NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Im posting this from another site. It is fairness to NHRA side of the story and not to be beating a dead horse. Take it for what its worth.

Celebrity street racer and star of Discovery Channel’s hit reality show Street Outlaws Justin “Big Chief” Shearer caused quite the firestorm earlier this week when he posted a photo of a letter from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) notifying cast members that their competition licenses would be revoked were they to continue participation in a production that blatantly portrays and romanticizes illegal street racing. “Just so everyone knows,” Shearer posted in his Facebook status, “street racing has consequences.”

genoefflerFans of the show took serious issue with NHRA’s actions. Within 24 hours of Shearer’s post, stories had popped up on various online magazines and on the websites of respected print titles like HOT ROD.

I also penned a piece for DRAGILLUSTRATED.com that outlined Shearer and co-star Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington’s take on the matter. Though those in support of Street Outlaws certainly made the most noise, further inspection of tweets, Facebook comments and messages sent directly to DRAG ILLUSTRATED would indicate a substantial divide on the matter—a near 50/50 split, in fact.

“The outrage is actually very small,” NHRA Vice President of Public Relations and Communications Geno Effler insists. “We’ve gotten a lot of supportive comments as well. I think it’s about 50/50, at least in the things that we’ve seen. It’s been a lot of, ‘Good! It’s about time you took a stance on this,’ and things like that. There have been some unhappy folks who have written to us, but there’s been a ton of folks congratulate us for taking the stance that we did.”

That doesn’t mean the ruckus created by Street Outlaws supporters hasn’t been substantial. Web traffic to DRAGILLUSTRATED.com’s interview with “Big Chief” and “Murder Nova” ultimately crashed company web servers, and still generated over 115,000 views in less than 24 hours. And a search of #NHRA on social media outlets produces a plethora of hateful (albeit often hilarious) anti-NHRA memes.

For the world’s foremost drag racing sanctioning body and its much-celebrated dedication to safety, there’s essentially no middle ground on the subject of illegal street racing. Matter of fact, the late Wally Parks founded the NHRA in 1951 almost entirely to curtail illegal street racing taking places on the streets of Southern California. Unfortunately for all those involved, a harmonious relationship between Discovery Channel’s ratings golden child and the Glendora, California-based NHRA is virtually impossible.

“Not with the show, per se, because of what it promotes,” says Effler. “The often-heard defense is, ‘Well, gee, it’s not real,’ and ‘The roads are all closed off,’ and all that. Well, whether that’s true or not; that’s not how it’s being portrayed. And so, people who watch it are being led to believe that it’s illegal street taking place.

“Whether the roads or closed off or not, though,” he continues, “they are still racing on a public roadway that has no barriers on the side. There may be curbs on the side; there may be ditches on the side of the road—no barriers. We’ve always been a leading opponent of illegal street racing and it’s just because we don’t like to see people getting hurt or killed on public roads when there are alternatives available, such as drag strips. So, that’s the sad part. Whether it’s a teenager in the Midwest or a celebrity like Paul Walker, you don’t like to read about it.”

Effler also provides a little insight as to NHRA’s initial reaction to the show, which is now in the midst of filming its fifth season, and their efforts to find a middle ground at the onset.

“Initially, we had asked the production company to—if it was possible—to change some of the format of the show, and to actually do the races on tracks and off public roads,” Effler explains. “We also asked them to make the disclaimers more prevalent and more direct.”

Once aware of NHRA-licensed vehicles—complete with various sponsor logos and NHRA competition numbers—appearing on the show, NHRA felt they had a responsibility to act.

“We wrote to the production company and we wrote to the individuals whose cars appeared on the show and communicated the message that they are subject to losing their license,” Effler says. “It’s a cautionary letter; that’s it. Just like, ‘Hey, just in case you don’t realize it, which you probably should, but you’re doing something on this show that could cost you your NHRA license.’”

Effler adamantly stated that NHRA wasn’t proposing any sort of lifetime ban against the cast of Street Outlaws like a reactive, 30,000-foot view of the situation—particularly on blogs and social media outlets—might lead someone to believe.

“I’ve been asked a lot about some clarification on the letter. Are these guys allowed to come to NHRA tracks? And the answer is yes, of course they can. There’s nothing in there that says they can’t come to a Mello Yello NHRA Drag Racing Series event and spectate and nothing that says they can’t make an arrangement with an NHRA member track and rent it or have a track do an event featuring those guys.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Effler continues. “I mean, that’s the whole point—get it to a race track. And, hey, if they want to race on a drag strip that’s unprepped—okay. That’s between them and the track owner.”

However, a substantial amount of gray area exists in the case of said racers actually losing their NHRA competition licenses, which per the NHRA rulebook are required to drive vehicles covering the eighth-mile quicker than 6.39-seconds. At that point it would quite clearly be an issue for Street Outlaws stars like Shearer, Ellington and a host of others who pilot 2,500-plus horsepower, back-halved doorslammers to race on NHRA sanctioned drag strips.

Nonetheless, NHRA stands by their “cautionary letter,” and seems to genuinely hope the cast of Street Outlaws heeds their warning.

“It wasn’t a letter saying you are hereby penalized,” says Effler in conclusion. “It’s just a reminder to these individuals that they have a decision to make down the road. Let’s face it, had we taken no cautionary action, had we not said anything and somewhere down the line, heaven forbid, a crash occurs on that show and someone is seriously injured or worse, then everybody would be like to NHRA saying, ‘Why didn’t you come out against this?’ and ‘Where was your voice?’ We simply can’t condone street racing.”
__________________
Scott Russell
Special thanks to BB&T Racing, without whom this project would never have been possible. Thanks to Jim Kuntz for the dedication to building my engine as though it were his own. Thanks to Mark Micke of M&M Transmission. Also special thanks to my friend Dean Fisher. I could never have built this car without your friendship, motivation, and awesome fab work. And to Dave Zimmerman, cause without his help, I'd still be spinning my wheels!
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Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

One small flaw in NHRA's statement......they do not race on public streets, I've seen them use an access road inside an Airport which is a Private road with no public access therefore innocent drivers are not going to blunder into their path. Farmtruck and AZN are the only ones I've seen that actually race on the street.

I do not condone street drag racing or the Fast n Furious type of racing NOR do I condone threatening people simply because your the biggest HRA on the block!

JimR

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Quote""""One small flaw in NHRA's statement......they do not race on public streets, I've seen them use an access road inside an Airport which is a Private road with no public access therefore innocent drivers are not going to blunder into their path. Farmtruck and AZN are the only ones I've seen that actually race on the street.

I do not condone street drag racing or the Fast n Furious type of racing NOR do I condone threatening people simply because your the biggest HRA on the block!""""

Jim Rountree """"END quote


Jim, I guess you did not see the 1st few seasons that show aired when they did race on the street. Also the title of the show insinuates street racing

If you follow forums like class racer, many posts discussing "Street Outlaws" here believe they are still racing on the streets.

I believe NHRA had to take a stand and did the right thing.

And you may want to ask Doug Herbert what his response would be.

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

It is NHRA's right to say "You are setting a bad example, go race with somebody else".

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

We have all been duped.
It's a publicity stunt.
SO will now bolster attendance @ NHRA races.
Think of it as a NHRA /Street Outlaws "Soap Opera"

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Hey Adger, you're probably right.

Can you imagine how much interest there would be if NHRA booked them in for $25,000 Winner take all session at a National Event like Dallas???

It would be SRO and a complete Zoo!!!

NHRA makes a killin'......and Wally would approve....Everybody goes home happy ....even Ed Wright. LOL

RJ

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

I found it interesting tonight as I watch street outlaws, that 16 minutes into what I believe is their season finale that NHRA had an advertisement for the upcoming 4 Wide Nationals at Zmax! I'm sort of surprised that Discovery Channel will even sell any advertising to them. Just makes you say hmmm!!!

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Tracy its what Adger said.... probably twice as many people watch street outlaws rather than NHRA on Sunday.

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Jeff, Give me a call

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Hey Tracy: u know what time it is. If NHRA was sooo! offended by the show they wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole,but they r looking for a way to get some publicity from the show. Thought it funny the Pro racers that they chose to make comments about the show, n the wrongs of street racing. Please, how stupid does NHRA think people r to think that (Tony,Larry,Antron, or Erica) r going to say anything against the hand that feeds them.Truth be told the very crowd or age group NHRA is after r the ones that watch the show: so what does that tell u.

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

bet $100 before 2015 is done one / all of the shows cars - people - trucks race at an NHRA track ....

anyone takers (limit first one )

captain jack

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

I'd love to have a piece of that spectator gate...

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

most everyone that has commented has had a bit of cynicism.. for the wrong reasons.. just blame the lawyers.. if NHRA had not said something, it would be much easier to possibly win a large settlement in a frivolous suit..Thgink back to what we call stupid lawsuits.. each one , win or lose costs you and I a penny , nickel di9me, open, space, personal right, or racetrack... a motorcycle custom part manufacturer many years ago was sued by a fool that crashed his bike, the handlebar folded back and penetrated the fool's leg.. Result? lawsuit...The rider's lawyer got the manufacture they sued to settle before trial.. trouble was the settlement was like extortion.. the plaintiff was NOT the manufacturer of the bar.. but it was cheaper to settle before trial.. there are thousands of cases... and thousands of millionaire lawyers as a result..
how about a top fuel car that crashes due to a bad tire? No question.. sue the tire manufacture, distributor, chassis builer and, and, and the racetrack... It happens ... NHRA is using lawyer talk to keep other lawyers away.. and possibly keep them afloat .. without certain things like arangements for affordable insurance etc, we would not have ANY tracks..I have no doubt in my mind if any thing bad happened on that set NHRA would be drug into it.... That is the way the machine works...It is not the first time a sanctioning body has tried what some might call heavy handed tactics..

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

If this is the case then NHRA should have put that in the letter and sent it to the producers. Don't threaten the cast of the show.

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

NHRA did not threaten the cast of the show. All NHRA did was say that if you participate in this show, you are not welcome in our races. No one has a right to race in NHRA events and NHRA, like any private organization, has the right to choose who it does business with as long as it does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or gender.

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Threaten might be to harsh of a word but non the less. If you do this then we will do this to you. I guess a promise and not a threat.

Re: NHRA response to the letters sent.
 

Yep...It's kind of like a college that tells a frat house "If you chant racist things, you can't be part of our college." Or, a football league that tells a player "If you beat up your wife or beat your little boy, you can't play for us." Or a baseball league that says "If you gamble on baseball, you can't play in our league." Or a school that tells teachers "If you molest children, you can't teach here."

The world is full of conditions like that.

Jim