The Future of Sportsman Racing?

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

I might be wrong but if NHRA loses it's grip on the pros I'd love to see them go match racing around the country like in the 60's.It would be drag racing going full circle,with
S/SS match racing and fuel car match racing like the old days.The current factory cars would lead the way.That would open the door for the expansion of S/SS and Comp
organizations.Probably over simplifying it but I think it would work.Sure would bring back some life to local tracks.

Jeez Ed, you're on a roll lately!!! I couldn't agree with you more on this, especially the subject of match racing. In fact, I'll say go ahead and hold your breath, because I've received first hand from some disenchanted fuel racers both here and out west that are preparing for independent "booked" shows at any moment. These are former pros who've had enough with runaway costs and the B.S. of corporate schmoozing in order to pay the bills. IHRA certainly had the right idea and seems to be working. It's gonna get interesting no matter what.

For all who feel NHRA has a solid grip on who can host what and which tracks will be surprised to know who is actually in control. NHRA puts their hand out to everyone from fans all the way up to track operators. In this economy the tracks hold the gold keys to drag racing's future, not the Glendora Country Club (Bruton's no dummy). When an organization moves to stiffle competitors it's because they view it as a threat to the cash cow, sending a signal they're losing control. NHRA made their bed and now it's no longer comfortable.

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

I might be wrong but if NHRA loses it's grip on the pros I'd love to see them go match racing around the country like in the 60's.It would be drag racing going full circle,with
S/SS match racing and fuel car match racing like the old days.The current factory cars would lead the way.That would open the door for the expansion of S/SS and Comp
organizations.Probably over simplifying it but I think it would work.Sure would bring back some life to local tracks.

I agree 100 % Ed.....Something else thought, I think the NHRA fears JUST THIS, at current, can someone else possibly explain limiting TF driver to 4 Testing session PER YEAR ?!?!? And having a "Match Race" in ANY Country count as such a session.....sounds bit paranoid to me.

[W J]

Question: Does NHRA control, or are they, or IHRA a major player in drag racing in Sweden? Also are there considerable numbers of American stock/superstock cars competing there, or only a few? Just wondering out loud..... WJ

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by Urraco

Are you sure NHRA is talking about S/SS when they refer to sportsman racing?

The NHRA considers everything below TF, FC, Pro Stock, and Pro Bike as Sportsman that includes Top Alcohol, Comp,etc, and way down at the bottom is S and SS.

JimR

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Im not a "rep" per se, but here is how I see it.

If the NHRA dosent cater to the Sportsmen, a new orginization will sprout to fill the vacum. Simple.

The NHRA does need the evangalism of the Sportsmen racers and their enthusiasm much more than I think even they realize.

The racer commitment is an "honest" commitment, one of love, and passion not of $ , a corporate bottom line and a Company that Happens to race, like some of the pros have become.

A disregard of the Sportsmen will be the death knell of the NHRA as the Primary org should they be that stupid.

Think of What 1 SINGLE active Sportsman racer brings in any given year to the NHRA , Entries, Fees, Web Traffic (dont discount this, do you think the Ads on the NHRA site and here are because they look good ?) The Fans that they bring to and through the gate, family members , co workers, and in many cases youth which become the NEW Sportsmen racers.

In my opinion, the most important branch of ANY for or even non-profit orginization is its foundations in the case of the NHRA its "Sportsmen"

If they dont see that, they will.....it would be the simple end of the NHRA as we know it with the elimination of Sportsmen. Im thinking they are seeing this to.

It dosent take a genius.

Think of how much money the NHRA would loose, and OTHER Attendance across the season if say for example the Sportsmen were to strike for 3 months in the middle of the year, a full strike (Im not saying it would or could ever happen, too many people fail to agree for a collective effort) But for 3 months, no NHRA renewals, no NHRA attendance, by them or their families, No NHRA site frequents, none of it.

The "pros" would be sitting in a bunch of empty pits stroking themselves on how important they are to the sport until, the public and specators stop coming to see a handful of cars they cant relate to.

Im guessing they get it too.

I think Don is right except on one point, I think 3-4 million is a gross undersetimation by the time you add sportsmen fans/family attendance and web advertising revenue. which I am curious, anyone have a filing from last year ?

71.4 cents worth for today.

[John Kelley]

Originally Posted by drooze

If the NHRA dosent cater to the Sportsmen, a new orginization will sprout to fill the vacum. Simple.
.

HA HA HA HA HA H A HA HA.....It'd have to be a national orginizition and NHRA would do their best to SQUASH them !! Just like they have done with other groups that wanted to run meet's on NHRA affiliated tracks !
Say like they did with ADRL......NHRA will get a CUT OF THE $$$$$$$........
And like AHRA is having trouble trying to break into the "market".....

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by John Kelley

HA HA HA HA HA H A HA HA.....It'd have to be a national orginizition and NHRA would do their best to SQUASH them !! Just like they have done with other groups that wanted to run meet's on NHRA affiliated tracks !
Say like they did with ADRL......NHRA will get a CUT OF THE $$$$$$$........
And like AHRA is having trouble trying to break into the "market".....

AHRA, yeah, revamping an old name. About the only thing this or any new organization would be able to do. MAYBE, organize independent or outlaw tracks. Without the NHRA's blessing, you won't get a foothold in their territory. I'm even a little surprised that the S/SS combo races are allowed to run cars from the IHRA on sanctioned NHRA tracks?

[blkjack]

When the "gray hairs" are dead and gone,,,,,,,,,,,,,Stock, S/S and Comp will be gone. Problem solved for NHRA. Easy to police classes will remain.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by blkjack

When the "gray hairs" are dead and gone,,,,,,,,,,,,,Stock, S/S and Comp will be gone. Problem solved for NHRA. Easy to police classes will remain.

This says it all. This way NHRA wont be sued with a class action law suite like the Pro Stock Truck fiasco.

[will prater]

Originally Posted by blkjack

When the "gray hairs" are dead and gone,,,,,,,,,,,,,Stock, S/S and Comp will be gone. Problem solved for NHRA. Easy to police classes will remain.

No offense to anyone but when we were at Topeka my son commented about the age of most of the stock and super stock participants as being old like my age. (54). Thanks son. I could see Top Dragster and Top Sportsman becoming the 'Sportsman' classes in the future. Easy to tech and most Super Pro dragsters at local tracks all over the country can turn off the stop and run fast enough.