Where?s Alan Reinhardt?

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by HR9121

IHRA tried for years and couldn't compete with NHRA. When it comes down to it the Stock and SS guys were the best excuse makers as to why they wouldn't run another sanctioned event. There were crate motors, too many 1/8 mile races, etc etc you name it but what it boiled down to was everyone just wants to race for the Wally. Prime example were the races Ken put on that struggled to get any traction with huge payouts and catered directly to us. This year was better turnout but it had to be put on the day before the division races.

Don't blame me, Matt Hawk, & Mike & BJ Graham, because we came from Tempe and Tucson, Az., to support their $5k race over 10yrs ago in San Antonio, plus I went there in 2011 to support their efforts! Moreover, I hauled to Rocky Mountain Raceway in Utah, also to support the cause, and I'm one of the lowest budgeted class racers in the country!

One BIG reason I'm glad I did was because of something I just realized last year; although my Z24 Cavalier's shipping weight was 2,511lbs (as opposed to the 4dr Chevy Citation that Linda Sherman & Randy Hyman raced which was/is 2475lbs! They were able to run D&EF/SA, while I had to run B&CF/SA in the 90's! Moreover, my advertised hp of 120 was/is only 5hp greater than their car yet my hp factor was 150)?! In the IHRA, I was able to run EF/SA, and with a fairly factored car. Thanks to Bob Blackwell, Pat Cvengros and one or two others when the FWD classes were reduced from 16 to 5, I finally had a fairly factored combination.

I'm looking forward to racing in D1 next month, and will be bummed if my fellow Arizonan Alan isn't calling the race!