Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

I think they need the sportsman racers now more than ever. With sponsorship money dwindling up and motorsports in general not as big of a draw as it was 20 years ago they need our money more than ever.

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

Cooter, there is no doubt in my mind that they do! BUT, why do we continue to support an organization whose B-O-D can't relate to what it is that we are doing? To the best of my knowledge (OK,OK, calm down) with Light leaving there is no-one on the Board who has ever raced.
I believe that Compton would have been doing us a favor by separating us into two totally different entities. I think that could have been our golden opportunity.

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

the world changed, our country changed so why is it shocking to some that drag racing has changed. It was always about the Benjamin's. Drag racing nor our country is going back to what it was 10 years ago no mind 50 years ago and that should be obvious to all by now. Motorsports is on life support. Enjoy what time it and you have left and stop complaining.

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

Ed, you must have just read Tony Schumacher's article on Competition Plus.
I can assure you that I have every intention of enjoying every bit of the time that I have left! And just like you, when I'm not racing I enjoy complaining.

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

Billy, I did not and I don't enjoy complaining. I live in the greatest country on earth, I've had a great life because of the opportunities available to all in the country, I've got a great family thanks to my wife of 34 years, I've been racing nearly every weekend from April thru November for almost 3 decades and for the last 13 years with my son thanks to Wally's and Vinny Napp's vision and all those in the NHRA that continue to see it through year after year. It's all good!!

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

Ed, I'm glad that you feel that way. I have always considered myself a very lucky man. I have (pretty much) always done whatever I have wanted to do in a way that I have wanted to do it. I guess that it doesn't get much better than that
I will admit to being envious of you for being able to race with your son and sharing in his victories!

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

But, does anybody else care to comment on this subject? And yes, I know that Racing isn't the same as it was 10 or 50 years ago.
I have just always believed that we (the Sportsmen) have much more to offer than we have ever been given credit for. I also believe that we have never been presented/marketed correctly by the sanctioning body and I believe that is intentional.

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

I like to find a positive in every situation...

So it is encouraging to see the division races getting live streaming coverage that anyone with the internet can watch for free. ( Thanks Warren )

That's a huge plus as this allows people ( that may not know much about class racing ) to get a glimpse of what it's all about.

I'll continue to class race as long as I can and enjoy it :)

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

The value of the sportsman is huge .
1.Over 300 to 500 Sportsman cars in The pits
2.The entry fee paid to NHRA way in advance helps pay payroll
3.The actual Presents of having the amount of Sportsman in the pits to show to fans a happening is going on with the actual amount of race cars there.
4 Can everyone imagine in the pits only 60 to 70 pro cars in the pits how
that would look to Paying specatators who are there for the overall
show ?
5.The amount of money spend for Manufactures products sold to sportsman
6.The amount of NHRA membership fees sent to NHRA
7.The support people at NHRA Corp level would go down in time so some
of the decision makers at NHRA that thinks Sportsman are not needed
would lose their jobs
8.All the Advertising money that companies spend to sell to all people involved
to fans, racers would diminished cause no ROI
9.If sportsman were eliminate from national event s where would the purse come from at that race to pay the Pros?
10.I think that if an accountant at a company would look at where the
money is coming from and knew nothing about classes would say the
3 to 4 million coming in from the sportsman a year is pretty good cash flow
11.Sportsman help create a happening in the pits for sure
12.The sportsman help the flow of a Racing continue in between the pros
runs offering a continuing version of race action all the whole day

Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day.
 

at least half the 12 points below are about the benjamins. Stop complaining about the money, who has it, who gets it, who spends it and focus on the fact that we are all fortunate to be able to do this.