Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

I see many, many issues come to light here on CR. Alot of negative post and hard feelings toward NHRA. I understand most of what I read here as far as enhancements, soft indexes, weak tech, car counts, and general unhappiness. I do some fabrication work for several S/S and S racers, but never here any negativity from any of them. When I'm at the track (N) or (I), it looks like everyone is enjoying themselves. But when I come on here I'm thinking WTH.

I'm wondering if there is anyone at the races that just goes around and talks to the racers. Someone that would collect names and contact info (e-mail) in an effort to get everyone on the same page with issues. I hate to see folks that have been around a long time, and just hate what it has become. I feel sorry for them, I feel they deserve to go out with a feeling of leaving it better than they found it type of thing. It seems like the veterans would band together, go to the races, start to build a racers club, union, task force, etc. I see the sticky on here trying to have S, S/S racers sign up. I think if I was so upset with the current situation and was going to quit. My last ditch effort would be to walk the pits and talk to every racer. Strength in numbers type of thing, gain power and then bargin with NHRA. But be prepared to walk and start something new like IHRA.

Or is it that some folks just bitch better than they drive. If you gave them a hundred dollar bill, they would bitch because it was'nt five twenties. Regular exercise does wonders for a bad attitude...I'm not saying that just to be a smart ***...it really does work

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

That question is best answered by that Lorrie Morgan country song "What part of No don't you understand?" I got a $500,000 Obama grant and conducted a survey and that was the scientific answer. Not being smart, just stating what I think.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Hey Jeff! Are you sure Obama didn't TAKE $500,000 from you and then TOLD you what he wanted the survey to say? Jim


.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

If you want to go on strike, or send a message or whatever:

Why don't you guys all go run NMCA for one weekend instead of NHRA?

Organize it with NMCA and you can get some ink over there too I'm sure.

I'm sure they'd love to have you over there, and yes you get a trophy and the loot if you're the only one to show up.

It doesn't maybe have the "prestige" of NHRA, but you would get more ink than NHRA spills on stock, and you don't have to run on Thursday.

They've got index and heads-up stuff over there.

God knows they're not perfect, but I've met several very happy X-NHRA guys when I go to those events...

Worked out well for Jeff Swanson too.

Just a thought.

Steve

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

[QUOTE=LXguy;254170]If you want to go on strike, or send a message or whatever:

Why don't you guys all go run NMCA for one weekend instead of NHRA?

Organize it with NMCA and you can get some ink over there too I'm sure.

I'm sure they'd love to have you over there, and yes you get a trophy and the loot if you're the only one to show up.

It doesn't maybe have the "prestige" of NHRA, but you would get more ink than NHRA spills on stock, and you don't have to run on Thursday.

They've got index and heads-up stuff over there.

God knows they're not perfect, but I've met several very happy X-NHRA guys when I go to those events...

Worked out well for Jeff Swanson too.

Just a thought.


The NMC class looks interesting,but my car misses one of the criteria.It fits the year range
but the classification guide says up to 1979 AMC-V-8.My car has a straight 6 engine,but it is capable of running 13.50.Would they let me compete?

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

No

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

1.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Not going to happen.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

There is another option a little known group called IHRA. They have heads up runs, give big trophys, 2 day races. They even got their own magazine too.
Don't pay much to win anymore because they don't have many contingency sponsors, but that should'nt matter because most of you say "THEY DON"T PAY ANYWAY".
To answer your question though No way racers will ever band together. You will get a few pockets of resistance from time to time but nothing to hurt.
Chip Johnson
I just want to race, don't care where or with whom

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

We could ban together and vote to join a union. Then we can pay union dues in addition to our membership fees and high entry fees. Anyone a union rep who could get us in the door?

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

I don't think a band will make any diff.

Just go back and read 80% of post on here are of a negative tone.

I think the only time everyone bands together is when one of our racers dies or is in a tragic situation.

Listening to all negatives on here is what makes everyone (almost) brain-washed.

I know i love drag racing and will continue as my pocket book will allow.

Have not read many post of a positive note at all.

We are always going to complain about something.

I have worked for IHRA for a total of 14 years and have decided to hang it up ...I left on good terms ........

You all need to be happy we have choices right now because you never know what the future holds.

I will still run IHRA and proud of it.
I will also try to run some NHRA..
And some combo races
My pride don't care if it is N or I or a combo, I love drag racing and will continue to race.

Maybe if enough of you e-mail the NHRA or IHRA with your complaints it will make a diff, one or two people will not make things change, but do it in a organized manner...

When i worked with IHRA ,I helped a few of you on here with questions and problems ,and you know who you are.

On a last note : I have enjoyed most of my career with IHRA.. I have met a lot of new friends along the way..
I have learned a lot in the years(and have a lot left to learn)
I personally do appreciate the racers that have supported IHRA and the racers that have tried them.
I hope to see a lot of you on the racing trail in the future.....

Quit being so negative or just Quit.......

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Danny,
he negativity reverts back to money. In this economy a lot of people are realizing they spent money they should'nt have and are not happy anymore. Kinda the Doom and Gloom effect.
Instead of whining and complaining figure out a way to do your part. Race when you can and when you can't be supportive of the ones that can.
Try to have fun.
Chip

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

That goes for me X's 2. Way to go Danny !

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

I just want to race I don't care if it's with Nor I,I have'nt got to race alot for a long time sometimes my cars have set 2-4 years at a time maybe race once or twice a year last year I got go about 10-12 times,hopefully more this year.
I know I will get to point where I can go like I want,I probaly could have went more than I have but that would have took away from family things and that comes first then there always is the financial part that has made me stay home at times.
I don't take from my family or borrow money for anything to go racing I don't have much race equipment but what I do have is mine and does'nt cost anything to set if it has to.
I try to stay out of the bashing and negativity,that goes on here,I like coming on here and see whats going on. When reading anything typed it's hard sometimes to know what emotion a person is expressing,so sometimes I think some things can be misread.
I think there is some problems with class racing but I don't think it is as broke as some try to act like it is.
I LOVE TO RACE my favorite is CLASS RACING but I still like to bracket race,as long as I have a stick car I'm happy.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Just saw the V8 thing. That's crap.

I *think* if people asked they would remove it for NMC, or perhaps grant exemptions. They added the V8 wording a couple of years ago across NMCA and NMRA because they didn't want people showing up and winning races in V6 rental Mustangs. Obviously they don't rent 1979 and earlier Mustangs anywhere, so its kind of stupid to have the V8 rule in effect. Unless its just to simplify tech, but that's a stupid reason.

Like I said, they're far from perfect.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Yes I am,
Now, Start sending me $25 per week and we'll get the ball rolling.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Yea I ( Really) Am.
And I hope your kidding right? This is suppose to be a hobby.

Jeff Niceswanger
President UE Local 718
Maintenance Workers
Ralston Foods
Lancaster Ohio

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

No to many people with too many different agendas.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Novassdude,... not "too" many agenda's...Racers just have one ...their own ... they just like to point fingers....They need to turn their hand over and look at it. Especially the 3 fingers pointing at themselves. JB

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Probably the only way would be to do it like NHRA has done - create the organization that will put on the races and control the rules, offer enough money, glamour and celebrity to tempt everybody to come, force them to become members to be able to race at your races, and then feed them what you want them to have. They won't be organized or banded together, but they will show up at the same places. Kind of like a bunch of drunks who follow a beer truck.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

LOL....Best description yet !

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Wade to answer your question in one word................NO

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

I completely disagree with the beer truck-drunk analogy. You guys have totally underestimated the alure of dragracing/classracing.

A proper analogy would be;

Slowly driving a flatbed truck through the bad part of town loaded with free crack cocain on the back and the racers are the addict's running/staggering out of the ally's!
Nothing will stop them but death itself or the physical inability to catch up to the truck.

(but of course obama would lay on "chaser" vehicles for those who couldn't catch the truck and charge the fee's to the evil rich! LOL but I digress)


Oh, and the answer? You need to give them a common enemy (nhra) and you have to give them a way to fight back. (boycott a race) THEN you need to ensure it is more advantageous to follow the pack than it is to succumb to the allure of the race. (hard)
The best way would be to have a race the same weekend then ensure everybody knows if you go to the nhra race you will be ostracised.
Example, had a big race and all the nhra racers showed up but 2. Those two went to the nhra race so turn your back on them when their met at the following races. Put it on class racer etc, ensure everybody knows they are viewed as crap.

Don't have the stomach to do that? Then the answer is no, racers won't band together.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

I don't agree that you can't get racers to work together... I'm not saying it would be easy, but I think it is possible to get a large enough body of racers together to make a difference. The larger problem in my opinion is getting the proper forum or unification method, and the people and time to do the administrative work to make it happen. I know that Greg Hill is trying to put together a database of racers, so we can at least form an internet group of contacts. (Wait.... don't we HAVE a group through THIS forum???... wait, they are not an ACTION group, and that's what we need). I think it's worth a try.

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=31397

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Simply put - drag racing is an addiction for which there is no rehab or cure


:-) peace

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

I believe Tim nailed it.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Wade, doesn't it kinda remind you of the good ol WATCHDESK F/F forums?

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Wow...I sure am glad that I believe in building a car that can do other things besides NHRA and IHRA Super/Stock. Something that is fun, where you can really enjoy yourself. I think the Super/Stock that we know and love is in trouble. If the participants can't get together, they will be no match for NHRA. You don't wait till you're on your last leg before you begin to fight. Where are the seniors, the veterans that can show us the way.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Wade,look at Artie's "Good bye" thread.He's accused of being a big cry baby,for bringing
up some of the crap going on,mostly by our supposed leaders in Glendora.Others have been accused of the same.Some people say "just keep going to the races and have fun".
Well if you have enough money and time on your hands you can do that.A lot of people racing S/SS are finding it difficult to keep up monetarily,time and the fact that our
"leaders" are ruling by the ostrich method(put head in sand,what you don't see/hear doesn't mean squat).Guys have been making suggestions for alternate ways to race in a S/SS format and that's fine.But if it catches on our friends in Glendora can put the brakes on it pronto,by threatening any NHRA sanctioned track by either suing or lifting their sanction if they hosted any races by another race sanctioning body (to include any S/SS
regional organizations.Right now small associations (for example East coast S/SS RA
or ASRA) aren't big enough to pose a problem.But if an SRAC like Jeff tried to organize
then I'm sure they would jump to squash it.They would be a formidable monetary threat.

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Well said Ed, which gives me more reason to be glad that SIR in Tucson, Az., chose IHRA, when they had their NHRA sanction lifted by the Glendora group, for the (VERY POPULAR WITH THE FANS), "Nitro Jam" race held this past month...go online to IHRA.com, and you'll see how much the fans are glad for the Norwalk style of drag racing there! Oh and btw, the list for Salt Lake City is growing, so I think the message is being heard far and wide, thus making the future of S/SS look even better, because now we have options out west too!!!

Re: Is there a way to get S,S/S racers to band together?
 

Past all the cynicism, you could at least get S&SS racers to follow somebody they believed in (trusted) who had enough organization and $$ support behind them to put together a program that would provide the racers a venue to race. That's what happened at the USCN. It could happen again. That leader or group would have to be thick-skinned with a vision and the desire to make the vision become reality. You could not satisfy everybody. The factors that would be non-negotiable and have to be put in place would be fairness (as much as possible), integrity of all the staff, consistency in the application of standards and rules, and equal enforcement of all rules - elements that we want to have in all aspects of our lives. Whether the rules were to everybody's agreement or liking is not so much the point as much as the above.