Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions...

GarysZ24 · 11-17-2008, 08:15 PM

Fellow racers, I'm putting this out here to see what you all think about restructuring the geographic base of the current divisional set-up to see how you all feel about adding/deleting a state (or states) to your current divisional layout, so that we could reduce in some divisions (mainly Div.'s 5,6,&7), the 800 + mile tows for divisional races? Let's talk about it, ok? With all due respect to our Canadian neighbors, the vast majority of all class racers come from the U.S.A., Yet some divisions have points races that are in excess of 800 miles from other divisional races (examples; Tucson from Sonoma, Denver from Brainerd, and Eagle Point, Or. to Acton, Mt.). I have some ideas:

1. Division 7 could release Sonoma, Ca., and it's races to Div. 6.

2. Division 6 could release Acton, Mt., to Div 5.

3. Division 5 could release the states of Mn., Ia, Wi., Mo, and western IL. to Div. 3.

4. Division 3 could release Oh. to Div. 1.

5. The Canadian provinces that are directly below Div.'s 1,3,5, & 6 would fall in to those US division's.

What I'm trying to do here is level out the amount of towing those of us in the lower 48 have to do to partake in our home divisions races---I know that it would cause an increase of travel for you Div. 1 racers, however you guys (at least the lower 48 staters), have by far the best towing proximities of all the divisions---Div.s 2,3, & 4 you guys are worse off than them, but better off than Div.'s 5,6,& 7? With the recent fuel prices as they were (and could become again), how about it racers...it seems to have worked out for the N.F.L. (remember when the Atlanta Falcons were considered an NFC West team???).

What do you guys/gals think??? Especially any of you with connections to NHRA? Thanks for your thoughts...

GarysZ24 · 11-17-2008, 08:35 PM

I made the previous post, in no small part to the fact that Cruz Pedregon (at least twice) credited NHRA's instilling a playoff system to their former system, as being the sole reason he was able to out-point Tim Wilkerson for the Funny Car Championship. The way I see it, if the NFL's going to; a. restructure the divisional layout of their teams, and b. add two new divisions to the allotment, then why can't the NHRA at least have one of those done for our divisional racers benefit. Perhaps now could be a good time to ponder a Division "8"? It could be positioned somewhere between Div's 5, 6, & 7, and allow divisional racers on the western half of the country to enjoy the same perks as the eastern racers enjoy---less time towing means more time racing!!! Either this, or my first post, because this idea could even make div's 2-4 smaller as well...that my .02 worth....

Gary

The Hawk · 11-17-2008, 09:16 PM

As much as I`d like to see something like this emplemented,at least in Division 5 there`s most likely a problem,available tracks. There`s not many facilities in Division 5 that can handle a LODRS,"qualify" to be eligible or even want a Division race. About 10 years ago I think it would cost the track about $10K to host a Points meet,and I`m sure it hasn`t gone down since then,so that could be a factor as well. Most of the tracks that hosted Division Points races back in the mid to late 90`s when I was doing a lot of traveling,are down to Nat`l Opens or bracket race only. The little tracks out here just don`t host the events anymore. Basically,if you want to run for a Division title in the Lucas Oil series,you`re gonna have to spend a lot of money in fuel or gas out here.

Ed Fernandez · 11-17-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lane M Weber

As much as I`d like to see something like this emplemented,at least in Division 5 there`s most likely a problem,available tracks. There`s not many facilities in Division 5 that can handle a LODRS,"qualify" to be eligible or even want a Division race. About 10 years ago I think it would cost the track about $10K to host a Points meet,and I`m sure it hasn`t gone down since then,so that could be a factor as well. Most of the tracks that hosted Division Points races back in the mid to late 90`s when I was doing a lot of traveling,are down to Nat`l Opens or bracket race only. The little tracks out here just don`t host the events anymore. Basically,if you want to run for a Division title in the Lucas Oil series,you`re gonna have to spend a lot of money in fuel or gas out here.

Or if you REALLY want to race,move to Div 1 or 3.No excuses then,except
1) Can't get time off
2) Too hot in July and August
3) This track,that track sucks
Actually the only excuse that wouldn't hold water is "I can't afford to tow 500 miles one way to race.
Just an observation of reading posts here over the past few years.We're like every other segment of life,
some wont be happy unless they're unhappy.

Ed F.

Tracy Robbins · 11-18-2008, 09:49 AM

Also, move NC to division 1 so we could possibly get a national open or divisional race in Charlotte!

John Quinn · 11-18-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lane M Weber

As much as I`d like to see something like this emplemented,at least in Division 5 there`s most likely a problem,available tracks. There`s not many facilities in Division 5 that can handle a LODRS,"qualify" to be eligible or even want a Division race. About 10 years ago I think it would cost the track about $10K to host a Points meet,and I`m sure it hasn`t gone down since then,so that could be a factor as well. Most of the tracks that hosted Division Points races back in the mid to late 90`s when I was doing a lot of traveling,are down to Nat`l Opens or bracket race only. The little tracks out here just don`t host the events anymore. Basically,if you want to run for a Division title in the Lucas Oil series,you`re gonna have to spend a lot of money in fuel or gas out here.

Maybe NHRA could show some leadership and take a percentage of the gate for points races instead of an up front fee. Hard times mean things change. I hope to have my superstock car finished in time to compete some next year and I will not take long tows just to bracket race.

larry dowty · 11-18-2008, 01:57 PM

Gary, I have to agree with Ed. There are far more races on the east coast with alot less travel. But I am not sure I want to give up palm trees, white sandy beaches, swimming in the ocean in the winter. Too hot in July, questionable to humid diffently in noo joisey.

Dick Butler · 11-18-2008, 02:59 PM

I still the double race concept is the one financially the best. One tow, two races at one location then home.
It can be done many ways. Week off work?and run them all OR ,1/2 the classes per event then rotate other 1/2 next event location run them twice. Keeps the race tracks used the same amount just 1/2 the towing
I think the move to Div 1 or 3 ( maybe 2 also) is even better. Gets more people out of the really good weather and locations to a standard, Hot Sweaty midwest in summer. Keep the west and South for vacations with the kids....In winter...

david ring · 11-18-2008, 03:42 PM

Putting Ohio in Division 1 will make it even harder to win a divisional championship in D1. Think about the percentage of the country's population who would then be in D1. Currently (latest figures from Census as of 7/1/2007) 23.43 percent of the country's population lives in D1; adding Ohio would raise that to 27.23 percent of the population. This includes the District of Columbia. I'll let Nitro Joe determine the percentage of the racers in each class live in Each-I suspect he might be able to do that, or at least come close-although it is a lot harder to do that computation than what I did..

Stocker 2 · 11-18-2008, 08:26 PM

Leave D-1 and D-3 out of ANY changes. Everything is fine here. You want to be part of great Stock/SS racing, move to this part of the country and race happily ever after.

Division 1 home of the 2008 NHRA Stock World Champion, Lee Zane
Division 3 home of the 2008 NHRA SS World Champion, Ricky Decker

The way its said back here......WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING CHANGES!

11-17-2008, 08:15 PM	#1
GarysZ24 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tempe, Az. Posts: 1,266 Likes: 905 Liked 234 Times in 92 Posts	Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... Fellow racers, I'm putting this out here to see what you all think about restructuring the geographic base of the current divisional set-up to see how you all feel about adding/deleting a state (or states) to your current divisional layout, so that we could reduce in some divisions (mainly Div.'s 5,6,&7), the 800 + mile tows for divisional races? Let's talk about it, ok? With all due respect to our Canadian neighbors, the vast majority of all class racers come from the U.S.A., Yet some divisions have points races that are in excess of 800 miles from other divisional races (examples; Tucson from Sonoma, Denver from Brainerd, and Eagle Point, Or. to Acton, Mt.). I have some ideas: 1. Division 7 could release Sonoma, Ca., and it's races to Div. 6. 2. Division 6 could release Acton, Mt., to Div 5. 3. Division 5 could release the states of Mn., Ia, Wi., Mo, and western IL. to Div. 3. 4. Division 3 could release Oh. to Div. 1. 5. The Canadian provinces that are directly below Div.'s 1,3,5, & 6 would fall in to those US division's. What I'm trying to do here is level out the amount of towing those of us in the lower 48 have to do to partake in our home divisions races---I know that it would cause an increase of travel for you Div. 1 racers, however you guys (at least the lower 48 staters), have by far the best towing proximities of all the divisions---Div.s 2,3, & 4 you guys are worse off than them, but better off than Div.'s 5,6,& 7? With the recent fuel prices as they were (and could become again), how about it racers...it seems to have worked out for the N.F.L. (remember when the Atlanta Falcons were considered an NFC West team???). What do you guys/gals think??? Especially any of you with connections to NHRA? Thanks for your thoughts... __________________ Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021)

11-17-2008, 08:35 PM	#2
GarysZ24 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tempe, Az. Posts: 1,266 Likes: 905 Liked 234 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... I made the previous post, in no small part to the fact that Cruz Pedregon (at least twice) credited NHRA's instilling a playoff system to their former system, as being the sole reason he was able to out-point Tim Wilkerson for the Funny Car Championship. The way I see it, if the NFL's going to; a. restructure the divisional layout of their teams, and b. add two new divisions to the allotment, then why can't the NHRA at least have one of those done for our divisional racers benefit. Perhaps now could be a good time to ponder a Division "8"? It could be positioned somewhere between Div's 5, 6, & 7, and allow divisional racers on the western half of the country to enjoy the same perks as the eastern racers enjoy---less time towing means more time racing!!! Either this, or my first post, because this idea could even make div's 2-4 smaller as well...that my .02 worth.... Gary __________________ Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021) Last edited by GarysZ24; 11-17-2008 at 08:40 PM. Reason: I referrenced the NHRA, where the NFL should've been

11-17-2008, 09:16 PM	#3
The Hawk VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Littleton,Colorado Posts: 1,194 Likes: 0 Liked 249 Times in 109 Posts	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... As much as I`d like to see something like this emplemented,at least in Division 5 there`s most likely a problem,available tracks. There`s not many facilities in Division 5 that can handle a LODRS,"qualify" to be eligible or even want a Division race. About 10 years ago I think it would cost the track about $10K to host a Points meet,and I`m sure it hasn`t gone down since then,so that could be a factor as well. Most of the tracks that hosted Division Points races back in the mid to late 90`s when I was doing a lot of traveling,are down to Nat`l Opens or bracket race only. The little tracks out here just don`t host the events anymore. Basically,if you want to run for a Division title in the Lucas Oil series,you`re gonna have to spend a lot of money in fuel or gas out here. __________________ Lane Weber It`s Not What You Drive That Wins....It`s How You Drive It

11-18-2008, 09:49 AM	#5
Tracy Robbins Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Youngsville, NC Posts: 846 Likes: 3 Liked 25 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... Also, move NC to division 1 so we could possibly get a national open or divisional race in Charlotte! __________________ Tracy Robbins SS 9766

11-18-2008, 01:57 PM	#7
larry dowty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chewelah wa Posts: 283 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... Gary, I have to agree with Ed. There are far more races on the east coast with alot less travel. But I am not sure I want to give up palm trees, white sandy beaches, swimming in the ocean in the winter. Too hot in July, questionable to humid diffently in noo joisey.

11-18-2008, 02:59 PM	#8
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... I still the double race concept is the one financially the best. One tow, two races at one location then home. It can be done many ways. Week off work?and run them all OR ,1/2 the classes per event then rotate other 1/2 next event location run them twice. Keeps the race tracks used the same amount just 1/2 the towing I think the move to Div 1 or 3 ( maybe 2 also) is even better. Gets more people out of the really good weather and locations to a standard, Hot Sweaty midwest in summer. Keep the west and South for vacations with the kids....In winter...

11-18-2008, 03:42 PM	#9
david ring Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oneonta.,NY Posts: 889 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... Putting Ohio in Division 1 will make it even harder to win a divisional championship in D1. Think about the percentage of the country's population who would then be in D1. Currently (latest figures from Census as of 7/1/2007) 23.43 percent of the country's population lives in D1; adding Ohio would raise that to 27.23 percent of the population. This includes the District of Columbia. I'll let Nitro Joe determine the percentage of the racers in each class live in Each-I suspect he might be able to do that, or at least come close-although it is a lot harder to do that computation than what I did.. Last edited by david ring; 11-18-2008 at 03:53 PM.

11-18-2008, 08:26 PM	#10
Stocker 2 Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 137 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions... Leave D-1 and D-3 out of ANY changes. Everything is fine here. You want to be part of great Stock/SS racing, move to this part of the country and race happily ever after. Division 1 home of the 2008 NHRA Stock World Champion, Lee Zane Division 3 home of the 2008 NHRA SS World Champion, Ricky Decker The way its said back here......WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING CHANGES!