How Realistic

[FLEMING]

I'm hopefull.. I was in college back in the good days.. and couldnt really afford or have the time, but did attend a ton of them.. Time to not say.. but its time to do. I feel like most people are letting it go in one ear and out the other sadly.. I think this is the 3rd or 4th time in 10 yrs they have announced real racing coming back.. They can say they tried last year but that isnt true.. They announced it in june of 2023, not another word mentioned. when nothing big was announced that year at pri.. you pretty much knew it was a flop.. I think people started hounding them after that and they were forced to put out a "schedule".. you cant say no one shows up when you literally had no social media posts, or anything of that nature.. Was doomed before it started.. I can say if it came back with some backing, and some thought put behind it to be a legit go at it.. I would make it my priority.. I know some former ihra pts racers locally that feel the same way..

sf fingers crossed

[BTR69]

With the NMCA going away, would it be a possibility that IHRA could run something similar to their format. I'm not aware of the facts regarding NMCA demise, but I've heard plenty about how racers loved to race with them. I'm sure sponsorship money has/had something to do with it. With the popularity of the NHRA divisional races and the CCRA in our area, along with what I assume, (based on what I read) of other class based organizations in other regions, it seems to me that there is a reasonable demand for events based on class racing.

[Larry Hill]

The best part of the NMCA was not the great competition but it was the excellent track prep that allowed the great competition. Win loose or draw the track prep was excellent.

[Dan Bennett]

I have very fond memories of racing in the IHRA even when most racers seemed to dismiss it as minor league. Pro Stock was way different but just as competitive. Comp was the same or more.

But like I said in a post a while ago, when the NHRA locked up the showplace tracks into restrictive long term contracts they sealed the deal against any competition.

It's been a while, and things have changed. IHRA had a lot of small but very good tracks, but I also raced at places like Norwalk and Bristol. And believe it or not, the best surface I ever had to deal with was at Darlington one year. It was the only time I simply couldn't get enough clutch into an A/A.

But it wasn't all sunshine, as the stk and ss entry numbers were much lower. And if you doubt racer skill, look how many became legends when they came over to 'the big leagues". I'm not sure why there were less class cars, other than a hunch that the regions that IHRA was strongest in had racers more interested in building really fast stuff. Think where things like Pro Mod and Top Sportsman originally came from.

In today's world, the cost of entry to a lot of businesses is staggering. Lots of the good smaller tracks have either closed or have not been kept up.

As much as I'd like to see some serious grassroots competion thrive, I just can't see it happening. No insult to the track owners, but take a look at the tracks on their 2025 schedule. Most of them wouldn't be able to handle an NHRA divisional.

And notice I didn't even mention where the funding was going to come from. I just don't see a path to success.

[Pauley]

They tried paying more than nhra and still nobody showed up to support. And what tracks are available to run the event? The feud between ihra and wdra has split track accessibility. Former ihra management has made this endeavor much harder for new management.

I would love an alternative to nhra but not sure i will live to see it. Maybe ihra should hire an excited young enthusiastic person say in their mid 20?s to work on this project. Someone who will work with corporate sponsors, develop relationships, and build it from the ground up. There is the answer to getting this going. But who is willing to put forth the time and effort with the chance of failing. Dawson maybe? This would be his dream job.

ep

[Adger Smith]

Back in 1998 and 1999 then in 2001- 2003 I ran IHRA Modified. I really enjoyed it. I esp liked that it was a 32 car qualified field and then dial in's for eleminations.
It didn't matter to me if it was 1/8 mile or 1/4 mile races. I was there to race and support the Modified class.
The pay down the ladder was good enough to make it pay some expenses.
There were times when we had 40+ cars trying for the 32 car field.
I thought it was a pretty good show at most every track. I can't remember a time it wasn't a full field..(I hope my memory hasn't faded too much)
Might be interesting to see it make a comeback.

[Hacksaw]

I ran in Modified as well until we got thrown out of the family. The World Finals at Norwalk was always the best turn out with plenty of Indy Nats. racers testing / racing.

[Eman]

IHRA is losing tracks by the minute, 3 big tracks in the Carolinas in the last couple of weeks. Is there anyone associated with them that has any interest/experience with class racing? The new guy has a storied past with Pro-Mod and the owner is more of a fast car guy. Where would they come up with a staff to do tech, not that racers would cheat? I'd say their best chance of putting on some kind of show would be to start with the .90 classes but that's not going to attract spectators.

[Rose Racing]

Originally Posted by Eman

IHRA is losing tracks by the minute, 3 big tracks in the Carolinas in the last couple of weeks. Is there anyone associated with them that has any interest/experience with class racing? The new guy has a storied past with Pro-Mod and the owner is more of a fast car guy. Where would they come up with a staff to do tech, not that racers would cheat? I'd say their best chance of putting on some kind of show would be to start with the .90 classes but that's not going to attract spectators.

Jim Bailey would be my vote

[JP1738]

Originally Posted by Pauley

They tried paying more than nhra and still nobody showed up to support. And what tracks are available to run the event? The feud between ihra and wdra has split track accessibility. Former ihra management has made this endeavor much harder for new management.

I would love an alternative to nhra but not sure i will live to see it. Maybe ihra should hire an excited young enthusiastic person say in their mid 20?s to work on this project. Someone who will work with corporate sponsors, develop relationships, and build it from the ground up. There is the answer to getting this going. But who is willing to put forth the time and effort with the chance of failing. Dawson maybe? This would be his dream job.

ep

I love where you're head is at. I've been firing off resumes and emails to Kenny Nowling and IHRA for a couple weeks now and finally heard back last night. Going to get on the phone with them today. Evidently if you want change to happen, you have to do it yourself. We'll see how it goes!