Lets talk NHRA Stk/SS with Lonnie Grim - Ideas - Comments

[Ken Miele]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

I know we can not make everyone happy, but we need to come together on things we agree on to improve NHRA for the sportsman racer.

Lets talk ideas and please be respectful... I don't want to here NHRA bashing, its a waste of time and does not help improve our sport.

Chime in guys, if you want changes... now is the time, what do you think of the ideas above?

I guess some of you did not care to read this part of my post. Oh well, I knew I was asking the impossible... trying to get racers to agree any anything in Stk/SS is a waste of time. So guys, lets just make it a bash NHRA thread, its looks like that's what some of you really want.

At least I tried, you couldn't pay me enough to Lonnie's job. I can't imagine what he thinks of us now. James Schaechter's post was well thought out, and gave me hope, but some of you guys.... well I just don't get.

God help Stock and Super Stock.

[Lyn Smith]

Darren you are wrong about most people not being able to relate with the old cars. Some of the most exciting racing going on in Stock eliminator is a race between a Pinto, or front wheel drive car, and a 8 or 9 second Factory Stock car. The announcers usually give it a big build up. And guess who most of the people in the stands are rooting for. LOL

[Frank Castros]

I have always respected posts by Daren, this one not so much.

Also Ken is correct, he afforded a rare opportunity to voice constructive feedback and guess what, the typical crap.
When was the last time the N.H.R.A. Technical Director sat down for an interview before Lonnie?

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Also Ken is correct, he afforded a rare opportunity to voice constructive feedback and guess what, the typical crap.
When was the last time the N.H.R.A. Technical Director sat down for an interview before Lonnie?

I don't personally feel that there has been all that much "NHRA bashing" on here. At least no more than would be expected. Maybe a bit more in the way of personal grievances than need be.
I believe that Lonnie should try and understand though that there is years if not decades of some Racers feeling neglected, taken advantage of and maybe somewhat abused by some in positions of power in this Sport.

[dean ribeiro]

Ken-
I would be happy to share my "customer experience" from this past weekend's Lebanon Valley National Open with Lonnie. Have him give me a call!

Dean

[Larry Hill]

Yes Ken I spoke of the starting line first, it's an easy correctable item and will give the racer value for the moneys spent.

[Keith 944]

I have one issue that could easily be corrected but this is also for every class I am by myself at almost all national events when I pull into the water box it seems like everybody turns their back on me
I have no idea where I’m at in the water. I cannot just open my door and look down. Please I’m not bashing but if someone in that group of officials could just keep an eye out for such a thing would be greatly appreciated

[rboyle]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

I guess some of you did not care to read this part of my post. Oh well, I knew I was asking the impossible... trying to get racers to agree any anything in Stk/SS is a waste of time. So guys, lets just make it a bash NHRA thread, its looks like that's what some of you really want.

At least I tried, you couldn't pay me enough to Lonnie's job. I can't imagine what he thinks of us now. James Schaechter's post was well thought out, and gave me hope, but some of you guys.... well I just don't get.

God help Stock and Super Stock.

I really appreciate your efforts Ken. Speaking on Stock I do think more emphasis On Qualifying would be helpful. Weather in terms of a point structure, sponsorship money or something else beyond my pay scale in experience and expertise. I feel if AHFS is to be effective then having some importance on the Q ladder needs to be established. I know the Bye round can be an incentive but it's also unpredictable if there will even be a Bye when trying to factor for 80 plus cars. That is why so many try to land in the bottom of the top half, better odds your opponent may have had problems or be broke and no AHFS trigger or raising of the average.

[442OLDS]

I think a 64 car qualified would be interesting. Even if there wasn't a quota,I'm thinking there would be some races where they don't even get 64.Then what? A 32 car qualified field?

[Bobby Fazio]

When we had Lonnie on the podcast he expressed that he wished we would just run all out and go as fast as we can so AHFS can do its job. I told him we won't do that unless there is incentive. I propose:

1. Points for qualifying. Minimum 17 qualified cars; same amount for Nationals and Divisionals.
17-32 cars --> Top 3 qualifiers get 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point.
33-64 cars --> Top 4 qualifiers get 4 points, 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point.
65-128 cars --> Top 5 qualifiers get 5 points, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point.

2. Points for setting a record. Maximum 2 records per year.
1st record --> 10 points
2nd record --> 5 points

3. Points for Class Eliminations
2 cars in Class --> 10 points
3-4 cars in Class --> 20 points, 10 RU
5-8 cars in Class --> 30 points, 20 RU, 10 Semi
9-16 cars in Class --> 40 points, 30 RU, 20 Semi, 10 C2
17-32 cars in Class--> 50 points, 40 RU, 30 Semi, 20 C3, 10 C2

4. Higher qualified cars get lane choice. No more coins.

Payout calcutta I will address in another post because people don't read long posts haha.

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Alright guys,

I sat down with Lonnie Grim, and I have to say it was a very enlighten and pleasant conversation. One of the first things he said to me after I introduced myself was "CUSTOMER" He really does get it. He told me of the importance of making the customer happy. Even if its just a polite hello as we roll through the gate getting parked.

So here we go... the first idea from Lonnie. How would you all feel about a purse increase. The entry fee for national events is 340, how would you feel about paying another $100 with all of the 100 going back to the racer. 64 cars = 6400, They start paying back in 4 round. Double round money in 4th rd, 5th and runner up. The winner would get the rest. If I did my math right it would be another 3000 for the winner on top of what NHRA pays now. I maybe off a little, but you get the idea.

Second... one period for the AFHS. Instant horsepower at 1.30, but you can go fast at a few races but still bring your average down by the end of the season if needed. We did not talk numbers for what the trigger is, but he would love to here ideas from us. He knows Stk/SS is a performance based class and he knows we would like to run fast and not get hammered every time.

Third... All class race winners where class is held would qualify. Say there was a 64 car field at the Gators. All class winners are in and whats ever left would be the fastest under the index, just like years back. Also opening quotas to say 80 cars, but you have to qualify to make the 64 car field. These numbers could be different, I just want give you an idea on qualifying to race.

Fourth... Shipping weights. We all know the guide is full of combos that don't reflect real world shipping weights. But we also know that people have been using the guide to build there combs. Its not our fault that wrong weights were submitted. One idea is to correct all the shipping weights but let everyone move up or down 2 classes. Another idea would be to run the class they wanted as long as the weight is correct for horsepower claimed. These are just Ideas guys... How would you fix the shipping weight issue? leave it alone or try to fix it?

The one thing I got from the time I spent with Lonnie is... he knows we are customers and we should be treated with respect. He is definitely an advocate for the racer. He wants us to have a great experience when we are here. He wants the racer to feel they can say NHRA is a great place to race. He knows it will take time, but he is willing to listen and make changes for the future.

I know we can not make everyone happy, but we need to come together on things we agree on to improve NHRA for the sportsman racer.

Lets talk ideas and please be respectful... I don't want to here NHRA bashing, its a waste of time and does not help improve our sport.

Chime in guys, if you want changes... now is the time, what do you think of the ideas above?