Racing fairness versus Circus attendance

[Dick Butler]

I have raced a lot of years with NHRA. Tried IHRA a couple of events. I have been "retired" from racing for about 10 years but watch NHRA get even WORSE at managing Sportsman Racing. More complaints with VALID concerns for HP factors and handling of AHFS.
Problem is that it seems being able to attend the NHRA CIRCUS events must be what draws racers to attend even though they know they are being screwed by class structures and factoring and scheduling and , and, and.....
Is it really time to check the racers in Stock and SS pulse to see if another CLASS nationals type event run by outside interests with an updated rule set would work.
Would you attend one event as a test of NEW organization, with some changes ? like separate Supercharged classes,

[Michael Beard]

More than just attend, I would like to help put one on. Biggest problem is time. You really need to be out front promoting such an event for 1 year, plus. Then you've got scheduling and location.... then politics...

[Jim Wahl]

I went back and attended several IHRA races this year. I was pleasantly surprised! They are much more laid back but the races seem to flow better and are well organized. The biggest thing that stuck out was they really seem glad you are there! I like that! Jim

[Dick Butler]

Micheal, I am talking about planning an event for NEXT year early as a test of support and test of ideas. Attending PRI for support, Collecting a group of experienced promoters and talking to a track who would offer a combined good site and family appeal to make it an "event" for all in the family. You know like Bowling Green with the park or ....a picnic in evening. A special outing to enjoy racing and friends.. with knowledge it is a "test" event for gauge of support.

[Michael Beard]

Well, folks (aka, customers), start rattling off what it is you'd like to see. What kind of race would you support? What are your priorities? What's an acceptable entry fee/payout? Facility? (the fancier the race track you have to have, the less money can go back to the racers, as track rental fees vary wildly) Class Runoffs? Quick 32 CIC Comp-Style shootouts? How important is event coverage (online, magazine, TV)?

If someone knew that you could draw 300+ cars again like the US Class Nationals, a promoter would put one together in a heartbeat. But YOU the customer have to speak up and let it be known what it is you want, when & where, and most importantly, that you would truly show up and support an event. YOU are the ones that make it happen.

[Daran Summerton]

Bowling Green! Bowling Green! Bowling Green!

[treessavoy]

Michael,

Just a thought to throw out there: A King of the Hill Race, Stocker's against SS'er's

How about a Stock/SS shoot out. Stockers against SS'er's. Each round would be a Stocker against a SS car, run off the IHRA indexes (IHRA indexes may allow more racers to attend) .

You could decide the winner by the last man standing...Stock or SS.

Just a thought.

JimR

[Mike Carr]

I think THE US Class Nationals would be a good starting point, to make a model of an event like this. Quick 32 for Stock and S/S each, run like Comp, with no CIC, and Class Eliminations in both were run there. For a planned future USCN, Run Class on Friday, Q-32 Saturday, or vice versa. If there is a Thursday Test and Tune, do a small-entry Gambler race for S/SS in the afternoon ($20. If you get 30 cars, $600 total purse, pay back to the 1/4 finalists. $25 1/4, 50 semi, 100 r/u, 300 win). Only issue I would see for a Q-32 is a car that can run in NHRA or IHRA, where Indexes can vary greatly. Example: SS/AH in NHRA, 9.30 Index. SS/AA IHRA, 9.95 Index. Same with FWD, NHRA has five classes, IHRA has sixteen. My car, NHRA natural DF/S, 15.60 Index. IHRA natural FF/SA, 16.30 Index. Same with some of the HP ratings that differ by sanctioning body, and an FI car running NHRA C/SA or IHRA B/FIA. Something would need to be worked out for some cars/classes. I think this would be a good starting point.

The USCN in 2001 was one of the coolest races I have ever attended, it ranked right up there with Indy. I'd love to see another USCN-type event happen.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

I think THE US Class Nationals would be a good starting point, to make a model of an event like this. Quick 32 for Stock and S/S each, run like Comp, with no CIC, and Class Eliminations in both were run there. For a planned future USCN, Run Class on Friday, Q-32 Saturday, or vice versa. If there is a Thursday Test and Tune, do a small-entry Gambler race for S/SS in the afternoon ($20. If you get 30 cars, $600 total purse, pay back to the 1/4 finalists. $25 1/4, 50 semi, 100 r/u, 300 win). Only issue I would see for a Q-32 is a car that can run in NHRA or IHRA, where Indexes can vary greatly. Example: SS/AH in NHRA, 9.30 Index. SS/AA IHRA, 9.95 Index. Same with FWD, NHRA has five classes, IHRA has sixteen. My car, NHRA natural DF/S, 15.60 Index. IHRA natural FF/SA, 16.30 Index. Same with some of the HP ratings that differ by sanctioning body, and an FI car running NHRA C/SA or IHRA B/FIA. Something would need to be worked out for some cars/classes. I think this would be a good starting point.

The USCN in 2001 was one of the coolest races I have ever attended, it ranked right up there with Indy. I'd love to see another USCN-type event happen.

Call and email Alex D. he has had lots of experience at it. Mike....You cant race because you will be WORKING.....lol. Bowling Green is a great idea BUT it is an NHRA track and you know how NHRA likes to throw a monkey wrench into using one of their tracks. Use the NHRA SS/AH index as the engines in those things now are not even close to being S/S legal today. They would never pass an IHRA tear down with all of the mods they are allowed to do for the HEMI shoot outs in NHRA. If someone still races a legal SS/AA or stick Hemi from the old days using S/S rules then let them run SS/A and automitic. But be prepared to be inspected ! Simple.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Call and email Alex D. he has had lots of experience at it. Mike....You cant race because you will be WORKING.....lol. Bowling Green is a great idea BUT it is an NHRA track and you know how NHRA likes to throw a monkey wrench into using one of their tracks. Use the NHRA SS/AH index as the engines in those things now are not even close to being S/S legal today. They would never pass an IHRA tear down with all of the mods they are allowed to do for the HEMI shoot outs in NHRA. If someone still races a legal SS/AA or stick Hemi from the old days using S/S rules then let them run SS/A and automitic. But be prepared to be inspected ! Simple.

I would say that you would make everyone run off of the NHRA indexes where one exists. If there is no NHRA class (GT, CM, FWD) then use the IHRA -.3 that would be the only truly fair way to do it.