The Demise Of Class Eliminations

[GUMP]

Pre-Covid we had had Class Eliminations at every National in Division 2. What is the justification for only having Class at one event now?

Also, why is there almost no complaining about this?

To me, this is one of the few valid things that we should be fighting for.

[Billy Nees]

Ya know Daren, I won't even get into my rant regarding why we are even AT Nat'l Events anymore. I'll just say that when participation is legislated down to the point where there is no longer even any kind of meaningful "qualifying" then IMHO we (S/SS Racers) shouldn't be there anymore.
The NHRA could easily run Class Eliminations at any number of Divisional Events (with intent, not as an afterthought) throughout the year. Maybe at least one and maybe more in each Division. Just leave Indy alone, some things are sacred even to me!

[GUMP]

I think that running Class Eliminations at Divisionals is a step down. I also don't think that one opportunity in each Division is enough.

I am assuming that before Covid turned everything upside down, the cost of Class was built into our entry fee. So, in Division 2 they are handing out two thirds less trophies than before and charging more than before.

This is a legitimate issue that should be addressed. There is a lot of discussion on here on how Class Racing is dying. This is a big deal that we shouldn't let go easily.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by GUMP

This is a legitimate issue that should be addressed. There is a lot of discussion on here on how Class Racing is dying. This is a big deal that we shouldn't let go easily.

Do you believe for one minute that I don't feel that this isn't a legitimate issue? I'm quite sure that if anyone feels this to be a non-issue it will be the NHRA B-O-D. They have been taking time in their shows away from us for years and giving it to Jr.s and local bracket shows. If you (and others) truly believe this to be a "legitimate issue" then I would like to suggest that "we" start looking at this from a 21ST Century perspective because whether "we" like it or not, "we" don't fit in to NHRA's Nat'l Event program any longer.
I can easily live with running Class Eliminations at a Divisional Event where we're openly welcome and participation isn't a problem.

[QUOTE=GUMP;691341]I think that running Class Eliminations at Divisionals is a step down. I also don't think that one opportunity in each Division is enough.


How is that a step down?

[Ron Ortiz]

Class at nationals are a joke, how can you have class when the field is getting smaller and smaller quotas.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Gump, I feel your pain ….I will share with you a quote from my close friend Charles Norton ……”Nothing lasts forever “

Originally Posted by Ron Ortiz

Class at nationals are a joke, how can you have class when the field is getting smaller and smaller quotas.

Only 32 cars at Nats is hardly a class runoff imo.
NHRA Nats do not care about sportsman racing. Half the field is home on Thursday or Friday and even sooner if weather plays in.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Ron Ortiz

Class at nationals are a joke, how can you have class when the field is getting smaller and smaller quotas.

Ron, I agree. I have seen class contested at Nationals with a quota of 50. Its has no meaning at that point. Now were seeing cars capable of running -1.20 making deals to lift at a 1000' or setting their car up to only run -.98 and hoping with a good light to get the win. Between no prize money, running at Divisionals and the AHFS, racing for class is all screwed up except for Indy. Maybe running Class at National Opens where we can also set records without the threat of a AHFS hit, as suggested by Yac and Charley, is the way to go. Preferably these Nationals Opens would be at the fastest track in the Division and at a time of year when the DA is very good. And let us go down the the track at 8:00 am not at 11:00 am after Jr dragsters. Maybe making National Opens great is the way to go. NHRA isn't gonna give us what we want at National events.

[Nick Heath]

Originally Posted by Ron Ortiz

Class at nationals are a joke, how can you have class when the field is getting smaller and smaller quotas.

Absolutely. There are far too many classes for such small fields. It's a significant issue in SS. At a 50-car quota, you get 25 in the "combo" classes. The combo class runoffs are still fun to watch, but not the same experience.

However...
I would bet substantially that NHRA's deceptive quota-setting habits are exactly how NHRA both reached and justified this decision.

Look at the fall Vegas nationals. For years that was a bucket list race for me. There were 100 Stockers and 100 Super Stockers and they ran 3-4 rounds of class eliminations at both!!

Now the quotas will be what, 60 each with no class in either? Maybe because they've dropped the quotas by 10 each year and created the perception that "class racers are losing interest in class eliminations, those races get fewer and fewer cars."
I feel the same thing happened with Brainerd. Years ago it was 80+ with class in both categories. Then it became 75, then 70, then 60. Maple Grove and Gainesville also (e.g., all of the big ticket class eliminations races).

I know the D2 nationals have obscenely low quotas - the Charlotte races are like 50 each right? So if you have a bunch of races with quotas in the 40-50 range with class eliminations, and others at 60-70 without class, guess what you can tell your executive buddies at the country club? "We get more entries and more entry money at the nationals without class eliminations." In the C-suite, nobody cares about why those statistics are true - just what the statistics are.

And #3, let's think about what NHRA sees every time a national event entry window opens. 100 guys rushing for 60 spots regardless of whether there are class eliminations or not. Think from a business perspective (setting aside the shady 501(c)(3) stuff for a moment). Why would a business keep providing a service when the consumer base is demonstrating that they will pay the same for the product without that service?