If an advocate could be found - what would you say?

[Bruce Noland]

The best-laid plans of mice and men can be ........ disrupted by a person so confident in his ignorance that he makes something so simple seem convoluted and ugly.

My intent for this thread was to ask for responsible feedback from the racers but clearly that cannot happen when one person is intent on blowing it up.

I have not raced for two years because I got into something wet in VA. and crashed my car. The year before that my racing was cut short because of work and health issues. I should have my new car out by the end of this year. But have never surrendered my membership or competition number. I think most people who visit this site might remember some of this story. Obviously one guy was pulling lint out of his navel at that time and missed it.

I personally think the biggest problem that the Sportsman racer is confronted with is the obvious effort by nhra to remove us from racing at National events. 20 years ago we could compete at the Gators with 600 cars on the grounds. And somehow the race was a success, barring bad weather. Now because the Pros need so much room and the TV schedule limitations they have scaled the race back by over 200 cars. Yet, nhra still has time for a cackle-fest and other forms of entertainment when we should be on the track racing.

It's easy to write a suck-up post to Lucas Oil and tell them what a fine job they are doing for us because it is obvious and true. Lucas Oil has saved our behinds out of the kindness of the Lucas family. They are the best. But we also have to be honest with them and say that nhra is taking their money while kicking the Sportsman racers off the grounds through the use of these draconian quotas. Lucas deserves better. It's investment is diminished when Sportsman racers figure out that it will take 7 or 8 grade points to get in a national event and there is no way they can attend that many divisional races in a year. And for many Sportsman Racers, getting grade points to attend national events is a prime motivating factor for attending Division races.

There is more but my old phone is about done. So I'll continue at a later date.

[1320racer]

I'll repeat again, this is a lot about nothing but the ramblings of a few old men, living in the past that think stock eliminator is special and want these events to revolve around them that also think if the rules are reversed to a time gone by decades ago that they and their old cars will find the winner's circle like they may have long ago. You collectively have been crying about most every rule change in this class for decades, more recently...aftermarket brakes, aftermarket seats, aftermarket heads, wheelie bars, 2 steps, class designation, HP factors and the list goes on and on and I didn't even talk about those cheating with ported heads and manifolds that I have seen done in person with my own 2 eyes! You don't work harder nor are you more deserving than any other class racer!

NHRA Sportsman Racing isn't perfect but nothing is. I also do not see the "obvious effort by nhra to remove us from racing at National events " What I do see when I look around the pits at every event is men and women that are excited to compete, hope to win and want to be there. Again...


THANK YOU

Originally Posted by 1320racer

NHRA, Lucas Oil, Contingency sponsors, Division Directors, their staff... all the men and women that work these events, track owners, managers and their staffs, EMS personal, the fuel and tire companies that support these events and the communities that welcome us when in town supporting these events. Ignore the vocal minority, that complain for the sake of complaining, that think they are special, that want these events and rules changed to favor them, that think these events should revolve around them and their class, some who haven't supported these events in many years.

We the silent majority appreciate your efforts and want you to know they don't go unnoticed.


Signed

The NHRA Sportsman Racer

and to the few old men here living in the past, not one of you btw, "Liked" the above, stop complaining and enjoy what it is or quit!

BTW, if you think I'm alone in my opinion you are mistaken again. I have a lot of friends in NHRA Sportsman Racing running in most every class including stock eliminator and everyone that I have spoken to agree with my comments.

Ken, thank you for this forum where all can voice our opinion on every topic regardless of who disagrees.

[Lee Valentine]

Ed,I believe you know who I am and I think you pretty much have hit the nail on the head. I have been doing this 55 years and it has always been crying about factors and rules,costs quotas etc. I love running stock and Super Stock but I accept the rules I'm given and do the best I can. Do I always agree,No would I like to see changes YES but others may not see it my way. We just have to make it the best we can without trashing each other. See you at the races.

[1320racer]

Lee, I'm not sure I do but I appreciate your honest reply. Good to hear you are still loving racing and make the best of it. See you soon and good luck this season.

With that said, I'm out of here for a while, no Ken hasn't banned me yet. I've got two cars to get race ready in 8 weeks for testing. Got a very busy May and June, starting with my son graduating college on May 5th.

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Lee, I'm not sure I do but I appreciate your honest reply. Good to hear you are still loving racing and make the best of it. See you soon and good luck this season.

With that said, I'm out of here for a while, no Ken hasn't banned me yet. I've got two cars to get race ready in 8 weeks for testing. Got a very busy May and June, starting with my son graduating college on May 5th.

Ed congrats on your son graduating college thats a big deal in his life.

[Bruce Noland]

This issue isn't as much about the rules - it's about an organization that is pushing out the Sportsman racers of all categories from National events. None is so blind as he who refuses to see.

[Billy Nees]

I wish that we had our "Membership Vote" back. Do ya think that in this day-and-age, that would change things?

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

This issue isn't as much about the rules - it's about an organization that is pushing out the Sportsman racers of all categories from National events. None is so blind as he who refuses to see.

opinion, assumption at best, a lie at worst. But again, NHRA National events were never about sportsman racers nor are they what puts spectators in the stands.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

This issue isn't as much about the rules - it's about an organization that is pushing out the Sportsman racers of all categories from National events.

I get how National events are a little more special for Stock and Super Stock racers at events where class eliminations are run. But otherwise, is that really a big problem?

With the low quotas, class can't be nearly as exciting as it would be if they ran it at divisional events with open entry fields.

As for the days of class cars filling the stands, that was back when every car in the field was produced within about 10 years of the event and the spectators could relate. It was less a car show and more like a grocery store parking lot full of fast cars.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Dennis P Chapman

Ed congrats on your son graduating college thats a big deal in his life.

Thanks Dennis, it is. Penn State, Finance Major. My daughter is there too and has two years to go.