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[Rich Biebel]

I raced at Indy-Nationals in 1966.
Flat towed there and stayed in a motel.
We were young and had very little resources but going to Indy was a big goal for most racers back then. We made it to the class final and that was a pretty big deal to us.

I raced Englishtown's Summernationals a month ago and my motivation after all these years is simply because it is the top level of NHRA competition. Just like back in 1966....same deal.

It is also a social event as well but every race is for me and my friends.
We look forward to it and the time we spend having fun doing what we enjoy.

You either can afford it or you can't.
I have nowhere near the level of equipment many do and never have.
I don't let it bother me one bit.
The purse structure and contingency program is pitiful vs the costs but you either accept it or stay home.
I skip races and take time off just to keep the costs within reason.

I seriously doubt a change at the top of NHRA will mean much of anything at this point to sportsman racers.

It's all about the money as was said earlier......
It is many times more expensive at every level to race, run a track or run NHRA.....
NASCAR, Indy Car all the same deal.....Higher costs, lower spectators, sponsor money, etc.

TV coverage it seems to me is the only possible big revenue possibility....
If they could put an attractive show together and sell it ....

Sportsman coverage? That's Not gonna happen...

[Chris1529]

I don't think that anyone is pointing the finger at the guys that have nice equipment and nice tow rigs, but I would have to think that is something that the NHRA brass
can't help but see when they come to the events. People spend their money however they choose. You could have just as much money tied up in an rv and dune buggies or wood working equipment or a beach house.

and as Bobby said, they "love putting the burden on those who can afford it."-because they can.

Just like for not for profit hospitals, they keep hiring more of their buddies as vp's and pay them 250K per year so they can hide profit and keep their non profit status.
They have a captive audience in their patients and for all intensive purposes, NHRA has a captive audience with sportsman racers. They have no incentive to change.

They could care less about getting a full quota of sportsman. They worry much more about having only 15 of 16 pros in a class than they ever will about having 128 sportsmen.

[Adger Smith]

Bobby,
The -I could care less about a million dollar payout, I don't even know why that was a question but I could see how it could generate attention and media coverage toward our sport.
That was ask by a person making his living writing articles. I think It was just thrown out there to get a reaction so he would have something to write about.
I'm like you. a 1,000,000 winner means absolutely nothing to me.
What would do me more good would be loosening some of these rules that are costing me so much money. Cut out the Deal making with companies that provide some of these items. It costs so much to just get all the "required" little things bought just to get to the track. Esp if you can only race a few times a year. It is the small guy that doesn't have the vast disposable income that needs the help.

[Mark Yacavone]

Before we get too far astray here...words DO mean things
Thank you

[RJ Sledge]

Bobby well said, only time will tell if the change in command will bring about beneficial change/improvement.

RJ

[Dave Muller]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Before we get too far astray here...words DO mean things
Thank you

And there I thought I was the only language nit-picker in drag racing.