[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Billy, Dont get nervous. I cannot affect NHRA. I cannot even convince you to read the concerns of those who post here. I cannot get you to have an open discussion about things "I believe" could help get more people in the stands, More sponsors, more fun.

Dick, more sponsors, more hassles! IMHO, the only things that are going to put more people in the stands are blood, guts and controversy. We have become a self supporting sport/hobby and we seem to be doing fine that way.


You are correct I do not contribute to NHRA entry funds by racing a car currently. I did support THREE SS/GT cars for several years. Age and life changes have encouraged me to change my activities and direction. I still have a right to respond to questions regarding the sport.

Yes, you do. Your cheap shots (not being allowed to run S/SS because you race a) kind of give away your intentions though, don't they?


I know that without a car it is so much easier to see the issues while not paying entry.

Is that like being a politician? You know how to spend my money better than I do? Maybe you should apply for a job in the "Ivory Tower". They're pretty good at that even though most of them haven't got a clue as to what is involved in racing a S/SS car.


Correct, maybe it should not matter to me but having worked hard to organize, manage and run 7 or 8 TOP/SS, and later a TOP/STK events where racers spoke how much they liked it , I have some reasonable input. We did this with only a space to race after many left for the motels. Even Sponsors contributed to these races.All I have spoken to about this project would do it again in a heart beat.

You, the IHRA and a cast of other characters have all tried TOP/SS, TOP/Stk and TOP Wheelbarrow with exactly the same results, not enough participation, not enough spectator interest, not enough prize/sponsorship money and TOO costly to compete! I absolutely love watching TOP whatever but it will always be a self supporting venue. NHRA is doing the "Factory Musclecar" deal right now and buried it in the middle of the rest of Sportsmen qualifying instead of showcasing it with "The Show"! And then, they couldn't even be bothered to prep the track! I guess that shows what THEY think of the idea. The only thing that came about from that little experiment is a soft index that lets the participants hide from the AHFS and makes it tougher for a regular Stocker to qualify at Indy.


Please do not take my discussions personally. These are supposed to be open to ideas from all people who have best interest of S and SS in mind.
Thank you for understanding.
" All of Stk is doing just fine". How many non racer family were in the stands? How much round money was paid? How many sponsors paid the 3rd place car? This should not be a participant only sport if it is to gain support.

Dick, as a matter of fact, I DO take it personally! I always selfishly refer to this as "my sport" because that is what I feel. I take it personally every time I see you, the NHRA or a know nothing that would just happen to be employed by the NHRA corrupt a rule or make an incorrect decision pertaining to "my sport". Believe me, I DO take it personally!