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