PINKS vs Class Racing

Gary Smith · 03-07-2010, 10:40 AM

If everyone here were smart, you'd lobby class racing to Rich Christensen of PINKS All Out instead of continually wasting time and money with NHRA. After attending my first PAO this guy knows how to treat, promote, and market our style of racing. He also knows how to work the spectators unlike NHRA who is taking everyone's money and bending us over and giving it to us in a painful way. Rich not only gives a ***** and honestly cares, but really enjoys what he does!!!! He connects with EVERYONE, not just the cash cows who come to play (aka the John Forces and Don Schumachers). Something to be said about the success of PINKS All Out format when NHRA creates their half-assed, half-hearted attempt "Unleashed" program to re-gain what they've lost to PAO. Because NHRA it's all about the money THEY make, not HOW they make it. Where Rich it's all about the racers and connecting with the fans, understanding the financial success comes as a result. Because he knows without racers, he has no fans, and with no fans, he has no show, and with no show, there's no marketability. Wally Parks was the creative thinker and had the passion behind the creation of NHRA. But he's long gone and nothing like the bottom line driven bean counters who run it today. Everyone must understand the logic of corporate bean counters...it's all about the numbers, the 80-20 rule, and financial bottom line. We're in the minority column, a liability that "brings nothing to the table" according to what's on paper. I cannot stress enough, that, as long as the majority here continue to thumb their noses at these suggestions and at the few of us who have been willing to turn our backs on the true enemy of our destiny, we will continue to get hurt, much like the path of Modified Eliminator. In hard economic times greed becomes increasingly obvious. Just like an employee receiving his/her termination letter, we are facing the same circumstances. The top brass do not care about the personal hardship it causes, only that it bought the white elephant more time until the fat cats can safely cut and run.

Wade Mahaffey · 03-07-2010, 01:43 PM

I like them both, but there are parts of each that I don't like. POA is really neat if your the fastest guy of the top 16 that they pick for whatever reason (something with a girl, a wagon, a minority driver, a truck, a mopar with a chevy engine, father-son etc). If your not lucky that day, you might get two time runs and watch the rest. Take away the chance to be on TV and see what happens. Same for the NHRA, everybody wants to be where the big deal is going on, myself included. I respectfully really feel bad for the diehard class racers, who have spent a life time perfecting their combinations. And today nobody cares, the fans just want to see FAST...(turbos, blowers, nitrous). Then if that don't get ya, at the Nationals the #83 quailifier puts you (#3 quailifer) on the trailer with just a good reaction time. He bought his car last month for $10,000. You bought yours in 1971 and have 25K in the engine. To me something ain't right ! There must be something that I'm not seeing. I should be seeing it soon though, with this 60 Corvette for Super/Stock. My plan is larger than Pinks and/or NHRA. Build a car that is multi-faceted and can do many things. NHRA, IHRA, IMCA, NMCA, Nostalgia, Pinks, Local Brackets, Street driver, 10.5, Show, then do whatever you feel like with it! I like all of it, oh did I mention the fun of building that car yourself !!!

Wade Mahaffey

63corvette · 03-07-2010, 02:48 PM

The only reason NHRA keeps the Sportsman racing at the National Events is to pay the bill for putting on the event.
Case in point:
Only Sportsman pay entry fees: Our fees cover the operation for NHRA's part of the show. The track covers the rest.
Only Sportsman pay Insurance fees Professional Teams must post a Bond at the beginning of the year: Our fees cover the entire insurance coverage for the weekend show for everyone inside the track. The track turns the operation of their track and in turn is the umbrella coverage for the show only. It will be interesting how the accident at Chandler turns out and who pays for that.
I would bet today the Sportsman Insurance coverages for 2011 will be going up due to the Chandler accident.

If the Sportsman racers did not pay the bills we would not be included now at the National Events as was discussed the last couple of years.

I watch Pinks sometimes but when a guy is berated for having an engine failure on camera for oiling the track I am no longer a watcher. The guy feels bad enough without being laid into for oiling the track.
I also have friends who attended the Pinks all out to try and get in and they will never try again. They told me it was like the NHRA show hurry up and wait. I have not tried to get in as I figured I could never get in with an 8 second car. They always pick 10 second or slower groupings.

My take is Its All About The Money and what Pinks can sell!

My 2 Cents and not worth more than that.

hemidup · 03-07-2010, 03:06 PM

I heard that Pinks 400 plus spots sell out in about 5 minutes.

Ed Fernandez · 03-07-2010, 04:34 PM

I respectfully really feel bad for the diehard class racers, who have spent a life time perfecting their combinations. And today nobody cares, the fans just want to see FAST...(turbos, blowers, nitrous). Then if that don't get ya, at the Nationals the #83 quailifier puts you (#3 quailifer) on the trailer with just a good reaction time. He bought his car last month for $10,000.

Wade,thats why there's Comp eliminator,for the diehards that want to go fast.The CIC is a bit of a hinderance but not as confining as the AHFS.
The Pinks minded set have no interest in working on a a restricted combination like S/SS.All
they do is throw money at big inch motors with they're so called "power adders".Does
the work slackers come to mind?

Robert Swartz · 03-07-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63corvette

I watch Pinks sometimes but when a guy is berated for having an engine failure on camera for oiling the track I am no longer a watcher. The guy feels bad enough without being laid into for oiling the track.
I also have friends who attended the Pinks all out to try and get in and they will never try again. They told me it was like the NHRA show hurry up and wait. I have not tried to get in as I figured I could never get in with an 8 second car. They always pick 10 second or slower groupings.

My take is Its All About The Money and what Pinks can sell!

My 2 Cents and not worth more than that.

I went to the Pinks at Indy this past year as a "tater". After watching it on TV, it looked really neat. The reality of what I saw. A lot of time sitting and waiting. It is a TV show, they're looking for that spectacular thing, a nitrous explosion, a blown engine/tranny, hugh wheelstand, car going out of control, to augment their highlight reel. That and I can only take so much of the drunks yelling and screaming, I guess I'm just not a good spectater.

Then when you get to the promotion part of it, $40 hats, $60+ shirts, you can have it. Nah, I'll pass. Went to work Monday, told all the guys what a bust it was and how it was the most boring thing I could have subjected myself to. They all thought I was nuts, "you got to go to such a cool thing and you hated it"?

Gary Smith · 03-07-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

I respectfully really feel bad for the diehard class racers, who have spent a life time perfecting their combinations. And today nobody cares, the fans just want to see FAST...(turbos, blowers, nitrous). Then if that don't get ya, at the Nationals the #83 quailifier puts you (#3 quailifer) on the trailer with just a good reaction time. He bought his car last month for $10,000.

Wade,thats why there's Comp eliminator,for the diehards that want to go fast.The CIC is a bit of a hinderance but not as confining as the AHFS.
The Pinks minded set have no interest in working on a a restricted combination like S/SS.All
they do is throw money at big inch motors with they're so called "power adders".Does
the work slackers come to mind?

Actually Ed quite the contrary...this would be the best thing for the sport. What the fans want are closely matched cars with character, brand rivalries, and be included in the hype. Instead of shoe polish racing like they do on Sunday, it would be class match ups just like the old days, and trust me, it would grow beyond anyone's imagination. Those who've worked the hardest could finally be rewarded. Fans could follow that format easy..all heads up, no breakout, no handicap starts. The PINKS promoters add in some exhibition stuff as a bonus, but the main show are the close matched cars in an all or nothing death thrash. NHRA has had ample opportunity to work it like this, but prefer to suck up to the nitro bombs, while they milk every last dollar from our wallets instead.

Ed Fernandez · 03-07-2010, 07:27 PM

Those who've worked the hardest could finally be rewarded

Should read,those who have a ton of money will finally be rewarded.Guess I'd put a muffler on the gremlin and drive it to car shows.Remember what happened when they ran off records?Back then it was innovative guys with skills.Still some left but on the whole todays performance is store bought and lack of rule enforcement.

Hemiparts · 03-07-2010, 09:47 PM

We ran the POA event last year @ Z-max and are in for the event @ Virgina, yes it's a lot of waiting but wher else do you see people get that worked up over a bunch of sportsman racers?? Rich is a car guy and he cares about the racers and the cars. As far as him blowing up about someone spilling fluid on the track, wasn't some one on this forum not long ago screaming about getting fined by NHRA for leaking on the track ??? This kind of racing and the circus atmosphere thats surronds it is what is still great about the sport of drag racing.. my .02

Gary Smith · 03-08-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemiparts

We ran the POA event last year @ Z-max and are in for the event @ Virgina, yes it's a lot of waiting but wher else do you see people get that worked up over a bunch of sportsman racers?? Rich is a car guy and he cares about the racers and the cars. As far as him blowing up about someone spilling fluid on the track, wasn't some one on this forum not long ago screaming about getting fined by NHRA for leaking on the track ??? This kind of racing and the circus atmosphere thats surronds it is what is still great about the sport of drag racing.. my .02

You receive basic guidelines docs via email in advance of the event reminding all competitors to replace antifreeze with water and/or coolant substitutes that meet sanction rules. And just like anywhere else, if you're aware you are leaking any fluids you are to pull over to the side of track. Beyond that Rich and crew are reasonably fair. They understand there will be mishaps, but the preventable ones they cut nobody slack. And yes, Rich is a real stand-up guy and really enjoys talking to the seasoned veteran, wheather pro or weekend warrior. When's the last time an NHRA exec chatted with you in the lanes or on the starting line during downtime?

03-07-2010, 10:40 AM	#1
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	PINKS vs Class Racing If everyone here were smart, you'd lobby class racing to Rich Christensen of PINKS All Out instead of continually wasting time and money with NHRA. After attending my first PAO this guy knows how to treat, promote, and market our style of racing. He also knows how to work the spectators unlike NHRA who is taking everyone's money and bending us over and giving it to us in a painful way. Rich not only gives a ***** and honestly cares, but really enjoys what he does!!!! He connects with EVERYONE, not just the cash cows who come to play (aka the John Forces and Don Schumachers). Something to be said about the success of PINKS All Out format when NHRA creates their half-assed, half-hearted attempt "Unleashed" program to re-gain what they've lost to PAO. Because NHRA it's all about the money THEY make, not HOW they make it. Where Rich it's all about the racers and connecting with the fans, understanding the financial success comes as a result. Because he knows without racers, he has no fans, and with no fans, he has no show, and with no show, there's no marketability. Wally Parks was the creative thinker and had the passion behind the creation of NHRA. But he's long gone and nothing like the bottom line driven bean counters who run it today. Everyone must understand the logic of corporate bean counters...it's all about the numbers, the 80-20 rule, and financial bottom line. We're in the minority column, a liability that "brings nothing to the table" according to what's on paper. I cannot stress enough, that, as long as the majority here continue to thumb their noses at these suggestions and at the few of us who have been willing to turn our backs on the true enemy of our destiny, we will continue to get hurt, much like the path of Modified Eliminator. In hard economic times greed becomes increasingly obvious. Just like an employee receiving his/her termination letter, we are facing the same circumstances. The top brass do not care about the personal hardship it causes, only that it bought the white elephant more time until the fat cats can safely cut and run. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating"

03-07-2010, 01:43 PM	#2
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Re: PINKS vs Class Racing I like them both, but there are parts of each that I don't like. POA is really neat if your the fastest guy of the top 16 that they pick for whatever reason (something with a girl, a wagon, a minority driver, a truck, a mopar with a chevy engine, father-son etc). If your not lucky that day, you might get two time runs and watch the rest. Take away the chance to be on TV and see what happens. Same for the NHRA, everybody wants to be where the big deal is going on, myself included. I respectfully really feel bad for the diehard class racers, who have spent a life time perfecting their combinations. And today nobody cares, the fans just want to see FAST...(turbos, blowers, nitrous). Then if that don't get ya, at the Nationals the #83 quailifier puts you (#3 quailifer) on the trailer with just a good reaction time. He bought his car last month for $10,000. You bought yours in 1971 and have 25K in the engine. To me something ain't right ! There must be something that I'm not seeing. I should be seeing it soon though, with this 60 Corvette for Super/Stock. My plan is larger than Pinks and/or NHRA. Build a car that is multi-faceted and can do many things. NHRA, IHRA, IMCA, NMCA, Nostalgia, Pinks, Local Brackets, Street driver, 10.5, Show, then do whatever you feel like with it! I like all of it, oh did I mention the fun of building that car yourself !!! Wade Mahaffey

03-07-2010, 03:06 PM	#4
hemidup Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 409 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: PINKS vs Class Racing I heard that Pinks 400 plus spots sell out in about 5 minutes.

03-07-2010, 04:34 PM	#5
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: PINKS vs Class Racing I respectfully really feel bad for the diehard class racers, who have spent a life time perfecting their combinations. And today nobody cares, the fans just want to see FAST...(turbos, blowers, nitrous). Then if that don't get ya, at the Nationals the #83 quailifier puts you (#3 quailifer) on the trailer with just a good reaction time. He bought his car last month for $10,000. Wade,thats why there's Comp eliminator,for the diehards that want to go fast.The CIC is a bit of a hinderance but not as confining as the AHFS. The Pinks minded set have no interest in working on a a restricted combination like S/SS.All they do is throw money at big inch motors with they're so called "power adders".Does the work slackers come to mind? __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

03-07-2010, 09:47 PM	#9
Hemiparts Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Raleigh, N.C Posts: 212 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: PINKS vs Class Racing We ran the POA event last year @ Z-max and are in for the event @ Virgina, yes it's a lot of waiting but wher else do you see people get that worked up over a bunch of sportsman racers?? Rich is a car guy and he cares about the racers and the cars. As far as him blowing up about someone spilling fluid on the track, wasn't some one on this forum not long ago screaming about getting fined by NHRA for leaking on the track ??? This kind of racing and the circus atmosphere thats surronds it is what is still great about the sport of drag racing.. my .02

03-07-2010, 02:48 PM	#3
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 552 Likes: 128 Liked 358 Times in 103 Posts	Re: PINKS vs Class Racing The only reason NHRA keeps the Sportsman racing at the National Events is to pay the bill for putting on the event. Case in point: Only Sportsman pay entry fees: Our fees cover the operation for NHRA's part of the show. The track covers the rest. Only Sportsman pay Insurance fees Professional Teams must post a Bond at the beginning of the year: Our fees cover the entire insurance coverage for the weekend show for everyone inside the track. The track turns the operation of their track and in turn is the umbrella coverage for the show only. It will be interesting how the accident at Chandler turns out and who pays for that. I would bet today the Sportsman Insurance coverages for 2011 will be going up due to the Chandler accident. If the Sportsman racers did not pay the bills we would not be included now at the National Events as was discussed the last couple of years. I watch Pinks sometimes but when a guy is berated for having an engine failure on camera for oiling the track I am no longer a watcher. The guy feels bad enough without being laid into for oiling the track. I also have friends who attended the Pinks all out to try and get in and they will never try again. They told me it was like the NHRA show hurry up and wait. I have not tried to get in as I figured I could never get in with an 8 second car. They always pick 10 second or slower groupings. My take is Its All About The Money and what Pinks can sell! My 2 Cents and not worth more than that.

03-07-2010, 07:27 PM	#8
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: PINKS vs Class Racing Those who've worked the hardest could finally be rewarded Should read,those who have a ton of money will finally be rewarded.Guess I'd put a muffler on the gremlin and drive it to car shows.Remember what happened when they ran off records?Back then it was innovative guys with skills.Still some left but on the whole todays performance is store bought and lack of rule enforcement. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA