Ihra tucson!
 

Attention racers. Per email with Bernie the track director @ tucson he has confirmed if we get 24 pre entered pre paid entries they WILL run Stock/Superstock combo @ the march event in tucson. Discover Classic Cars has also agreed to post an additional cash purse of $1000.00 to the eliminator.So now all we need is cars! We need to let them know we want to race. So please e-mail Bernie. berniespeedworld@hotmail.com . Lets get this rolling!

Cars I know of committed to going:
Angelo Phillips
Kenny Newsome
Jack Foshee
Rusty Hall
Kelly Hall
Rich Roeder
All the arizona & socal guys.. call the people you know that dont read this board & tell them too!!
If we have any questions we can call or e-mail Bernie.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Thanks Jon,

That's what my thread with attention to the D5, 6, & 7 racers was about too, and I'll add Mike Graham, and myself (if needed since my car is hibernating in D5 snow country). I'm heading to the racer meeting tomorrow evening, and I hope Kenny, Rusty, and any other Az. racers (that don't have prior committments), will be there too! Perhaps I could race my truck in Pure Stock??? With the latest news about the IRS & the NHRA coming down the pipe (or is it pike...I forgot...lol), that may make this a whole lot easier to accomplish. Lest we also not forget D4 racers who may be able to head out this way (like they have for divisionals), too???

I will see Bernie, and any others there tomorrow, and it's my plan to also put up the $70 to join IHRA (especially if the track embraces them), which is (from what I heard from Ang) not a necessity to compete at this race?

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

I've got to get mine up and running first !!!! Is it gonna be a challenge to go up against the divisional in Vegas???

Rick

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Come on guys! Is anyone else going to go to tucson? Dennis Alvey & Raul Vargas just confirmed so now we are up to 8. Waiting on a few more that i have called myself. Everybody seems more concerned with NHRA & theIRS than helping build another organization for us to race in. I even got additional purse money on top of that and still ???
Is not that what you guys asked for? More payout, IHRA & DP's & CJ's in their own class!

Kenny Newsome 7709 stk

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Just to make sure everyone is clear on your proposed race:
1)Your planned race is a TRACK sponsored event-not an IHRA event?
2)Your Stock/Superstock Combo will most likely not have weight/fuel checks?
3)If it's just a TRACK sponsored race, you most likely do not need to join IHRA?

Just trying to get all the facts. There has been a great calling by some to support IHRA. But that is very hard to commit to when IHRA has COMPLETELY dropped Div 5 from it's schedule!!!!!!!

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Hi Kenny,

Sorry that I thought you were Jon, but Ang corrected me on that...

Now I'm fresh from the meeting, and you'll be happier to know that I think I can increase you 8 count (which should've been 10 since I added Mike Graham, and myself if needed into your original count). I spoke of this also in my thread. So here's an update to your count:

Angelo Phillips (You) Kenny Newsome Jack Foshee
Rusty Hall Kelly Hall Rich Roeder
Dave Workman Mike Graham Wes McCann(?) Don Graham Dennis Alvey Raul Vargas The Hawk Bros...both SIR 2010 Champs

So there's an update for you Kenny...13 (with me added if needed once we get 10 more racers). Maybe Rusty might have some D4 folks that could fill the remaining 10-11 spots? It's looking favorable so far, and Bernie is definitely anxious to add us in to the show!!! How about it folks, I know there's more of us here in the area that could go to this!? I wonder if a certain wheelstanding Mustang stick shift racer would go for this?

I'll give you some more reasons that bracket racers should go for the IHRA takeover of SIR Dragway:

1. While SIR racers can race for the national championship as a possible wild card entry, you only run for NHRA if you qualify for the race of champions, and win the runoff!

2. While NHRA gives you $3,000 for tow money vs IHRA's $1,000, the IHRA pays the non-championship winners additional money where NHRA doesn't:
2a. Runner Up gets $7,000
2b. Semi's get $2,000
2c. Quarters get $1,000

3. The NHRA National Champ for ET racing may get $5,000 and a Wally trophy, but the IHRA National Champ for ET racing gets the following:
3a. $10,000 (each class)
3b. Turn Key Dragster (Top)
3c. Hallmark Enclosed Trailer (Modified)
3d. Custom Golf Cart (Modified)
3e. Championship Ring (each class)
3f. Gold Card and Ironman trophy (each class)

Which championship would you rather race for?

Oh, and lest we forget, IHRA sportsman racers race with the pros, not as "fillers" during their downtime.

The balls in our court now, and I spoke with Bernie and he's enthusiastic about this happening in addition to his bracket racing and TD & TS program....btw he has a new email address too "SIRTUCSON@hotmail.com".

We're getting closer Kenny....

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

"Oh, and lest we forget, IHRA sportsman racers race with the pros, not as "fillers" during their downtime."
No they (sportsman) dont they run earlier in the day before the PRO show starts.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

I was quoting a flier I rec'd at the SIR Dragway racers meeting where it said that the IHRA bracket national championship race was contested: For IHRA "During Pro Rounds", vs For NHRA "In Between Sportsman Rounds". Be that as it may, I remember an NHRA race (or two) that wouldn't run a round of sportsman elims, until after the pros were completely done, such as the 2009 Winternationals, where the pros finished their race on Tue., but the sportsman racers had to wait until Wed.??? I'd rather run before the pros than that much afterwards.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Only a handful of racers supported Div. 5 in its most recent incarnation. No racers, no Division.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Can't complain about them dropping it if you didn't support it.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Thanks Michael, and one more thing to Dean, Scribner is no Tucson. Not only are there more sportsman racers in the town, but there's even more racers within 150 miles of Tucson's track...it's worth a try, and I just became a new IHRA member.

While at the meeting a fellow racer told me that he saw Alan Reinhart (NHRA announcer)in attendance at SIR's meeting, and someone else thought he did too? Since where I sat I didn't get to easily see all who were there I can't say, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least that someone on behalf of NHRA was there last night just to hear the tone of the meeting. It now makes me wish I told the audience about the enhanced costs these last 4yrs that we've been graced with vs the loss of more and more contingency postings/companies....interesting huh???

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Gary,
1)This has nothing to do with Scribner and I do not know why you said that.

2)I asked three questions in my previous post. Why won't you answer them?

3)I never said I was for or against IHRA. What I was trying to point out is the fact that you are confusing supporting IHRA with supporting the S/SS combo. They are two different things.

4)We have S/SS combo's at Marion (an IHRA track) and at Oahe (an NHRA track). I attend both races. However, I do not have to pledge allegiance to one and bad mouth the other. I simply race where I want to.


And Gary, if you are really that against NHRA, why do you still include them in your signature??

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Just so you know Ed, I was in Phoenix for 4.5 years. I recently moved back to the SD. And IHRA recently dropped Div 5.

So, yes Ed you are correct, I personally have not supported IHRA Div 5 in the past 5 years. It would have been very hard to support IHRA Div 5 while living in Phoenix.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Ok Dean, you want answers I'll give you answers (as best I know of them).

1. Originally it was a TRACK sponsored event (along the lines of Super Chevy Show, etc.). However, since the promoting company also owns the IHRA, that's a foul to NHRA, per Glendora.

2. I'm certain that since it's not an official IHRA race, that there won't be any weight/fuel checks...much like Bandimere's Super Series races.

3. From other racers who've dove into this POSSIBLE combo race as well (there won't be one if Bernie doesn't get the required 24 + car counts pre-committed), you won't need to join IHRA to partake in this event.

There...you wanted answers, you have answers.

Oh and as for your other post, here's answers to them:

1. I spoke of Scribner Raceway because another racer that lives here and used to live near there had a sour spot in his mindset because of how IHRA's involvement was with their track, and I felt that since you aren't outragiously far from Scribner, you shared the mindset with that other racer.

2. I just answered them!

3. I wasn't confusing anyone else with the admission of IHRA & the combo race...they may be two different things, however since Nitro Jam is promoting this race, and Nitro Jam is owned by the same company that owns IHRA, the support of the combo race could influence IHRA's desire even more to be the sanctioning body of SIR. Moreover, I'm sure that if the racers vote IHRA into SIR, then the indexes they use will be IHRA's, and not NHRA's...thus a significant similarity (like .30 worth added to all who compete's indexes).

4. Per answer #3 above, you may not have to pledge an allegiance to either sanctioning body to race in their combo races, but you must know that the indexes are .30 seconds different due to the sanctioning bodies involved. When I read of the salaries that the big-wigs with NHRA are getting, and I see a continued increase in the cost of membership, competition needs, and entry fees, sorry but I'm not going to just take it and ask for more, of the screw job they've been giving those of us who don't have the luxury of finances to keep up with their increased charges, as opposed to those alcoholic and nitro blasted racers who get into races for FREE!!! You, Dean (of all people), should understand that, given your racing budget is closer to my level than it is to those fortunate enough to have cash sponsorships. Where you live now you have an option of racing two different sanctioning bodies (or are closer to other div.'s, even though your area lost its IHRA D5 involvement), and that's what I hope happens out here (starting with S.I.R.). Competition is good, and that's what NHRA hasn't had out west since the AHRA days of old...perhaps thats part of the reason that divisional & national open entry fees are higher here than there where you are...you have to love the $40 savings you get on national open charges (plus the $10-15 savings on divisional races), in D5 as opposed to D7? I know I would!!!

Now as for that last question you offered, I have them in my signature because I'm a DRAG RACER, & I CHOOSE TO!!! For now they're the only attraction near me, but myself and every racer who competed at S.I.R. last year (hopefully), will fill out their vote slips (next wknds test n tune will be the end of the voting), and give IHRA a try. I've been in this sport long enough that I remember racing at Marion, Sd. when Thunder Valley Raceway was an NHRA track....they've been IHRA for several years now, are they regretting going IHRA? I doubt it, or they would've switched back!!! There's nothing wrong with having options (which we don't YET have here in the southwest). I'm sorry that IHRA dropped D5 from their series, but it's not like they had a large pool of racers living near their tracks to give them the support they needed, like we have here in Az. I will support (in some way) and love the NHRA, however I don't like how they've been screwing us sportsman racers in recent years (especially with the entry fee's charged for some divisions races as opposed to others, and especially the national opens), and you shouldn't either Dean!!!

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

You keep blaming the prices for Divisionals and national opens on NHRA, guess what they don't set the prices on those races. that is decided on by the tracks in the series.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Jeff,

How much does a track have to pay the NHRA to be able to hold a divisional race? If I'm not mistaken, this fee has increased in the last 2 or 3 years, right?


-Toby

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Thanks Toby...

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Geez Gary, quit stirring up stuff. You know how they confuse the two of us and they will be looking for me at the races.....Gary Hansen

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Total tab before opening the doors for a divisional...$27,500.00. Plus NHRA gets 10% of the gate. Plus the cars in T/S and T/D that qualify don't have to pay entry fees. Neat deal isn't it....for everyone but the race track.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Have no idea where you got those numbers. The sanction fee for a LODRS is a flat rate for the first XXX entries, then an additional amount per entry over that number. NHRA does not take any of the gate or any other percentages. And this is the same in all Divisions.
Tracks also have to pay the Insurance and the purse.
Yes TS and TD do pay entry fees, if they dont thats a track deal nothing else.
And in some divisions TAFC and TAD now pay entry fees.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Gary,
I wish you the best. We all need to be passionate about something. And my post was not meant to be argumentative. I simply asked questions to better understand. Just like you, I try to understand our sport.

So here is my take on a few things. Ive been wrong before so if I'm wrong now it won't be the first time, but:

1)A combo at that race will be track sponsored. Just like our combo's here, they are put on by local promoters. By attending the combo, you are supporting the promoter, not the sanctioning body. Likewise, NHRA or IHRA, it doesn't matter. SIR could have held a S/SS combo as an NHRA track.

2)You said:"Moreover, I'm sure that if the racers vote IHRA into SIR, then the indexes they use will be IHRA's, and not NHRA's...thus a significant similarity (like .30 worth added to all who compete's indexes). & Per answer #3 above, you may not have to pledge an allegiance to either sanctioning body to race in their combo races, but you must know that the indexes are .30 seconds different due to the sanctioning bodies involved."

Does it really matter? If your faster/slower than someone in your class, your still going to be faster/slower than that person wether you are on an NHRA or IHRA index. Your times are just going to be faster against the IHRA index. The only difference is the seperate classes for FI cars. Personally, I dont like the seperate class for FI cars. The whole point for having a class car is to have multiple people in your class to race.

Just so you know, as it relates to you, in the TVD combo race we had an issue with a FWD racer. I do not have all the details, but we had an issue that the class he ran in was not in the software the track was using. I believe the track was using older software configured to NHRA classes and his IHRA class was not in it. Like I said, I dont have all the details, but I know is slowed the program for about an hour.

3)You said:"When I read of the salaries that the big-wigs with NHRA are getting, and I see a continued increase in the cost of membership, competition needs, and entry fees, sorry but I'm not going to just take it and ask for more, of the screw job they've been giving those of us who don't have the luxury of finances to keep up with their increased charges, as opposed to those alcoholic and nitro blasted racers who get into races for FREE!!! You, Dean (of all people), should understand that, given your racing budget is closer to my level than it is to those fortunate enough to have cash sponsorships. Where you live now you have an option of racing two different sanctioning bodies (or are closer to other div.'s, even though your area lost its IHRA D5 involvement), and that's what I hope happens out here (starting with S.I.R.). Competition is good, and that's what NHRA hasn't had out west since the AHRA days of old...perhaps thats part of the reason that divisional & national open entry fees are higher here than there where you are...you have to love the $40 savings you get on national open charges (plus the $10-15 savings on divisional races), in D5 as opposed to D7? I know I would!!!"

I believe this is where I see things completely different than you. I was told that divisional and national open race prices are set by the track....not the sanctioning body. That is why (like you spoke of) they very from track to track. Only national event prices are controlled by NHRA. If that's true, then the high prices you speek of for divisonal and nation open events are fault of the track, not the sanctioning body. And blaming NHRA for high gate fees at divisional and national open races would be completely wrong. Moreover, if the take at the gate at SIR does not cover the operating costs, they will raise the gate price. This will happen irregardless of track affliation. It's just simple economics.

The bottom line is, for me, I dont care if it's NHRA or IHRA. And I do not look at it as "having a choice between NHRA and IHRA", as you put it. They have both treated me well. I simply race where my budget, time, health, and family allow.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Dean,

Do you think the sanctioning fee that NHRA charges the tracks has no bearing on entry fees? What if the NHRA raised their sanctioning fee by 50% or 100% (like they have done with just about everything else) forcing the tracks to raise their entry fees. Is it still the fault of the track for raising entry fees?

Should I blame the gas station down the road for the price of gas because they set the prices or should I blame the oil companies or OPEC? Should I blame the local grocery store for the price of milk or should I blame the dairy farmers? Etc...


-Toby

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

R.O.L.O.L....thanks Gary, I needed a good laugh today!!!

But I think they know who you are from me...after all, you have the super fast (wheelstanding) red Dart, while I have a not-very fast red Cavalier...I think they can tell us & our cars apart. They can look for me all they want to, because I'm trying to help racers who've been victimized by a monopoly out west here (not only by our racing costs, but by our index enhancement as well), be able to enjoy what you guys from your state east have enjoyed for decades....an option for your class racing (points chasing) dollars.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

My post number "6" was modified today, due to a racer who wanted their name removed from the list, but still the numbers are hopeful, and Bernie is waiting to hear from all interested in this.... :)

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Hey gary I noticed you have both me and Brad listed but we only have one class legal car. It will be there but who is driving is up for debate.
Matt Hawk

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

What happened with the vote?

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

This is what a few of were told by a D7 Track Operator a three months ago.

Divisionals:

$7,500.00 - Fee to NHRA for the event

$5,000.00 - Insurance Fee to NHRA.

$15,000.00 - Guarantee the T/S and T/D Purse

Notes:

We were told me that even tho the track has the same or better insurance coverage that the track MUST pay the $5,000.00 insurance fee.

We were also told that the T/S and T/D cars that did qualify DID NOT PAY ENTRY FEES!

Were were also told that NHRA gets 10% of the gate.

...again this was told to me and others by a D7 Track Operator.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

This is just STUPID !

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

There's a test and tune this coming weekend, and any and all racers who competed last year (in any S.I.R. race), can vote this week. However, the test and tune is it for voting, so the decision will come next week....

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Should I call WWE, and have you guys wrestle for it (lol)? Or, should you guys play your favorite card game, and the winner gets to drive??? Again lol....

Well I'm happy, but now that means there will be two names (more) that I'll have to take off of the earlier count, because Chris's car won't be ready in time for that race. :(

I'm glad that you guy's car will be able to go there, but now we still need at least 10 more racers to get up to 24...any of you D4 racers out there that can come out here???

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Well 7820,
the only thing true about that, is all LODRS have to have the same insurance but you don't pay NHRA for it, you pay the insurance carrier.
Track has to post the purse for all categories.
Wish the fee was only 7500.00
Only thing TD and TS non qualifiers get is they don't have to pay entry for moving to SC.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Latest news from S.I.R.,

Anyone who raced at Tucson last year (even once), can call Barb at the track (520) 762-9700, and vote over the phone to either say :

Yes to IHRA sanctioning as of Feb. 1, 2011.

Yes to NHRA sanctioning as of Sep. 1, 2011

or

Yes to their track staying an independent.

Note: If you vote for them to go back to NHRA, they will have to be an independent track until Sept. anyway. Voting concludes Sat. at their test n tune.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Toby,

No, I don't think that the NHRA sanctioning fees have no bearing on entry fees. They certainly do. That is why I made the statement:"Moreover, if the take at the gate at SIR does not cover the operating costs, they will raise the gate price."

To me, the sanctioning body fees, insurance, wages, etc, etc, are all part of operating costs. And for the most part, those fees are fixed and the tracks know going into a season how many cars at each race it will take to turn a profit.

But again, the bottom line is the take at the gate must offset the operating costs. If it doesn't, the track will not stay open very long. How many tracks have started charging for camping, oil disposal, etc, etc? Why have they started charging for all these things? They are either greedy or their operating costs have risen. If indeed their operating cost's have risen, they will need to find a way to offset them. That in turn will mean that the cost to the racer's will be increased one way or another.

I have spent some time this week talking to Mike at Oahe Speedway. I want to start some race sponsorship to promote a new product I am distributing. He has been very informative about what it really cost's to run a track.

As for SIR, I won't pretend to know why they are switching from NHRA to IHRA. Maybe it is because the IHRA fees are less. I don't know. The switch to IHRA was not why I originally posted a reply to this thread. I replied because I wanted to know who was promoting the combo. The orignal call to support the combo as well as IHRA's involvement was very contradicting. Unfortunately, this thread has swirled out of proportion from there.

Take care, Dean

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Hi Dean,

They (S.I.R.) didn't deliberately switch sanctioning bodies, it was because the promoter of that upcoming March race (Nitro Jam), is owned by the same company (Feld Motorsports) that owns the IHRA, and that was a foul to the NHRA. However, Glendora's decision to cancel their sanctioning from that track is the reason IHRA now has a chance to move in. The racers will decide, and I hope they'll vote them in, because it could speak volumns for expanding IHRA out west to give all of America an option for our class (sportsman) racing dollars. I hope the racers give them a try, because if they don't then we'll just continue with the monopoly that's existed out this way for decades, and continue to watch us sportsman racers continue to pay for the expenses the pros cause (much more than we ever do), which isn't fair....they shouldn't be the only game in town (so to speak).

It's not that I don't like NHRA, but I don't like how they're treating us sportsman racers, and they're doing a good job of pricing us out of our own sport! Moreover (and as others have said either here or in that IRS thread), if the people with their feet on the pavement were compensated proportionaly to the bigwigs, then I would understand it better, but I doubt that they are, and that's not right either...

I wish you well in the product you're distributing too...pm me if it's something I/my car might be able to use?

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Only 2 people that I talked to at the meeting/banquet stated they were voting to stay NHRA. Voting will end Saturday 1/29 and is open to anyone who raced at SIR in the last year.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

That's good to know, because only one of the people I've spoken to wants them to stay NHRA, and the reasons for me to be glad for the looming switch, just keep on coming (the latest being a combo class runoff at the 12 national events (contesting class elimination cars), who only have one entry in their specific class of Stock/Super Stock (i.e. my DF/S class). Since I run an automatic, I'll have to race against all other automatic entries that are a part of only one entry per class. Running off of your specific index (with no breakout), whoever gets to the finish line first wins...meaning the racers with the most money in their cars (most likely will win! Not cool after they quickened our indexes .30 last year last year! :(

We need variety out here, and this major acquisition will be the spring board to more acquisitions in the west, and finally we western US racers will have another option for our class racing dollar....which may entice NHRA to reverse our increased competition costs of recent years....since they truly CARE(?) about us sportsman racers???

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

It is official; SIR is now an IHRA track for the 2011 season.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Email I just received:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The Tucson region has always had a rich tradition of great motorsport events. It is a community that has always demanded the best. And now Merles Southwestern International Raceway proudly announces that the best is coming March 25 and 26 as the 2011 Arizona Nitro Jam invades Tucson.
The 2011 North American Nitro Jam Tour will feature Top Fuel Dragsters, Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Nitro Harleys, Fuel Altereds, and jet cars. And for the first time ever fans will witness the Cool Bus Wheelstander along with a Jet Semi as it takes on the legendary Grave Digger Monster Truck.
After weeks of meetings and voting from local racers, Southwestern International Raceway has confirmed that the facility will be sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association. According to new owner, LJ Motorsports and CEO Bernie Longjohn the IHRA affiliation will insure additional racer friendly programs including the Summit Super Series.

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Yahoo SIR!!!

It's been far too long since there's been any competition for NHRA out here, which is why it didn't seem to bother them that they're pricing many sportsman racers out of competition. Now we'll have some options, and I look forward to seeing who's next to break from the overpriced/under appreciated (by) Glendora group???

Re: Ihra tucson!
 

Gary,
Please tell us where S/SS fits into this circus....

"The 2011 North American Nitro Jam Tour will feature Top Fuel Dragsters, Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Nitro Harleys, Fuel Altereds, and jet cars. And for the first time ever fans will witness the Cool Bus Wheelstander along with a Jet Semi as it takes on the legendary Grave Digger Monster Truck."

Or are you planning to wear out your expensive stocker running the bracket program?