Did Anybody Else Catch This?!

Jim Wahl · 11-10-2013, 04:31 PM

In the interview of Warren Johnson Saturday at Pomona, he stated he thought the sport was in it's waining days! The only real reason he gave was cost to race. 2.5 to 3 million per year for Pro Stock. What are your thoughts on his statement? Jim

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7423 · 11-10-2013, 05:09 PM

He never bitched about the cost when he was going rounds at every race. He lost his edge and is too stuborn to admit it or quit.
It's a shame. He is a much better engine builder than he is a driver. If he wants to keep playing, maybe he should try Comp.

Alan Roehrich · 11-10-2013, 05:21 PM

He didn't lose his edge so much as he lost all his backing. That tends to stop the wins and the development in a class that costs as much as Pro Stock does.

Unfortunately, he may be right. This country is not the "car loving" society/nation it once was, there are not even that many real "car people" in the OE automotive businesses. The economy is not great, and will not be for a while, if not a long while. NHRA has been trying to strangle all of the geese laying the golden eggs for a while.

I'm not saying it's time to pack it in. I am saying that we've seen far better days, and will not see them again without changes. And the changes are not likely so long as some of the people now in power remain there.

chris ok · 11-10-2013, 06:05 PM

Well said Alan.

Warren won the national championship in comp eliminator as the engine builder for Alan Ellis, pretty darn good in my book.
NHRA has to wake up and "adjust the show and the admission price to survive".
The show is quick and smooth on Sundays like never before, thats the best it's been ever.
Was at E Town and The Grove Sundays this year.
I will not state my opinion here on what should change, except price at the gate and 1/4 racing in all classes. There is more. I will let others who compete give their ideas on how to change it up to put fannys in seats.
Our administration is giving a crushing blow to all entertainment dollars for every working average American now, and that is the biggest change we need.

Chris.

Gary Smith · 11-10-2013, 06:28 PM

The cost of survival has surpassed the common interest, passion, and returns within most means. As long as NHRA continues to lend a blind eye to that reality, the big show will surely meet it's demise. However, as long as there's willing passion, the sport itself will continue to survive in one form or another.

442OLDS · 11-10-2013, 06:31 PM

You can get lucky and go rounds.

KJ from the #16 spot is once again headed to the semi finals.

nickh · 11-10-2013, 06:55 PM

Alan nailed it. Without Corporate Funding the first things that get cut are R&D, Testing, etc....

Until there is a way to wrangle in the cost of PS the numbers will continue to dwindle.

With the economy the way it is, it will be interesting in 2014 on Pro Car Counts. JMO

H Hoover · 11-10-2013, 07:01 PM

Our administration is giving a crushing blow to all entertainment dollars for every working average American now, and that is the biggest change we need.

Amen,

Alan Roehrich · 11-10-2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickh

Alan nailed it. Without Corporate Funding the first things that get cut are R&D, Testing, etc....

Until there is a way to wrangle in the cost of PS the numbers will continue to dwindle.

With the economy the way it is, it will be interesting in 2014 on Pro Car Counts. JMO

It isn't just Pro Stock that is hurting.

We're hurting too, and we're not alone, either. I know a lot of long time racers who are struggling to keep their program afloat and justify the costs. Sportsman racers are hurting. A lot of them. Many are hurting badly.

nickh · 11-10-2013, 07:25 PM

Alan,

Yes it is across the board, even bracket racing. Sorry I didn't disclose that in my post but do agree.

11-10-2013, 05:09 PM	#2
7423 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 639 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! He never bitched about the cost when he was going rounds at every race. He lost his edge and is too stuborn to admit it or quit. It's a shame. He is a much better engine builder than he is a driver. If he wants to keep playing, maybe he should try Comp.

11-10-2013, 05:21 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,561 Liked 1,788 Times in 408 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! He didn't lose his edge so much as he lost all his backing. That tends to stop the wins and the development in a class that costs as much as Pro Stock does. Unfortunately, he may be right. This country is not the "car loving" society/nation it once was, there are not even that many real "car people" in the OE automotive businesses. The economy is not great, and will not be for a while, if not a long while. NHRA has been trying to strangle all of the geese laying the golden eggs for a while. I'm not saying it's time to pack it in. I am saying that we've seen far better days, and will not see them again without changes. And the changes are not likely so long as some of the people now in power remain there. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-10-2013, 06:05 PM	#4
chris ok Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Long Island, New york Posts: 592 Likes: 131 Liked 46 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! Well said Alan. Warren won the national championship in comp eliminator as the engine builder for Alan Ellis, pretty darn good in my book. NHRA has to wake up and "adjust the show and the admission price to survive". The show is quick and smooth on Sundays like never before, thats the best it's been ever. Was at E Town and The Grove Sundays this year. I will not state my opinion here on what should change, except price at the gate and 1/4 racing in all classes. There is more. I will let others who compete give their ideas on how to change it up to put fannys in seats. Our administration is giving a crushing blow to all entertainment dollars for every working average American now, and that is the biggest change we need. Chris.

11-10-2013, 06:28 PM	#5
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! The cost of survival has surpassed the common interest, passion, and returns within most means. As long as NHRA continues to lend a blind eye to that reality, the big show will surely meet it's demise. However, as long as there's willing passion, the sport itself will continue to survive in one form or another. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating"

11-10-2013, 06:31 PM	#6
442OLDS VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elgin,IL Posts: 1,339 Likes: 5 Liked 282 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! You can get lucky and go rounds. KJ from the #16 spot is once again headed to the semi finals.

11-10-2013, 04:31 PM	#1
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Did Anybody Else Catch This?! In the interview of Warren Johnson Saturday at Pomona, he stated he thought the sport was in it's waining days! The only real reason he gave was cost to race. 2.5 to 3 million per year for Pro Stock. What are your thoughts on his statement? Jim . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

11-10-2013, 06:55 PM	#7
nickh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 819 Likes: 3,500 Liked 642 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! Alan nailed it. Without Corporate Funding the first things that get cut are R&D, Testing, etc.... Until there is a way to wrangle in the cost of PS the numbers will continue to dwindle. With the economy the way it is, it will be interesting in 2014 on Pro Car Counts. JMO

11-10-2013, 07:01 PM	#8
H Hoover Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 82 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! Our administration is giving a crushing blow to all entertainment dollars for every working average American now, and that is the biggest change we need. Amen,

11-10-2013, 07:25 PM	#10
nickh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 819 Likes: 3,500 Liked 642 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Did Anybody Else Catch This?! Alan, Yes it is across the board, even bracket racing. Sorry I didn't disclose that in my post but do agree.