Racing fairness versus Circus attendance

Dick Butler · 09-21-2010, 09:54 AM

I have raced a lot of years with NHRA. Tried IHRA a couple of events. I have been "retired" from racing for about 10 years but watch NHRA get even WORSE at managing Sportsman Racing. More complaints with VALID concerns for HP factors and handling of AHFS.
Problem is that it seems being able to attend the NHRA CIRCUS events must be what draws racers to attend even though they know they are being screwed by class structures and factoring and scheduling and , and, and.....
Is it really time to check the racers in Stock and SS pulse to see if another CLASS nationals type event run by outside interests with an updated rule set would work.
Would you attend one event as a test of NEW organization, with some changes ? like separate Supercharged classes,

Michael Beard · 09-21-2010, 11:01 AM

More than just attend, I would like to help put one on. Biggest problem is time. You really need to be out front promoting such an event for 1 year, plus. Then you've got scheduling and location.... then politics...

Jim Wahl · 09-21-2010, 12:49 PM

I went back and attended several IHRA races this year. I was pleasantly surprised! They are much more laid back but the races seem to flow better and are well organized. The biggest thing that stuck out was they really seem glad you are there! I like that! Jim

Dick Butler · 09-21-2010, 12:59 PM

Micheal, I am talking about planning an event for NEXT year early as a test of support and test of ideas. Attending PRI for support, Collecting a group of experienced promoters and talking to a track who would offer a combined good site and family appeal to make it an "event" for all in the family. You know like Bowling Green with the park or ....a picnic in evening. A special outing to enjoy racing and friends.. with knowledge it is a "test" event for gauge of support.

Michael Beard · 09-21-2010, 02:17 PM

Well, folks (aka, customers), start rattling off what it is you'd like to see. What kind of race would you support? What are your priorities? What's an acceptable entry fee/payout? Facility? (the fancier the race track you have to have, the less money can go back to the racers, as track rental fees vary wildly) Class Runoffs? Quick 32 CIC Comp-Style shootouts? How important is event coverage (online, magazine, TV)?

If someone knew that you could draw 300+ cars again like the US Class Nationals, a promoter would put one together in a heartbeat. But YOU the customer have to speak up and let it be known what it is you want, when & where, and most importantly, that you would truly show up and support an event. YOU are the ones that make it happen.

Daran Summerton · 09-21-2010, 02:26 PM

Bowling Green! Bowling Green! Bowling Green!

treessavoy · 09-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Michael,

Just a thought to throw out there: A King of the Hill Race, Stocker's against SS'er's

How about a Stock/SS shoot out. Stockers against SS'er's. Each round would be a Stocker against a SS car, run off the IHRA indexes (IHRA indexes may allow more racers to attend) .

You could decide the winner by the last man standing...Stock or SS.

Just a thought.

JimR

09-21-2010, 09:54 AM	#1
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Racing fairness versus Circus attendance I have raced a lot of years with NHRA. Tried IHRA a couple of events. I have been "retired" from racing for about 10 years but watch NHRA get even WORSE at managing Sportsman Racing. More complaints with VALID concerns for HP factors and handling of AHFS. Problem is that it seems being able to attend the NHRA CIRCUS events must be what draws racers to attend even though they know they are being screwed by class structures and factoring and scheduling and , and, and..... Is it really time to check the racers in Stock and SS pulse to see if another CLASS nationals type event run by outside interests with an updated rule set would work. Would you attend one event as a test of NEW organization, with some changes ? like separate Supercharged classes, Last edited by Dick Butler; 09-21-2010 at 09:59 AM.

09-21-2010, 11:01 AM	#2
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Racing fairness versus Circus attendance More than just attend, I would like to help put one on. Biggest problem is time. You really need to be out front promoting such an event for 1 year, plus. Then you've got scheduling and location.... then politics... __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

09-21-2010, 12:49 PM	#3
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,845 Likes: 672 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Racing fairness versus Circus attendance I went back and attended several IHRA races this year. I was pleasantly surprised! They are much more laid back but the races seem to flow better and are well organized. The biggest thing that stuck out was they really seem glad you are there! I like that! Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

09-21-2010, 12:59 PM	#4
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Racing fairness versus Circus attendance Micheal, I am talking about planning an event for NEXT year early as a test of support and test of ideas. Attending PRI for support, Collecting a group of experienced promoters and talking to a track who would offer a combined good site and family appeal to make it an "event" for all in the family. You know like Bowling Green with the park or ....a picnic in evening. A special outing to enjoy racing and friends.. with knowledge it is a "test" event for gauge of support.

09-21-2010, 02:17 PM	#5
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Racing fairness versus Circus attendance Well, folks (aka, customers), start rattling off what it is you'd like to see. What kind of race would you support? What are your priorities? What's an acceptable entry fee/payout? Facility? (the fancier the race track you have to have, the less money can go back to the racers, as track rental fees vary wildly) Class Runoffs? Quick 32 CIC Comp-Style shootouts? How important is event coverage (online, magazine, TV)? If someone knew that you could draw 300+ cars again like the US Class Nationals, a promoter would put one together in a heartbeat. But YOU the customer have to speak up and let it be known what it is you want, when & where, and most importantly, that you would truly show up and support an event. YOU are the ones that make it happen. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

09-21-2010, 02:26 PM	#6
Daran Summerton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas nv Posts: 600 Likes: 18 Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Racing fairness versus Circus attendance Bowling Green! Bowling Green! Bowling Green! __________________ 72 cutlass

09-21-2010, 02:35 PM	#7
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Racing fairness versus Circus attendance Michael, Just a thought to throw out there: A King of the Hill Race, Stocker's against SS'er's How about a Stock/SS shoot out. Stockers against SS'er's. Each round would be a Stocker against a SS car, run off the IHRA indexes (IHRA indexes may allow more racers to attend) . You could decide the winner by the last man standing...Stock or SS. Just a thought. JimR __________________ Jim Rountree