The Fight To Preserve Class Racing

[Gary Smith]

With all the doom and gloom talk of NHRA doing away with class racing, perhaps it's time for the racers to take control of their destiny. It's all a matter of marketing, and the returns from expense that go with it. In the last decade all but a few NHRA class racers have enjoyed substantial returns, usually a result of winning, along with various other perks. The cold hard reality that NHRA doesn't need class racing has become increasingly evident over the last couple years due to it's straying from being a service organization to pure corporate marketing strategy...it's all about selling speed and it's bottom line cost. And since it's a failing direction, they have and will continue to take from us to supplement that strategy until they've used us up, we "cry uncle", or they fold altogether. True, the average Joe Spectator will never grasp the technical concept or methods of class racing, but he and his family aren't deep minded enough about anything in life. He's only interested in entertainment value, and that's who NHRA is after. As a result NHRA now competes with theatrical shows, stick-ball sports, amusement parks, and even circus acts. Thet have thrown themselves on the track of mainstream entertainment market share. Any sales person knows about the "80-20 rule"...80 percent of your business comes from 20 percent of your customer/audience base.

The good news is that other 80 percent is still out there who we can (and should) focus on. What's better is that this group includes the 20 to 30 percent of deep minded society looking for something beyond general theatrics, danger, or glamour. Rich Christensen with his "Pinks All Out" concept continues to prove this every time he's handing out money like candy.

With our current economic condition, many supporters of class racing have changed their strategies both in marketing and spending habits. The proof could be seen when we watched many of the "sticker sponsors" leave NHRA class racing in droves the last couple years. Have they stopped supporting grassroots drag racing? Hardly. Take a look at other series like NMRA, NMCA, and specifically ADRL.. all alive and well. Why? Full grandstands. A good example of the "other 80 percent" rule is ADRL. Their concept is pure genius: a membership program to offset operating costs and racer fees to support a payout program. Then allow members/spectators free admission (not sure if membership required or not..nonetheless a great concept) which builds consession traffic opportunities, creating a standard admission fee alternative. The results are full grandstands and pit traffic, something supporting sponsors LOVE to see. So even though average Joe may consider Class racing "complex" and not quite the same danger and speed, it still offers the same smell noise, and a fair amount of excitement that come with other forms of motorsports action, but is cheap or FREE to attend. So he's able to bring his family and get better value for his money. Not to mention another venue to attract hot rodders who buy products from the same companies that have traditionally supported class racing (I knew many bracket racers who attended national events just to visit the mfr midways back in the day).

We also need to attract TV or video coverage. Nothing attracts spectators better than the psyche of being in a "TV" audience. And class racing offers some of the best damn material for TV audiences..it's just that producers don't know where to look. Imagine the drama that takes place during teardowns as part of a reality show? No different than Science/History/Discovery group of channel's current programming. Orange County Choppers...go figure. Hell, some top rated TV reality shows are far less entertaining and complicated to follow. And some of the best paid comedians in show business don't hold a candle to many of the personalities in S/SS.

Track operators, S/SS associations, and class racers should take notice....while NHRA is looking for an escape clause...we may be staring down the narrow passage leading to our nirvana...maybe the golden opportunity to capitalize on NHRA's struggles. While they fight for the few big golden nuggets in the sand...there's much more in the form of gold pieces as long as we're willing to sift and work through it. It's time to band together and run our own show.

[Bob Pagano]

Hurdle # 1, Where are you going to run ? nhra will never let you run at one of their sanctioned tracks, why do you think USCN ran at Byron. Races need to be for everyone across the country, you mite be able to run a couple of races that take in certain area's but I dont see everyone being able to compeat. ADRL dose not compeat with nhra, no S or SS NMCA runs a bracket elim. footbrake only and dose not compeat with nhra.
Only way we can make a move is if nhra tells us we are done otherwise they will just step all over us. Ask Alex Denysenko , he knows all the if ands and buts.

[Ed Wright]

Guess I missed something. When & where did they say they were doing away with class racing?

[larrylomascolo]

what will the suits put in all that empty slots if they do away with sportsman racing,never happen,if sportsman leave nhra,the nhra is done,will not have a product to justify addmission

[Philip Saran]

Originally Posted by larrylomascolo

what will the suits put in all that empty slots if they do away with sportsman racing,never happen,if sportsman leave nhra,the nhra is done,will not have a product to justify addmission

If you take a look at the stands at a national meet:
(1) somewhat full when the pro's run
(2) much less full when the stock/superstock run

the majority of people who pay to come to a national meet come to see the sound, fire
and fury of the Pro cars.

I am in the minority that when I attend a national meet I leave the stands after stock,
superstock and some of the super gas class's (I have friends who run all three).

Would I pay to attend a national meet if the door cars are not there? No probably not.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jim Storms]

I agree with your concerns!!! but is does no good for our classes when NHRA gives us, examples...80-130 car entry spots and we only fill 2/3 of the feild.... If racers were that concerned about losing our classes they would be entering races and showing NHRA....they want be part of racing in the future...if people says it's to exspensive to go racin...then there in the wrong sport... NO EXCUSES....

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Guess I missed something. When & where did they say they were doing away with class racing?

Talk, rumors, buzz etc. Nothing was mentioned of official notice. Forget about NHRA ever admitting to such a move. Remember what happended to Modified in 1981 - http://www.competitionplus.com/index...1490&Itemid=24

And Pro Stock Truck 2001 - http://www.competitionplus.com/2004_...ock_truck.html

Do you honestly think NHRA is going to give everyone a heads up if they do? And do they own every dragstrip in this country?

If the suits were honestly worried about filling empty slots do you think they'd think twice about how they schedule sportsman classes? Have you ever sat in on a corporate board meeting and hear how executives talk about customers? "Don't worry, most will buy, some will bitch, and a few will actually make formal complaints...we can deal with them". Does that sound like they honestly care? They only care about making money.

As long as there are complacent racers willing to pay outrageous admission and withstand the inconveniences during major events it's a no brainer NHRA's not going to provide any sort of warning or admission of "writing on the wall". They'll milk it for all it's worth until their fortunes run out. Anyone with half a brain is smart enough not to shoot the golden goose. Show me where things have improved? Can you show me the incentives NHRA has put in place to attract new blood? Grade points, higher entry fees, unchanged payouts, loss of contengency sponsors, reduction of class runoffs, reduction of events that run our categories, class consolidations, I can go on. Where are the positives?

Bob, I know Alex personally and know his primary goal was to prove it can be done. What killed the "sequel" is the same thing that currently hurts NHRA class racing...people whining about the abuse from NHRA but continue to support them regardless. The only way we could do it at "their" sanctioned tracks is if the rest of the class racing community (or all NHRA sportsman members for that matter) bands together and supports their local tracks first and foremost, as well as various regional S/SS associations, foregoing NHRA events. True, they might shut the door on us, and probably be the best thing to happen. Perhaps a wakeup call to NHRA, or even bigger, a final death blow to such an arrogant organization after we establish ourselves as an independent entity. Strength is always in numbers. WJ admitted himself last week at Maple Grove...NHRA works with no more than 2% of their membership.

All great things start with an idea. This is just mine.

[Gary Smith]

...as far as rumor goes...T/S and T/D is being run as exhibition classes...no weighing, no fuel check, no teardowns. Talk of possible replacement for S/ST, S/G, and S/C. Very fast, dial-in racing with little to no "policing". Reduced technical staff...something that was mentioned on this forum previously. The average Joe Spectator could care less. If you can't see this....you need to get your eyes checked.

[Dick Butler]

Gary, I know your pain about class racing. I have spoken here many times about methods to improve it. I worked with TOP/SS and TOP/STK. Dedication of the racers to re doing class heads up racing is minor. Many will speak about it and sigh about how they miss it. The ones who supported TOP/SS and TOP/STK raved about it and want it to continue. Problem is NHRA will never support 8 guys racing at an event where they have 100 paid entries to just participate in Stk or SS who dont care whether they race anyone as long as they can "participate" in the bracket part of the event. AGE has caught up with the racers. Old guys who understand are leaving the sport or just gave up class racing. Young guys set their sights on having a place to bring their $30,000 to $100,000 cars to run down the track and let off at 1000 ft and hope someone is impressed because they are saving their HP rating. None of the older guys are impressed. They want to see a CLASS WINNER trophy on the shelf. If you find a sponsor who will pay money for class to make it attractive some will STILL not compete. So many cars cannot be made competitive based on factoring fiascos seen at the US nationals and still some cars are kicked out over a cc spec in a book when they are grossly mis factored for lack of interest.
Modified was the answer ahead of its time. Same cubic inchs, carbs open rules but basic chassis. SS and Stk are unfortunately victims of manipulation by Tech rules committee ignoring them and bogus expectations and punishments.
Good Luck
I loved TOP/SS as those who fit easily and supported it. The TOP/STK guys felt the same but there was no incentive for NHRA to support it when TOP/SPORTSMAN and TOP/DRagster had MONEY coming in to support the races...

[Gary Smith]

Jim, I do this STRICTLY as a hobby. BUT I WANT IT TO CONTINUE. What do we do when NHRA carves us out of the picture???
As I've asked ad-nauseum...WHAT IS IT THAT PEOPLE THINK NHRA IS NEEDED TO KEEP CLASS RACING ALIVE???? WHAT DO THEY HONESTLY BRING TO THE TABLE? DO WE RACERS WANT TO CONTINUE TO RACE...OR BITCH ABOUT THEM YET CONTINUE SUPPORTING THESE GREEDY BASTARDS???? Class racing will only continue IF we take control of our destiny.....PERIOD.