The Future of Sportsman Racing?

[blkjack]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

This says it all. This way NHRA wont be sued with a class action law suite like the Pro Stock Truck fiasco.

EXACTLY. The Billy Meyer vision may be fulfilled sooner than later if car counts continue to dwindle. To jog your memory look into:

IHRA headquarters briefly moved to Waco, Texas in 1988 after it was purchased by Texan racer and track operator Billy Meyer who made many changes to the organization, some of which proved controversial amongst racers such as completely restructuring the sportsman classes overnight.

[Urraco]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

In My opinion Comp, Super Stock and Stock will always be racing at national events.

Sportsman racing will always be racing at NHRA events cause the bean counters at nhra if they can see the over all picture like the 3 to 4 Million Dollars sportsman bring into the hands of NHRA each year .

We just need to understand we are not the main show and to just laugh, roll with what happens to us , and tolerate being second best to the hugely dwingling pros , as I see the funnies and rails are soon to be a rare breed unless NHRA doesn something about the cost to run in the pros . soon the sportsman will be the majority of the show at a national event oh they already are unless of course it rains .

LOL at us having way to much fun as we should know racing is supposed to be fun so let it be then relaxe and enjoy the ride as soon we will all be done.

Are you sure NHRA is talking about S/SS when they refer to sportsman racing?

[Ed Fernandez]

I might be wrong but if NHRA loses it's grip on the pros I'd love to see them go match racing around the country like in the 60's.It would be drag racing going full circle,with
S/SS match racing and fuel car match racing like the old days.The current factory cars would lead the way.That would open the door for the expansion of S/SS and Comp
organizations.Probably over simplifying it but I think it would work.Sure would bring back some life to local tracks.

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

I might be wrong but if NHRA loses it's grip on the pros I'd love to see them go match racing around the country like in the 60's.It would be drag racing going full circle,with
S/SS match racing and fuel car match racing like the old days.The current factory cars would lead the way.That would open the door for the expansion of S/SS and Comp
organizations.Probably over simplifying it but I think it would work.Sure would bring back some life to local tracks.

Jeez Ed, you're on a roll lately!!! I couldn't agree with you more on this, especially the subject of match racing. In fact, I'll say go ahead and hold your breath, because I've received first hand from some disenchanted fuel racers both here and out west that are preparing for independent "booked" shows at any moment. These are former pros who've had enough with runaway costs and the B.S. of corporate schmoozing in order to pay the bills. IHRA certainly had the right idea and seems to be working. It's gonna get interesting no matter what.

For all who feel NHRA has a solid grip on who can host what and which tracks will be surprised to know who is actually in control. NHRA puts their hand out to everyone from fans all the way up to track operators. In this economy the tracks hold the gold keys to drag racing's future, not the Glendora Country Club (Bruton's no dummy). When an organization moves to stiffle competitors it's because they view it as a threat to the cash cow, sending a signal they're losing control. NHRA made their bed and now it's no longer comfortable.

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by Urraco

Are you sure NHRA is talking about S/SS when they refer to sportsman racing?

The NHRA considers everything below TF, FC, Pro Stock, and Pro Bike as Sportsman that includes Top Alcohol, Comp,etc, and way down at the bottom is S and SS.

JimR

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

I might be wrong but if NHRA loses it's grip on the pros I'd love to see them go match racing around the country like in the 60's.It would be drag racing going full circle,with
S/SS match racing and fuel car match racing like the old days.The current factory cars would lead the way.That would open the door for the expansion of S/SS and Comp
organizations.Probably over simplifying it but I think it would work.Sure would bring back some life to local tracks.

I agree 100 % Ed.....Something else thought, I think the NHRA fears JUST THIS, at current, can someone else possibly explain limiting TF driver to 4 Testing session PER YEAR ?!?!? And having a "Match Race" in ANY Country count as such a session.....sounds bit paranoid to me.

[W J]

Question: Does NHRA control, or are they, or IHRA a major player in drag racing in Sweden? Also are there considerable numbers of American stock/superstock cars competing there, or only a few? Just wondering out loud..... WJ

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by W J

Question: Does NHRA control, or are they, or IHRA a major player in drag racing in Sweden? Also are there considerable numbers of American stock/superstock cars competing there, or only a few? Just wondering out loud..... WJ

They control their own racing association but I believe they run on NHRA rules.

JimR