How would you SAVE CLASS RACING ???

[Bob Don]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Consolidate classes, to an extent, (say, 1.0 weight breaks, starting at 7.0 for Stock) pay points and money for top ten qualifying as well as class wins, contest class at every event, but only pay points and money for contested wins, singling for class only gets a trophy, and only if you run 0.500 or more under.

That gives companies an incentive to pay, because they pay people trying to go fast, and those people buy parts from them. It puts performance back in the eliminator, while still leaving some of the "dial under/break out" intact to keep money from becoming totally dominant.

We need a better balance between performance and "bracket mode" in order to make class racing more attractive from a sponsor stand point.

But it won't happen, the very suggestion of consolidating classes (especially merging FWD classes in) will result in vehement protests. As will the suggestion that class wins and qualifying pay points and money.

The other thing that is absolutely necessary is promotion of the class racing itself. That is something that is even more completely out of the hands of the racers. It has been proven that the classes can put on a show, and draw a crowd, but like anything else, it must be properly promoted, instead of ignored because there is some level of difficulty involved.

Alan - GREAT stuff. I've always felt qualifying well deserved something (even though I am a bottom feeder).

[art leong]

Post any and all rule and policy changes at least 6 months before they are changed.

[Dick Butler]

Alan, Class can draw a crowd ONLY if there are multiple cars in any class running. If the class has no cars today chances are it never will unless combined with others. Only with PR from track or NHRA.
It has to be done FIRST then the class money can come back. Without the show there is no attraction for a sponsor to get involved.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Alan, Class can draw a crowd ONLY if there are multiple cars in any class running. If the class has no cars today chances are it never will unless combined with others. Only with PR from track or NHRA.
It has to be done FIRST then the class money can come back. Without the show there is no attraction for a sponsor to get involved.

Hence the first part of my post, the part that mentioned consolidating classes, at least to a certain extent.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Hence the first part of my post, the part that mentioned consolidating classes, at least to a certain extent.

Alan instead of consolidating classes. That was done to the FWD classes and half the racers quit.
How about not allowing moving up or down. Just run the natural class for the car.
That would increase competition.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by art leong

Alan instead of consolidating classes. That was done to the FWD classes and half the racers quit.
How about not allowing moving up or down. Just run the natural class for the car.
That would increase competition.

It doesn't solve the problem of empty classes or underpopulated classes.

You'd still have the same number of cars and the same number of classes.

You'd just be keeping them from moving. And you'd be preventing some cars from moving to a class they actually fit better, while some cars would be in a class they fit better.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

It doesn't solve the problem of empty classes or underpopulated classes.

You'd still have the same number of cars and the same number of classes.

You'd just be keeping them from moving. And you'd be preventing some cars from moving to a class they actually fit better, while some cars would be in a class they fit better.

Alan there were 50 classes in stock in 1978, There are 51 now.
In Superstock there are a lot of classes. And nhra does not seem to think this is a problem, they have added classes every year. For the past few years.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by art leong

Alan there were 50 classes in stock in 1978, There are 51 now.
In Superstock there are a lot of classes. And nhra does not seem to think this is a problem, they have added classes every year. For the past few years.

NHRA doesn't think a lot of things are a problem. Where is that getting us?

You cannot be all things to all people. You cannot have a class for everyone and every combination.

NHRA is just looking to add as many people as they can to pay membership dues, entry fees, license fees, chassis certification fees, etc.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Alan, Class can draw a crowd ONLY if there are multiple cars in any class running. If the class has no cars today chances are it never will unless combined with others. Only with PR from track or NHRA.
It has to be done FIRST then the class money can come back. Without the show there is no attraction for a sponsor to get involved.

Dick? How would "you" suggest they combine my class with?