What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer

Mike Volkman · 08-18-2021, 08:59 PM

Just spent a long conversation with our engine builder, Gale Powley, regarding why and what were the reasons for racing with NHRA. The reasons we do it appear to be no longer there. The only plus they have is Jack Jones and the Iron Man.

Bottom line was the racer believed (past tense) it was the most legitimate place to race because of tech and the officials trying to keep a level playing field and you knew the car in the other lane was more than likely held to the same standards.

In other words, no tech and combinations that are way under factored will be and are the major down fall of why many have lost and will continue to lose the enthusiasm that was once there.

I don't believe and actually do not like the word "fair." I always felt that if a combo could get within a tenth of the legit fast guy there was a chance and it just required some more work.

Having said this, I hope that Bo, Jason, Ken and Little Bohannon can somehow group together and maybe pick up others so that they can have a series among themselves where there is a payout at the end of the year, sponsor support at the races, real tech with adjustments made as needed, along with the recognition of being the best of the best.

The current powers to be (speaking specifically of Glendora) are essentially so lost in the woods with class racing they will need a compass to get it fixed. Then outside of tech, we have the race master (scheduler) not giving a hoot about what it takes to actually race competively in our classes with the get them in and out mentally.

If you never raced Indy in class where you were covered by a tenth or played the game so you didn't line up with the fast guy you won't understand.

IHRA, AHRA, and local tracks that use to actually have a stock/super stock class with tear down are long gone. Hope that NHRA powers see the light and make some changes. Too young to give up on them just yet.

Michael Volkman
412.651.2356

6130 · 08-18-2021, 09:13 PM

Is there literally no tech?

Mike Volkman · 08-18-2021, 09:16 PM

Scales and fuel. Neither of which is needed other than heads-up, class and qualifying runs.

6130 · 08-18-2021, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDS Inc

Scales and fuel. Neither of which is needed other than heads-up, class and qualifying runs.

That's a bunch of cr@p.

What about teardowns?

Mike Pearson · 08-19-2021, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6130

Is there literally no tech?

In recent years before Covid tech was mostly about the safety items needed to race the class you were entered. They would check your class and weight on your weight sticker to make sure that was correct.

Now it is self tech when you fill out your tech card online. They do make spot checks periodically in the lanes for safety compliance.

Fuel and weight after the run

Jim Hanig · 08-19-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

In recent years before Covid tech was mostly about the safety items needed to race the class you were entered. They would check your class and weight on your weight sticker to make sure that was correct.

Now it is self tech when you fill out your tech card online. They do make spot checks periodically in the lanes for safety compliance.

Fuel and weight after the run

They need the fuel for the scooters

Mike Volkman · 08-19-2021, 10:22 PM

And, if I may make an additional comment. The tech people and other division personnel put in long hours, at slave wages, to support our sport. Inadequate mandates on staffing, enforcement, etc. hinder them from doing the stuff they want and know to do. Our guys in division 2 are pretty fair and good as the other guys in the central/east are without mentioning names. Don't know about out west as I've have no experience but assume they are just like they are here. So you tech guys who love the sport and actually appreciate stock and super stock racing we appreciate you and thanks!

GUMP · 08-19-2021, 10:59 PM

Mike,

I hear what you're saying, but I also think that the NHRA is in a battle to keep this alive.

How often are you a tenth behind?

Daren

Mike Volkman · 08-20-2021, 08:19 AM

I'm not sure of the point being made. Are you saying that NHRA can't tech and create level playing fields because they are struggling to stay alive? Unsure of the connection.

They have no sponsors anymore and have literally made those who did help us angry with their practices. Look at the behaviors between NASCAR during covid and NHRA. Big difference.

I see it as repeated poor or ineffective decision making in many areas starting at the top by non-racing people. We pay them to race in their organization. In class racing they have the inherited responsibility to not only enforce their rules but to also bring parity to the class. Unless I'm way of base here this is the feel received from many racers, I'm just a little more vocal.

Take the Factory Stock cars - they constantly are forcing changes in pulley sizes and weights in an attempt to level the field. I see this as inconsistency in decision making. Only applies to FS?

Here's the point. I just told Em that I've been here doing this since I was 8 years old when Tom Sheehan and I got yelled at for using the outhouse roof's shingles as Frisbees. That's 54 years. I've seen alot. They were yanking a head off Carl's car after he won a race at the local track following a stock race. I got to clean the bolts and thought it was something special.

Racers race in class racing, and they may complain about being torn apart, but there was integrity to the sport and in my opinion, the down fall to class racing will not be the economy or electric vehicles or any other of the changes we are going through in the world. The down fall for "the true class racer" will be these 2 issues.

In an aging population of racers, my hope is that either NHRA will come to realize they have a problem which needs addressed or Bo, Jason, Ken, Tyler and whomever can get together and create a series that has some validity to it with real parity and tech. Other than that it is no different than the local bracket or association races. I will still support all types of racing organizations in hope something changes until I get tired of it and then as with things in life, with you're done, you're done.

I know that the SRAC members wanted feedback on the AHFS and received very little. Unsure as to why?

My thoughts are majority rules. I'm not a my way or the highway type of guy. If everyone wants no tech and no parity then so be it. I even went as far as to tell NHRA and SRAC, that SDS would pay for "Survey Monkey" to canvas all stock/ss racers who have raced in the last 2 years and get their opinion with majority winning. This way it removes everyone's personal agenda. Survey Monkey is a established company and not one of these put your mark here surveys with multiple voting, etc.

Just my opinions.

TOSTO RACING · 08-20-2021, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDS Inc

And, if I may make an additional comment. The tech people and other division personnel put in long hours, at slave wages, to support our sport. Inadequate mandates on staffing, enforcement, etc. hinder them from doing the stuff they want and know to do. Our guys in division 2 are pretty fair and good as the other guys in the central/east are without mentioning names. Don't know about out west as I've have no experience but assume they are just like they are here. So you tech guys who love the sport and actually appreciate stock and super stock racing we appreciate you and thanks!

This is very true.

Mike I like you lol

08-18-2021, 08:59 PM	#1
Mike Volkman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 79 Likes: 32 Liked 497 Times in 50 Posts	What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer Just spent a long conversation with our engine builder, Gale Powley, regarding why and what were the reasons for racing with NHRA. The reasons we do it appear to be no longer there. The only plus they have is Jack Jones and the Iron Man. Bottom line was the racer believed (past tense) it was the most legitimate place to race because of tech and the officials trying to keep a level playing field and you knew the car in the other lane was more than likely held to the same standards. In other words, no tech and combinations that are way under factored will be and are the major down fall of why many have lost and will continue to lose the enthusiasm that was once there. I don't believe and actually do not like the word "fair." I always felt that if a combo could get within a tenth of the legit fast guy there was a chance and it just required some more work. Having said this, I hope that Bo, Jason, Ken and Little Bohannon can somehow group together and maybe pick up others so that they can have a series among themselves where there is a payout at the end of the year, sponsor support at the races, real tech with adjustments made as needed, along with the recognition of being the best of the best. The current powers to be (speaking specifically of Glendora) are essentially so lost in the woods with class racing they will need a compass to get it fixed. Then outside of tech, we have the race master (scheduler) not giving a hoot about what it takes to actually race competively in our classes with the get them in and out mentally. If you never raced Indy in class where you were covered by a tenth or played the game so you didn't line up with the fast guy you won't understand. IHRA, AHRA, and local tracks that use to actually have a stock/super stock class with tear down are long gone. Hope that NHRA powers see the light and make some changes. Too young to give up on them just yet. Michael Volkman 412.651.2356 Last edited by Mike Volkman; 08-18-2021 at 09:02 PM.

08-18-2021, 09:13 PM	#2
6130 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 409 Likes: 295 Liked 117 Times in 50 Posts	Re: What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer Is there literally no tech?

08-18-2021, 09:16 PM	#3
Mike Volkman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 79 Likes: 32 Liked 497 Times in 50 Posts	Re: What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer Scales and fuel. Neither of which is needed other than heads-up, class and qualifying runs.

08-19-2021, 10:22 PM	#7
Mike Volkman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 79 Likes: 32 Liked 497 Times in 50 Posts	Re: What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer And, if I may make an additional comment. The tech people and other division personnel put in long hours, at slave wages, to support our sport. Inadequate mandates on staffing, enforcement, etc. hinder them from doing the stuff they want and know to do. Our guys in division 2 are pretty fair and good as the other guys in the central/east are without mentioning names. Don't know about out west as I've have no experience but assume they are just like they are here. So you tech guys who love the sport and actually appreciate stock and super stock racing we appreciate you and thanks!

08-19-2021, 10:59 PM	#8
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,772 Likes: 2,053 Liked 2,177 Times in 506 Posts	Re: What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer Mike, I hear what you're saying, but I also think that the NHRA is in a battle to keep this alive. How often are you a tenth behind? Daren Last edited by GUMP; 08-19-2021 at 11:03 PM.

08-20-2021, 08:19 AM	#9
Mike Volkman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 79 Likes: 32 Liked 497 Times in 50 Posts	Re: What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer I'm not sure of the point being made. Are you saying that NHRA can't tech and create level playing fields because they are struggling to stay alive? Unsure of the connection. They have no sponsors anymore and have literally made those who did help us angry with their practices. Look at the behaviors between NASCAR during covid and NHRA. Big difference. I see it as repeated poor or ineffective decision making in many areas starting at the top by non-racing people. We pay them to race in their organization. In class racing they have the inherited responsibility to not only enforce their rules but to also bring parity to the class. Unless I'm way of base here this is the feel received from many racers, I'm just a little more vocal. Take the Factory Stock cars - they constantly are forcing changes in pulley sizes and weights in an attempt to level the field. I see this as inconsistency in decision making. Only applies to FS? Here's the point. I just told Em that I've been here doing this since I was 8 years old when Tom Sheehan and I got yelled at for using the outhouse roof's shingles as Frisbees. That's 54 years. I've seen alot. They were yanking a head off Carl's car after he won a race at the local track following a stock race. I got to clean the bolts and thought it was something special. Racers race in class racing, and they may complain about being torn apart, but there was integrity to the sport and in my opinion, the down fall to class racing will not be the economy or electric vehicles or any other of the changes we are going through in the world. The down fall for "the true class racer" will be these 2 issues. In an aging population of racers, my hope is that either NHRA will come to realize they have a problem which needs addressed or Bo, Jason, Ken, Tyler and whomever can get together and create a series that has some validity to it with real parity and tech. Other than that it is no different than the local bracket or association races. I will still support all types of racing organizations in hope something changes until I get tired of it and then as with things in life, with you're done, you're done. I know that the SRAC members wanted feedback on the AHFS and received very little. Unsure as to why? My thoughts are majority rules. I'm not a my way or the highway type of guy. If everyone wants no tech and no parity then so be it. I even went as far as to tell NHRA and SRAC, that SDS would pay for "Survey Monkey" to canvas all stock/ss racers who have raced in the last 2 years and get their opinion with majority winning. This way it removes everyone's personal agenda. Survey Monkey is a established company and not one of these put your mark here surveys with multiple voting, etc. Just my opinions.