How would you SAVE CLASS RACING ???

[Toby Lang]

I think this thread has gotten off topic. IMO, this thread should be renamed "How Would You Save CLASS ELIMINATIONS?" Wasn't this thread created because of the announcement of the new program for CLASS ELIMINATIONS?

As far as I know, STOCK ELIMINATOR doesn't need to be saved. You know, the part where they crown the event champion on Sunday? If you guys want to combine classes, go to 1, 1.5 or 2 pound weight breaks or whatever for class eliminations that's cool, but I think Stock Eliminator is fine just the way it is.

If you did combine classes who would it help the most? That's right, the new crate motor cars. Instead of having 6-8 cars in their class they might have 15-20 cars in their class.

And it doesn't matter if you have 5 or 50 classes the sponsors are still only going to be paying the winner and runner-up on Sunday.


-Toby

[Wade_Owens]

How about a contingincy sponsor spot light in ND with a couple of pictures of the class cars who are using and winning with their products. Maybe showcasing a new or hot product that's specific to class cars. A small write-up could go a long way in pulling in more revenue for the company.

Remember how Stock/Super Stock used to be trick of the week?

If you have a "widget" that's worth a tenth, I need it!

Wade O

[Bernie Cunningham]

Something I forgot to post last night was the other programs that Charlie said that are in the 'pipe line'.
The manufactures are interested in setting up a program for the 90's guys along with us with the new format, there's nothing in place but the Committee is throwing around ideas.
Similarity, they have one for engine builders. As in, a National award for successful engine builders. Not a bad idea on both accounts because the 90 guys spend a lot with the Manufactures.

Here are a few of the good ideas seen from this thread so far, condensed to point form:

Give small companies a chance to post, they don't want a midway spot and they don't want to have to pay full tilt. The economy beckons this idea. Not only that but why can't they post for Class elims. only?

Title sponsor for all of Class Eliminations, what a great one and how come none of us thought about that for ever.

Go ahead and make all of your own personal deals with anybody ya want, no problem. A structed format would get more press and that brings me to the other suggestion about TV. I hope this thing continues to build momentum, but in reality I've been let down before so we'll have to wait and see.

Consolidating classes has been around a long time already and it's in a stale mate cause it can piss-off a LOT of racers.

Nobody is gonna run for a record anymore, ya need to run 1.25 or more under to do it and that would be combo suicide. Maybe all the current records should be retired with the new indexes and AHFS in effect.

The 'calcutta' concept is an interesting one, Class Elims could pay for themselves !!!!

Here's one that I thought about, a Manufactures Cup, us racers vote on which one served us best, i.e. good parts, great pricing and service and obviously how fast they pay.

[Jeff Teuton]

Good Ideas Bernie. Maybe we need to open mindedly look at our strengths and weaknesses.
What People Like. I know they like the old cars. I know they like the new cars. I have both. One can't help but notice the age difference on the new car fans. Quite a bit younger. We offer a pretty good car show in addition to going down the track. People like door cars with the wheels in the air. And there is a lot more. What people probably don't understand is leaving at different times and putting the brakes on at the end. If a person was just there for an outing, you can understand how that is a hard-to-understand issue. Look at pinks. Lot of good cars, lot of other cars, but heads up, and don't sandbag and fill the stands. But as a racer to go to a race with 450 participants and only 16 or 32 get to race is a challenge. In our present form we are probably a hard sell. Maybe some heads up stuff to headline our classes or whatever. Index classes such as in Div 2 this year still involve putting on the brakes, but it is heads up. I think NSS has that format also. And I'm sure there are other ideas and comments.

[Eric Merryfield]

Thank You Bernie and Charlie.

Posting the class round results on NHRA.COM under Results

I noticed last night while trying to research how many solo's were at say Bristol, that.......class wasn't there........then I check Etown for superstock.....same result......this morning.....I checked Indy stock and same result.

I didn't check prior years, just 2010 but it would be nice to be able to document the results for fans, sponsors, etc without having to go to dragrace central.

It should be a free/painfree fix and would certainly help with fan and sponsor knowledge who's main point of contact is NHRA.COM

Thanks

Eric

[Bob Don]

Award championship points to the winner and runner-up in class eliminations. Now the top points contenders will have to consider the relative performance of their car as well as their driving abilities. Bring back bonus points for setting a record.

[chevy620]

If you want to raise money, through sponsors, for Class Eliminations (and for all Stock, S/Stock and Super Class eliminations) you simply need more companies to support it. There are a lot of small companies that will support Class Eliminations...Here is the problem:
NHRA charges $5500.00 to be a contingency sponsor at LODRS events.
What that means is $1000.00 (administrative fees) and if you do not pay the racers $4500.00 in contingency checks, you owe NHRA the balance.

If they would only charge the $1000.00 and allow you a selected number of LODRS display areas (say 2 per division or 10 max) the $1000.00 becomes affordable. Paying the racer the contingency $$ is the part that every manufacturer should like, they are paying their customers for winning with their products.

If it wasn't for the "penalty" of up to $4500 if you do not pay out contingency a LOT OF SMALL COMPANIES WOULD join.

They could do something similar for Class Eliminations Sponsors". It would be a smaller program but a $1000 to sign up, allowed to display product within your normal pit-parking area at events with class eliminations and given access to hand out decals in staging and pits to Class eliminator racers would be a great start.
Most small companies do not have semi-trailers for display, they are usually companies that will probably have one of their customers bring some product, set up a table at the end of their trailer and promote their products and then watch over Class Eliminations to make sure decals and products are there.

Why does every program always have to end up paying NHRA if the sponsor doesn;t pay the racers. If you think $5500 is a lot for LODRS you ought to see the minimums to be a National Event COntingency Sponsor.....then you would know why it is hard to get paid. Lot of money and literally no exposure for their money posted.

If NHRA and Charlie in contingencies could work out a program that brought a little money to the NHRA and let the racers deal with the Class Sponsors, they might get NHRA back to where it was a win/win for everyone, not just the NHRA.

Send me a Private Message if you have any ideas or questions you don;t want seen on this forum. Otherwise, get what you think known, this is a great forum and the input is excellent.

Thanks,
Jok

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

I wrote a story for Drag Racing action magazine last year about what its going to take to save class racing, simple, support all the independent racing you can cause when the day the 2 big brothers end SS & Stock as we know it, if nobody supports all these different association groups running SS/Stock combos, it will all be gone.
Hats off to everybody that runs SS/Stock Combo's across the country and please try to support these deals.

[B Aceves]

My 2 cents, How about NHRA maybe doing something about helping the exposure for these companies dissing out so much money !! Why not at least try to do a little
something to keep the fans in the stands during Sportsman Racing YA RIGHT !
How about a announcer that truly markets the Sportsman Classes instead of trying to be Funny ALL THE TIME.
It could be done is all you guys need to do is look back at your old Drag Race Photos and look in the stands behind you and scratch your chin and say HMM what changed!!

[Bernie Cunningham]

OK, this is good stuff.

Jeff, we have heads up racing and that's exactly what we need to preserve. It takes dollars and sense. They've dropped a bunch of Class races from the schedule over the years because of the lack of interest from the Manufactures, contingency payers and US, the racers as a group.

Eric, you are right on. Can't say anything but expect that to change as we know it mid 2011.

Bob Don, that's the goal of the new system that will 'Morph' into something bigger as time goes by. As suggested earlier, record runs need a good look from Technical as you would need to bust into a healthy HP hit to do as it is.

Jok, what you said is great too. Talked to Charlie again today and he likes a lot of our ideas. This situation requires a new beginning of Class elimination payouts as we know it. Basically, starting from scratch with a whole new, late model version. Small companies should look forward to a new program for them.

Ntiroe Joe, I'd prefer you to be a part of the solution and not the problem. This thread is for saving Class Eliminations cause we need the sponsors backing for that to happen. You may have the subject confused and I understand why.

As a side note, if we can get the support back into Class Elims. then it's only a matter of time before we see it come back to the main Elim. as well, it's a new crawl then walk situation!!! We've gotta start somewhere and it'll take some time however, it's taken years already to get as deprived as it is now.

Lots of discussion about the costs to Sponsors that post Contingency payments, it boils down to the cost of doing business. I dare anybody to take on the program for free, seriously, it costs money to run this kinda stuff. Have ya looked at the administration costs of all the good-will/ salvation army et. all BUSINESSES out there, it's a staggering part of the donations they receive from well mannered contributors. Unless you know the amount that it takes every year then I fail to see how anybody can say it's unjust. Get some numbers and then we can communicate with a smart solution.

Peace out and thanks for the ideas, they are being heard !!!!!!!!!