IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

http://www.ihra.com/article/5344.html

Keeping my fingers crossed for contingency postings.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Wonder why TS & TD is $1000 more to win? Maybe I never looked before, I wonder if a "dump truck" motor will fit in my SS car. Just add nitrous and Go.Apparently this is in line with their wanting to make these 2 classes more of a "headliner" class. Joe

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

They also took away 1st rd. winner money.
I'm o.k with that. I really liked the semis and qtrs.
Chip

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Oh yeah they also raised the insurance by $10 so 30 entries in most classes covers the increase in purse. I really don't recall but when did the racers have to start paying their own insurance? As i remember N started this first then I followed. Before they started charging the racers how was it paid? Entry fee, Yearly memberships? Joe

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

How much did NHRA raise their purses. Come on NH guys chime in.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

To my knowledge NHRA hasn't raised their purse at all, however after my first year of racing NHRA, I can say that they run the races much more effectively or at least seem to, we normally knew fairly early if our runs were being moved or just cancelled. They seemed pretty good about keeping the racers informed. At least in Div. 3 the tracks all are raceable. My 1 question was on the insurance charges how were they paid before they decided to just DIRECTLY charge the racers? Years ago I do not recall anything about insurance charges. Obviously they've found out they can make up any name for a charge and we'll pay it. I'd just like to know how the seperate charge came to be.Joe

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

I am not sure I understand this
Ihra cuts our racing days to 2 from 3 and they charge more?
How do we get less for more and people arent upset?
I have to say if this was NHRA doing this people on here would yell and scream
Why does IHRA get a free pass and NHRA doesnt?

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Why does it matter how many days it takes for qualifying and eliminations? If it's possible to do it in 2 days instead of 3, then there is a whole day of expenses one doesn't have to worry about.

Admittedly, IHRA fields tend to be smaller than NHRA fields. That allows them to get it done quicker. If things go well and car counts get bigger and require more time, hopefully the schedule will be adjusted in the future. A big factor is that Sportsman qualifying and eliminations won't be "interrupted" by scheduled Pro runs. Pros don't run until the late afternoon or evening on either day.

The insurance increase wasn't expected. I don't know why the increase was implimented, so I can't say if it is justified.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Simple
To me anyways because we are paying for 3 days and now it is 2
And now they charge us more for less
You see to me anyways it is simple
In IHRA I dont attend all the races so the one I do race at I want the most for my money spent
I dont want less time shots
Myron no offence but you wave the IHRA flag way to much to be neutral
I hope most class racers still believe in what we do

And I dont want to be led like a sheep do with no questions asked
We all need to ask why we pay more for less....

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

you still get your 2 qualifying runs that you always got...you just get to race the same day you qaulify..i know alot of people that will be very happy to do that....i dont see that anyone is loosing anything but one less day off of work....i like the fact that the purse is up and the days off work are down

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Joe,
As a former multi track owner and operator from the Good Old Days I would like to try to answer your question on insurance in the past. First let me say this is in no way intended to point out anything bad at either NHRA or IHRA or the current insurance companies. I'm Just telling it like it is from my side of the fence.
I ran my tracks under both NHRA and IHRA and as independent. In the past you bought track insurance based on the type of race your having and the duration. When I ran bracket races for one day I paid a set amount. When I stepped up and had a Pro Comp race (Alky funnies & alky dragsters) I had to pay a different rate and it also had a length of event, by day cost. 2 days cost more than 1 day and 3 cost more than 2 days, ect.
The policy had to be paid in full up front. It also had a deadline for payment and a deadline for payment for running a day long because of rain or delay.
As a track owner I paid the insurance. I usually just figured it in as part of the entry fees. I always knew up front what the cost was. I don't think It was ever based on number of participants or attendance, just the type of event.
Back in my day the only racers that got in free were the booked in shows. With all the Free Pros and booked in show formats of today who pays for their insurance? Could these 2 days the sportsmen race with the additional insurance fees be what pays the insurance for the Pro days and booked in show days? If I remember correctly the rates for insurance increased drastically if blower cars and exotic fuel cars were run. I'm pretty sure it is the same way today.
That always told me the slower sportsman cars were safer and caused less death and destruction than the pros or Shows that had blowers and exotic fuel. It would be interesting to check the frequency of claims on the insurance companies and see who really costs more. Shouldn't the spectator that comes to see these shows be responsible for paying "Their' insurance coverage, not the sportsman that is out of there by the time the show starts???

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

I think what people are trying to say is they used to have to pay insurance for 3 days (they being IHRA) now they only have to pay for 2 days insurance. Yet they raised the price to the racers.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

***

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Exactly. Trust me, 90% of the time I would rather be at the race track than anywhere else. But as far as what you are paying for to race, you are not losing anything. Sure the extra day to catch up with your racing friends is great, and making laps is fun too. You can go to test and tune if you want to do that. But when you get to this level of racing, a lot of racers think bottom dollar. I think its a good move on there part. Im hoping next year will be my first venture in to class racing for myself, but I never really considered IHRA racing. maybe I will now.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

uh NHRA did raise the insurance ealier this year form $40 to $60 and they charge you for each and every car even if the same guys driving!?! To the tune of $120 at Indy for me! So it doesn't surprise me that the "I" has now followed suit. I personally wonder where this money goes? I mean if no one gets hurt at the race and theres no helicopter rides, where does the $20-30,000 dollars go? I'm thinkin I wannna start an insurance company just for the drag races, that'd be nearly 1 million in revenue in one year covering both santioning bodies assuming this doesn't hurt entrys in 2010.. I mean you have to sign a waiver when you enter the track don't you? So whats the insurance for? I just signed a waiver that says the "N" or the "I" is not responsible and I assume all risks, and most likely that I cannot sue them either if something, anything happens, right? So whats the $50-60 bucks for?!!

I've said it before and I'm sure I will say it more and more until my dirt nap. GREED is one of the seven deadly sins! See y'all in hell! ;)

I too am keeping my fingers crossed for the contingency Myron. Toes, arms, legs, eyes too, you name it, its crossed cause its gonna need all the help it can get!

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Hey.....Ya gotta pay for the "Fuel Queers". Prabably for T/AD and AF/C also. Extra oil dry is need when they run usually......Maybe for the stockers to after that deal at Pomona.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Adger, thanks for the reply. As I stated not too many years ago we paid no insurance charges so it had to be paid somehow I just wasn't sure who paid it. So why can't I be self insured? My understanding is that their coverage doesn't even start until your personel insurance has been exhausted. I'm not going to complain about another $10 I'm complainig about the fact that we get caught holding the bag for ALL of the coverage for everyone! Also if I'm not mistaken they've quit paying 1st round winners, if I read it right, so they've just redistributed the wealth, kinda like Mr. O intends on doing. Joe

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

The way track prep has been lately there probably crashing more sportsman than pro.
Chip

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Don't think that this insurance pays for air ambulance transport, it doesn't. I know from first hand experience after an accident at a divisional. For that whole incident my health insurance and my personal pocket book payed out over $21,000 and Wisenberg Motorsports payed out $150.00. Wisenberg is the insurance for NHRA. Do not count on them helping you in any way. I fought with those people for months. The policy specifically states they do not cover air transport! Check your personal health insurance policy. A large percentage of those policies also do not cover air transport. Air ambulance is VERY expensive. My transport was 30 miles and the bill was $13,500. My insurance covered $10,000 and I was responsible for $3,500. NHRA advertises that Wisenberg will cover what your insurance doesn't, but, this doesn't apply to air and I was stuck with the $3,500. I would like the option of not buying the insurance for the event and self insuring because that is basically what happened to me.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

This is EXACTLY what I'm saying. What type of coverage are we getting? In your case that's 3 races worth of surcharges for what? Is there a way...legally around this? Seems like their taking alot in for very little if any coverage. As most people I'm familiar with insurance companies ways of doing business, Stall, Refuse, Wait till you just give up and pay it yourself. If we're paying for it why don't we have a say in coverage? Also I don't recall but I thought at IHRA Div. races there was no insurance charge, can't remember about NHRA Div. races if so are we merely paying for the Pro's? Just wondering. Joe

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

KA CHING.....your paying for the fuel cars.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

It can be difficult to be neutral, but I do try to be objective. I did a lot of research before getting into Stock and a major factor was that I would not have enough time off from work or money to race for a NHRA championship. So I went with IHRA. But that's just me.

But back to the 2 or 3 day race....So we pay the same or a little more to "play" for 2 days instead of 3. But in the 3 day deal, we start to "play", then it's time for the 'big boys" and we have to get off the court. Sometimes they make a pretty big mess and we still can't go back until the mess is cleaned up and they finish. So, basically, we're "paying" for a whole day, but only get to play when it's convenient for the Pros - we get only a 1/2 day or less? Waiting on them is a waste of our time.

In the 2 day deal, sportsman play all day without interuption, without having to sit on the sidelines, all the way until late afternoon/early evening when the Pros are scheduled. Any delays would be from within our ranks or mother nature, as is the case with the 3 day version. But no interuptions or having to wait on the Pros.

That's the best I can do to see it from my perspective.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

[


VERY WELL SAID!!!!!!!!
Ralph

QUOTE=Myron Piatek;151864]It can be difficult to be neutral, but I do try to be objective. I did a lot of research before getting into Stock and a major factor was that I would not have enough time off from work or money to race for a NHRA championship. So I went with IHRA. But that's just me.

But back to the 2 or 3 day race....So we pay the same or a little more to "play" for 2 days instead of 3. But in the 3 day deal, we start to "play", then it's time for the 'big boys" and we have to get off the court. Sometimes they make a pretty big mess and we still can't go back until the mess is cleaned up and they finish. So, basically, we're "paying" for a whole day, but only get to play when it's convenient for the Pros - we get only a 1/2 day or less? Waiting on them is a waste of our time.

In the 2 day deal, sportsman play all day without interuption, without having to sit on the sidelines, all the way until late afternoon/early evening when the Pros are scheduled. Any delays would be from within our ranks or mother nature, as is the case with the 3 day version. But no interuptions or having to wait on the Pros.

That's the best I can do to see it from my perspective.[/QUOTE]

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

[QUOTE=Myron Piatek;151864]It can be difficult to be neutral, but I do try to be objective. I did a lot of research before getting into Stock and a major factor was that I would not have enough time off from work or money to race for a NHRA championship. So I went with IHRA. But that's just me.

But back to the 2 or 3 day race....So we pay the same or a little more to "play" for 2 days instead of 3. But in the 3 day deal, we start to "play", then it's time for the 'big boys" and we have to get off the court. Sometimes they make a pretty big mess and we still can't go back until the mess is cleaned up and they finish. So, basically, we're "paying" for a whole day, but only get to play when it's convenient for the Pros - we get only a 1/2 day or less? Waiting on them is a waste of our time.

In the 2 day deal, sportsman play all day without interuption, without having to sit on the sidelines, all the way until late afternoon/early evening when the Pros are scheduled. Any delays would be from within our ranks or mother nature, as is the case with the 3 day version. But no interuptions or having to wait on the Pros.

That's the best I can do to see it from my perspective.[/QUOTE
Myron why do you and many of the crate motor guys feel the need to push the IHRA agenda and hate what the NHRA is standing for?
I would like a simple honest no bull answere

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

You sound like one of Obamas zar's or the idiots on Capitol Hill. ....what the hell is so good about NHRA? Not that I like IHRA either. What has NHRA done for you or anyone lately except take more of your money and do NOTHING except prop up the PRO's and kick the little guy in the *****. Kind of like what is going on at the white house. . They (NHRA) dosent give a rats ***** about the sportsmen. Hell....the NHRA tried to sell them off. If you like NHRA....go with it. If you like IHRA...go with it. Race what you like but why slam the other guys for what they like just because you dont approve of their rules? Just like the Politicians we now have and the Dems AND the Replublicans.....neither are doing a good job. If it wasnt for some of the hard working tech people that I know neither association is worth 2 cents in "Yang Money" these days.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Look I feel both need to do better
And never put me as an obamas man
But I just dont get it
They time after time beat the hell out of NHRA and in a cult like way tout how good ihra is
Both need to do better but from a racers stand point ihra is no better then nhra and by what I see is worse
I was at Epping and saw what a joke that race was and how the sportsmen were treated
IHRA did nothing for Epping this year
How snowmoblie was put before the sportsmen racers
But again I dont get it nobody says anything...
But it is ok by what I hear next year there is a big change comming...
And again it is nice to have both
But both need to work at it alot harder then they are
I sill feel a sportsmans association is needed but it will never happen
Oh and xtech many what the hell is so good about ihra VRS nhra???

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Mark,
Lots of reason! "Hate" is a harsh word, but I definitely don't like or agree with how NHRA does many things, which is why I'm not a member anymore.

* As mentioned, I can afford to race for a championship in IHRA because races take fewer days, including the double and triple-headers and fees are less. Admittedly, they pay less, but it works for me nonetheless. It seems that most, but not all, IHRA racers have less resources to work with than NHRA racers. But when it comes to driving as opposed to money, I think we can keep up with NHRA racers that are more than welcome to race with us.

* I went Crate Motor Stock because I grew up working on Holley carbs and can continue to tune on them at the track now also. I know nothing about Carter carbs and didn't want to spend $ to have someone do them for me after finding any good ones.

* Crate Motor combos tend to be easier to find parts for, so it can be less expensive overall. But they still have blueprint specs that need to be followed like regular Stockers.

* Right here on the forum is a never ending flow of complaints on how sportsman racers are treated by NHRA. Higher entry and membership fees, classes being rotated OUT of events, indiscriminate teardowns, inconsistent rule enforcement....many other hassles....just browse through past posts. No sense in going over the many pages I'm sure you've seen. These are from NHRA MEMBERS who have first-hand experience. That influences my views.

But we're getting a little off the main subject. Right now I'm defending the announced IHRA race format, not directly pushing it, because I can't understand how you can complain about 1 less day of racing when we often spent 1/2 or more of some of those days sitting around waiting for our turn after the Pros and their oildowns - if we even get another turn on a given day! So you're paying for a whole day, but not getting to use it!

How about......Would you rather pay full price for 3 bottles of Coke that are 1/2 full, or would you rather pay that same price for 2 bottles of Coke that are full?

There are other non-crate motor racers who favor IHRA also.

Yes, they both have their faults and both can make bad calls. I don't like everything that IHRA does, but overall I like IHRA better. It's a fully established fact that it's impossible to please everyone, regardless of sanction.

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I am forced by location and necessity to seriously look at the IHRA program. I've been treated well by both _HRA's in the past few years and to closely quote Dave Riberio "we need them both to be healthy" if we want a place to play. Nationals at NHRA can drag on with the need to get in the Pro show so the IHRA format may be a nice change, you can sit in the stands and watch the show without worry about being called to lanes at 10 pm or even go out the gate for a nice dinner. I think NHRA turned thier back on Virginia at exactly the wrong time this time as the track has really come around and NHRA put all of thier egges in Bruton's basket. Hope it works out for them but it sucks being in south Division 1. IHRA on the other hand just dropped some good races in my back yard. 2 days 3 days whats the diff you still have the same track time if you loose first round, if you really need that extra day off of work stop in a campground on the way home. With Hundred thousand dollar stockers out there do you think the bean counters on either side worry about a $10 or even $50 increase in gate price SERIOUSLY?

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Mark....IHRA is no better. In fact it has become far worse. Its one reason why I quit about 8 or 9 years ago. Its the "INFIGHTING" on this forum that wears thin. My association is better than yours.....No MY association is better than yours. Your classes and rules suck.......no your classes and rules suck. Its to bad but its all the sportsman racers have at the moment. The rules are what they are in either and one is no better than the other. Its a matter of choice. Some people are di hards for one or the other like politics. If you remember the early 70's IHRA had NHRA scared. IHRA had class runs at ALL of their National events and even with the many classes carried over from the AHRA rule book there was alwyas 6 to 10 or more cars per class. I feel the 90 classes diluted class racing along with the expense of keeping up with the well healed. IHRA had become an association for those who maybe didnt have as much money to travel or afford the trick of the week. The economy and management killed the rest of it. I can only hope someone with deep pockets will come along soon and want to build a true sportsman association. Myself and a few others would throw ourselves into it and help but it takes a LOT of money to get started. Oh well....Just dreaming. Sorry about the Obama comment but all of the posts started sounding like it was my way or the hi-way like what we have on Capitol Hill. Have a good evening.

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Myron,
The Coke thing was the best one I heard yet.
Chip

Re: IHRA raises Sportsman purses!
 

Not to Hijack the thread but, when it comes to having to pay for air transport just a FYI if your HMO does not cover Air Emergency Transport and you live in these states CA, WASH, WM,ID,NV,OR You can join a membership with Calstar for 45$ a year for family coverage in case you should god forbid ever need it.
more info can be found at http://www.calstar.org/ I found out from personal usage its worth every dime,
Maybe other states offer something close to this in your case it might be a little to late but you never know,Hope this helps.