S/SS alternatives

[Alan Roehrich]

The idea that Stock and Super Stock are too complicated for the spectators is completely bogus.

If you had announcers like Allen, Bob, Leo, and a couple of others, and allowed them to talk about the cars and the classes, instead of playing that gawd aweful racket they call music, and having what's his name hawking parts, the spectators would have an opportunity to learn about the classes and the cars. NHRA has chosen to promote the pro classes exclusively, and put on a dog and pony circus side show, instead of a real drag race.

Stock Eliminator and Super Stock provide good racing, and a good car show, all rolled into one. The fact that no one promotes that, and educates the spectators, is not the fault of the spectators, nor is it a reflection on the intelligence of the spectators. It's a reflection on how far NHRA has strayed from what made it such a success.

[Marvin Robinson]

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

As an observation, what I saw this last weekend at the March Meet shows the writing on the wall. One eliminator (Hot Rod...which I ran) is the only dial-in group. The others are indexed 10.60 thru (I believe) 6.60 and easy for the spectator to follow. No electronics, throttle stopping crap...just old fashion drag racing. Watching them was like watching Comp cars staying within CIC limits by clicking off early, nothing complicated.

Because Stock & Super Stock have become so complicated in the eyes of the average spectator could explain the reason we may have been swept under the carpet over time. Add the costs of technical control and it starts to look like a liability. Enter fee increases....this way NHRA figures it can recoup some of those expenses to justify the categories existence, even though they may view it as the least profitable. Because NHRA has been run like a business the last few decades is probably whey they're holding out until they can find a viable replacement that garners better return.

Yes, this is a good time to take control of our categories and break off as a stand alone series. Now in terms of runnning like a business I wonder how much muscle NHRA would have now that they're being investigated by the IRS? Essentially we would be doing the same thing NHRA was established for in the first place. And because they're being run like a business instead of a non profit promoter for a safe environment for us to do what we do, could they be backed into a corner so much as not having the ability to file suit? Just a common sense thought.....

Gary, I don't believe for a second that the public can't understand Class racing... the problem is that nothing about the eliminator is explained to the spectators while the racing is going on. If a good announcer lays out the details, and is not drowned out by the burnouts of the next pair, not only do they understand, but they get into the action and enjoy it too. I have experienced this many times when sitting in the stands with a group, and just doing these explanations with some friends. It never fails to draw a larger group around us asking questions, and telling us that the racing is MUCH more interesting now, and they had NO idea of the sophistication involved with the Sportsman level cars. I once had a chance to announce at a track in the Midwest as part of a special raceday program, and I got the same reaction from 30 or 40 spectators later in the pits.

If NHRA would address this issue, and be proactive in fixing the inequitable hp factors that are causing so much controversy, the spectator reactions might really surprise NHRA. They don't give the spectators enough credit.... Alan and Mark are right on the money, too.