Live @ VMP, IHRA

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Beth Kieffer

It's sunny, chilly and breezy - and no rain in the forecast for the next two days! Getting ready to warm up the car and run round 1 of the Nitro Jam event in 45 min.

A couple of observations regarding IHRA leadership:
I have been to multiple NHRA and IHRA nationals. I have seen Tom Compton and his entourage about four times. Total. I have already seen IHRA upper management all over the place here, this weekend alone. Very hands on and I like that.

Number two, and probably most frustrating. Last weekend at the NHRA Indy Fall Classic, not ONCE - and that includes time spent with Tony in the WINNER'S CIRCLE - not once did I see our division director Jay Hullinger. He couldn't even take two minutes away from his throne in the ivory tower to come down and be in a picture with his class winners. We did however have our photo taken with the track manager, a very nice young man. And Ritch Bowers (who really SHOULD be our director as he acts more like one than Jay) was everywhere doing Jay's job. Thank goodness for Ritch.

Here at VMP, I have seen our division director, Jon O'Neal literally everywhere. He is working his rear end off, and at the end of the day he took an hour out of his schedule as things were winding down to sit down and talk to Alex and myself about what we could do and IHRA could do to work on getting more tracks and more racers. He really wants to grow, as do we want IHRA to grow, and he took the time to seek out some suggestions from racers.

Wow - now how's that for truly racer friendly!! So if you see Jon and you have a good (and FEASIBLE!) suggestion, talk to him - he is interested!

Ok, time to warm up!

Beth

Do you really need to run down NHRA to say good things about IHRA?
Cant IHRA stand on its own as Good racing body ?
I just dont get it they both do stupid things and they both do great things
The NHRA bashing on here sure does get old......

[Beth Denysenko]

Originally Posted by mark callanan

Beth

Do you really need to run down NHRA to say good things about IHRA?
Cant IHRA stand on its own as Good racing body ?
I just dont get it they both do stupid things and they both do great things
The NHRA bashing on here sure does get old......

I am not bashing - the are pure and simple observations. If you think it's acceptable to be in the tower all weekend rather than be with your racers, then so be it.

I race both, and I am free to say what I see.

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by mark callanan

Beth

Do you really need to run down NHRA to say good things about IHRA?
Cant IHRA stand on its own as Good racing body ?
I just dont get it they both do stupid things and they both do great things
The NHRA bashing on here sure does get old......

Stating the truth is not running down the NHRA, they manage to do that themselves.

Unlike you I have raced in the IHRA, NHRA, AHRA and NASCAR (yes, in the '60's they sanctioned drag racing) and the NHRA throughout those 40 years of racing has always slighted sportsman racers and most of their officials always assumed the "I'm above all of this attitude." They seem to adopt this aloof attitude as soon as they get in a power position on the other hand whenever I ask the IHRA for information I always get a fast response.

JimR