[Alan Roehrich]

Pat is correct, as usual, which is to be expected from an astute and successful business operator.

Everyone should pony up for a $0.42 stamp and a $0.10 envelope, and write a calm, rational well thought out letter to NHRA. The more people write, the more attention it will get.

List your complaints, and your reasons. There are plenty.

NHRA says they haven't raised fees in a decade. Fine.

But they have not raised the payout in a decade or more either.

NHRA says it costs them more to operate now.

But it costs us more to operate now, too, except for fuel to get to the track (which we all paid dearly for last year, by the way).

NHRA fails to mention (but Dan Fletcher helped us out with the information) that contingency wise it pays 1/3 LESS to win this year.

NHRA fails to mention that they refused to make concessions for contingency sponsors. So 1/3 of them, or more, did not post this year.

In fact, the only concession NHRA did make this year were some ticket discounts for spectators, unless you count their staff reductions, and the reductions in allowances for staff expenses.

The list can go on, and maybe it should. But you should all make your own list. Make it short, concise, and to the point. Be civil, and polite, but firm.

Glendora appears to have become as disconnected from reality is D.C., in fact Glendora is to drag racing what D.C. is to the country. In light of the fact that these fees are much the same as taxes, and we are evidently suffering from taxation without representation, maybe we should all put a tea bag label in the envelope with the letter. However, if you do this, you may want to include a small brief note explaining the purpose and intent of the tea bag label, as Glendora may not yet grasp that simple concept.