Buybacks????

[Rich67stang]

I am not a fan of buybacks either, but I still attended the event to support IHRA and have some fun racing as well. I do not understand why "NHRA" racers do not attend IHRA events even though the races are trying to address some of the complaints of racers.

This was a rebuilding/testing year for me, unfortunately I did not attend many IHRA events and stayed local. In 2012 I will be out full tilt and look forward to what IHRA has to offer next.

[dcm933]

I am as loyal now as I have ever been...and am committing to at least a full division 9 schedule in 12. I understand that monetary issues drive decisions in the main office, but when that bleeds down to the grandstands, it takes it to a different light. I am not upset with the amount of competition ((especially in Chip's department...ur still one of the greats!!!) I don't know...it just feels like it cheapens the feeling of grabbing that hardware in the winner's circle. I did come from an era of Trophies and big overblown glossy pictures on the wall...the purses and contingency offset the cost to go racing; and that's all that mattered. I was doing what I love to do with the people that I love doing it with. I probably am making mountains out of molehills, I know. It's just one of those issues that rubbed me the wrong way. I love my IHRA president, and my sanctioning body. And I know at crunchtime, tough calls have to be made. I just hope we don't forget where we started.

[442OLDS]

Is there anyone that specifically did NOT attend the IHRA race BECAUSE they had buybacks,and that was the PRIMARY reason for not attending??

Just curious.

[Tom396]

Originally Posted by 442OLDS

Is there anyone that specifically did NOT attend the IHRA race BECAUSE they had buybacks,and that was the PRIMARY reason for not attending??

Just curious.

I can't speak for this IHRA race, because I don't have a class legal car. However, I used to really enjoy going to the IHRA bracket team finals, until 2005. That year, there were b*ybacks in the main event of the bracket finals I was in. I haven't been back since, and yes, b*ybacks are definitely the exact reason I stopped going.

When I e-mailed IHRA about it never happening again, the response I got was that yes, if the situation were the same, b*ybacks would again be used. The "situation" was that all the pre-main event gambler's races had been rained out.

The complete and utter distaste for the concept of buying back into a race you've already been beaten in cannot be explained...unless you already get it. I believe it's hurt bracket racing, to it's core, but I doubt any of those folks who have left because of it are likely to suddenly start showing up on any message boards to say that. Personally, I don't care what the payouts are. That didn't get me into the sport and it certainly isn't keeping me in. Take care. Tom Worthington.

[j gardiner]

I'm talking about myself, and not buying back does not solve the problem.

[THE LEGEND]

Tom,
The reason for BB at that bracket finals was It rained from Thursday until Sunday morning. They could'nt reschedule because VMP was doing their famous flip flop.

Pittsburgh was in the same boat a couple years ago and they finished the bracket finals on a practice tree.

Not defending those decisions at all.

Tom you are a prime example of Buybacks do work. In your case you choose not to participate others do and the race moves forward.

What has hurt bracket racing is the Multiple BB, Double entries, Mulligans, and poor payouts. When you go to a race and spend $40 to enter+ $40 for a double entry + $40 to Buyback first and second rd, with each entry and the purse is onlty $1,000 to win- $200 r/u, and $50 semis. You have to go 6 rounds to get $50. That my friend is what is killing racing. Not $200 to enter and $100 to BB for $5,000 plus contingensy to win and a $100 at 16 cars which is normally 3rd or 4th rd.

[j gardiner]

No, that shows you buybacks don't work. They have been splitting the bracket finals up into two races, next year they are putting it back to one because car counts are down. Some weekends around here you can't even find a bracket race to go to. Other times tracks cancelled because they didn' have enough cars to race..

[442OLDS]

I have been saying this for years,but someday I wish IHRA would get some sponsorship to put on a Stock / Super Stock race with FREE entry,heads up runs,working scales,NO AHFS,Record Runs,NO buybacks AND $1,000 for EVERY first round loser.$20,000 to win!

I can't wait to hear all of the complaints!

[Tom396]

Originally Posted by THE LEGEND

Tom,

Tom you are a prime example of Buybacks do work. In your case you choose not to participate others do and the race moves forward.

Really? When I refused to participate in a b*yback at that Bracket Finals it cost my team a shot at more team points. That's "working"? Felt more like I was screwing over my teammates just because I wouldn't do something I couldn't rationalize away. It did keep me from ever coming back, so in that sense I guess it "worked"?

One thing I will say. Once you've allowed them in, you aren't gonna get them back out, and increasing support for such an event would only serve to make them even less likely to go away. You can write that one down. Take care. Tom Worthington.

[Ed Fernandez]

Buybacks,just another: