Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Are you aware that 65 cars is a 7 round race? And that is before any provisional entries get in.

At this year's Gators in Super Stock, the 5th round loser gets $500 and 6th round loser gets $650. Do you honestly think that the primary motivation of cutting quota from 80 to 60 is to avoid paying two guys an extra $150 each? The Winner and R/U purses do not change.

If we assume NHRA is being honest about the insurance charge and the entry is $210, they are choosing to give up $4200 in entries to save that $300 to the semifinalists plus a couple more cars in the earlier rounds?

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

They can't load the schedule. There has to be the ability to get the TV stuff done on time AND get the race completed. They probably make that $4200 up, and a lot more, playing ads on the jumbotron during down time/track prep. 20 years ago, that entry ($245 IIRC) got me and another person in. Likely a case of oil, brake clean, deals from people on the Midway, maybe some other swag. $15k+ if the car was stickered half decent. And 650 to lose 6th round IIRC. God only knows how much less a competitive car cost to build and maintain, and the tow rig and travel cost.

Back then, the purse was relevant. Now, it's so insignificant, most people don't even pay attention or know what it is. Unless you go to the final, it's just grocery money for the weekend. Just another detail that's no longer published in the Dragster.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

as I stated in my 1st reply in Billy's thread that lead to this thread and a few others...

and this...

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

An idea for grade points for national events in home division. So your 2nd in division divisional you attend you get 2 grade points, so 2 events, 3 grade points, your 3rd in division event you get 2 more points, so 3 divisionals ls 5 grade points and 4 divisionals is 7 grade points. And no withdrawals if you enter and do not show up for national event.
This would give the in division racers a better opportunity to participate at their local national event.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Contingency, I believe one of the reasons some of this has gone away is it has moved to other series. In the 80's you had NHRA, IHRA, AHRA and only a few others.
Now you have NMCA, NMRA, PDRA that all pay contingencies. Ducks races payouts are partially funded by sponsors.

At Cecil county street car races which occur once a month april till november, Strange and others put up money to increase the race purses and a end of season champion bonus.
So there are more places to race and the money is getting is spreading out across these series.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Please stop comparing what we do to ghetto racing.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Are you referring to my post above your comment? If so you may want to reread my post. It has nothing to do with your so called Ghetto Racing. The point of my comment is that contingency has gone to other places away from NHRA

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Pretty sure if Duck put on more than a couple races a year the sponsors and fans would leave too.

I've said for years that the NHRA has way too many national events. Time to start cutting them back.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Ok, here goes

Payouts seem to be a big issue so

Get all entries to pony up $25 cash, place in jug, jar, hat.
End of race hand to winner! Extra 1250-1500 per race based on 60 - 65 cars.
You want more try and wager on each round!
Ex. I get x second rd. X I got 50 on me!?!?! They take it or leave it!

Laugh at it, say it’s childish but part of the allure of the street thing is the money!

Same thing for class, u all want money to go up, then lay it out there!
Ex. A/sa at Indy! (Great job by all)

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

A/SA at Indy???? Don’t you mean the annual Steveie Wann Charity Fund???😂😂

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Yes Steve has been very fortunate but all could lay it out there.
Mark your in AA so let’s say each laid out 100
5 cars nets 500! Not sure about everyone but 500
Is $500.
We wanna fix payout it’s on us!

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

So you want to keep paying more to NHRA and get less??? and self fund the pay out, why does this seem wrong, or am I missing something.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

only to those that never get far enough to get paid:rolleyes: but I like it, "Calcutta" entries have been happening for decades in bracket racing. I'm betting you start this at divisionals and you'll quickly find out just how many think they have the skills to win the event.;)

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

I totally agree on this no need for 24 races or at least not visit the same track twice

I do think they need to add a radial tire class that seems to be popular. Look at Duck's Lights out 10 !

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Hey Bruce.....did we ever locate an advocate??

" Thanks in advance for any and all responsible responses"

RJ

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

The 1 big issue with running radial cars is they use a different track prep than other classes. They use more glue than Uncle Wally does for T/F. If the track is sketchy all you see is a bunch of tire smoke and wall polishing.

And the big issue at national events is still time and the tv schedule.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

I meant towing... Working is one thing, you have to go to work, and I doubt you take your rig to the city everyday.. It normally takes me 3 hours with the trailer just to get to the Verrazzano Bridge from Oceanside (29 Miles).. lol Used to take me almost 4 hours to get to Englishtown on a Thursday.. and that was only 65 miles.. so I feel your pain, but in a different way.[/QUOTE]

Seriously? Three hours to tow 30 miles? I would move or quit. Unless I knew I would be in the final round of each race I went to, I would find another hobby/sport if I had to do that. Keep at it man, not many would.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

RJ, you know how things work here.

Some of the posts have been helpful. I have been discussing some of these issues with a potential advocate. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Bruce -
If it were possible, it would be good to have someone to be an advocate and at the same time to be a source to know what is being discussed at NHRA for the future of Stock/Super Stock racing. At this time, NHRA is the only support that keeps this venue alive. I'm sure a lot of that is because of the continuing support of racers who grew up during the hey-day of S/SS racing and want to continue that. Realistically, the type and structure of the racing that we knew will not continue in perpetuity and certainly cannot be recreated in the current world. And that generation of racers is not immortal nor is the inventory of cars found in the Class Guides growing. In these economic times, it will probably take outside support to be able to grow a stock-bodied racing program, as we have seen with the FSS cars. A mass of individuals participating will not happen again as what established S/SS racing in the 60s and 70s. So, hopefully NHRA is doing some future planning that would be looking for sportsman level participation that will continue to generate the loyalty, excitement and participation that S/SS racing has enjoyed for the past 50 years. We would benefit from those discussions, evaluation and planning.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Well, I almost hate to restart this thread, but it appears that Charles Myers is no longer with NHRA. Here is a post from his Facebook page from earlier today: "Today it was officially announced that I will be taking over as the Irwindale Dragstrip Manager and NASCAR Technical Director! I am so grateful for the opportunities and memories that the NHRA has given me over the past year. However, at this point in my career, I felt it was best to step away from the sanctioning body and return to my “roots” at the race track level. I am very excited about the future at Irwindale Dragstrip and having the ability to grow sportsman racing at the grass roots level. This new role will allow me to address some of the ongoing issues and make an impact in the racing community. I look forward to seeing all of my NHRA family at a couple of stops along the tour and hope that you will stay in touch!"

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

The advocate cannot work for NHRA to do any good


RON

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Appreciate the effort Bruce, a big undertaking to say the least.
More power to ya!!
Dwight great input and hope that other concerned Racers can add something positive with making S/SS feasible to NHRA again.

RJ

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Dwight,

I agree with all of your points. We, the old guys, are slowly going away and NHRA must make plans for the future. But I don't think NHRA has to speedup our departure. It would be healthy for both the Sportsman Racers and NHRA if we had a way to communicate with NHRA executives in a meaningful way. I believe that would require a major reset in relations between the Sportsman Racers and NHRA. And NHRA would have to reverse at least some of it's plans to reduce our presence at National Events. It will take at least one major Sponsor, as an advocate, to make things happen.

Most of us know enough about how we got where we are today and most of us know the futility in trying to express our concerns directly to NHRA. That is why I think it would be very beneficial for the Sportsman Racers if we could win the support of companies that pay NHRA large sums of money. Time after time we have seen what can happen when executives from large companies want to champion a cause. Especially when it directly effects their investments. Sure not all the major sponsors will be moved by our concerns but we may find enough support to make a few beneficial changes for all the Sportsman Racers.

I'm not opposed to contacting all the major sponsors to ask for support. I'm communicating with one now to determine it's interest. You never know what can happen until you try.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Thanks Bruce for your effort trying to get NHRA to get the rocks out of their high paid noggins. I bailed out in 2010 mostly because I didn't like the direction NHRA was going. I think I still had it in me to do some damage on the track.They really took the wind out of my sails. It's probably to late for me to return, both financially and physically ( I'll be 74 in April) but maybe our type of racing can be at least can be prolonged a bit more down the road. Again thanks for your effort trying to keep S/SS a viable outlet.
I really miss the guys and ladies I had the privilege to race against and just hang out with.

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

I received an E-mail response form Dave Mohn, concerning qualifying off of the index in S/SS and Comp.:

Hi Mike,
Sorry for the delay in response to your request below.

Several years ago, your suggestion was utilized in a few Divisions at the Lucas oil Drag Racing Series Events. The practice was discontinued due to a number of factors such as racers changing classes from race to race, and tech cards not being input into the system prior to the racer going down the track, different timing systems utilized at different venues, to name a few.

We will discuss internally over the upcoming season and look into the feasibility of your suggestion.

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you soon!
From: David Mohn <DMohn@nhra.com

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

Audience for one. I've seen more spectators at 4 yr old T-ball games than during sportsman runs at any national and/or LODRS event. It's no secret that fans equate to new blood. S & S/S have become too technical to attract the masses. And despite the drop in automotive enthusiasm, the new fans look to the outlaw stuff (Lights Out, No Prep etc. big dollar grudge races). There may be new cars in S/SS but the concept is far past dated.

Just my $.02

Re: If an advocate could be found - what would you say?
 

More money was probably spent on promoting the t ball game than on Stock Super Stock.