Lets talk NHRA Stk/SS with Lonnie Grim - Ideas - Comments

[Frank Castros]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

I know I'll take some flack for this, but here goes.

I'd advocate moving Stock, Super Stock, Comp, etc. out of the National Events.

Instead, have every division hold a Sportsman National event. The Sportsman racers would be the show, not the filler. There could be a World Champion crowned based on points earned at these Sportsman National event, class eliminations could be run at every one of these Sportsman National events, no ridiculous quotas, etc, etc.

Way more on the 'Plus' side of the paper than the 'Negative'.

Race safe! -Al

Except the U.S. Nationals where there should be no quotas, no AHFS, a 128 car field including class winners. Last but not least, technical inspection and random tear downs.

[Bobby Fazio]

Hell no. Nationals are one of the main reasons I got into class racing. We need that crowd to grow our exposure. We can't walk before crawling. We can't ditch the crowd before they've really found out what we are all about. Is there any crowd at the current Sportsnationals? I do agree with Class at each event and ditch these quotas but we need to work with NHRA on this.

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

I know I'll take some flack for this, but here goes.

I'd advocate moving Stock, Super Stock, Comp, etc. out of the National Events.

Instead, have every division hold a Sportsman National event. The Sportsman racers would be the show, not the filler. There could be a World Champion crowned based on points earned at these Sportsman National event, class eliminations could be run at every one of these Sportsman National events, no ridiculous quotas, etc, etc.

Way more on the 'Plus' side of the paper than the 'Negative'.

Race safe! -Al

[Race Clean]

Originally Posted by B Parker

..all the enhancements NHRA has given most of us the last 15 years.

Correction : All the enhancements some racers have been pushing for and gotten the last 15 years.
Or else it would sound like you blame NHRA for this

[Schaefer]

This is quality entertainment.

[GTS340]

"He told me of the importance of making the customer happy. Even if its just a polite hello as we roll through the gate getting parked."

That will work for me. I don't complain much. Been running these classes for ever. NHRA gives me a place to enjoy what I love since I raced my tricycle at the age of 5. I hate losing and waiting to get paired up. Any answer for those two will make it even better for me. More heads up!

Paul Haszlauer
C/SA 7019

[Rory McNeil]

How about no new HP "hits", unless the car that caused the hit was torn down and found to be 100% legal? It seems unfair that other racers can get a HP increase on their combination, by a car that may ( or may not), have been following the rules. Especially when the offending racer has had Tech "indescrections" in the past.

[Capri]

Ken, Lonnie.

It is always good to ask questions. Of course, you have to be prepared for the answers. Some will like them, and some will not.

Remember when NHRA decided they needed each class to have a Representative in each Division who was supposed to be the go between with the racers and NHRA? Were these the people who were not supposed to be taking our questions to NHRA? No, you do not have to answer that. We all know the answer. Problem was that NHRA did not want to hear us. Lonnie, I would hope you are open to listening to any and all ideas, and thoughts of ALL class of racers.

National events and Quotas. If you are in Division 3, you should get first crack at running your "Declared" home event. Why "Declared"? Not that long ago, Joliet had more out of division racers at it, than were in division racers. Jegs Allstars? Could be the reason. Dont know. But if I want to race at my home event, I should be able to so I can show off in front of my friends and local sponsors. Then again, Indy is home for many racers too. Might not work for every track and division............. Brainerd is a PERFECT example of racers not being able to race at home. It also should be 128 car S and SS if that many will enter. The room is there. Might need to talk to the fishes to race later and earlier though.


Indy. The biggest race of the year. There were always 200 open spots for each class. Meaning S/ SS/ SG/ SC Since adding TS/TD Why not S/ST also? They ran a field due to the allstars.

AHFS. Works well on some, not so much on others. 5, 455 Oldsmobiles vs 70, 305 Camaros. 1 olds guy runs fast in mineshaft air and slaps the rest with HP. 1 305 guy runs fast, and 20 others average it out to .6 under.

Solid Roller lifters. Heard this was already allowed just like roller rockers for Stock.

Track prep. When your starting line crew thinks track prep is some spritzing of vht on a bald spot, you are not prepping a track. THIS is something that needs to be looked at further and has to be better handled.

Similar to the water box. Some water boxes contain a fair amount. Some contain less than a shot and a beer. Standardize this somehow so everyone has plenty. Some lower HP cars can hook in a car wash. Water is good.

Entry fees. They are already too high for what we race for. Adding $100 and bumping the cost does not help. Just like the Insurance fee.

Contingency money. HUGE ISSUES HERE. Need to be required to pay in 90 days or less. Not 1 years time from date of win. Granted, some of the manufactures are SPECTACULAR when it comes to this. It has been discussed time and time again. If you post the money, and someone wins or r/u and its determined by the official you are eligible for payment, PAY THE MONEY. None of these letters stating we are not paying you because a b c d e f g q.......... This is where NHRA needs to take some control on what is going on. Also, decals. If you post, you should be supplying the trailer with your product decal so the racer may obtain them.

Crew passes with entry. EVERY racer coming in should have at least 2 crew passes available to them. Yes that means 3 restricted area passes. Restricted area passes mean you are allowed to be there. Not No, you cant be here because I don't want you here Mr Security guard hired by the track who does not understand what our passes are for. Another area I feel NHRA needs to help train and coach.

Run schedule. Most of the time, I don't see a problem here. However, who goes to a National Event and wants to go home on a Friday? As a spectator, who wants to see only 2 rounds of other cars? Start early Sunday with a round of Sportsman. Then do your track walk and pre race. Just clean up all the shoes first............

Qualifying. Yes, back to Class win and in. Fill in the 128 car field with the fastest cars after. Singles for class......... This can happen. It was the nature of the beast. I personally do not like to see the combo class. But with the addition of new classes, It most likely will need to be kept.

1 free national event T shirt per entry should the racer want one. Where we can buy stuff at 25% off on Thursday in the tent, that's all well and good. If you race a national, you should get a shirt to go with your event decals. Maybe it's just me here, but I thought the first national I went to and got those entrant decals was the coolest thing there was. I still do...........


Enough midnight ramblings.



Aug 5-7 Joliet Divisional race. Come on down.

Anatol Denysenko