How can we fix NHRA

BKSG1198 · 10-07-2010, 10:11 AM

Sorry guys but, I think it's too late unless someone starts a new association. I'm not saying NHRA has been or ever will be perfect but, in the past few years things have made a turn for the worse. It used to be the higher above people were ex-racers and somewhat understand what it's like to be a sportsman racer now, it's turned into a bunch of pencil pushers who only care about the bottom line and $$ signs. It's turned into "How many rounds can we get into 1 day so we can clear out the sportsman pits and park spectators". Could anyone imagine if Bruton's plans to buy NHRA went through? There would be no .90 Classes or Stk or Super Stk and Maybe no Comp because they don't fill up the stands with Fans like the pukers do. I think that's why your seeing more and more associations popping up and normal NHRA racers are running more of these races and putting the Divisional and Nationals on the Back Burner. Dave Ley runs an awesome association in the East Coast Stk/SS, You have the New Super Comp Assoc and MASGA on the East Coast and hopefully come next year we can try to get all 3 together for a few races and it will be similar to a Divisional Event. I think the only way you make it better is to have each division have 7 or 8 Divisional Races, eliminate Us from National Events and have each division have 2 or 3 Sportsnationals (I know it's tough in the Northwest) (Still get a Wally because we all know thats what racers want) count all your races and have the same point system as now. Put TAFC, TAD and Pro Mods as fillers for the Pros so they can fix the motors in 90 minutes and this way we don't have to take a week off to go racing. Just my .02 cents....

CycloneFE · 10-07-2010, 11:08 AM

How do you stop a fully loaded freight train, going down hill with no brakes?

Ken Haase · 10-07-2010, 11:41 AM

Not really all that hard Cyclone. Just tear up a few sections of rails.I'm confident we all know what the 'rail sections' are.

CycloneFE · 10-07-2010, 11:55 AM

Ken, That will "stop" it but I don't think it will save the train. Oh, I guess I did forget to mention that huh. LOL

Bob Pagano · 10-07-2010, 12:44 PM

BKSG you dont get it, Dave Ley's program dose not compeat with nhra. As soon as you try and run a sportsmen race that is in direct competition with nhra they will not let there sanctioned tracks run the event. You need to get their approval first and you wont get it. The only way is to dismantle nhra, once its gone you will have all the tracks open for your event. If you dont believe me look it up its in writing.

Jim Wahl · 10-07-2010, 12:57 PM

What I would like to know is what ever happened to the idea that there would eventually be a Sportsnational race in every Division? Len Imbrogno told me that was the goal, but they haven't added any Sportsnationals in several years. Still only three. Jim

BKSG1198 · 10-07-2010, 01:23 PM

Bob,
I do get it. I never said anything about competing with NHRA. That is like David vs. Goliath for anyone. I understand the whole deal with Dave Ley's association as I help out with other .90 Associations on the East Coast. All I was saying was that we will never have a "Race" at a NHRA track on the same weekend as a NHRA Divisional or National Event in the same area but, we have had Stk/SS, SG and SC at the same track on the same weekend. My point is that "You can't fix NHRA, no matter how hard you try, it is what it is". The easiest solution is to let the sportsman and pros be 2 totally different organizations. 1 with just the Pros and Alky and 1 with Comp down to Super Street. It would prevent people from having to take millions of days off from work in which jobs are being lost everyday, Kepping it somewhat local to save on travel costs and without Alky there we might be able to do 2 races in 1 weekend. I'm just pointing out that if there are other options out there for anybody who still loves NHRA racing without the BS and Frustration.

Greg Hill · 10-07-2010, 01:59 PM

In 1981 our membership rights and voting rights were taken away by management at NHRA in basically an illegal vote of a small part of the members. Prior to that, we as members had very few rights because the board had to call membership meetings for us to vote, which they almost never did. At present time the board is made up of the four members of top management; Tom Compton, Peter Clifford, Graham Light, and Dallas Gardner. Because management and the board are one and the same the board does not hold management accountable and there is no one to hold the board accountable.

As most of you know NHRA is a non profit 501 C6 corporation. I have done a fair amount of research on this and I can't find any other similar non profit where there is no accountability to anyone. Most non profits have a board of directors that is elected by the members. The board then hires the management to run the company. Usually the President of the organization is the only member of management on the board. The board usually is the one who decides on compensation for top management and also with the general direction of the company. Because the board and management are one and the same management can do what they want and run the company any way they want. Right now I think we all know what it's about and that is maximizing revenue.

NHRA is operating in a way that is illegal for a 501C6 non profit corporation to operate. The only way I see anything changing is for the members to get our voting rights back and vote in a transparent way, for a new board of directors, who then in turn, could hire new management to implement policies and direction that the new board would decide on. As long as the current management is in place they are concerned about one thing and that is making themselves as wealthy as possible.

Pistol Pete · 10-07-2010, 08:33 PM

Wow, i think there are soooo many things we can do to make our (sportsman racers, this includes S, SS, Comp & the 90's Cars) OWN Organization a better place to race.
SHRA- Sportsman Hot Rod Assoc.

Let's think of the possibilites: Top Stock, Jr. Stock, Top SS, Jr. SS, Handicap Stock,
Handicap SS. I know Top & Jr. Stock faded out here in Div.1 but it's worth a second try.

Pinks All Out fills the stands with spectators, Why ????? is it because you see Heads Up
Racing, & you still can't go under the time that they choose for the final 16 cars.

I would love to have a SportsNationals in each division, that would be cool.

I think another thing we as racers can do at a Points race is put up some x-tra money
(even though we are getting raped as it is) like $30 more.
At our last Div. race at Atco, Stock Elim. had 116 cars.
116 x 30 dollars= $3480.
When you are down to 29 cars, which is after 2 rounds
14 losers get there $30 back, next round losers which will be 7 they get $50 back,
next round losers which will be 4 they get $100 back, next round losers which will be 2
they get $200. Runner up gets $600 & The Winner Gets $1300.
That means there is $10. left for me for running this pot. lol

THIS IS PROBABLY MORE THAN NHRA GIVES US.

If you win, it also sweetens the pot a little more.

This is how the Hemi Shootout started, the racers were putting up there own money.
Of course i think it was winner take all, but i'm not sure.

LET'S BRING ON THE DEBATE FELLOW RACERS.

Pistol Pete Dutko
1374
I/SA

skills · 10-07-2010, 09:01 PM

Hey pete like those ideas but I don't want the sportsmen to split off. I do enjoy pro stock and fuel which both have issues. Why did top stock and jr. Stock fail.

10-07-2010, 10:11 AM	#1
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,630 Likes: 96 Liked 1,286 Times in 393 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA Sorry guys but, I think it's too late unless someone starts a new association. I'm not saying NHRA has been or ever will be perfect but, in the past few years things have made a turn for the worse. It used to be the higher above people were ex-racers and somewhat understand what it's like to be a sportsman racer now, it's turned into a bunch of pencil pushers who only care about the bottom line and $$ signs. It's turned into "How many rounds can we get into 1 day so we can clear out the sportsman pits and park spectators". Could anyone imagine if Bruton's plans to buy NHRA went through? There would be no .90 Classes or Stk or Super Stk and Maybe no Comp because they don't fill up the stands with Fans like the pukers do. I think that's why your seeing more and more associations popping up and normal NHRA racers are running more of these races and putting the Divisional and Nationals on the Back Burner. Dave Ley runs an awesome association in the East Coast Stk/SS, You have the New Super Comp Assoc and MASGA on the East Coast and hopefully come next year we can try to get all 3 together for a few races and it will be similar to a Divisional Event. I think the only way you make it better is to have each division have 7 or 8 Divisional Races, eliminate Us from National Events and have each division have 2 or 3 Sportsnationals (I know it's tough in the Northwest) (Still get a Wally because we all know thats what racers want) count all your races and have the same point system as now. Put TAFC, TAD and Pro Mods as fillers for the Pros so they can fix the motors in 90 minutes and this way we don't have to take a week off to go racing. Just my .02 cents....

10-07-2010, 11:08 AM	#2
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA How do you stop a fully loaded freight train, going down hill with no brakes?

10-07-2010, 11:41 AM	#3
Ken Haase Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 233 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: How can we fix NHRA Not really all that hard Cyclone. Just tear up a few sections of rails.I'm confident we all know what the 'rail sections' are.

10-07-2010, 11:55 AM	#4
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA Ken, That will "stop" it but I don't think it will save the train. Oh, I guess I did forget to mention that huh. LOL

10-07-2010, 12:44 PM	#5
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 241 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA BKSG you dont get it, Dave Ley's program dose not compeat with nhra. As soon as you try and run a sportsmen race that is in direct competition with nhra they will not let there sanctioned tracks run the event. You need to get their approval first and you wont get it. The only way is to dismantle nhra, once its gone you will have all the tracks open for your event. If you dont believe me look it up its in writing. __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

10-07-2010, 12:57 PM	#6
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 667 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA What I would like to know is what ever happened to the idea that there would eventually be a Sportsnational race in every Division? Len Imbrogno told me that was the goal, but they haven't added any Sportsnationals in several years. Still only three. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

10-07-2010, 01:23 PM	#7
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,630 Likes: 96 Liked 1,286 Times in 393 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA Bob, I do get it. I never said anything about competing with NHRA. That is like David vs. Goliath for anyone. I understand the whole deal with Dave Ley's association as I help out with other .90 Associations on the East Coast. All I was saying was that we will never have a "Race" at a NHRA track on the same weekend as a NHRA Divisional or National Event in the same area but, we have had Stk/SS, SG and SC at the same track on the same weekend. My point is that "You can't fix NHRA, no matter how hard you try, it is what it is". The easiest solution is to let the sportsman and pros be 2 totally different organizations. 1 with just the Pros and Alky and 1 with Comp down to Super Street. It would prevent people from having to take millions of days off from work in which jobs are being lost everyday, Kepping it somewhat local to save on travel costs and without Alky there we might be able to do 2 races in 1 weekend. I'm just pointing out that if there are other options out there for anybody who still loves NHRA racing without the BS and Frustration.

10-07-2010, 01:59 PM	#8
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA In 1981 our membership rights and voting rights were taken away by management at NHRA in basically an illegal vote of a small part of the members. Prior to that, we as members had very few rights because the board had to call membership meetings for us to vote, which they almost never did. At present time the board is made up of the four members of top management; Tom Compton, Peter Clifford, Graham Light, and Dallas Gardner. Because management and the board are one and the same the board does not hold management accountable and there is no one to hold the board accountable. As most of you know NHRA is a non profit 501 C6 corporation. I have done a fair amount of research on this and I can't find any other similar non profit where there is no accountability to anyone. Most non profits have a board of directors that is elected by the members. The board then hires the management to run the company. Usually the President of the organization is the only member of management on the board. The board usually is the one who decides on compensation for top management and also with the general direction of the company. Because the board and management are one and the same management can do what they want and run the company any way they want. Right now I think we all know what it's about and that is maximizing revenue. NHRA is operating in a way that is illegal for a 501C6 non profit corporation to operate. The only way I see anything changing is for the members to get our voting rights back and vote in a transparent way, for a new board of directors, who then in turn, could hire new management to implement policies and direction that the new board would decide on. As long as the current management is in place they are concerned about one thing and that is making themselves as wealthy as possible. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

10-07-2010, 08:33 PM	#9
Pistol Pete VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Punta Gorda Isles, Fl. Posts: 1,628 Likes: 3,414 Liked 795 Times in 210 Posts	Re: How can we fix NHRA Wow, i think there are soooo many things we can do to make our (sportsman racers, this includes S, SS, Comp & the 90's Cars) OWN Organization a better place to race. SHRA- Sportsman Hot Rod Assoc. Let's think of the possibilites: Top Stock, Jr. Stock, Top SS, Jr. SS, Handicap Stock, Handicap SS. I know Top & Jr. Stock faded out here in Div.1 but it's worth a second try. Pinks All Out fills the stands with spectators, Why ????? is it because you see Heads Up Racing, & you still can't go under the time that they choose for the final 16 cars. I would love to have a SportsNationals in each division, that would be cool. I think another thing we as racers can do at a Points race is put up some x-tra money (even though we are getting raped as it is) like $30 more. At our last Div. race at Atco, Stock Elim. had 116 cars. 116 x 30 dollars= $3480. When you are down to 29 cars, which is after 2 rounds 14 losers get there $30 back, next round losers which will be 7 they get $50 back, next round losers which will be 4 they get $100 back, next round losers which will be 2 they get $200. Runner up gets $600 & The Winner Gets $1300. That means there is $10. left for me for running this pot. lol THIS IS PROBABLY MORE THAN NHRA GIVES US. If you win, it also sweetens the pot a little more. This is how the Hemi Shootout started, the racers were putting up there own money. Of course i think it was winner take all, but i'm not sure. LET'S BRING ON THE DEBATE FELLOW RACERS. Pistol Pete Dutko 1374 I/SA

10-07-2010, 09:01 PM	#10
skills Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hershey,pa Posts: 187 Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 1 Post	Re: How can we fix NHRA Hey pete like those ideas but I don't want the sportsmen to split off. I do enjoy pro stock and fuel which both have issues. Why did top stock and jr. Stock fail.