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

[Charles Stewart]

I greatly salute this initiative from Mr. Miele and Mr. Grimm. This is moving in the right direction.
Regarding the purse $$$ situation, If we can’t find a BIG sponsor…how about keeping the amount of purse like they are now and accepting a lot more racers in S/SS category in order to first: lower the inscription cost and second: return the TOTAL AMOUNT of “those inscriptions dollars over the 64/128 field”, right back in the total purse for more $$ to winner, runner up, and paying further down in the eliminator field.
Yes, I understand the parking problem down the road and the impact on the schedule, but... it’s just one more suggestion.

[442OLDS]

Well,as long as we are giving suggestions, how about this?

Why can't the National event entry include ONE crew pass? Is that too much to ask?

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by 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.

Well stated!

This is a great start and hope for the best.
Lots of ideas on how to fix the category and classes, however, there will be compromises and cannot please everyone.

[James Perrone]

More $. Both divisional and national events
And how about normal tech it’s part of the experience
We pay too much $ for very little reward
Can be based on car count
$200 per class $1500 to win sucks a race.
$2500 minimum on an event win national or divisional is not a lot of$

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by 442OLDS

Well,as long as we are giving suggestions, how about this?

Why can't the National event entry include ONE crew pass? Is that too much to ask?

Ever hear the BS about "Every Ticket Is A Pit Pass"? A few years back I took 8 people from 3 states who happend to be in town for an event to Dallas for the national event and bought their tickets. Got a panicked phone call they couldn't get into the pits because the tickets didn't allow them pit side. WHAT??? Had to scramble and get over to them and spend more money for more tickets. They have never attended another NHRA event since and I don't think they ever will, plus that is the experience they pass on to their friends.

Mr B,
They should have been offering the free crew pass since mid last century. Remember when they only allowed 1 restricted area pass? I'm sure some races were lost due to the person given it not having a clue what to do when something happened yet Pro cars had more "crew" on the line than an NFL team has on the field.😄

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Bobby DiDomenico

Ever hear the BS about "Every Ticket Is A Pit Pass"? A few years back I took 8 people from 3 states who happend to be in town for an event to Dallas for the national event and bought their tickets. Got a panicked phone call they couldn't get into the pits because the tickets didn't allow them pit side. WHAT??? Had to scramble and get over to them and spend more money for more tickets. They have never attended another NHRA event since and I don't think they ever will, plus that is the experience they pass on to their friends.

Mr B,
They should have been offering the free crew pass since mid last century. Remember when they only allowed 1 restricted area pass? I'm sure some races were lost due to the person given it not having a clue what to do when something happened yet Pro cars had more "crew" on the line than an NFL team has on the field.😄

Everyone talks about the entry fee of $340.But the majority of people have at least one person with them.Now they are $95 for a pit pass. That is a $435 entry fee.Lose first round and I usually leave anyways. They wouldn't be losing any money on the deal.

[Terry Cain]

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....

Where's the dislike button. lol

[Billy Nees]

Way back in "the Good-old-days", every National Event Entry CAME with 2 (two!!!) crew passes....... for free WITH the Event Entry!

[Jim Caughlin]

And... Why do we have to pay an insurance surcharge for a Natl Event when we have the same risk of an accident regardless of whether we are at a Nat or a Div race? Kinda seems like we are paying the insurance for the Pro cars?

[Jim Hanig]

Originally Posted by 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!

With all the changes nhra has made i dont know why they would not allow rollers if you can run flat tappets then run them. I dont think theres a big hp gain with rollers.