IHRA schedule

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by NewHemi

I have put in several calls to IHRA, asking about some clarifications on their rules, and I have never gotten a call back.

Guess they just don't want more car in IHRA.

David
The New Hemi Guy

Additionally (to Ex-Tech Man's Mike Baker referrence), you can also call Frank Kohutek (972-289-7223), or Hank (Henry) Blankenship (276-531-8654). Between those three, you should get the answers you need, and please say hi to Keith for me too will ya??? Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND ALL THE WERTMAN FAMILY!!!

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

Unfortunately I'm not sure IHRA even knows if they will exist next year

I'm happy to say that not only will they exist next year, but per Drag Race Central (as well as IHRA.com), they're going to have their 2012 World Finals Race in Memphis, Tn. next year instead of Dinwiddie, Va., for one thing. Moreover, they're adding a Summit Sportsman Spectactular Race Memorial Day weekend at San Antonio International Raceway, and the creation of a Division 7 (for us southwestern USA racers)!

The reason they haven't worked out a schedule yet (one of them as per Skooter Peaco, VP Racing Operations anyway), is they want to schedule around what the NHRA is doing, so both organizations can hopefully maximize their car counts. As of today, my NHRA competition number expires, and I have no immediate plans to renew it for these reasons:

1. How lousy the last 'Vegas divisional went (check out the thread about Patsy and Larry Hills Southwestern Swing, following that race). Furthermore, knowing that Vegas is home to the 2nd and 3rd closest divisional races to Phoenix area racers, adds to the lousy factor!

2. That for just a nickel more than the cost for an NHRA membership ($69.95), I can get not only a membership in the IHRA, but my Stock Eliminator competition number (plus the same number for a bracket class), as well!

3. Knowing that IHRA is creating their own D7, so soon we'll have Pro-Am divisional series points races out in our region too!

4. That San Antonio is getting the afformentioned Summit $5k to winner national event (for only a $200.00 entry fee)!!!

5. Since Salt Lake City was able to triple their car count from last years Nitro Jam race, next years race will be a regular national event, and the winner automatically qualifies for the World Finals!

Sounds like some good reasons to be amped up for next year to me, how about you?

[Lew Silverman]

Couldn't agree more, Gary! I'm anxiously awaiting the full IHRA schedule so I can make my travel plans early.

Although it will involve another 500 or so mile tow, I'm looking forward to the Sportsman's Spectacular at Memphis this year. Another one for the bucket list!

Lew

[BKSG1198]

This should shed some more light onto the scheduling....

http://www.ihra.com/News/2011/11/30/1/

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by NewHemi

I have put in several calls to IHRA, asking about some clarifications on their rules, and I have never gotten a call back.

Guess they just don't want more car in IHRA.

David
The New Hemi Guy

In the past I have gotten quick replies to emails on technical questions.

Bill

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by BKSG1198

This should shed some more light onto the scheduling....

http://www.ihra.com/News/2011/11/30/1/

Not only did it do that for me, but it magnified the reason I'm not heart-broken about my NHRA competition number expiring the same day! Unlike the Glendora bunch, who've chosen to increase our competition costs (when they should be holding the line or reducing it, to help us racers budgets out), the IHRA (Norwalk bunch), are adding more bang to our traveling buck, so we can have more chances to be championship worthy qualifiers! Although they didn't release anything more about our new D7, I am very happy to know what Rocky Mountain Raceway is doing out here, and that San Antonio Raceway isn't enormously far away from me either!

[Michael Kilduff]

I am really wondering why there aren't any Nitro Jam events anywhere close to the Carolinas?
NC and SC are IHRA sportsman havens, and on the 'Pro' side of the spectrum Pro Mod type stuff is *everywhere* around these parts. Not uncommon for 25 Pro Mods to show up at an outlaw track or for an obscure association's event.

Just a few years ago there were two National events each year at Rockingham. Now the closest IHRA national event type show is 600 miles away.

What is the deal??

Years ago the IHRA was heavily concentrated in the South East....I remember the pilgrimages to Bristol, Darlington, and Rockingham every year back in the 1980's....I think for a while IHRA was based out of Bristol iirc. And even in the 70's that kind of schedule was held.

The stands were packed with people and the pits were full of pro and Sportsman cars alike at all of the IHRA Nat's that I went to from 1985 to 2005ish....at least 50 all totaled.

Herb Jr has written about his Pro Mod type shows on thursday nights at Piedmont Dragway and indicated the place was jam packed with spectators...this was verified by a couple friends that ran their cars in those shows.

I stopped by Farmington one night 3 years ago while traveling through for a show that featured Pro Mods, a jet car, and a wheelstanding school bus along with a Gamblers race (bracket race with hardly any cars) and the place was unbelievably packed...heck, I couldn't even see the track because there were people everywhere.

Just seems to me that IHRA could put together a program with Rockingham and Darlington that is similar to ones of a decade ago and be successful.

And if the ADRL is gone or going away or whatever it looks like an opportunity for IHRA to gain some momentum.


We have the spectators, we have the cars, and we have the tracks. I don't understand...*shrugs*.

[THE LEGEND]

Michael,
I agree 110% with your post. I have been asking the same questions. The word I got is it's not IHRA but the tracks. Nobody wants to take the risk anymore of putting on an event of that magnitude.
Chip Johnson

[NewHemi]

Since there are about four IHRA tracks in Ohio, and some are ones I used to run back in the day, I thought it might be fun.

But after leaving two messages, and then with two weeks of waiting, and I do understand that these folks have lives, I was beginning to wonder..

I will wait until next week, and try one more time.. If that doesn't do it, I will stop trying, and then I just won't do it.

Thanks for all of the contact info.

David
The New Hemi Guy

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by NewHemi

Since there are about four IHRA tracks in Ohio, and some are ones I used to run back in the day, I thought it might be fun.

But after leaving two messages, and then with two weeks of waiting, and I do understand that these folks have lives, I was beginning to wonder..

I will wait until next week, and try one more time.. If that doesn't do it, I will stop trying, and then I just won't do it.

Thanks for all of the contact info.

David
The New Hemi Guy

I would be very suprised if you don't get the info that you are looking for, in the past when I've had had questions I either got an immediate answer or they got back to me in a day or so. Are you sure you're not calling Glendora by mistake?