nhra increase fees explained

[larrylomascolo]

We apologize for the delay in getting back to you and we appreciate your email and acknowledge your disappointment in the recent announcement. NHRA has seen a dramatic increase in legal costs, insurance costs, and operational costs over the last decade, yet most of these fees have not been raised in more than a decade. NHRA has made every effort to keep fees flat, despite these rising costs. Because of our commitment to sportsman racing, NHRA has funded these rising costs all these years but must pass a portion of these costs on to the sportsman racers.



We assure you that it was a very difficult decision to raise these fees. In most cases, it represents a $60 annual increase for an individual racer. When amortized over the length of an average schedule, the increase only equates to a few dollars more per event. We understand the economic times we are in as it has a direct impact on all areas of NHRA’s business and, as a result, led to the need to increase fees. These increases will assist us in being able to continue to provide premier racing programs at the national, divisional and local level.



Again, we appreciate your note and wanted you to know that it was read and acknowledged.



Jerry Archambeault

NHRA

[SC1448]

I understand the increases. BUT.... would it have been so hard for NHRA to make an announcement like: "Effective June 1st, 2009, the following fee structure will take effect......"??? But NO, they just decided to say "Effective Immediately". Not a way to run ANY business in my opinion.
-Don

[Gary Smith]

...what a crock

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by SC1448

I understand the increases. BUT.... would it have been so hard for NHRA to make an announcement like: "Effective June 1st, 2009, the following fee structure will take effect......"??? But NO, they just decided to say "Effective Immediately". Not a way to run ANY business in my opinion.
-Don

Not in defense of NHRA,but the gas prices went up yesterday around here about 15 cents a gallon.No warning at all,and no reason that I can see.It was "effective immediately".

[Bob Mulry]

Looks like NHRA is up to its old tricks by rewriting history.

Take a look below at the press release from 04/08/09 about Sportsman racers not covering their own costs of doing business.

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NHRA announces changes to competition fees
Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Effective immediately, NHRA is increasing all competition fees, including for licenses, permanent numbers, and chassis inspections. The new fees for these services are reflected in the forms available online at www.nhra.com/competition/forms.aspx.

NHRA has not raised fees in more than a decade, and, given the current economic environment, NHRA needs to adjust fees to help offset some of the increased costs for these services. In addition, and at national events, NHRA will increase the insurance surcharge.

It should be noted that these fees, even as increased, do not cover the costs for Sportsman programs. NHRA will continue to subsidize costs to provide these programs. NHRA remains committed to Sportsman racing, and these increases will assist us in being able to continue to provide premier racing programs at the national, divisional, and local level.



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Bob

[442OLDS]

I was able to enter Stock Eliminator at the St Louis National event for FREE.How can you beat that?
Hold on,I think they just called us to the lanes,I have to go.

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by larrylomascolo

We apologize for the delay in getting back to you and we appreciate your email and acknowledge your disappointment in the recent announcement. NHRA has seen a dramatic increase in legal costs, insurance costs, and operational costs over the last decade, yet most of these fees have not been raised in more than a decade. NHRA has made every effort to keep fees flat, despite these rising costs. Because of our commitment to sportsman racing, NHRA has funded these rising costs all these years but must pass a portion of these costs on to the sportsman racers.



We assure you that it was a very difficult decision to raise these fees. In most cases, it represents a $60 annual increase for an individual racer. When amortized over the length of an average schedule, the increase only equates to a few dollars more per event. We understand the economic times we are in as it has a direct impact on all areas of NHRA’s business and, as a result, led to the need to increase fees. These increases will assist us in being able to continue to provide premier racing programs at the national, divisional and local level.



Again, we appreciate your note and wanted you to know that it was read and acknowledged.



Jerry Archambeault

NHRA

Where's the part about passing on some of the costs to the Pro's, whose sponsor's can easily afford even massive amounts of price increases.

When are they going to pay their fair share?

[Brandon Peterson]

The dealership i work at did something of the same thing NHRA did to the sportsman racers..except it was cut backs....they cut back holiday pay to $100.00 a day didn't tell anyone happend on easter week...thne they cuy our traininng which is a 1 hour and 30 minute drive to charlotte from my house to a $100.00 a day instead of 8 hours like usual...cut free lunch on sat. and 401k matching % on checks alos said they were doing this to avoid layoffs...got a ltter in my check may 1 with all these details staiting it would be effective may 1st 2009....the ****ty part of this is thye cut our holiday pay on easter i had 2 days of school they paid me only 200.00 for 2 days and fired one tech...all before may 1st....everyone is getting the b/s from owners and mangers weither it is NHRA or your job...we are getting crapped on

[63corvette]

Problem is the Pro's pay nothing but get paid to qualify.
The sportsman insurance fee's for the National Events cover insurance costs for the entire event including the spectators.
If you ever have a crash and a claim good luck on collecting anything on the insurance you paid for.
It is only secondary and you get the usual and customary treatment and they don't pay.
They play hardball and tell you they will defend their practice to the full extent of the law.
In other words just try and sue us, we are bigger and have deeper pockets than you do and can drag it out for years.
Been There And Done That.
My 2 Cents

[Casey Miles]

In another thread, VMP gave out 60,000 "free" tickets so that they get spectators, I for one don't care if they show up or not. If they don't pay anything at the gate, they are not supporting the racer and it means the money is coming from else where. The racers are "bringing" in the show, NHRA and the facitlity that the race is being held could let up on the racer rather then the spectator. Yes, give the spectator a break, but to give away tickets and have the racers pull their full load is not reasonable. I'm sure that NHRA has this all figured out that the racers will take on all the expences because the racers have the big investments in their rigs and race cars. Food for thought or just pissing in the wind!

Casey Miles
248H