Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

With all of the negativity about the NHRA and IHRA it makes me wonder, what is it that makes racers want to go. It seems to me that if the racers would spend a National event size entry fee (say 300 bucks) at a one day non NHRA/IHRA event, there could be some really good returns for some. Lets say your racing at a National and during the weekend you go around to some of your classmates. You tell them there's a race next (whenever) and the entry is 300. Only class cars are allowed (must have competed in the NHRA/IHRA within the last year and as such be legal). Using a bracket format with no heads-up runs or with, whatever you decide. You pay the footbrake entry (part of the 300) say 30-50 bucks and the other 250 goes into the pot. Now 4 cars has 1000 purse....20 cars is 5 Gs to split....anyway, you get the idea. The track gets 50 per car and a good show for the fans. Even if they offer the time prior to their regular bracket program as to not interfere. Then you could run the bracket show too. LOL You don't have to worry about the Mustangs/Challengers...horsepower they put on ya...teardown...1000 foot runners....cheaters....big money cars...sittin around for four days...two runs a day...held up and/or dropped by a pro session....you will be bracket racing (but only with your kind a guys, just like the big time NHRA Eliminator without the heads-up possibility of course)...(may still have the weather to deal with....but not four days of it) everything thats bringing down drag racing (according to this forum) "WHAT IS IT WE LIKE SO MUCH"? Is it "THE BIG SHOW" is it "TRADITION"? If your bag is seeing who the fastest guy is....have a race for that too (but you will have to police that one). I know about the associations here on CR and I like it. But 80 cars would be a hell of a show and 20,000 to give back. What is it that I'm not seeing here? Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA ?
I will spend my money with them, because I'm OK with the way it is. But I would certainly be happy to run a non NHRA, IHRA race with you for a slice of the 20 Gs

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

One word...........EGO ! It couldnt be for the win money.

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

BIG EGO why else would put are name on the side of a beautiful car in foot high letters!

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Competition, Advertising (both for sponsors as well as my own business), Money, Fun.

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Wade, That is a very accurate observation, you just described what we have been doing for the past (2) years cant say what association so i'm not accused of spaming but we always try to include every s/ss racer . The payout could be huge, ( getting everyone to agree and attend is the problem) I guess for some its easier to sit behind a keyboard and complain then to try and do something about it.We would love to have you join us or any other association. If everyone would just stick together all class racing could be saved from extinction. ok, thats my .02 --Fire Away.

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Jim, have you found it difficult to get the track owner to participate. I would think not, he gets a cut right!

Micheal, I know your a fine racer. I know you are a sharp fellow as well. I also know that the time and money you spend racing, could be better used right here on the net for advertising purposes LOL. I do agree in full with the fun part!

Looks like Larry vs. the tech man in the final.....both winners!

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Wade,

Absolutley love your idea. Only the above statement stops me. Not the legal part but having "to compete" in N/IHRA events. The car I'm trying to cobble together, we have little intention of running either national or divisional events. I mainly just want to put a car together to run the S/SS combo events here in the midwest area (Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois). Since it will be a crate motor car, we can't run NHRA events at all.

I am building the car with rulebook in hand. If we chose to attend an IHRA national or divisional, I will be legal. Truthfully, running the combos seems a whole lot more fun than messing with the national scene.

Just my take on it.

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Who would be putting on the show for? Shoe polish events doesn't draw spectators. Never has,never will. Boring to watch.

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Harry has answered the question. It's the show and so they can say they raced at the same race as John Force. Don't worry all out there, JF will fade away with the other old timers and Gen X and Y will finally take over with their Top Sportsman and Top Dragsters.

Most racers could care less who's in the stands unless they are celebrity hogs looking to for attention and to be a show off.

Go to any Sat night bracket race and pull up with your super stocker or stocker and run 9.90 or slower. Next to you is Little Timmy who can only understand that he has 1/2 of what you have in your stocker/ss'er, but he runs 1-2 seconds faster than you with his turbo 10.5 tire with a bondo and rust car. You all say it's about the speed and that is what NHRA is selling. Tell me then who's really playing the game the way it should be played???:)

Re: Why do you spend your money with NHRA, IHRA?
 

Wade, The only money the track gets is the gate fee coming in , All else is 100% payout. We have more tracks that want us than races to offer. That is a good problem to have ( i think ) LOL.