Takin control of our own destiny.

Greg Hill · 01-17-2009, 09:49 AM

I think the time is right for sportsman racers to take control of our own destiny. Yesterday I spoke with someone who works for NHRA and according to him the condition of the organization is similar to the big 3 automakers. It's possible NHRA could not survive. What happens to us if this happens? Years of taking all the profit out of the company in huge salaries for top management and members of the board of directors leaves no cushion when times get tough.

The beginnings of local and regional groups are popping up as NHRA becomes less relevant and more arrogant toward sportsman racers. Some of us are lucky enough to have places to race outside NHRA, but others aren't. What I think might work is a group of local and regional groups to put on and promote sportsman racing loosely banded together Nationally by the same rules and with the possibility of having a couple of National races. In Kentucky we are fortunate to have combo races at Ohio Valley and Bowling Green on a regular basis, usually about 10 a year combined. This could be the start of a regional group consisting of KY, IN, OH, and TN. Other groups are already out there including the one in GA and FL and the one proposed for the Carolinas. And don't forget Dave Ley's group in the north east.

There would be a lot of things to iron out including rules, tech, what type cars get to race, i.e. .90 cars, comp, top sportsman, top dragster etc. We would have to get track operators involved and probably try and find sponsors. I don't have all the answers, I just wanted to start the thread to see what everyone thought.

Greg

X-TECH MAN · 01-17-2009, 09:58 AM

I personally LIKE the idea.

TOM KASCH · 01-17-2009, 10:03 AM

why don't you try they ?

wttp://www.adrl.us/

james schaechter · 01-17-2009, 10:14 AM

I like it. Getting some key track owners involved would be important. We can race without NHRA, it gets more difficult if we don't have a track to run on. Most local track owners are looking for opportunity as well.

TOM KASCH · 01-17-2009, 10:31 AM

http://www.fasteststreetcar.com/

or them !

Alan Roehrich · 01-17-2009, 11:32 AM

Greg,
There is no doubt the idea has a lot of merit. I know a lot of people were already planning to stay close to home more this year when fuel prices got out of control last year. While fuel prices have come down, the economy isn't doing all that well, and it may have much the same effect.

Terry Cain · 01-17-2009, 11:49 AM

Greg,
I agree. Matter of fact, I was really thinking about running only the combo races and maybe traveling down south for a vacation and race with them once or twice.
Might race a few of the Super Chevy meets also.
I'm really tired of NHRA's bs and they don't have the only playground.

danny waters sr · 01-17-2009, 12:23 PM

I know it's not "NHRA " but why don't you guys try a little IHRA. We would be glad to have you. There may be classes you don't like . So be it ,you don't have to run that class. If you don't like something ,all you have to do is e-mail or call someone. I personally cannot change the rules , but i will listen and forward any suggestions or complaints.We are not NHRA, But we are not trying to be. Heck , it is a place to race the classes you like to race and then some.With the cut back on some of the pro classes this coming season , you may even get to make a few more passes or not have as much down time.Try it you may like it . If not give a reason why so we would at least know what turned you away . It may be something we can do to make it better. If you are or not a newby to IHRA,please come by tech and say hello and meet some of the other tech guys. Most of them have been or still are racers.I love class racing and hate to see it going in this direction. We need to support it any way we can to keep it alive. You did not see IHRA cut any sportsman classes for the 09 season. This is how it all got started in the first place . Just another comment from a racer/tech person who does care.!!!! Hope to see you at a few races this year.. PS- thanks for reading this post.

S.E. Buchanan · 01-17-2009, 12:37 PM

Greg:

Call me. 501-767-4777

Bryan Worner · 01-17-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

I know it's not "NHRA " but why don't you guys try a little IHRA. We would be glad to have you. There may be classes you don't like . So be it ,you don't have to run that class. If you don't like something ,all you have to do is e-mail or call someone. I personally cannot change the rules , but i will listen and forward any suggestions or complaints.We are not NHRA, But we are not trying to be. Heck , it is a place to race the classes you like to race and then some.With the cut back on some of the pro classes this coming season , you may even get to make a few more passes or not have as much down time.Try it you may like it . If not give a reason why so we would at least know what turned you away . It may be something we can do to make it better. If you are or not a newby to IHRA,please come by tech and say hello and meet some of the other tech guys. Most of them have been or still are racers.I love class racing and hate to see it going in this direction. We need to support it any way we can to keep it alive. You did not see IHRA cut any sportsman classes for the 09 season. This is how it all got started in the first place . Just another comment from a racer/tech person who does care.!!!! Hope to see you at a few races this year.. PS- thanks for reading this post.

Danny, as a racer who races both IHRA and NHRA I think one thing IHRA needs to do is pay more attention to the racing surface at their events! By this, I mean at both points races and national events! My car never spins the tires, anywhere, but every year I blow them off at least once at Rockingham...at the national event!!

Another is they have way too many eliminators running at national events. I know we've covered that topic before, but it's a fact. You go to a national event and make 2 runs your first day, then won't make another run until possibly the next evening or go into Sunday not even running 1st round!!! Imagine if they got 80-100 cars per eliminator???? They'd be racing till Tuesday!!

That is why a lot of racers don't go to these races......I'm sure their are more! Now their points races are a well-kept secret. 15-20 cars running for about $5 grand......u can't beat that!

01-17-2009, 09:49 AM	#1
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Takin control of our own destiny. I think the time is right for sportsman racers to take control of our own destiny. Yesterday I spoke with someone who works for NHRA and according to him the condition of the organization is similar to the big 3 automakers. It's possible NHRA could not survive. What happens to us if this happens? Years of taking all the profit out of the company in huge salaries for top management and members of the board of directors leaves no cushion when times get tough. The beginnings of local and regional groups are popping up as NHRA becomes less relevant and more arrogant toward sportsman racers. Some of us are lucky enough to have places to race outside NHRA, but others aren't. What I think might work is a group of local and regional groups to put on and promote sportsman racing loosely banded together Nationally by the same rules and with the possibility of having a couple of National races. In Kentucky we are fortunate to have combo races at Ohio Valley and Bowling Green on a regular basis, usually about 10 a year combined. This could be the start of a regional group consisting of KY, IN, OH, and TN. Other groups are already out there including the one in GA and FL and the one proposed for the Carolinas. And don't forget Dave Ley's group in the north east. There would be a lot of things to iron out including rules, tech, what type cars get to race, i.e. .90 cars, comp, top sportsman, top dragster etc. We would have to get track operators involved and probably try and find sponsors. I don't have all the answers, I just wanted to start the thread to see what everyone thought. Greg __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

01-17-2009, 09:58 AM	#2
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. I personally LIKE the idea.

01-17-2009, 10:03 AM	#3
TOM KASCH VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TOLEDO,OHIO Posts: 1,735 Likes: 0 Liked 241 Times in 100 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. why don't you try they ? wttp://www.adrl.us/

01-17-2009, 10:14 AM	#4
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,988 Likes: 1,288 Liked 1,428 Times in 296 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. I like it. Getting some key track owners involved would be important. We can race without NHRA, it gets more difficult if we don't have a track to run on. Most local track owners are looking for opportunity as well. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

01-17-2009, 10:31 AM	#5
TOM KASCH VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TOLEDO,OHIO Posts: 1,735 Likes: 0 Liked 241 Times in 100 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. http://www.fasteststreetcar.com/ or them !

01-17-2009, 11:32 AM	#6
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,110 Likes: 1,570 Liked 1,806 Times in 411 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. Greg, There is no doubt the idea has a lot of merit. I know a lot of people were already planning to stay close to home more this year when fuel prices got out of control last year. While fuel prices have come down, the economy isn't doing all that well, and it may have much the same effect. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

01-17-2009, 11:49 AM	#7
Terry Cain Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Georgetown, Indiana (close to Louisville, KY) Posts: 776 Likes: 530 Liked 230 Times in 106 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. Greg, I agree. Matter of fact, I was really thinking about running only the combo races and maybe traveling down south for a vacation and race with them once or twice. Might race a few of the Super Chevy meets also. I'm really tired of NHRA's bs and they don't have the only playground. __________________ Terry Cain ???? STK tcain19689585@gmail.com

01-17-2009, 12:23 PM	#8
danny waters sr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: lagrange,nc Posts: 2,224 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. I know it's not "NHRA " but why don't you guys try a little IHRA. We would be glad to have you. There may be classes you don't like . So be it ,you don't have to run that class. If you don't like something ,all you have to do is e-mail or call someone. I personally cannot change the rules , but i will listen and forward any suggestions or complaints.We are not NHRA, But we are not trying to be. Heck , it is a place to race the classes you like to race and then some.With the cut back on some of the pro classes this coming season , you may even get to make a few more passes or not have as much down time.Try it you may like it . If not give a reason why so we would at least know what turned you away . It may be something we can do to make it better. If you are or not a newby to IHRA,please come by tech and say hello and meet some of the other tech guys. Most of them have been or still are racers.I love class racing and hate to see it going in this direction. We need to support it any way we can to keep it alive. You did not see IHRA cut any sportsman classes for the 09 season. This is how it all got started in the first place . Just another comment from a racer/tech person who does care.!!!! Hope to see you at a few races this year.. PS- thanks for reading this post. __________________ Danny Waters, Sr / 73 Duster "340"

01-17-2009, 12:37 PM	#9
S.E. Buchanan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 37 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Takin control of our own destiny. Greg: Call me. 501-767-4777