NHRA Please Read

[Jim Bailey]

Greg: Isn't it interresting to see other persons views, and how they vary.(Especially, self employed business owners vs. employees). My point is plain and simple; you CAN do something about it...Don't support it. Don't go. But, don't persecute the people that do. It's their right. This is America. Secondly, you think this is something "NEW"? In 1982 I was on Ken Veney's Alky funny car crew. We won the Gatornationals, Ken's last National Event win as a driver. Wally Park's himself, walked into our pits to congratulate Ken. Ken said, something along the lines of....Wally, In 1975 I won such and such a National event, I won $25,000.00 plus contengences. It's 8 years later and I get $10,000.00 and much less in contengencies. What's up with that? .....Wally Park's answer --- God as my witness --- "I know, I don't know how you guys do it." - Somethings never change. JB

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey

Sally: you touched on one very important subject. " It's their Ballgame." ( It's their Ballpark, It's their rules, it's their Bat, it's their Ball, it's their Refs, and it's their Prices.) No one is holding a gun to anybodies head to go race NHRA. ( Except maybe in South Carolina.) If you don't want to race with NHRA ... DON'T. Plain and simple. Race IHRA, race local Brackets, don't race at all, go fishing, but for God's sake, EVERYONE, quit bitching about it. This is still America, and we still do have the right to choose. I will choose to race,( maybe not as often), Wherever, whenever, I want to, and my budget will allow. JB

No, Jim, it is NOT their ballgame. NHRA is a non profit organization funded by its members. It is OUR ballgame, but we have allowed it to be hijacked by corporate raiding profiteers. The entire original concept behind NHRA has been perverted by greedy individuals who are out of touch with their customer base and out of touch with reality. They are taking our money and wasting it, and they are taking our sport and killing it.

You are right about one thing, Jim. This is still America, and we have the right to speak our mind. We have the right to stand up for what we believe is right, and we have the right to stand up against what we believe is wrong. And one other thing. You have the right to not read it. So don't read it. It was pretty obvious what the original poster was going to post with the thread title, if you did not want to read it, no one put a gun to your head.

For all of you who can easily afford the cost increase, and for all of you who do not mind, that is fine. But when all ten of you show up to race, and they don't have a race because not enough racers showed up to make it worth their while (in other words, they don't get all the money they want from just you ten), don't act surprised, and don't come bitching to the rest of us. Because for every one of you to whom money is not an issue, there are 20 to whom it is, or maybe 200. For every 10 of you to whom principle doesn't matter, there are 100 to whom it does. Eventually, NHRA will make it so expensive, and so much of a pain in the ***, that attendance will shrink enough that they won't get enough people to rob.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey

Greg: Isn't it interresting to see other persons views, and how they vary.(Especially, self employed business owners vs. employees). My point is plain and simple; you CAN do something about it...Don't support it. Don't go. But, don't persecute the people that do. It's their right. This is America. Secondly, you think this is something "NEW"? In 1982 I was on Ken Veney's Alky funny car crew. We won the Gatornationals, Ken's last National Event win as a driver. Wally Park's himself, walked into our pits to congratulate Ken. Ken said, something along the lines of....Wally, In 1975 I won such and such a National event, I won $25,000.00 plus contengences. It's 8 years later and I get $10,000.00 and much less in contengencies. What's up with that? .....Wally Park's answer --- God as my witness --- "I know, I don't know how you guys do it." - Somethings never change. JB

No one here is persecuting anyone Jim. There may be a few no name individuals (AKA idiots) saying some stupid things and making personal attacks that no one else listens to, but no one here is persecuting anyone for doing what they want.

[Rick Bailey]

Well said Alan...........


Rick

[Ken Miele]

Jim,

Be prepared to take allot of heat. Your opinion like mine is in the minority.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by boster58

Alan , why dont you try and get the membership together to make change ? Bo Kenney

Bo, if we (the racers) built it, would you come?

I'm just one guy. I have a regular job. I love to race, and I have a very good friend and customer who helps me do that. I don't even have a ride right now, but I'm working on it (looking at a car as we "speak"). I'm only trying to stand up for my friends and fellow racers, and for what I believe is right.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey

Greg: Isn't it interresting to see other persons views, and how they vary.(Especially, self employed business owners vs. employees). My point is plain and simple; you CAN do something about it...Don't support it. Don't go. But, don't persecute the people that do. It's their right. This is America. Secondly, you think this is something "NEW"? In 1982 I was on Ken Veney's Alky funny car crew. We won the Gatornationals, Ken's last National Event win as a driver. Wally Park's himself, walked into our pits to congratulate Ken. Ken said, something along the lines of....Wally, In 1975 I won such and such a National event, I won $25,000.00 plus contengences. It's 8 years later and I get $10,000.00 and much less in contengencies. What's up with that? .....Wally Park's answer --- God as my witness --- "I know, I don't know how you guys do it." - Somethings never change. JB

By the way, Jim, thanks for helping me make my point. Shows how long ago Wally lost control, and nothing was done about it. Ever wonder how much longer it can go on, especially as it gets worse faster, and we get closer to the economy being as bad as it was in the late seventies?

I looked up the definition of a non-profit organization in Wikipedia and found this description (pay special attention to the last two sentences):

"Whereas for-profit corporations exist to earn and distribute taxable business earnings to shareholders, the nonprofit corporation exists solely to provide programs and services that are of public benefit. Often these programs and services are not otherwise provided by local, state, or federal entities. While they are able to earn a profit, more accurately called a surplus, such earnings must be retained by the organization for its future provision of programs and services. Earnings may not benefit individuals or stake-holders. Underlying many effective nonprofit endeavors is a commitment to management. Twenty years ago, management was a dirty word to those involved in nonprofit organizations. It meant business, and non-profits prided themselves on being free of the taint of commercialism and above such sordid considerations as the bottom line. Now most of them have learned that nonprofits need management even more than business does, precisely because they lack the discipline of the bottom line. The nonprofits are, of course still dedicated to "doing good." But they also realize that good intentions are no substitute for organization and leadership, for accountability, performance, and results. Those require management and that, in turn, begins with the organization's mission."

I work for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, and I am proud to say that we are a well-run company with great leadership and strong financial resources. However, doing business in today's tough economic climate is taxing to almost every company in almost every industry, including Toyota. NHRA drag racing is no different, in my opinion. The economic challenges we face in America today expose every company's weakness, big or small. NHRA's leadership and mission are being tested right now. Tough decisions must be made and the results will either strengthen or weaken their organization. In good times, it's easy to look smart. In tough times, good leaders stand tall, make good long-term decisions and organizations are strengthened. Time shall be the ultimate test of NHRA's decisions.

[chris3racing]

Just thought I would see if the event at Atlanta is filled. In the heart of "Southern Drag Racing" according to NHRA Competition, not one of the fields has a full field. Some are only 50% and 70% filled. This is Tuesday lunch time and the event begins in two days.

[Rick Bailey]

All fields are closed as of this past Monday............withdraws and such