the shake and bake crowd i too left the stands who wants to sit in the stands and watch the cleanup equipment make laps? being a long time sportsman fan and racer i was dissipointed also that when i got there at 10.45 am the sportsman cars were done they ran the pros and i did not see any other sportsman runs except the sss cars make 1 run, just a bad show for me even though i did get to hang with some of my buds in the pits oh well maybe next year will be better signed,Steve Wilson

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Jeff,
It rained Saturday morning around 5:00 a.m.
Paul,
That time of year it's hard to run after the pro's. I have been down that track more than most of ya'll have been down every track. When it's damp and cold it gets slick.

I think IHRA needs to look at 4 day events at the bigger races: Rockingham-Milan-Martin. Do 1 run Thursday. 1 run Friday a.m. 1st rd friday afternoon. 2 rds on saturday. I talked to Earwood on Tuesday and he was all for it.

The bigger picture:
More Sportsnationals I Like that Idea
More races in the South. I like that one too.
Doubles in ALL divisions. I like that.
All divisions need the same amount of races.
Shootout for the world championship: If that rumor is true I don't like that.
Chip Johnson

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I just reread some of the post. Some of you guys are clueless idiots. How many of you were even racing at Rockingham? How many of you have even raced this year. Give these IHRA guys a break. They work about as hard as anyone can and yall still Bitch about something.
I think the SSS guys had every right in the world to be there. These guys race for years to get a shot at their 10 seconds of glory. It was only 16 cars 3 tt and 3 rds thats a total of 38 runs. Thats less than 1 rd of stock qualifying.
You want to fuss about oildowns what about the stocker that left gear oil from the 60 ft to the et shack and a buddy of mine grenaded a motor in his HR car. Look at the positives No wrecks this year, and we got to race.
Chip Johnson

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I think they (IHRA) did about the best they could have done under the circumstances dealing with the weather. I agree that they should go to 4 days for a race. For a three day race to succeed, everything has to be perfect. IHRA made sure everyone got two time runs and safety was a big concern for all cars. I think that no matter what they would have done, a select few would BITCH. Hope everyone has a good off season and find a few tenths under the tree on Christmas morning. Mike

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

There are 7 sportsman eliminators in IHRA!!! If you are going to run 7 eliminators along with the pro show (4 or 5 classes) at a national event......I don't care where you are.....unless you have 10 cars in each eliminator, you need 4 days to get that race in at a decent hour on Sunday! Not running 1st round until Sunday night is totally unacceptable, rain or no rain! Get your 2 time runs on Thursday, 1 on Friday and run 1st round Friday afternoon! Just think......half the field could be home, or at another race by Saturday!

What is the difference if you take off on Thursday or Monday???? At least you can plan on taking off Thursday in advance! You're still taking another day off! IHRA does not allow for down time at their national events! Every oil down, crash or rain delay sets Sunday's finish time back!

This is not a bust on IHRA, just my reasoning why I would either have the nationals be 4 day events, or cut some eliminators at the Nationals! When the car counts get high, they can't get them all down the track in 3 days! This has been proven time after time!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Bryan,
Were you there NO
In my opinion if you were not there then you don't get a vote.
Chip

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I was there and working everyday and busting my *****. For one thing ,when we call a class to the lanes you should start your way to the lanes ,instead of waiting to here the first car to go down and then coming to the lanes .if you think about it there is a lot of" waisted" time waiting for some of the laid backs to get to lanes before we start .suppose we start running the first pair and at the same time close the lanes for that class .that would be unfair then because we did not wait for you before we start.i cannot help for down time,that at some point and time is going to happen .you do not understand the other side of running and working an event like this . I will invite any one of you to come and hang with me and other offficials when it is time to pair or run cars at these events .it takes both sides to make this work .some things such as oil downs and breakage we cannot help! I am sorry if you do not agree with me ,but sometimes it is hard to get on this site and read all this complaining and a lot from people or racers that do not even go or were not at certain events.we are more racer friendly than you make it out .you just cannot please everyone .sorry for this long letter.it was meant to be shorter than this .everyone have a great off season.hope to see you next year, thanks to those who understand!!!!!!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

DW, Sr.- Great job!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Chip was Rockingham's track champion. He has not been an IHRA Champion since 1988, or 2001 if you want to count Bracket Finals.

SSS cars on Sunday.... 1st round started at 12:47 and ended at 12:55. 2nd round 2:14 to 2:22. 3rd round 4:16 to 4:18. Looks like a total of 18 minutes total track time for them all day on Sunday. Maybe they talked about them for longer. :rolleyes:

We DID finish the race in four days, with all the rain, oildowns, breakage, and cold. Another car had broken a rear end, a Quick Rod car broke, etc... all things you couldn't control.

At the Spring race, the last Sportsman final round was run at 4:10 pm on Sunday, and we had also run the Summit All-Stars (56 cars total) on Saturday, so yes, it most certainly can be done.

We all wish things had gone better, but it didn't work out that way. The hyperbole is unnecessary.

I'd rather plan on getting a race done in 3 days and only have to be gone an extra day under extenuating circumstances, rather then 'have' to take off an extra day for every single event. That costs *everybody* more money -- racers, staff, tracks, and the sanctioning body.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Ya,especially the part where I gave back the finish line by 3 thou in the 3rd round:(

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I say cut sportsman classes back to Stk.,S/S,H/R,S/R,Q/R add back a Modified/Comp. type elim.,Take T/S,T/D, ET.out of Natl's why run bracket cars at national event?Anouncers need to be knowledgable of
Stk.,S/S and explain these cars so their people who don't know will learn.I remember the way it was you
class raced if you wanted to go faster you moved up through them stock to T/AD or bracket raced.To many choices takes car counts down in each class.I like change especially when they change it back to the way I liked to start with.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I think IHRA should give Piedmont Dragway a million dollars. That would be great for the sport of drag racing. Yes, I'm a bit bias.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

If you want more biased I say sticks only minumum RPM rules.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Before I go and say this you guys should know how much I like Stock and Super Stok classes. I would have to say IHRA and maybe NHRA would drop Stock and Super stock way before they would give up T/S or T/D. Theres no rules to speak of except safety. The same goes for the 90 classes. Less paper work, less keeping track of specs, less tech people involved, etc. Just less headaches (HP factors,records, teardowns,fuel check, weight, etc.). All you need is a LARGE WALLET to race in T/D and T/S (Now Im gonna catch it). Face facts.....a large engine in an SFI certified chassis, a license, and a blower or nitrious are all thats needed. $100,000 minmum is the usual cost of a T/S sitting on the starting line ready to run. The spectators like the fast classes, Pro Stock look alike, and there are NO throttle stops, timers and crap like that so its balls out from the get go. If it wasnt for the number of entries that the 90 classes bring in I dont think they would be around because of spectator interest (which is ZERO). Those classes are a racer class. They are just not interesting to the general public going to a race. This is in no way meant to down play any certian class but to give food for thought. Just because one does or does not like a paticular class dosent mean it will be dropped. Its NUMBERS (car count), spectator interest, and $$$$ that gets the racing association interest. Class cars (specs and rules) are becoming extinct little by little. Its a changing market.Thats all I have to say.
You can beat me up now.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

As much as I hate it, you are 100% correct.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I would first fire whoever created their website and then have one a little more user friendly one created. Grrr!! ((trying to find something and can't))

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I think a start would be more National events in the southeast....I remember when there were nationals at Bristol, Darlington, Rockingham, and I think Richmond in the same year. Or, at least 3 of those 4 locations had IHRA Nat'ls in the same year.

I agree with Angela Macy, create a new and better website! And I think the announcing team could do a better job with generating fan interest in the sportsman eliminators.

X-Techman, you make a good point, but I don't think it is a good idea to drop categories just because they are harder to tech and require more effort and manpower (and cost). About 15 years ago IHRA did in fact drop SS eliminator. Can't remember if they dropped stock.

The only IHRA national events I have been to in the last 3 years have been Budds Creek and Rockingham. It looked like there was alot of spectators at all those events. The Rock last week was half empty because of the weather unfortunately.

If you want to invigorate the fans this would be the recipe-

Delete the .90 classes. I know that alot of racers will get torqued up over that, but I can't tell you how many times I hear fans and buddies of mine that bracket race moan and groan about the timers and such. Personally I like watching the .90 classes at the stripe, some great driving down there. But most fans aren't like me.

I would replace the .90 classes with 2 new categories, which would be much more entertaining for the fans and racers alike.

One would be a 10.5 Outlaw type eliminator. It's no secret that several associations run these cars and the tracks are usually packed with fans. Heads up no breakout.

The other would be a Modified class. The rules would be something like this-

Door cars only, small block engine up to 385 CID, 3200 pounds, manual transmission only. Carb is limited to 750 size or smaller-any production cylinder heads. Body and suspension would be just like traditional SS cars now-factory type front suspension. If using a 1955 to 1972 production car it can weigh 3100. All other rules regarding body, electrical, interior, etc would be like SS. Heads up no breakout.

Maybe even call that class Jr. Modified, and have a big block class called Modified with a 470 CID limit and 850 carb, manual trans,....you get the idea.