How would you SAVE CLASS RACING ???

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Another idea: Can't pay for Class at 12 events? What about posting for Class (as it was previously contested) at just 3 Sportsnationals and Indy... make them a "destination", something even more special. Additionally, pay contingency for National Records. Get people to truly chase performance and reward them accordingly.

Michael , I was under the impression that runs of 1.19 under at Divisionals and Opens (including altitude tracks) would get you an instant hit, thereby putting an end to the majority of record setting.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Toby Lang]

Originally Posted by A56

Im not sure everyone understands totally that NHRA dosent get all sorts of money from the Manufacturers. NHRA does get a fee up front to become a NHRA Contingency sponser. This fee is kind of high, but in honesty its reasonable for a buisness. Then the Contingency sponser has to pay out X amount of dollars to the racers throught the whole year. If this money is not all spent, the contingency sponser has to write a check to NHRA for the amount not spent at the end of the year. Now if you are a large company like Crane, its more than likely that you will pay the racers way more than the agreed amount. If this is true, you will not be writing a check to NHRA at the end of the year.

I just want to make sure everybody sees this again. Although I heard the sponsors have to pay the minimum posting up front and receive a refund after the minimum is paid out. Maybe it works differently on the divisional level though.

From what I've heard almost all, if not all, of the current sponsors met the minimum posting requirement. So NHRA hardly got any of the unclaimed money.

I don't know how many times I've heard people on here and at the track say "NHRA keeps ALL unclaimed postings." Or "They have to pay it all to NHRA anyway, so why not just give it to us instead." Well, as you can see that's not true.

I think it's pretty simple. If you don't think you can pay out the minimum amount, why become a sponsor in the first place?


-Toby

[Dick Butler]

Lots of discussion of payouts. Most not willing to allow any "change" in rules in exchange for "saving S and SS"?
WHat is important parts of Class racing to save"
Specs on the motors, brands, stick and auto. New and old bodies, GT style cars?
If there could be a set of goals to move toward to save the S and SS with some flexibility to make some adjustments ?

[Alan Roehrich]

Consolidate classes, to an extent, (say, 1.0 weight breaks, starting at 7.0 for Stock) pay points and money for top ten qualifying as well as class wins, contest class at every event, but only pay points and money for contested wins, singling for class only gets a trophy, and only if you run 0.500 or more under.

That gives companies an incentive to pay, because they pay people trying to go fast, and those people buy parts from them. It puts performance back in the eliminator, while still leaving some of the "dial under/break out" intact to keep money from becoming totally dominant.

We need a better balance between performance and "bracket mode" in order to make class racing more attractive from a sponsor stand point.

But it won't happen, the very suggestion of consolidating classes (especially merging FWD classes in) will result in vehement protests. As will the suggestion that class wins and qualifying pay points and money.

The other thing that is absolutely necessary is promotion of the class racing itself. That is something that is even more completely out of the hands of the racers. It has been proven that the classes can put on a show, and draw a crowd, but like anything else, it must be properly promoted, instead of ignored because there is some level of difficulty involved.

[Bob Don]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Consolidate classes, to an extent, (say, 1.0 weight breaks, starting at 7.0 for Stock) pay points and money for top ten qualifying as well as class wins, contest class at every event, but only pay points and money for contested wins, singling for class only gets a trophy, and only if you run 0.500 or more under.

That gives companies an incentive to pay, because they pay people trying to go fast, and those people buy parts from them. It puts performance back in the eliminator, while still leaving some of the "dial under/break out" intact to keep money from becoming totally dominant.

We need a better balance between performance and "bracket mode" in order to make class racing more attractive from a sponsor stand point.

But it won't happen, the very suggestion of consolidating classes (especially merging FWD classes in) will result in vehement protests. As will the suggestion that class wins and qualifying pay points and money.

The other thing that is absolutely necessary is promotion of the class racing itself. That is something that is even more completely out of the hands of the racers. It has been proven that the classes can put on a show, and draw a crowd, but like anything else, it must be properly promoted, instead of ignored because there is some level of difficulty involved.

Alan - GREAT stuff. I've always felt qualifying well deserved something (even though I am a bottom feeder).

[art leong]

Post any and all rule and policy changes at least 6 months before they are changed.

[Dick Butler]

Alan, Class can draw a crowd ONLY if there are multiple cars in any class running. If the class has no cars today chances are it never will unless combined with others. Only with PR from track or NHRA.
It has to be done FIRST then the class money can come back. Without the show there is no attraction for a sponsor to get involved.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Michael , I was under the impression that runs of 1.19 under at Divisionals and Opens (including altitude tracks) would get you an instant hit, thereby putting an end to the majority of record setting.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yet another reason to have a real *incentive* to set records. We used to get points for up to 2 records a year in IHRA, but that went away. What's the incentive in NHRA, or is it just the certificate/bragging rights?

To be honest, I don't understand the concern over HP hits. You either build something to go fast or not. If you get hit with HP, running just as fast with more weight is STILL an accomplishment, or you go to another class. Performance is all relative, and it's really power to weight, not the ET/mph on the scoreboard. Hey, don't want the contingency money and bragging rights? -=shrug=- Don't set a record. So... why build a fast car in the first place then?

If HP hits are truly a concern, then why the fuss over Class? Same deal. Go fast, get hit. It should be a badge of honor.

$.02,

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Alan, Class can draw a crowd ONLY if there are multiple cars in any class running. If the class has no cars today chances are it never will unless combined with others. Only with PR from track or NHRA.
It has to be done FIRST then the class money can come back. Without the show there is no attraction for a sponsor to get involved.

Hence the first part of my post, the part that mentioned consolidating classes, at least to a certain extent.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

To be honest, I don't understand the concern over HP hits. You either build something to go fast or not. If you get hit with HP, running just as fast with more weight is STILL an accomplishment, or you go to another class. Performance is all relative, and it's really power to weight, not the ET/mph on the scoreboard. Hey, don't want the contingency money and bragging rights? -=shrug=- Don't set a record. So... why build a fast car in the first place then?

If HP hits are truly a concern, then why the fuss over Class? Same deal. Go fast, get hit. It should be a badge of honor.

$.02,

Mike,
The problem is, if we were to decide to take a hit, it makes us less competitive with the combinations in the class that decide not to take a hit.

If you get hit, and the other combinations don't, guess what happens when you meet them heads up in final eliminations? You got hit, they didn't, now they hold the winning hand. Especially if they are already faster than you. Records don't pay points or money, and they'll never pay nearly as much of either as you can win for winning a race.

So, set a record, get hit, don't get paid anything, or very little, at best, and then get beat heads up during final eliminations by the guy who didn't set the record and get hit.

Sure, the record sounds great, especially from the engine builder/crew chief point of view. But from the owner/driver point of view, winning a race sounds better.