dissatified fan

[Ed Fernandez]

Just read a letter on Competition Plus from a fan in Arkansas to NHRA.Go over there and read it.The guy hit the nail right on the head.


Ed F.

[Rich Aman]

http://www.competitionplus.com/index...=6669&Itemid=6

[Bob Pagano]

How many racers complain ? I would love to read the response to that letter from the NHRA bean counters !

[BCRACING7469]

Boy, he hit the nail on the head. Maybe a copy should be sent to all the event sponsors or serires sponsors. Then maybe when they put some pressure on the bigwigs at the helm, the fans will get a better show and the racers will be taken care of--instead of being treated like a red-headed step child. Just my .02 cents

[Jim Wahl]

Here it is:

A LETTER FROM A DISAPPOINTED FAN Print E-mail
Written by CompetitionPlus
Sunday, 01 June 2008

The following letter was sent to the National Hot Rod Association by Jeremy Farmer of Malvern, Arkansas, an admitted lifelong fan of NHRA drag racing. Farmer copied CompetitionPlus.com on his letter and provided his blessings for publication. - Editor



Dear NHRA,

I’m not writing this letter because I necessarily expect anything to be done about it. I just feel like I owe it to the sport that I have loved for so many years to do this. I’m not expecting things to change, but as a huge fan of the sport, I don’t know what else to do.

I have been a fan of NHRA drag racing since I was 5 years old. I was sitting in the stands with my dad, and out of nowhere, this guy named John Force comes and sits in the stands next to us, and watches sportsmen qualifying. I have attended at least one event per year ever since that day.

As I’ve grown up, I’ve admired the NHRA Drag Racing Circuit. I have found myself in front of my TV (many times with a group of friends) yelling for my favorite drivers. I have dealt with the 1000% humidity at Topeka, Memphis and Dallas, and have found myself paying for one of those really good hamburgers on numerous occasions. (You know, the $8 ones.)

I have fond memories. Buster Couch chasing and cussing out a dog at Topeka because it had snapped at him. John Force in the stands. Steve Johnson breaking his leg at Topeka. Qualifying lasting until midnight at Memphis. And many others.

I have always been an advocate of what the NHRA has represented, and stood for. Until today.

I have found myself in complete disbelief as I read what is happening with the sport that I love so much. The complete lack of leadership is appalling to me. I hear about how NHRA wants to make ‘the show’ better, but in the end, it seems as though all NHRA cares about is money.

There is much to be said about businesses taking care of their customers. As a customer of the NHRA, I am saddened and sickened with what I am seeing. Nitro shortages. Lack of planning. Lack of being willing to work with other people. Increase of ticket prices. Increase of managements salaries. And the seeming absence of answers.

I was watching the finals in Bristol, and saw empty stands for the finals. Of course rain was the cause. But I think those stands are something that you need to look at and consider. You are headed to that place if you forget about your customers. More and more people are becoming disgruntled. I don’t have people over anymore, nor do I talk about how great the NHRA is. Frankly, I’m embarrassed.

The NHRA likes numbers and money. So you should consider these.

Here is the cost of losing a single customer:

68% of customers are lost because an organization didn’t handle their complaint well. The percentage is staggering but true!

US News and World Report found that:
-1% of customers leave because someone in the company dies
-3% change location
-5% make other friendships
-9% go to competition
-14% are dissatisfied
-68% leave because of bad service

It gets worse. Research shows that out of 25 dissatisfied customers:
-One customer complains
-24 are dissatisfied but don’t complain
-6 of the non-complainers have “serious” problems
-The 24 non complainers tell between 10 and 20 other people about their bad experience

From a pool of 25 customers, between 250 and 500 potential customers learn about bad service. If 500 people choose not to come back, you are losing $52,000 in ticket costs for general admission at Topeka, and thousands of dollars in concessions as well. If you apply this (on average) to all 24 races, the NHRA is losing over $1.24 million dollars. You are also losing TV ratings, among other countless things. Not to mention your reputation. Do you understand the implications of these unresolved issues?

You are dealing with a problem of epic proportions. I am the one who is complaining. You should worry about me. But you should worry even more about the 24 others who aren’t. (And apply this statistical analysis and loss of money to the thousands of fans you have who are disgruntled).

I am hoping that NHRA will get better. The answer is there. The future is in front of you. And the choice is yours. Please don’t screw this up.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Farmer
Malvern, Arkansas

[Don Himes]

What, exactly is Mr. Farmer complaining about that could help sportsman racing. We don't use nitro (well not yet anyway). NHRA not listening? Hell, they never listen! There are no racers left in the NHRA management now. There's a reason Wally set NHRA up to be not-for-profit or non-profit (Julie, help me out on this one). The racing public is not being serviced properly. It hasn't been since Tom and the storm troopers took over, so what's going to change now?

[savoyracer]

Just an observation!! Been noticing that the car count in top fuel has been steadily dwindling as this season progress's, and at topeka only 15 showed up for the 16 car field. Maybe a sign of the times, maybe other teams and perhaps corporate America have started to abandon ship. we might be lookin at 8 car fields next season. Also seems like funny cars are starting to have fewer DNQ's on their list now. might be starting in the same direction. Just a thought!!

[Don Himes]

Savoy Racer, and anybody else that thinks that way. Here's a news flash for you....THE ONLY PEOPLE NHRA CARES ABOUT ARE THE SPECTATORS! As long as enough of them show up, the association would probably like an 8 car field for pros. That way they spend less on payouts, maintenance, and services. More profits. The only thing ya'll have to remember is THEY DON'T CARE.

[Jack Matyas]

Don -- Tear-down barn ? I don't think so -- that's usually for racers who actually spend money and work on their cars........As for winning class its' become more meaningful since the combining of the Carb and FI classes . Instead of knocking the NHRA why don't you remember some of the good things they've done for you in the last 35 or so years that you were a member .

[Don Himes]

Your correct, Jack, I have had a lot of fond memories over the last (oh my gosh) 41 years. You race in a division where the director still "Gives a Damn". And I'm not saying that there isn't a bunch of great and caring NHRA employees. It's just that none of them live in Glendora, Ca. The best tech man in the world can't do very much with his hands tied. I'd like to appologize if it seemed I was going "over the edge". I guess my meds arn't kicking in the way they should anymore. The organization is great, Now we need some great people to run it!