Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions...

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by GarysZ24

Thanks Ken,

I don't know about your trade-off theory, because if it were only 2-3 hundred miles farther on avg, then I wouldn't have brought up this topic...especially since under the current format you can only claim two out-of-division points races for your chosen divisions totals. Let's say you live in Denver, Co. and you are chasing points...why not be able to replace the eastern Div. 5 races with truly the next closest races to your home; Las Vegas (750), Acton, Mt. (525), and Noble, Ok (630). Still long tows, but not nearly as bad as having to go out to either Earlville, Ia. (900+), Cordova, Il (900+), or Brainerd, Mn (1050+), and that's just one way!!! Perhaps if NHRA would allow a racer to pick their division, but race at any divisions races they so choose, then that would help level the field a bit, however moving isn't the answer. When the divisional layout as we know it was made, it took into account the inclusion of Canada's provinces. However, as the decades have changed, so has the involvement of Canadian tracks (with the lone exception of Mission, Bc.). Thus the once averaged sized Div's 5,6, & 7 compared to Div's 1 & 3, became overbloated. Therefore, when you look at the Divisional layout (and only focus on the lower 48 states), you'll see the enormous discrepency of the east compared to the west---and for those of you who don't like my thoughts, I challenge you to come out here, live in our shoes and try to do what you've done out there as easily & inexpensively as you do out there (only ground travel, no air travel to all of your races)...it won't happen...again just ask Kevin Helms, or Mike Tueffel the next time you see them...

Oh and another thing, I did the math and for the five division 7 races I traveled to, I traveled 1,353 miles (one way). If I lived in Philly, and raced Div. one, I could've gone to all seven of their races with 634 miles to spare! If I lived in Columbus, Oh. that mileage would've gotten me to all of div three's races with 42 miles to spare. Now, if however I lived in Denver, Co. that mileage would've only gotten me to Bandimere Speedway, Great Bend, Topeka, and half-way to Noble, Ok's divisional---what's fair about that???

Steve & 63 Corvette: I hope NHRA does get a reality check, however I'm concerned that with the funds taken from those lost sponsors, they'll be coming back to us with even higher entry fees (as if they haven't gone up enough these last two years!!!

Ed: I'm sorry for your retirement situation, however my thoughts are not BS. If you walked in our shoes you'd find yourself going to much fewer races (at least on this level), than you get to do there. I shouldn't have to trade in my warmer nicer winter weather just so I can be close to more racing facilities...If NHRA would've focused on the lower 48 in the first place (instead of Canada & Mexico too), then the parity would've been done years ago. I know of some racers who gave up class racing because they got tired of the long tows and felt that NHRA didn't care about their thoughts like mine, so I'm speaking for them and others like us.

Show me ANYWHERE it is written that life is fair.If i lived in the areas of Div. 4/5/6/7 I probably wouldn't be racing in NHRA class racing,plain and simple.Some people have it and some people dont.Maybe you would be happy if 1/2 of our tracks closed up and our travel milage would double or triple.That's leveling the play field in your mind I guess.Face facts, unless you have money coming out of your *** you live in a ****ty place if you want to chase points The housing market is pretty weak now,houses are going cheap.
you can use the money you'll save for plenty of long johns and electric socks and I'm sure you can find an indoor job to stay warm in our arctic winters.

Ed F.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Show me ANYWHERE it is written that life is fair.If i lived in the areas of Div. 4/5/6/7 I probably wouldn't be racing in NHRA class racing,plain and simple.Some people have it and some people dont.Maybe you would be happy if 1/2 of our tracks closed up and our travel milage would double or triple.That's leveling the play field in your mind I guess.Face facts, unless you have money coming out of your *** you live in a ****ty place if you want to chase points The housing market is pretty weak now,houses are going cheap.
you can use the money you'll save for plenty of long johns and electric socks and I'm sure you can find an indoor job to stay warm in our arctic winters.

Ed F.

Thanks but no thanks Ed, I left Colorado to get away from needing stuff like that...it's funny that people from Div's 1-3-5 (most notibly the latter two) come out here to the valley of the sun to get away from that kind of frosty cold "stuff" (I wasn't raised to use such words as you did, sorry). No, I wouldn't want half of your tracks to close (you missed my point for thinking that), because a few of them I hope/pray to someday acquire the funds needed to race at...because of their history within the NHRA.

A new Idea I have (that might even get respect from you Ed), is that NHRA either expand the out of division races one could claim to 3 (instead of the current two), or allow national open races to become points earning races too---they should do this given that in some places the events charge the racers the same entry fees as regular divisionals.

Now how do you feel about that idea Ed???

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by GarysZ24

Thanks but no thanks Ed, I left Colorado to get away from needing stuff like that...it's funny that people from Div's 1-3-5 (most notibly the latter two) come out here to the valley of the sun to get away from that kind of frosty cold "stuff" (I wasn't raised to use such words as you did, sorry). No, I wouldn't want half of your tracks to close (you missed my point for thinking that), because a few of them I hope/pray to someday acquire the funds needed to race at...because of their history within the NHRA.

A new Idea I have (that might even get respect from you Ed), is that NHRA either expand the out of division races one could claim to 3 (instead of the current two), or allow national open races to become points earning races too---they should do this given that in some places the events charge the racers the same entry fees as regular divisionals.

Now how do you feel about that idea Ed???

You cant change the fact that if you live in the middle of nowhere(racing wise) travel is going to kill you if you're on a budget.That's the whole basic fact that this thread is about.If you think it's not so then just pack your bags and move to Disneyland into the Fantasyland area of the park.Enough,I'm done.

Ed F.

I'm sorry if my use of the word **** offends your moral fiber.Maybe you should have gone into the ministry.