What would U change @ IHRA
 

This is just a question for you guy...now that IHRA has new ownership what changes would you make? The first thing I would do is go back to the $40 a round win @ the Div. races...what would you guys like to see changed?

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

$150.00 national events again. also Duane Eiskant. my .02

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Rd. Money,entry fees, ladder in the rod classes, starting with 2nd rd like it used to be at nats but also do it at divisionals.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

recruit a flagship track to hold an event at that more competitors can get to within a more reasonable driving distance.

go to Friday and Saturday doubles instead of Sat/Sun

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I agree with the flagship track...@ 1 time everybody in IHRA all they talked about was Norwalk! Rockingham & Martin are good tracks but not Flagship tracks. Thanks for the thoughts guys

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I wish there were more tracks in the south!!!



Stephen Johnson #2162
Horace Johnson #22167
SS/D 427 Ford Fairlane NHRA-IHRA

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Fire Scooter Peaco!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

x2

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Keep it positive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This could be good for all the HRA.
Rd money is fine.
EF is in line.
I like the Friday/Saturday idea.
Definately need another Natinal in the south.
Chip Johnson
Sr2924
Hr 924

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Just curious Chris and Chip, why would you like to see Friday and Saturday divisionals?


My ideas........how about more sportsman only nationals for one......also, I really think that they need to raise the payout a little, top to bottom...........my .02


Jeff Day
#3731

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Go back to a Sunday morning time trial at single races. I know Beard doesn't need any time trials but the rest of us do.(LOL). Mike

P.S. See you DUCK at THE ROCK!

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Make their own rules/factors etc. Try to get CLOSE on factors based on real world (every pass) performance. Basically run it as an entirely new sanctioning body and recruit your own members based on your services. ..............Wait: sorry for rambling........that kind of an idea might make money and kill the tax write off.

Treat your member tracks like they are part of your business and not a necessary evil. This also might help raise the "fun factor" at certain races.

Re-designate the divisions so that you don't have as many 8-10 hr. one way divisionals.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Make more time in the schedule for more tear downs (inspections) with a competent tech crew. Weed out the bogus crap. Start fresh with a new tech crew starting at the top.....lol.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Jeff,
You can have Sunday for a rain date or travel day so you can work Monday. It's easier for me to take off Friday than Monday.
I agree with more sportsnationals I was told once that it cost $50,000 to put on one of those races and without sponsors it could'nt happen.


Mike,
I agree with your post thats why I like the doubles, you get a run on Sunday. Whats not fair is some races you get a run on Sunday and some you don't. Some divisions you have 8 races and some only 5.
I think the divisions need to be more uniform. Some divisions have a bigger advantage when going for a World Championship. We are rethinking our schedule for next year.
RACE SMARTER NOT HARDER.
Chip

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

at the doubles, they get in too big a hurry on Sunday. They rush through the time trials and race because everyone is thinking about getting home and what they have to do for the week.

By having the races on Fri/Sat, you spend all week getting pumped up about the races and are really ready to go. Then you can have the option to head home sat night, or stay till sun morning and get and take a relaxed trip home. Like Chip said, it also leaves you a rain date. The track could also have a free or low cost bracket race for those that choose to stay on Sunday as well as for the locals if they want to bring their cars.

At the single races, they do need a time trial Sunday, but that goes back to my original arguement about getting in a hurry on Sunday.

I think they also have an emerging market at Pittsburgh Raceway Park, but I would like to see that divisional or sportsnational moved to October. The weekend before the Dutch Classis would seem to be ideal. They need to get the Pittsburgh races away from the heat of the summer. They could then market the race to racers heading east to the Dutch.

IHRA also needs to find an inroad into the northeast. I don't know about you guys, but Epping NH is a bit far for the majority of IHRA racers. The same could be said for Tulsa and Alberta.

I also think they need to publish the s/ss factors they use. That may encourage some more NHRA racers to come to some of the events, but they may not if they can't readily find what hp their car is rated at and what weight they have to race at. I know someone else said IHRA needs their own classes, but we must also realize that there are a limited number of class cars out there especially in some areas.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

If I were employed by Feld:

I would crosspromote the IHRA at all the other Feld events.....Monster Jam, rodeo, arena, even the shows and disney on ice......I would also improve the gate draw at the national, and maybe pro-am events would be even better with exibitions from monster trucks, arena, rodeo, etc.......

I don't know about you, but anything that puts more seats in the stands will be good for all. Not all fans will invest their time and money for just drag racing. I wouldn't mind watching Gravedigger do a jump or two either. Perfect fan retainer during track prep, and oildown etc.

Yes more of a circus, but a what a entertainment bang for your buck!

And you would only be able to find it at the IHRA....

Since I would have more money coming in, I would entice the Sportsman crowd by doubling all the payoffs, at both national and pro-am events. Make it easier to choose the IHRA event over the NHRA if scheduling conflicts arise. I would give a discount to racers who make multiple events..maybe $10 per.and I would also discount the fee that racers who pay for all the national events pre-season....

I would bring back online registration.

I would move heaven and earth to not schedule events on the same weekends as the NHRA.

On the racing specific side:

second the quoting of the #'s. I don't know how much effort it would take to mimic what the NHRA does online , but it certainly would greatly cut down on phone calls, and assist guys building cars for specific classes.

I miss the paper rulebook. If asked I would pay extra for the hardcopy. Its nice to have it online, and on cd, but its even better in paper.

Eric Merryfield

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I second THAT

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

How about some tracks out west.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Lets all face it we need the Baders back BAD

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I'm not going to quote everything I agree or don't agree with in thei post. But I will say that as racers all these things are great you are asking for. But I can tell you that a time run on Sunday in Division 9 takes 2.5 hours. I have a curfew on Sunday from noon to 7pm. I cant give a time run and get the race in by 7pm. And with 200+ cars you cant be rushed for the first 3 rounds, its to many cars. Tracks are having trouble making money at a single pro am race, a double is even harder. If something doesnt happen some tracks will not host an IHRA event next year because of something real simple, is it smart to work your *** off for 3 days and not make any money.

As our first year in the track ownership business we were open to everything possible now for 2009 we have to run this like a business. We have to cut the PORK as the commercials say right now and I can tell you if we up the purses at the PRO AM's over 1/2 the tracks will lose money having them.

I agree with Chip in that we need and equal number of races in each Division and the doubles in SC do hurt the NC races some. But then again I'm in favor of doubles as a racer just not as a track operator. Its a fine line and most racers dont realize how bad the state of the ecomoney is in racing right now and the next 2 years you will see some tracks fall by the wayside. We lost money on our Saturday night combo races BIG TIME, because I only had 108 entries, I had over 220 cars on the property, the sad part is next year we will do no Combo races but rather a Bracket Race one class not 7. Its not the guys fault that raced it or like 4 racers did they entered 2 classes int he combo races. We have to make the right business decision. I'm not argueing the point here just stating facts and not every track can lose money year after year and expect to be around. If I take my 14 worst money weekends this year and replace them with a 10.00 to enter TNT program, I add 100k a year to my bottom line. Thats replacing a race with TNT.....That doesnt mean I make that much on TNT but I never lose on one.

After saying this my brother will be running F/SA next year and my 2 kids will be running the JR Program in Division 9, so I'm on both sides of the fence here. So I go to a division 9 race with 3 cars drop 250 at the gate, the young one has a gold card, its a 500 min weekend for us but then we love it so I dont care what it cost. The problem is more and more cant afford it and its not the entry fee, its not the gas, its not the 30k motors, its not the 200k toters and stackers....its all of the above.

Herb Jr
Track Operator
Piedmont Dragway

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

i second that!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

real simple...

hire pat joffrion and make him CZAR
let him do his thing for 2-3 years and see if we dont have a sacntioning body that...

1. is racer freindly
2. well promoted events
3. reasonable technical jurisdiction
4. has FUN races
5. has a cult following of satisfied sportsman racers

just my opinion...havent run ihra since the geniuses refactored 283-220

jack mccarthy

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I agree to change the divisional payout. I think for every round you win, you deserve some money. I have won 1st round, and lose 2nd round, and go home with the same amount $0 as the guy I beat. Actually, I'm more negative, because I have put more gas in the car and another round of competition on the tires, engine, transmission, etc.

The second improvement, I would make would be to hire a good informative announcer. Some one who can tell a little information about the driver, if they won the last race, etc. Some one to explain to the spectator what the differences are in eliminators. Also, it is bad to be listening to the radio in the pits, and they announce who is running, but then the winner isn't announced. I should be able to fill out my ladder sheet while listening in the motorhome.

I like the Sports National idea, and could the "insurance surcharge" of the National events be deleted? I agree with Duane, $150 is enough to pay.

Being that IHRA is now owned by a promoter of entertainment, perhaps the spectators will increase. The Division 2 event at Carolina Dragway was packed on Saturday night because of advertisement; a couple of jet cars, and a Nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster. In contrast, we went less than 10 miles from the track at Darlington to eat, and the waiter didn't know that anything "special" was happening.

I like the friendly atmosphere of IHRA; the Tech people and racers. I come to the races to have a fun weekend, because I'm not a usual finalists. It is a non profit hobby, that I enjoy. In that enjoyment aspect, I would like more sponsored drag racer appreciation cookouts, ice cream parties, etc. One great memory I have in drag racing was participating in the "Termite" reaction time at Kanawha. During the last round of time trials, I ran closest to my predicted "dial in", and got the opportunity to stage the "Termite" tractor and get a reaction time. The best reaction of the 6 or 7 eliminator participants won $100. It was fun!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I missread the post from tpoh815; it wasn't from Lil Duane saying $150 for a National. However, I agree with tpoh815 on both points. Duane Eiskant and Terry Bell are both informative knowledgable ex-tech men.

Herb, if you aren't busy enough with the Jr. and the brother in Stock, you would make a good announcer! I also like Kevin Shipman.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I am glad that Herb chimes in to give the track operators side of the issues.
I was at Quaker City earlier this year which had the night of fire along with the double pro-am.
That is probably the only way that track made any money that weekend.

I talked to the operators at Kanawha Valley earlier this year to see why they weren;t having a pro-am.
They simply said it costs too much.
Maybe IHRA should consider getting sponsors to pay the race purses for the points meets and nationals and not depend upon the racers themselves putting up the money. I have friends who race late models that pay no entry fee anywhere they race.

maybe if Feld can market the sport to spectators more, this could possibly happen.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Modified Production would be sweet. Stick shift only, manditory 8000+rpm on the leave. LOL

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

bring back modified racing, enforce all modification rules, get real indexes, and run off of them. if we do not get back to some form of real racing the crowd will never return. also, keep allowed modifications limited so hard working racers have a chance.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Add Joe Sway and family from Atco!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Sounds good, somewhere for a door car (real car, not pro-mod type) can race where the quicker car wins with no breakout.

Also come a little further west.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Bring back the iron man and ***** can the iron thing they have now

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Not sure I would change a hole lot as far as sportsman racing goes. You have 2 sides to the coin on the Friday/ Saturday VS Saturday/Sunday issue. If you hold an event on Friday it requires everyone to take off Friday. I didn't have to take a single day off work this year to attend a divisional, so thats my arguement. 1st round winner money would be great! 2nd round ladders would be great at Nationals and Divisionals also, I wouldn't mind seeing 1st round laddering at nationals based on quallifying in the rod classes. I believe entry frees are in line, however the final 8 cars in each race could run for a little more money. Getting round money only when I was down to 3 this year at the Rock was kind of a bummer! The divisions do seem to need realigned. I'm really not all that sure why there is a division 5 since there is only one D5 event that is not doubled with a D3 event. Something else that needs addressed is the amount of downtime in the nitro classes. It was ridiculous this season, and I'm sure IHRA realizes it. One more thing, sometimes change is good, but for the love of god, don't change the points structure!!!!! (as rumored)
I think something a nostalgia class would help draw spectators. Who don't like to see old TF and FC!! Of course the trick would be promoting it.
Thats my .02!!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I like all of your point Damien. One more I would like to see is change the qualifying format in the Rod classes back to being based on ET only. It's too dang confusing now because of the runs that get thrown out due to breakouts and red lights.

For the Friday-Saturday vs. the Saturday-Sunday thing, if races went to Friday-Saturday, many racers would probably even need to take off on Thursday in order to make the first time shot on Friday. So, now you'd be taking 2 days off instead of none or 1 depending upon how well you did on Sunday.

Bader had a few National events scheduled so that final eliminations were run on Saturday, but it didn't take too long for those to be changed back to final eliminations on Sunday. I'm guessing there was a good reason they were changed back, be it racer feedback, less money for the track operators, or something else entirely.

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Meyer,
i hav'nt seen anyone turn down the new iron man yet. I got 4 and think they are cool.

Damien,
Good Points, especially THE POINTS

Chip

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

You gotta admit Chip, they were alot cooler when they were "iron men"!

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

My son has 3, of course in a JR Dragster, it is sitting next to My dads and Mine. It doesnt look right sitting there but he woudlnt trade it for anything.


Herb Jr

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Ya know I never thought of adding classes...a Nostalgia SS class & or a 10.5 wide class would be cool! :) I do belive that the round money would help...with the cost of fuel what it is $40 of round money would buy you almost 4 Gal of C-12... (that's sad when you think about it ;)

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

I'd go crazy and get rid of throttle stops in the 10.90 class, make it a fun door handle to door handle race. Add a nostalgia TF class and a nostalgia ss class. I would dabble at certain locations an Outlaw 10.5 class. Keep Sunday racing and make sure to have a night qualifying session for TS/TD PM, PS, and TF.

Divisionals, I'd book a group like th UMTR to help with the Saturday night show. Put a "bounty" on all #1 qualifiers, beat them and get money..

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Herb Jr, I figured that might be a problem with some tracks but I was not sure. Mike

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Where to start, first bring bader back. then lower qualified car gets lane choice, give people something to actually "run" for. Number one qualifier money would be nice in all classes. Put all stockers and superstockers with the same weight breaks in the same class, then the hp and indexes will work themselfs out. Oh, did i mention bring Bader back and low qualifier money?

Re: What would U change @ IHRA
 

Hey Pothole, No Canucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING