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

[jmcarter]

Gump, assume you mean cars like Lyn Smith’s 55 but does it include the Shelby Mustang of Bill Hawk? Just wondering about your definition of “old”..

[Neal Derochie]

Daren poole -Adams, probably the stupidest comment any one could make, the old people you talk about are all thats left in stock and super stocks racing.

[TommyPettigrew3076]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Alright guys,

I sat down with Lonnie Grim, and I have to say it was a very enlighten and pleasant conversation. One of the first things he said to me after I introduced myself was "CUSTOMER" He really does get it. 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.

So here we go... the first idea from Lonnie. How would you all feel about a purse increase. The entry fee for national events is 340, how would you feel about paying another $100 with all of the 100 going back to the racer. 64 cars = 6400, They start paying back in 4 round. Double round money in 4th rd, 5th and runner up. The winner would get the rest. If I did my math right it would be another 3000 for the winner on top of what NHRA pays now. I maybe off a little, but you get the idea.

Second... one period for the AFHS. Instant horsepower at 1.30, but you can go fast at a few races but still bring your average down by the end of the season if needed. We did not talk numbers for what the trigger is, but he would love to here ideas from us. He knows Stk/SS is a performance based class and he knows we would like to run fast and not get hammered every time.

Third... All class race winners where class is held would qualify. Say there was a 64 car field at the Gators. All class winners are in and whats ever left would be the fastest under the index, just like years back. Also opening quotas to say 80 cars, but you have to qualify to make the 64 car field. These numbers could be different, I just want give you an idea on qualifying to race.

Fourth... Shipping weights. We all know the guide is full of combos that don't reflect real world shipping weights. But we also know that people have been using the guide to build there combs. Its not our fault that wrong weights were submitted. One idea is to correct all the shipping weights but let everyone move up or down 2 classes. Another idea would be to run the class they wanted as long as the weight is correct for horsepower claimed. These are just Ideas guys... How would you fix the shipping weight issue? leave it alone or try to fix it?

The one thing I got from the time I spent with Lonnie is... he knows we are customers and we should be treated with respect. He is definitely an advocate for the racer. He wants us to have a great experience when we are here. He wants the racer to feel they can say NHRA is a great place to race. He knows it will take time, but he is willing to listen and make changes for the future.

I know we can not make everyone happy, but we need to come together on things we agree on to improve NHRA for the sportsman racer.

Lets talk ideas and please be respectful... I don't want to here NHRA bashing, its a waste of time and does not help improve our sport.

Chime in guys, if you want changes..

1. First let us see the salary increases for the NHRA top executives for the past 30 years and figure out the percentage of pay increase they have got over the years . Then ask why they got an increase but the racers purse stayed the same for that long and eatery feels and memberships went up .

2. Instead of increasing the entry to a National event how about they increase the number of cars that can enter to a full field 128 car and increase the payout anyhow even if it means some of the top executives take a SLIGHT pay cut to show good faith for the love of the sport and organization and more important the racers who pay their salaries . Not to mention more T.V coverage of sportsman racers so we have a better chance for sponsors

3. The shipping wright thing only thing I would add is do away with the 170 driver math

[James Findell]

Simple answer in my mind, make NHRA fun again. I don't care if you run a Factory Stock or a Q/SA. I grew up idolizing my Dad and his buddies that chased around this country hoping to race a National Event. National Events have lost their luster for the Sportsman Racer in my mind, which is unfortunate. Sign me up for the first Time Machine Ride back to the mid 1980's please...

[Brett C]

Originally Posted by doglover44

What could be done to fix that ?

Ask the professionals!

[e vassar]

All participating drivers should be e- mailed a survey allowing us (the customer) to grade everything from the gate to the starting line.

[Rory McNeil]

64 cars times $340. entry fee equals $21760. Surely they could bump up the pitiful round money and finalist payout without digging even deeper into the "customers" pockets. If they can`t sharpen their pencils enough to find where all the remaining entry money disappeared to, open up the quotas.
As mentioned, if you want to run solid roller lifters in an engine that left the factory with a hydraulic flat tappet cam, add a second "S" to the class designation on the windows.
As for "getting rid of all the outdated slow cars that nobody but old people can relate to", you mean eliminate the very cars that Stock and Super Stock were based upon? Like cars that were available new to the general public, with a production VIN number, and the same engines, transmissions and rearends as those cars that anybody to drive of the lot? Also, when I look at the typical Stock -S/S racer in the pits, I have to say, the vast majority are "old enough" to relate to traditional Class cars. I can certainly relate more to a 69 Mustang with a 428 Cobra Jet , like I used to drive to work, or my old neighbors SS396 Chevelle, that a 2022 "modern race car", that can basically race in Stock with a Competition Eliminator engine, a 2 speed automatic, and a solid 9" Ford rearend!

[Ok stocker]

Originally Posted by GUMP

This could also be fixed by getting rid of all the outdated slow cars that nobody but old people can relate to....

Have you not noticed all the bald or grey haired old men running stock and super stock. Lol

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by GUMP

This could also be fixed by getting rid of all the outdated slow cars that nobody but old people can relate to....

OUCH, that left a mark!


OBTW, don't get out the tar and chicken feathers yet.
Having spoken to Gump on a number of occasions, I'm pretty sure that he is just kidding.

[james schaechter]

I will say this. If Lonnie is a true internal advocate that wants to make improvements, I would say he needs to consider what change or changes might be feasible from all sides. Then we should be considering how we can help. If we all draw hard lines on whatever pet idea we have, nothing will change and we could chase away a person thst could help our sport.

We need to find ways to help him help us. He may not be able to do a lot, but let’s support whatever change he can get pushed through that improves our experience and prove that he was right to listen and act on our behalf.

The NHRA execs have absolutely no clue what motivates racers that are into performance. They just know it costs them more to support us. If they really knew that each time they take the performance incentives away from class racing, they pull away the part that motivates us and sets them apart from every other bracket race in the country. They don’t understand that performance motivated racers don’t see pure bracket racing as an option. Maybe Lonnie can help learn and educate the non racer leadership at NHRA.

In my view, Lonnie may have some interest in keeping the class racer in play. Let’s support any positive efforts he puts forward and show appreciation for his effort. The NHRA execs don’t typically reward anyone that takes initiative to support class racers. He could use our support.