Just talkin' here #4

Billy Nees · 01-10-2020, 08:13 PM

A few years ago, then NHRA pres. Tom Compton tried in vain to "split" the Pro 's away from the Sportsmen and sell the Pro series to an unknown buyer as a "for profit" entity.
Would that have been a good thing or a bad thing for Sportsmen Racers?
What would an NHRA Sportsman Series standing alone have looked like?
Would/could it survive?
Should the NHRA Sportsmen Racers be actively pursuing something like this today?

Randall Klein · 01-10-2020, 08:27 PM

Jeff Tueton and “others” tried to organize something under the SRA (Sportsman Racers Assoc), about the time of the Pro sell off. Accused of a personal agenda, it n

Randall Klein · 01-10-2020, 08:31 PM

Oops
Kinda fizzled out
I still have my SRA decal
As I recall, the supposed Pro buyers backed off, as they examined proposed revenue streams
One key in my opinion is NHRA allowing a secondary organization access to the good tracks

bykr · 01-10-2020, 09:00 PM

I hadn't attended a national event on Sunday in some time, but I recently attended the World Finals in Pomona. I had tickets in the reserved section and was amazed at the amount of people that left the stands when the Pro Stock cars were pulling up after the fuel cars. Approx. 2/3rds of the stands would empty! So, any sportsman only race would probably be a ghost town spectator wise much like the divisional races.

Mike Jones · 01-10-2020, 09:33 PM

We have a 3 day race at Lebanon Valley Dragway (NY). Its called the Dover Dragstrip Reunion. Pre 1979, all types of classes, something for everybody, plus exhibition BB Funny Cars, Altereds etc. and 150 participant car show. This year it was the same weekend as the Dutch Classic (PA)
Grandstands are packed on Sunday. Concessions, T shirt sales etc. I can`t explain why it works, but I think in part, its the nostalgia factor. Its very well attended.
MJ

Jack McCarthy · 01-10-2020, 09:44 PM

Just talking here ... if the pros had a reduced schedule that would lead one to believe the old practice of a few match races on tap during Sunday’s at the sportsman race ... pat joffrion did the best ever first two years had a couple TAD nitro guys testing and licensing I think and he packed that place ... and sold a lot of beer & food

Hmmm match races

01-10-2020, 08:13 PM	#1
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,486 Likes: 3,587 Liked 7,683 Times in 1,731 Posts	Just talkin' here #4 A few years ago, then NHRA pres. Tom Compton tried in vain to "split" the Pro 's away from the Sportsmen and sell the Pro series to an unknown buyer as a "for profit" entity. Would that have been a good thing or a bad thing for Sportsmen Racers? What would an NHRA Sportsman Series standing alone have looked like? Would/could it survive? Should the NHRA Sportsmen Racers be actively pursuing something like this today? __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

01-10-2020, 08:27 PM	#2
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Just talkin' here # Jeff Tueton and “others” tried to organize something under the SRA (Sportsman Racers Assoc), about the time of the Pro sell off. Accused of a personal agenda, it n

01-10-2020, 08:31 PM	#3
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Just talkin' here #4 Oops Kinda fizzled out I still have my SRA decal As I recall, the supposed Pro buyers backed off, as they examined proposed revenue streams One key in my opinion is NHRA allowing a secondary organization access to the good tracks

01-10-2020, 09:33 PM	#5
Mike Jones VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,125 Likes: 1,179 Liked 684 Times in 289 Posts	Re: Just talkin' here #4 We have a 3 day race at Lebanon Valley Dragway (NY). Its called the Dover Dragstrip Reunion. Pre 1979, all types of classes, something for everybody, plus exhibition BB Funny Cars, Altereds etc. and 150 participant car show. This year it was the same weekend as the Dutch Classic (PA) Grandstands are packed on Sunday. Concessions, T shirt sales etc. I can`t explain why it works, but I think in part, its the nostalgia factor. Its very well attended. MJ Last edited by Mike Jones; 01-11-2020 at 05:22 AM.

01-10-2020, 09:44 PM	#6
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,318 Likes: 28 Liked 459 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Just talkin' here #4 Just talking here ... if the pros had a reduced schedule that would lead one to believe the old practice of a few match races on tap during Sunday’s at the sportsman race ... pat joffrion did the best ever first two years had a couple TAD nitro guys testing and licensing I think and he packed that place ... and sold a lot of beer & food Hmmm match races __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"

01-10-2020, 09:00 PM	#4
bykr Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 232 Likes: 274 Liked 167 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Just talkin' here #4 I hadn't attended a national event on Sunday in some time, but I recently attended the World Finals in Pomona. I had tickets in the reserved section and was amazed at the amount of people that left the stands when the Pro Stock cars were pulling up after the fuel cars. Approx. 2/3rds of the stands would empty! So, any sportsman only race would probably be a ghost town spectator wise much like the divisional races. __________________ Tim Schmackpfeffer 762 SS

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