Nhra

[Mickey Whaley]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Ed, I don’t know were it says in my post that your opinion does not meet with my approval. You have every right to feel as you do, I'm just pointing out my opinion on the hand full on members on Class Racer that have been predicting the demise of class racing.

Your posts are mostly negative, but that's your choice. I for one like to look at the positive. Yes its expensive to race, and I like anyone else could be parked tomorrow if the funds were not there.

You constantly rip NHRA and upper management, stop worrying about things you can not control.

Ed, why would I remove your post? you have an opinion, and that's fine. If you post irrelevant pictures or start babbling about politics on the s/ss section, well that's a different story.

you have been warned for your comments, one more warning may result in a 3 day ban!

[stefan callender]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

This idea would be for Stock and Super Stock. I would like to see NHRA treat s/ss as an asset and not a liability. In today's business climate, NHRA should take advantage of every market available, no matter how small.

Promoting us as the greatest muscle car show on earth. Not only do the cars look great but the run as good as they look. They do not need to promote us as they would the pros, but just a part of the whole experience of a National Event. Stock and Super Stock are the grassroots of drag racing, letting the fans know there is something for everyone when the came to the track is good for everyone.

I am not a promoter, but I'm sure the amount of resources it would take to do so, would be well within NHRA's budget.

Ken, now youre talking. Promotion. I remember when I first started going to Div 1 Points meets, the stands were definately more packed than they are today. Also, Raceway Park use to promote the Points meets. Not any more, the stands look like a ghost town. They should give a low rate discounted price for admission and make money at the concession stands. What car show is better than a Points meet?? Fast cars painted like candy wrappers. Even though I believe the new cars of today have a favorable factors, they are essential for the growth of stock and superstock. Years ago, when I discovered class racing, I liked the fact that stockers and superstockers look like real everyday vehicles that the fans drove everyday. Thats cool, and look how fast they can go!! Thats what got me interested in Drag Racing. Fuel cars are cool, noisy and fast, but I dont see them in my local dealer. Even Pro stock looked like normal cars back then.....

[joe176]

Originally Posted by clutch man

Ryan from sugarloaf, the comment about the $ of his car was a compliment being how nice it is, if he doesnt want to spend $ thats his business just doesn't seem right to park a car because of being afraid of getting HP? is he the only one with that combo? just think if he spends more money he wont be in the same place just faster than he was

clutch man.... Ryan speaks the truth.....he knows because he spends his time and money also like i do class racing..and we know first hand what it's all about.... I didn't park my car.....I've been running it all year....at divisionals and association races with a new combo.....so I'm not afraid to spend the money.....I'm just not gonna be foolish about it. I'm not the only one with my combo..there are guys with more funds than I have running the same combo and play it smart also.....I've played the game with the HP system for over 10 years now..... spent tons of money and enjoyed doing it.....we race to have fun..winning is a bonus......my point was...for what it costs to do this....I would rather be at races we're I'm the one burning rubber.....and not sitting around as filler for the pros. So I chose not to run Nationals this year.....thats it !! I have no hidden agendas hoping for the demise of the NHRA...far from it.......I would just like to see more Sportsnats !!!

[skills]

Ed my sportsmen friend I enjoy your opinions because I know your just being honest. I do have a question how do you think they can fix what's ailing nhra? Everyone says about the entry fees, maybe you should get a discount if you enter more than one class or if you enter 3 or more national events get a discount. I never knew how expensive it was to run s/ss but the larger the fields the better. Look at the dutch the last couple years the crowd has been getting larger.

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by stefan callender

Ken, now youre talking. Promotion. I remember when I first started going to Div 1 Points meets, the stands were definately more packed than they are today. Also, Raceway Park use to promote the Points meets. Not any more, the stands look like a ghost town. They should give a low rate discounted price for admission and make money at the concession stands. What car show is better than a Points meet?? Fast cars painted like candy wrappers. Even though I believe the new cars of today have a favorable factors, they are essential for the growth of stock and superstock. Years ago, when I discovered class racing, I liked the fact that stockers and superstockers look like real everyday vehicles that the fans drove everyday. Thats cool, and look how fast they can go!! Thats what got me interested in Drag Racing. Fuel cars are cool, noisy and fast, but I dont see them in my local dealer. Even Pro stock looked like normal cars back then.....

Good point...today we have NASCAR Pro Stock..Bodies..or Funny Cars with a NA engine.
IF it were not a car name printed on the body ..nobody would know the difference.
They are Hot Dog Blobs with paint !

FWIW the new breed of cars represent more of yesterdays Pro Stock ...
Again starting in Stock and SS !!

D

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by skills

Ed my sportsmen friend I enjoy your opinions because I know your just being honest. I do have a question how do you think they can fix what's ailing nhra? Everyone says about the entry fees, maybe you should get a discount if you enter more than one class or if you enter 3 or more national events get a discount. I never knew how expensive it was to run s/ss but the larger the fields the better. Look at the dutch the last couple years the crowd has been getting larger.

Thanks for your support.What would I like to see?
1) Increase in the payout structure for the entry amount we pay.
2) Real tech at races.If you go fast you get torn down,no questions asked.
3) Use ALL runs at Nats/div/opens to impliment the AHFS.Some cars (not only the new ones) are so fast they can get hit even running the next class up.I've seen it
more than once.And I don't want to hear "They work on their cars".Bullpoop.If you go
1.25-1.30 under the new indexes,you're in the wrong class.
4) Clean house in Glendora.They've over extended their welcome.Nothing constructive comes from there anymore.
5) Lastly,for now,ban Jack from a 500 mile radius of any race in progress.End of
aquatic problems.

Mickey thanks for the heads up.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Thanks for your support.What would I like to see?
1) Increase in the payout structure for the entry amount we pay.
2) Real tech at races.If you go fast you get torn down,no questions asked.
3) Use ALL runs at Nats/div/opens to impliment the AHFS.Some cars (not only the new ones) are so fast they can get hit even running the next class up.I've seen it
more than once.And I don't want to hear "They work on their cars".Bullpoop.If you go
1.25-1.30 under the new indexes,you're in the wrong class.
4) Clean house in Glendora.They've over extended their welcome.Nothing constructive comes from there anymore.
5) Lastly,for now,ban Jack from a 500 mile radius of any race in progress.End of
aquatic problems.

Mickey thanks for the heads up.

10-4 on #4. I agree with everything else to but #4 is the most important.

[Tony Mandella]

Normally, I don't post on these kind of topics - but ideas are always a good thing.

Skills - I think you bring up some good ideas about discount programs for fans, racers, etc... that would and could possibly work. Getting those into effect may be another story, but never hurts to try. I am in my mid-20's and yes I have been around racing my entire life so being a racer for me came from the family, however, I know that when someone is driving a muscle car around town, on the freeway, etc... it turns heads - mostly everyone around takes a second glance or stares because you don't see them that often and lets face it they look awesome.

My idea would be something to try and generate more fans for the sportsman racers. It would start at the divisional level and working with the individual tracks themselves.
Work with local businesses to help promote the event (get a couple of sportsman racers to bring their cars out for half a day/night the weekend before right out front of Bass Pro Shops, Hooters, or anywhere local and pass out FREE tickets to the divisional event) I think the key is giving out FREE tickets and getting people to come to the races. Think about it - if you give out 3000 tickets for a local divisional and lets say only 5% of the people take advantage of the free offering, that is 150 more people at the event than they had before. People would be more apt to buying food, apparel, etc... since they got in free. Tracks could sell more vendor spots because more people would be coming out. Then, hopefully out of those 150 extra people that came - maybe a percentage of them would become actual fans or even racers. The other benefit is that the sportsman racers would then have a little more appeal to sponsors since they would be getting a little more exposure.

It sounds small, but I think it could have a huge impact if done right.

[stefan callender]

Originally Posted by Tony Mandella

Normally, I don't post on these kind of topics - but ideas are always a good thing.

Skills - I think you bring up some good ideas about discount programs for fans, racers, etc... that would and could possibly work. Getting those into effect may be another story, but never hurts to try. I am in my mid-20's and yes I have been around racing my entire life so being a racer for me came from the family, however, I know that when someone is driving a muscle car around town, on the freeway, etc... it turns heads - mostly everyone around takes a second glance or stares because you don't see them that often and lets face it they look awesome.

My idea would be something to try and generate more fans for the sportsman racers. It would start at the divisional level and working with the individual tracks themselves.
Work with local businesses to help promote the event (get a couple of sportsman racers to bring their cars out for half a day/night the weekend before right out front of Bass Pro Shops, Hooters, or anywhere local and pass out FREE tickets to the divisional event) I think the key is giving out FREE tickets and getting people to come to the races. Think about it - if you give out 3000 tickets for a local divisional and lets say only 5% of the people take advantage of the free offering, that is 150 more people at the event than they had before. People would be more apt to buying food, apparel, etc... since they got in free. Tracks could sell more vendor spots because more people would be coming out. Then, hopefully out of those 150 extra people that came - maybe a percentage of them would become actual fans or even racers. The other benefit is that the sportsman racers would then have a little more appeal to sponsors since they would be getting a little more exposure.

It sounds small, but I think it could have a huge impact if done right.

Tony, one year we were at the Virginia points meet. The track owners gave free admission, and I believe $5.00 parking. The place was packed, the concessions were packed and everyone was cheering in the stands. This is what is needed. If fans can see organized Drag Racing, maybe you wont see the misconception of two idiots speeding on the Expressway called "drag racing".

[FINESPLINE]

I believe Gary Richard gave away many free tickets in Division 1 this past year as he is a major sponsor ( P.C. Richard ) . I never heard any comment on the turnout at the track due to his generosity. Did anybody notice ?