Thread: Changes at NHRA

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yeah you will get the most RETARDED people in the way in the pits, asking john force if his car has a/c or a heated seat. and the people will be flocking to pro stock in order to ask is that a v8? i like how its a 5 speed automatic. OMG i can already see the need for idiot cleansing

Primedia all over again?

Or just one of those send the jobs to China or simply fire the workers and loot the pension fund, strip the assets from the company by the CEO and his cohorts and bail out with a golden parachute deals?

Higher ticket prices . . . ala NASCAR.

In this day of self esteem for everyone and PC and just so's everyone is happy I recommend restrictor plates for the racers.

I'm with NitroWarrior about the taps bit....

Sat. night I watched the Topeka qualifying on ESPN and Mike Ashley and Kenny Bernstein were asked for their comments on the issue. Both seemed to think it was going to be good for the sport, but I did note a bit of skepticism on Kenny's part. Sort of like a wait and see attitude. Though Don Garlits is no longer active, I'd be interested to hear what he has to say on the subject. I know that for years he and Wally Parks had a running feud which led to the birth of the PDA in the late '60's.
Sitting in the stands Sunday at Topeka it was apparent that the majority of fans were there for the Pro classes. The lack of heads up racing in the so-called Sportsmans classes might be good for the racers, but causes quite a bit of grumbling amongst the fans.
I fully realize that the myriad of classes that existed in the '60's is outdated, but when a couple of 8.90 cars launch and then delay and sandbag at the finish line the average fan doesn't understand the concept. It makes for some pretty boring racing, if that's what you want to call it, from a fans point of view.

Gee, Imagine the NHRA taking it on the chin from so many drag racing 'fans'. They have been the mainstay for sanctioned pro/am racing for so long and still get little respect from so many. Who's better? the IHRA? that regional series. Most in cali have never heard of it. NHRA is far from perfect but puts on a good show and until something better comes along it will remain THE leader in drag racing.

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

Gee, Imagine the NHRA taking it on the chin from so many drag racing 'fans'. They have been the mainstay for sanctioned pro/am racing for so long and still get little respect from so many. Who's better? the IHRA? that regional series. Most in cali have never heard of it. NHRA is far from perfect but puts on a good show and until something better comes along it will remain THE leader in drag racing.

If that is aimed at me let me explain something. I have been around drag racing since 1959 having worked in the timing trailer at the Nats in Detroit and I don't consider myself to be just an average fan.
My observation was relaying of what I heard of the many fans in the stands at Topeka.
As with anything they will different opinions, but the fans are what keeps the series going and if you don't listen to your base you'll not long be in business.
And no I don't think the IHRA is a better series, but the old AHRA gave Wally a run for his money in California in the '60's

My comments werent aimed at anyone in particular. I just seems that so many bash the NHRA and its the best show in town at this time. Its like NASCAR, a lot like to complain about it but show me a better program.
Im not saying its without problems but still puts on entertaining PRO racing at national events. Truth be told theres something to be said for removing the super classes at national events because they are a snore to watch. Im all for those who like to run those classes but indexed throttle stops are no fun to watch. I'd rather see 10" tire outlaws run during the pro turn around time.
I think the aquisition will lead to seperation of the pro and ama programs and im not so sure thats a bad thing.
NHRA when compared to other racing organizations still puts on a good bang for the buck program fan wise IMHO.
Im NOT trying to a smartass here but how'd that AHRA thing turn out?

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

Im NOT trying to a smartass here but how'd that AHRA thing turn out?

I see an opportunity for anyone who starts off thinking the new owner group are a bunch of rubes who are so stupid that they'll make the program so crappy that nobody will enjoy it anymore, and on top of it will price itself so high that all the fans will be driven away. If you're confident you're right put your money together and start a new organization to do it the RIGHT way and just roll in the dough those dummies would supposedly be throwing away. If you're correct your timing couldn't be better. It's the American way........you know, the better mouse trap thing

It's all about money...NHRA needs it to grow and gain some of the popularity and fan following that NASCAR has. I remember hearing the same doomsday stuff when NASCAR picked up Winston as a sponsor....sure didn't seem to hurt NASCAR any!!!!

As for dummies roaming the pits, sounds good to me!!! They're putting down their $$$$$ to get in and this money helps the payout which helps me keep racing!!!! Any participants at an NHRA even should be treating the fans as their best friends!!!! Butts in the seats equates to money at the pay window. Ask Tech or NTF what their many years of experience has shown the amount of $$$$ it takes to run even a weekly show, let alone a divisional or national event!!!!

All I can say is well done, NHRA!!!! Now lets get the show on the road, fans in the seat, and some more $$$$ back to the racers!!!!

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

Im NOT trying to a smartass here but how'd that AHRA thing turn out?

I'm no expert on that either, but C. J. "Pappy" Hart who ran Lions for a big part of the '60's was driving force in my opinion and undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in all of drag racing. Uncle Bob can probably tell you more about it than I could.
I do know that "Big Daddy" Don Garlits had a falling out with the powers to be at NHRA in the mid to late '60's over pay out money amongst other things. I guess it was the main reason he, along with others formed the PDA (Professional Drivers/Drag Racing Association).
I know for a fact that back in the late '50's early '60's if you wanted big names at your strip you were going to have to pay appearance money and/or tow money. In '59 Connie Kalitta drove down from Michigan to take on our local hot shot Dick Vest. One of the big names I had the pleasure to flag.

[QUOTE=Dave Severson]It's all about money...NHRA needs it to grow and gain some of the popularity and fan following that NASCAR has. I remember hearing the same doomsday stuff when NASCAR picked up Winston as a sponsor....sure didn't seem to hurt NASCAR any!!!!

QUOTE]



EXACTLY!!


My point is simply this. NHRA has been there and is still THE main organizer of drag racing sportsman and pro. Faults aside its the best thing going right now and has been for a long time. Title and organizational rights of the pro side is where they feel their biggest revenue generator is and it makes no sense for new blood to mess it up.


Question to all: Should the sportsman participation at national events change, be replaced, eliminated?

Curious to see what you guys think about this.

Question to all: Should the sportsman participation at national events change, be replaced, eliminated?

Curious to see what you guys think about this.

I discussed this with Tech last night and we agree that heads up racing would be more popular with the fans than bracket racing. That being said, it would not be practical to go back to the class structure of the '60's as it would take forever to run a national event.
My personal opinion is to eliminate the E.T. brackets and run on national records giving staggered starts to slower cars but determined by the E.T. record for the class the car is in. That would eliminate delay boxes and sand bagging at the finish line as there would be no break-out.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

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My personal opinion is to eliminate the E.T. brackets and run on national records giving staggered starts to slower cars but determined by the E.T. record for the class the car is in. That would eliminate delay boxes and sand bagging at the finish line as there would be no break-out.

That sounds a lot like competition eliminator.

First bit of bracket racing I participated in was at Lions Dragstrip.

They called it index racing I believe.

The basics were, if you were running a car turning 14.11 or so you entered the 14 second class.
Running 13.99 was a breakout and you lost.
Running a 15.0 was a breakout in the other direction and you lost.

It took care of the sandbagging situation quite well.
I only ran it a few times, but every time, late in the afternoon the cool sea air would roll in and you'd break out on the fast end.

It's not fair to have a car running 9.90's compete in the 12 second bracket class.
All he has to do is get a good start, stay with the racer in the other lane and drive around him whenever he wanted.
Saw that more than few times at the March Meet.

It is a tough question to answer, bracket racing has been good for drag racing, but perhaps it doesn't belong at the national events.

My feelings are, toss bracket racing entirely and bring in idex racing.
One of the things that make it fun is you can take your Ford coupe and run it against a Corvette and see how you do.
The mismatch in car types running a particular index class makes for some reasonably interesting racing for the spectator and a whole lot of fun for the drivers.

Let's face it, not many of us are able to compete in C/Gas and run on the record due to financial constraints for most, but building an index racer that runs high 10's isn't too difficult to do....

Its index racing now. Either by class or individual car type in comp. Comp has a lot of this covered. The enemy is THROTTLE STOPS, PERIOD!! Explain to the noob you brought to the track why the car falls on its face right after launch only to take off and run just over a number. Only to be followed by two totally diffent cars leaving on staggered starts where its ok to run under. It will never happen but IF I had my way I'd run some 10" tire outlaw, heads up stuff and a non electronic nostalgia eliminator 7.60 class to pass time between pro rounds. Oh by the way the heads up alky classes could stay.

As said, there needs to be fillers for the 75 minutes between rounds of the Pro Class. The Top Alcohol classes are great and are pretty near Pro anyway so they should stay. I much prefer the comp eliminator classes to the 7.90-8.90-9.90 classes. The throttle stops and electronics have ruined those for a spectator. They are just plain boring, though obviously popular by the number competing in them. If they must stay, then limit them to the semis and finals on Sunday, have everything else run off on Friday and Saturday between qualifying rounds. I agree some 10.5 Outlaw or Nostalgia class cars would also be great fillers. A lot of fans also like to watch the handicap races trying to bet if that SS/AA Cuda can run down the late model Mustang. Those are exciting. I would much rather see them run on Sunday than the X.90 cars.

Pat