Nhra strikes again - must read for stk/ss at ned nat event

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

Mike you are right to a certain extent you are correct there is another class of racer out there .Racing on the streets is not safe regardless of the way the show is planned or set up for entertainment. No prep is ok .and I doubt you will see all the unsafe actions at a NHRA Drag race . I see them on videos with fans on the staring line with the race cars .I know this won't happen at a NHRA way to much liability not to mention dangerous to the people what are they thinking they are not invincible and can't get hurt silly people. You say there is a new game in town I say no this type of racing has been going on since I was a kid many many years ago .lol

Back to the original post, I will be at new england.....since I am always parked at the end of the track, behind some trees, I am not going to worry about flying shrapnel and such.....fans in the stands that might be another matter, from a marketing standpoint, announce they are next, get the butts in the seats, and run a round of SS qualifying to get em all worked up, and then unleash the edge of disaster class.

[Alan Roehrich]

Street Outlaws is pure scripted "reality" TV.

And that's fine, if that's your thing, but it will be like all of the rest of it, gone as soon as the new wears off.

Honestly, that whole image, and getting rid of it, is the exact reason for NHRA existing to begin with. I guess what was once old is new again.

The same goes with the "no prep" and other "outlaw" stuff. The new wears off, and the uninformed crowd wanders off looking for the next new shiny object.

None of that is a long term plan for the over all or general health of the sport. NHRA may use it as something to kill off class racing, simply because they're so short sighted that they cannot see past the next payout after the next national event. But it will just be another nail in NHRA's coffin. The crowd WILL move on.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by HandOverFist

How about everyone use a sealed crate motor at the same weight...be lots of heads up then.

That would be NMRA's Coyote Stock.

Tight racing and wheels up launches.
It's popular right now for sure, but not exactly entry level stuff.

At least NHRA Stock still has entry level classes for those not wanting to spend more than 15K

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

You say there is a new game in town I say no this type of racing has been going on since I was a kid many many years ago .lol

Right, Don..and I'll bet that competing at these various events doesn't cost $350 , car and driver, and $100 + for a couple of crew men or family members ; thus another part of the allure.
NHRA has priced themselves out of the realm of the average working guy, in my opinion.

[Alan Roehrich]

Sealed crate engine programs have done a fabulous job of decimating grass roots circle track racing. Does wonders for smart engine builders who know how to blueprint and tune. The amount of cheating I saw when those hit the tracks boggles the mind. When one of those 355HP crate engines sounds like the small block in Rampy's Bantam Altered, you know everything is above board, and the playing field is as level as a tournament billiard table.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Right, Don..and I'll bet that competing at these various events doesn't cost $350 , car and driver, and $100 + for a couple of crew men or family members ; thus another part of the allure.
NHRA has priced themselves out of the realm of the average working guy, in my opinion.

Where NHRA has priced themselves completely out of the market is in the stands. It's absurd. And it's a huge reason you don't see kids in the stands with their parents.

And that's exactly why the long term is so bleak. Because those kids in the stands with eyes as big as saucers, and a smile a team of plastic surgeons can't remove are where new racers come from.

[Buick6]

No prep and grudge racing events are unsanctioned private track rentals. Pretty much anything goes that way.

Not sure what can be gleaned from import racing. That was a shooting star fueled by the Fast and Furious movie franchise and a few Speed TV shows. Promoters tapped into the niche youth market and made a lot of money. The shows combined drag racing, car shows and flashy lights, music and dancing into the night. The "kids" really seemed to like it. But what would I know about it at my age. A good time to me is a bag of Cheetos and a Dr Pepper watching Hee Haw reruns in my underwear.

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Where NHRA has priced themselves completely out of the market is in the stands. It's absurd. And it's a huge reason you don't see kids in the stands with their parents.

And that's exactly why there long term is so bleak. Because those kids in the stands with eyes as big as saucers, and a smile a team of plastic surgeons can't remove are where new racers come from.

has anyone gone to a pro sports event lately??

[Coleydog]

Street Outlaws is scripted for the bs but the racing is real, believe me. And money, these guys have $100,000 engines $10,000 trans, basically pro-mod cars all state of the art. NHRA "tried" to thwart this racing with sanctions against some of the racers, failed miserably. Basically told to get off the property. So after eating crow they're In the background and NHRA tech guys check out the cars before running. Police, fire department and rescue are there, all run on a closed highway. They're not a bunch of country bumpkins tearing up the place. I'm not saying I like that racing venue but even the idiots get it, what NHRA is after. Any track these guys show up at the place is packed and people are turned away, the last one they came through the woods and the cops could do nothing. Get it while it's hot.
Mike

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by Brian Oakes

James, the problem i have with the Quota's is that when people drop for any reason, if it is full at grade 4 or 5 and then they open up, you cannot get in with Grade 2 or 3. that is totally stupid. I had friends tried to enter the Gators, no way they could,and why not open the fields up. they would get more income in there pockets, but they all want to leave at 5 O clock ,happy hr somewhere and fill there faces.so they keep they Quota's low. Bracket racing and S/SS looks better all the time. Brian

Brian like Mark said you're supposed to be able to get in when people drop out now. That changed a couple years ago.