Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Butler
Alan,
You are right about the banding together. Most racers have a selfish agenda and they might not even be able to admit it.They own a car they know.
Agenda: They have a car worth money and are afraid someone will change the overall rules just enough to put them at a disadvantage or make them change their class of competition or make a change which changes the importance of their beliefs about Drag Racing in the sportsman group.(arent the rules moving all the time anyway)
1)Manufacturers money or postings : as number of classes goes up (or stays HIGH like now) Too much $ to post for all class winners on a product if cars only buy a product one time and make it last for several seasons.Most want it to go to a racer not NHRA so with large posting some is lost to the NHRA pool.
2) As long as the racer gets to have a massive number of class choices and combinations this will not change.BYE runs still get contingency. If not the racers would move to a contested class on their own.
3) With no draw for a crowd of spectators ,stands are empty for bracket racing of CLASS cars at points meets and Nationals. No exposure of product names for advertising. Less important use of money than Dragster ad or magazines.
4) Sportsman racing has gone from racing a smaller number of classes with Names for the winners (Because of publicity and spectator knowledge) to dilution of the racing which decrease some class win importance or publicity since it is rarely done or minimally seen.
5) Due to the results of trying to get more entrants and pay less advertising NHRA has convinced themselves Sportsman racing is a Participant sport. Make a class for everything it is only Dial in anyway.The more classes accepted in the gate the more entry money. Result not many in a class so limit class racing at the event. ( the viscious circle)
That pools the cash and limits the people who deserve to split the pot of money into one elimination.
5)Fix it? it can be done but uncomfortable and unpopular to think of the things needed.
I doubt over 10-20 guys on this site would accept the changes even if they thought it would work.Agendas!
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Dick,
I'm not so sure a lot needs to change so much in Stock and Super Stock.If anything,they need to raise the event quotas.This is the current entry list stats for Pomona.
02/05/2009 - 02/08/2009 - Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals
Category Quota Entries % Full
Top Fuel Dragster 24 7 29.2%
Fuel Funny Car 24 11 45.8%
Pro Stock 26 17 65.4%
Top Alcohol Dragster 24 19 79.2%
Top Alcohol Funny Car 24 24 100.0%
Competition Eliminator 50 15 30.0%
Super Stock 80 80 100.0%
Stock Eliminator 80 82 102.5%
Super Gas 130 112 86.2%
Event Total 462 367 79.4%