IHRA Class Act - Edmonton, AB

[Paul Plummer]

I recently attended the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton,AB. The weekend was marked by sporadic weather with rain threatening Sunday's final eliminations. I was faced with a heads-up race against Mark Faul first round in which admittedly I was covered. Being 10 hours from home, a race being potentially postponed and a business to run I had to make a decision as to whether I should stay or head home under the circumstances. I chose the later. It was a great week-end, the staff was excellent and even though there were only 12 Stockers at the race - every one was very nice. (Thanks Tom Nolan for the Q-jet secondary rods!!) I was sad to leave but under the circumstances it made good sense and I felt I got my moneys worth - Canadians Rock!!

Here is what I didn't expect, today I received a letter from Skooter Peaco, the Vice President of IHRA. In his letter he indicated that one of the stockers did not show up on Saturday for qualifying runs and was thus not included in the ladder on Saturday after qualifying which lined me up with Mark Faul for a heads-up race. After explaining his situation they changed the latter, allowed him to race and I did not have a heads-up race. Unfortunatlely, I was likely in Calgary by the time this was sorted out. Unsolicited, Mark Faul went to the tower and explained the situation with the ladder and my decision to leave based on the heads-up race, etc.

Funny thing is I wasn't even upset about any of this? I came to race, the weather didn't cooperate, as is always my luck I ended up with the only heads-up race due largely in part to my own inability to drive my stocker (laughing) and I made the decision to head home.

Skooter, acknowledging the circumstances with the ladder issue, sent me a voucher for free entry into the 2009 IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals event. I was totally surprised and didn't know anything about this.

I just want to go on record to say the IHRA is the classiest racing organization I have ever run across and Mark Faul is probably the most stand-up class racer I have ever met, thanks Mark. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in drag racing to support IHRA. They really do care about the sportsman racer.

To IHRA please bring your show to the western US. We need more tracks on this side of the Mississippi operated with these fundamental core values. If there is anything I can do to help brinig IHRA Drag Racing to the Pacific Northwest please do not hesitate to ask - I will donate my time. Your program is worth it!

Sincerely,

Paul (Jody) Plummer

[Jim Wahl]

And please bring that class act further south Scooter! Jim

[Chuck Porter]

Jody,
First of all Thank You for making the trip to Edmonton and supporting this race. As all of us know in the eastern part of (NHRA) Div. 6, traveling is an inherent part of racing in this part of the world. As long as IHRA has this event in Edmonton – I’ll be there. For me it’s a luxury to have a race track 40 minutes from my home. The next closest National event is Seattle or Denver.
I commend Scooter for his response to your situation and as far as Mark Faul is concerned he’s a credit to the sport. I introduced Mark to Tangle Ridge Rye on Saturday night and he seemed to spend most of the evening sitting on a cooler. He must have been tired from all the driving!!! He left the party mumbling something about wanting to go eat at “Joe’s Place”. He must not have got enough to eat at dinner!!

Despite the weather, it was fun and it was great to socialize with friends – old and new.

Jody – I hope you can make the trip next year. Bring your friends!

Chuck

[55 Chevy]

I will be there next year with my car. Sounds like it is a well run facility but have not ran there since 1992 when it was NHRA. I have no clue how IHRA works so will have to do some learning.
About a four hour drive for me.

Allan

[ChevyII]

Paul,

Thanks for sharing your story with us. We often only hear the "bad news stories and it is refreshing to hear the "good news."

Kudos also to Mark Faul for explaining your situation to IHRA

The event in Edmonton has received a bad rap over it's 5 year history. Two of the five years at the event have been met with sunshine and the rest have been met with copious amounts of rain resulting in disastrous pit conditions. Castrol Raceway has made yearly attempts to deal with improving the pits but the "rain" issue keeps coming back to haunt all racers.

There are many racers who have NOT made the return trip to Edmonton after experiencing pit parking difficulties. It is those racers IHRA, Castrol Raceway and fellow racers need to entice back.

Hopefully this good news story gets out to those racers!

Now if only IHRA and Castrol Raceway could do something about having to be there "3 days" in advance to get into the pits, that would be an accomplishment.

Cheers!

Mike Ferstl
SR SG 6091

[Chuck Porter]

Hey Mike

This is off topic but Congrats on your win on Sunday. A great package in the final. Exciting race to watch.
Has your wife picked out her new scooter yet ??

Regards
Chuck Porter

[Mark Faul]

Thank you guys for the kind words! It was too bad the decision to change the ladder had such bad results. It would have been nice to know the night before, but with the weather it was a mess. I'm glad Scooter took care of you Jody.
Chuck, that's some funny stuff there! I kinda lost my appetite though!

[ChevyII]

Chuck,

Thanks for the kind words and sticking around to see us race the final! She was close at the stripe (9 inches).

It's funny thing you mention the scooter thing as I have been looking. After 6 or 7 rounds Tracy was wore out and she had a diabetic low right before the final. It scared me and had me concerned but she prevailed as she always does.

What would we do without our partners?

I would like to add Lynn Church, track manager sent one of her staff with a golf cart to take Tracy to the starting line for the final. A nice gesture on Lynn's part to help us out!

Cheers!

Mike Ferstl
SR SG 6091

[donald j raiser]

class move on everyone's part.

[Chuck Porter]

Mike you have a P.M.

C