How about severely limiting "Super" class entries?

[BKSG1198]

I understand we all live in a blind tunnel sometimes and the truth hurts but, the reality of it all is “they don’t want us” at National Events. With the TV contract they have with FS1 to do “live” Friday Night Qualifying or Sunday Events the less chance of having a Sportsman car hit the wall or oil down the track the better off. The reality is if you think 50-70 count car quotas are bad, I think the worst is yet to come. They really want the hardcore racers who are mentally set on running for a world championship at Nationals. They don’t want the “average joe” who’s been going to the Maple Grove National since it’s been in existence and it’s a tradition that it’s what him and his buddy’s do every weekend in September when they have no prayer of going a round. They want the guys & gals who run 8 -10 divisional races per year at these events so they can market them to the fans. I think eventually when they go to 3 day Nationals (it will be coming sooner than later) for ALL events you’ll see 32-48 car quotas. One less day to pay staff, less cars to tech and tear down so in turn less people to hire for doing credentials and all. It really is ashame but, it’s now forcing the hand of people to run more Divisional races and still not get into a NE.

[Larry Hill]

Greenlight Stock closed with eight grade points in about 24 hours.

[jamie2370]

[QUOTE=BKSG1198;606441]I understand we all live in a blind tunnel sometimes and the truth hurts but, the reality of it all is “they don’t want us” at National Events. With the TV contract they have with FS1 to do “live” Friday Night Qualifying or Sunday Events the less chance of having a Sportsman car hit the wall or oil down the track the better off. The reality is if you think 50-70 count car quotas are bad, I think the worst is yet to come. They really want the hardcore racers who are mentally set on running for a world championship at Nationals. They don’t want the “average joe” who’s been going to the Maple Grove National since it’s been in existence and it’s a tradition that it’s what him and his buddy’s do every weekend in September when they have no prayer of going a round. They want the guys & gals who run 8 -10 divisional races per year at these events so they can market them to the fans.

The truth other than I think they DO want us at the National Level. I really feel they are making the National Event level special again. Instead of just another race. With that said, Div 2 makes it real easy to get into ANY national you want. The schedule I think shows 14 races to get a grade point. My opinion, like it or not. Yes some of those are Opens and 1/8th mile. Quit complaining and go race! Fire away lol

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by BKSG1198

I understand we all live in a blind tunnel sometimes and the truth hurts but, the reality of it all is “they don’t want us” at National Events. With the TV contract they have with FS1 to do “live” Friday Night Qualifying or Sunday Events the less chance of having a Sportsman car hit the wall or oil down the track the better off. The reality is if you think 50-70 count car quotas are bad, I think the worst is yet to come. They really want the hardcore racers who are mentally set on running for a world championship at Nationals. They don’t want the “average joe” who’s been going to the Maple Grove National since it’s been in existence and it’s a tradition that it’s what him and his buddy’s do every weekend in September when they have no prayer of going a round. They want the guys & gals who run 8 -10 divisional races per year at these events so they can market them to the fans. I think eventually when they go to 3 day Nationals (it will be coming sooner than later) for ALL events you’ll see 32-48 car quotas. One less day to pay staff, less cars to tech and tear down so in turn less people to hire for doing credentials and all. It really is ashame but, it’s now forcing the hand of people to run more Divisional races and still not get into a NE.

People keep assuming that the NHRA is a normal business. It is not! It is a not-for-profit organization. It's sole purpose (as per it's orig. charter) is to keep all of us hooligans (Sportsmen, in the 21ST century) from racing on the streets and killing innocent women and children. Whether "they don't want us" or not, they can't make us go away without major changes to their organization or business model or what ever you want to call it. I can only imagine how much the thoughts of an organized, well supported "Sportsmen Organization" must terrify them.

[fordteacherguy]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

People keep assuming that the NHRA is a normal business. It is not! It is a not-for-profit organization. It's sole purpose (as per it's orig. charter) is to keep all of us hooligans (Sportsmen, in the 21ST century) from racing on the streets and killing innocent women and children. Whether "they don't want us" or not, they can't make us go away without major changes to their organization or business model or what ever you want to call it. I can only imagine how much the thoughts of an organized, well supported "Sportsmen Organization" must terrify them.

Remember: Not-For-Profit can mean you just spend it all!

[Ron Ortiz]

I've been involved with this sport since 1968. After my first trip down the quarter and winning the first event I entered, I've been hooked. Started working at Miami Hollywood with just about everything, lanes, scales tower, etc. Got to work with Buster Couch and John Biedenkamp a lot. Was recommended by them for tech advisor of a new track, DeSoto Memorial. Won tech crew of the year. Got to do national events. Always wanted to run U/SA due to low maintenance, less breakage, reasonable index, etc. Finally bought one in 1987. So I've been on both sides of this sport.

The super classes were brought about with the concept that racers could build a race car without a lot of the restrictions that Stock/SS have and use speed parts to go fast, yet be affordable by having indexes that are fairly easily attainable. While performance based eliminators indexes are much stouter. NHRA was bringing in more racers and revenue while increasing its base, it was a great idea.

Then they got faster and faster and discovered the concept of wanting to chase for a better view, so along came throttle adjusters and the dreaded delay, that spectators are not fond of. Understood.

Solution. Super category classes run eighth mile at nationals and divisional. Tighten indexes.

We are all racers wanting to race. Everyone has their own choice of vehicle, motor and class of competition. If sanctioning bodies are looking at $$$, that's the way it is in todays world. We have to work together or come up with a newer format. The first Cajun Sportsnationals under Pat Joffrion to me was the blueprint of how sportsman racing could be. The conflict with the pros freed up both sides. Can a pure Sportsman system survive, I think so, would the pros like it, I think so. Can they both survive separately, I think so, if not then both side will seek out each other with different stances.

As a racer I can honestly say that is was way more fun at National events 20 years ago than now, too many restrictions and circus like now. And that's not counting other topics, fees, parking, schedule, contingencies, etc.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA ...............

[Bruce Noland]

Originally Posted by fordteacherguy

Remember: Not-For-Profit can mean you just spend it all!

It "can" mean all monies taken in can be spent. But not always. Depends on the charter, mission statement and other statements made by the not for profit.

[racer6007]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

Was Super Comp more of a spectator draw 20 years ago when they were mostly 8.30 cars and not the 7.50 cars of today? No, the cruise time doesn't matter. The spectators don't watch Pro Stock either.

Lowering the indexes will push out the slow cars, and maybe that would be fine if there were some sort of benefit on the other end but I can't think of any.

There is NO PRO STOCK for the spectators to enjoy any more? Too expensive, and FLAT OUT BORING the way they are. Bring back the Jr PRO STOCK, small block real cars, and the spectators will stay in the stands to watch!!!!!

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I can only imagine how much the thoughts of an organized, well supported "Sportsmen Organization" must terrify them.

I'm sure they don't lose much sleep over it. For a great many, this has little to do with the racing. The racers seriously chasing championships aren't on here complaining about quotas because they don't want to be left out of "the show" that a sportsman-only organization cannot provide.

[SS/GSI]

All you guys really need to stop complaining and understand that we have simply become field fillers for the Pro Show/ Live TV and background noise while the fans are buying their $12 Hamburger & $10 Soda. The reason the entry counts are so low is so that: 1. NHRA can minimize costs(ie. no tech, no stacking, no early parking, no tear down, shrinking Nationals to 3 days for majority of races +++) 2. With smaller sportsman fields it allows NHRA not to worry about running into Live TV issues should there be oil downs, accidents, unforeseen delays, etc...3. NHRA has been eroding the sportsman involvement in Nationals since the late 2000's and have no reason to reverse their train of thought. They are not racers, they are bean counters and we are just $$$ to them, not people.

So to answer your question, NO we should not limit super class entries. Not because I wouldn't want to see more STK/SS entries(I really would) but because it would be buying into exactly what NHRA wants, which is the sportsman to turn against themselves, fight, bicker, demean each other and deflect the attention from the real problem which is the sanctioning body itself. So shut up and enjoy what you can, while you can. We are just noise to NHRA and can be easily replaced with index classes, bracket cars, jet cars, Corolla Shootouts, Nostalgia cars +++