Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events

John Nechiporchik · 11-25-2014, 11:43 AM

I am pleased the IHRA has stepped up their purse structure AND re-instated the Sportsman categories to their "National " events. This action indicates an organization with leadership that is not afraid to tap into past successes and marry those with a go forward strategy to create a model that fits the present economic and demographic make-up of racers and spectators.
It was not long ago that the IHRA National events at Milan, Martin, Grand Bend( probably others) had crowds five deep at the fences to watch the Fuelers and Pro Stock qualifying and racing action. The stands were packed and the pits were chaotic....but awesome! The Stock/ Super Stock fields were healthy. Hopefully, we can move towards that excitement level again.
We were all waiting to see what the new team at IHRA had planned. Now we are getting a look at their thinking and it appears to be in the right direction for drag racing as a whole.
As indicated in some other posts, it is incumbent on the racers to come to the table and support these efforts by attending these races. If we don't, we'll be cranking out posts on various websites complaining about how IHRA failed.
Personally, I have raced in IHRA divisionals, nationals and NHRA divisionals only. I like racing in both organizations and will prepare my 2015 schedule to participate in both where practical.
I wish IHRA great success as they take positive steps to move forward.
As this week is Thanksgiving, I say thanks for being able to race and make the choices we desire.
Happy Thanksgiving to all on the Class Racer forum.

John

Jim Kaekel · 11-25-2014, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Nechiporchik

I am pleased the IHRA has stepped up their purse structure AND re-instated the Sportsman categories to their "National " events. This action indicates an organization with leadership that is not afraid to tap into past successes and marry those with a go forward strategy to create a model that fits the present economic and demographic make-up of racers and spectators.
It was not long ago that the IHRA National events at Milan, Martin, Grand Bend( probably others) had crowds five deep at the fences to watch the Fuelers and Pro Stock qualifying and racing action. The stands were packed and the pits were chaotic....but awesome! The Stock/ Super Stock fields were healthy. Hopefully, we can move towards that excitement level again.
We were all waiting to see what the new team at IHRA had planned. Now we are getting a look at their thinking and it appears to be in the right direction for drag racing as a whole.
As indicated in some other posts, it is incumbent on the racers to come to the table and support these efforts by attending these races. If we don't, we'll be cranking out posts on various websites complaining about how IHRA failed.
Personally, I have raced in IHRA divisionals, nationals and NHRA divisionals only. I like racing in both organizations and will prepare my 2015 schedule to participate in both where practical.
I wish IHRA great success as they take positive steps to move forward.
As this week is Thanksgiving, I say thanks for being able to race and make the choices we desire.
Happy Thanksgiving to all on the Class Racer forum.

John

X2...Very well said

GarysZ24 · 11-25-2014, 11:40 PM

My only part to be sad about, is the apparent fact that there'll be no IHRA D7 Pro-Am series next year to support in my schedule, again. I remember griping here about how poor the San Antonio Summit Sportsman Spectacular attendance was, inspite of my traveling over 900 miles to attend (and my budget pales BIG TIME compareds to all of the others who showed up there)! I'm glad I did, and had a great time there, but now will only have the NHRA option again for 2015. Something's always better than nothing, but it would be nice to have an option....

Dana Fitzpatrick · 11-27-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Nechiporchik

I am pleased the IHRA has stepped up their purse structure AND re-instated the Sportsman categories to their "National " events. This action indicates an organization with leadership that is not afraid to tap into past successes and marry those with a go forward strategy to create a model that fits the present economic and demographic make-up of racers and spectators.
It was not long ago that the IHRA National events at Milan, Martin, Grand Bend( probably others) had crowds five deep at the fences to watch the Fuelers and Pro Stock qualifying and racing action. The stands were packed and the pits were chaotic....but awesome! The Stock/ Super Stock fields were healthy. Hopefully, we can move towards that excitement level again.
We were all waiting to see what the new team at IHRA had planned. Now we are getting a look at their thinking and it appears to be in the right direction for drag racing as a whole.
As indicated in some other posts, it is incumbent on the racers to come to the table and support these efforts by attending these races. If we don't, we'll be cranking out posts on various websites complaining about how IHRA failed.
Personally, I have raced in IHRA divisionals, nationals and NHRA divisionals only. I like racing in both organizations and will prepare my 2015 schedule to participate in both where practical.
I wish IHRA great success as they take positive steps to move forward.
As this week is Thanksgiving, I say thanks for being able to race and make the choices we desire.
Happy Thanksgiving to all on the Class Racer forum.

John

AND Top Stock!!

Mike Keener · 11-27-2014, 02:17 PM

Top Stock especially Dana. Nice catch there!!

Lyn Smith · 11-28-2014, 09:56 AM

Did the payouts go up at the pro ams also?

Ed Wright · 11-28-2014, 10:13 AM

Looking at that schedual, IHRA div points races are now just one day?

John Nechiporchik · 11-28-2014, 01:07 PM

Dana and Mike..... I must have had brain fade.....how did I forget TOP STOCK!!!!!

dragracer2011 · 11-28-2014, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Looking at that schedual, IHRA div points races are now just one day?

http://www.ihra.com/pro-am-tour-news...-tour-schedule

Nope, most of them are still two races in one weekend per the link above With the exception of nitro jams

Mike Pearson · 11-28-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Looking at that schedual, IHRA div points races are now just one day?

All 4 div 4 Pro Am are double race weekends by looking at the race flyers.

11-25-2014, 11:43 AM	#1
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 316 Likes: 84 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events I am pleased the IHRA has stepped up their purse structure AND re-instated the Sportsman categories to their "National " events. This action indicates an organization with leadership that is not afraid to tap into past successes and marry those with a go forward strategy to create a model that fits the present economic and demographic make-up of racers and spectators. It was not long ago that the IHRA National events at Milan, Martin, Grand Bend( probably others) had crowds five deep at the fences to watch the Fuelers and Pro Stock qualifying and racing action. The stands were packed and the pits were chaotic....but awesome! The Stock/ Super Stock fields were healthy. Hopefully, we can move towards that excitement level again. We were all waiting to see what the new team at IHRA had planned. Now we are getting a look at their thinking and it appears to be in the right direction for drag racing as a whole. As indicated in some other posts, it is incumbent on the racers to come to the table and support these efforts by attending these races. If we don't, we'll be cranking out posts on various websites complaining about how IHRA failed. Personally, I have raced in IHRA divisionals, nationals and NHRA divisionals only. I like racing in both organizations and will prepare my 2015 schedule to participate in both where practical. I wish IHRA great success as they take positive steps to move forward. As this week is Thanksgiving, I say thanks for being able to race and make the choices we desire. Happy Thanksgiving to all on the Class Racer forum. John

11-25-2014, 11:40 PM	#3
GarysZ24 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tempe, Az. Posts: 1,270 Likes: 918 Liked 238 Times in 94 Posts	Re: Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events My only part to be sad about, is the apparent fact that there'll be no IHRA D7 Pro-Am series next year to support in my schedule, again. I remember griping here about how poor the San Antonio Summit Sportsman Spectacular attendance was, inspite of my traveling over 900 miles to attend (and my budget pales BIG TIME compareds to all of the others who showed up there)! I'm glad I did, and had a great time there, but now will only have the NHRA option again for 2015. Something's always better than nothing, but it would be nice to have an option.... __________________ Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021)

11-27-2014, 02:17 PM	#5
Mike Keener Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 294 Likes: 102 Liked 24 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events Top Stock especially Dana. Nice catch there!! __________________ Mike Keener A/S B/S C/SM

11-28-2014, 09:56 AM	#6
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,204 Likes: 286 Liked 979 Times in 197 Posts	Re: Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events Did the payouts go up at the pro ams also?

11-28-2014, 10:13 AM	#7
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events Looking at that schedual, IHRA div points races are now just one day? __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

11-28-2014, 01:07 PM	#8
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 316 Likes: 84 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events Dana and Mike..... I must have had brain fade.....how did I forget TOP STOCK!!!!!