Ihra tucson!

[Dean Feiock]

Gary,
I wish you the best. We all need to be passionate about something. And my post was not meant to be argumentative. I simply asked questions to better understand. Just like you, I try to understand our sport.

So here is my take on a few things. Ive been wrong before so if I'm wrong now it won't be the first time, but:

1)A combo at that race will be track sponsored. Just like our combo's here, they are put on by local promoters. By attending the combo, you are supporting the promoter, not the sanctioning body. Likewise, NHRA or IHRA, it doesn't matter. SIR could have held a S/SS combo as an NHRA track.

2)You said:"Moreover, I'm sure that if the racers vote IHRA into SIR, then the indexes they use will be IHRA's, and not NHRA's...thus a significant similarity (like .30 worth added to all who compete's indexes). & Per answer #3 above, you may not have to pledge an allegiance to either sanctioning body to race in their combo races, but you must know that the indexes are .30 seconds different due to the sanctioning bodies involved."

Does it really matter? If your faster/slower than someone in your class, your still going to be faster/slower than that person wether you are on an NHRA or IHRA index. Your times are just going to be faster against the IHRA index. The only difference is the seperate classes for FI cars. Personally, I dont like the seperate class for FI cars. The whole point for having a class car is to have multiple people in your class to race.

Just so you know, as it relates to you, in the TVD combo race we had an issue with a FWD racer. I do not have all the details, but we had an issue that the class he ran in was not in the software the track was using. I believe the track was using older software configured to NHRA classes and his IHRA class was not in it. Like I said, I dont have all the details, but I know is slowed the program for about an hour.

3)You said:"When I read of the salaries that the big-wigs with NHRA are getting, and I see a continued increase in the cost of membership, competition needs, and entry fees, sorry but I'm not going to just take it and ask for more, of the screw job they've been giving those of us who don't have the luxury of finances to keep up with their increased charges, as opposed to those alcoholic and nitro blasted racers who get into races for FREE!!! You, Dean (of all people), should understand that, given your racing budget is closer to my level than it is to those fortunate enough to have cash sponsorships. Where you live now you have an option of racing two different sanctioning bodies (or are closer to other div.'s, even though your area lost its IHRA D5 involvement), and that's what I hope happens out here (starting with S.I.R.). Competition is good, and that's what NHRA hasn't had out west since the AHRA days of old...perhaps thats part of the reason that divisional & national open entry fees are higher here than there where you are...you have to love the $40 savings you get on national open charges (plus the $10-15 savings on divisional races), in D5 as opposed to D7? I know I would!!!"

I believe this is where I see things completely different than you. I was told that divisional and national open race prices are set by the track....not the sanctioning body. That is why (like you spoke of) they very from track to track. Only national event prices are controlled by NHRA. If that's true, then the high prices you speek of for divisonal and nation open events are fault of the track, not the sanctioning body. And blaming NHRA for high gate fees at divisional and national open races would be completely wrong. Moreover, if the take at the gate at SIR does not cover the operating costs, they will raise the gate price. This will happen irregardless of track affliation. It's just simple economics.

The bottom line is, for me, I dont care if it's NHRA or IHRA. And I do not look at it as "having a choice between NHRA and IHRA", as you put it. They have both treated me well. I simply race where my budget, time, health, and family allow.