Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Byron and I were going but had to cancel due to a family funeral

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

IHRA Pro Am race winners, Stock Brent Darroch, Super Stock Andy Kronenbitter. Great Race, 5K checks for the Winners and a Racer appreciation dinner this evening

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

What indexes are they using for stock and super stock? And what are they using to classify these cars?

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

They are using the old indexes from NHRA. Back before they changed them. IHRA was this way before they disbanded Class racing a few years ago. Nothing new here, it's the way they do it. So just add .3 to everything from NHRA. NHRA 10.40 flat index, IHRA 10.70

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

The URLs for the broadcasts at SpeedSport.TV:

Friday Pro-Am @ 8am: https://speedsport.tv/videos/42967
Friday Pro @ 3pm: https://speedsport.tv/videos/42966
Saturday Pro-Am @ 8am: https://speedsport.tv/videos/42968
Saturday Pro @ 2pm https://speedsport.tv/videos/42971

I haven't checked, but there may also be broadcasts/videos on IHRA.tv on YouTube

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Shout out to Zac Ross for his R/U in Stock and Super Stock. Great racing family. Pity more racers didn?t show up but served as an icebreaker anyway.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

That was really bad-- I hope that he is doing well--- only comment I will make is its probably better that he was slowing or stopped when the explosion occurred as to having occurred when he was accelerating in the run--- I do not think it would have been a good outcome--PRAYERS--FED 387

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Hopefully more show up for the national

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I wish we knew what the answer was for the low car counts, to me this "WAS" supposed to be the same weekend of the D3 / Sportsnats at Columbus so did everyone take back their vacation time when it was announced they were going IHRA?? I mean by the looks of it not many went to SGMP from that area. I mean all of us at one point in time have come on CR to complain about the payouts, I get it....we don't do it for the money but, a $5,000 payout isn't a bad day in the office for only 20+ cars to show up. I've been on the other end as a promoter for big $$$ events along with Mike Beard, Lee Zane & BVP, Dave Ley, Tyler and TB Promotions and the car counts are not enough / just enough to break even and prevent you from stripping on the side to pay the track rental. I mean owning the track you are hosting an event at is even better because you can just take the plus / loss as they come but for most promoters your looking at a track rental for the weekend to cover the expenses and depending on the facility it could be between $25,000 to $45,000 for a 2 day event

From what I've been told the new owner has done everything that was ever asked for by racers, now maybe the communication could have been better because from what I've been told your $300 entry fee also got you 3 crew passes....how many times have we been like "Man, $300 to race and $100 per crew member for 1 race"....so maybe pushing that for Milan will be a big thing, Free Lunch on Wednesday & Racers dinner on Thursday Night, he drove around on a fork lift yesterday with a pallet of ice giving it out to racers who needed it. So, I mean the guy is trying and I wish him success and I'm a little upset I didn't mark this on my calender to go but hopefully in 2026 he sees a big increase in support.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

There are a total of zero (0) stockers or superstockers entered at SGMP from Ohio or Pa.
It doesn't look like to many of those racers went to Columbus.
I'll stick to what I have always said, as has been proven,you could have a s/ss race that pays $10,000 to win for s/ss.
If there is not a Wally involved, hardcore NHRA racers will not show up.
Kudos to everyone that showed up at Columbus this weekend. Some racers had a great payday for a four round race.
Good luck to everyone this weekend for race #2.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I am hoping IHRA has built in some time to gain some trust back into their business plan. Also hoping if they keep treating racers in a positive manner, the racers will support them. It is to everyone's benefit to have a successful IHRA.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

At this point, I deeply regret going to SGMP instead of Columbus. National Trails is about an 8 hour drive where SGMP is 6, but that looked like a much better race. I've heard from some people on the ground saying that the atmosphere is awesome and the New IHRA owner is introducing himself and giving away free ice. Sounds bitchin'.

Raul at SGMP also did a great job, I enjoyed it, but I would have rather supported IHRA at this point.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

The live feed at Columbus is amazing! Cool camera angles, very professional.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I understand that IHRA is using indexes .3 slower than NHRA.

I am wondering how IHRA determines the current " factored" hp for Stk/SS ?

Do they use NHRA's published hp numbers ?

Also, I heard there was a racer running the same vehicle in Stock as well as Super Stock @ Columbus.

So my mind got thinking....I am wondering if NHRA has wording somewhere that prohibits a same vehicle/same driver running 2 classes at the same event ?

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

A driver can enter different categories at the same event with different vehicles, but never the same car in two.

Race Procedures, Section 2, Page 3

QUALIFYING
To constitute an official qualifying attempt, all vehicles must selfstart
and self-stage. At NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series,
Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA National Open, and Summit
Racing Series Finals events, a contestant cannot drive more than
one vehicle in the same category at the same event, nor can one
vehicle be used for multiple entries. Multiple driver restriction for E.T.
classes, at NHRA member track events, may vary based on specific
member track E.T. regulations. Racers are advised to contact the
respective division office or member track for regulations within
that geographic area. Vehicles must remain in the same category
entered, with one registered driver for the duration of the event.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

The TV coverage of this IHRA event at National Trails is better than any NHRA event I've ever seen , even a nationally broadcast event. Anybody who missed this event is really kicking themselves in the ***.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Why are they running 1/8th mile?





Bret Velde
2003 I/SA
Coming soon

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I just got home from track. I live 1/2 hour away. We were told when all the updates were done at this facility, it would have the most sophisticated timing system in the USA. These people have big plans. That sounds good huh? There are 5 of these events planned this year. Another here at Columbus in September.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I didn't go up for anything but Stock and Superstock but it's all 1/4 mile.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I believe they are using all the NHRA factors. Only difference is the .3 index difference. If you ran any IHRA before they quit running class at their events, it was the same back then also. I haven't heard about their crate motor class's (alphabet cars). Let's hope that stays gone.
Zac and the Ross's was told this morning that the double car thing is not going to be allowed at National Events.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Jeff, I just watched Pro Stock and it was all 1/8th? I hope all classes are 1/4.





Bret Velde
2003 I/SA
Coming soon

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Depends on the class, all sportsman classes are 1/4 mile along with Alky, Mountain Mtr PS, Pro Mod, Snowmobiles are 1/8 Mile and Nitro is 1000 foot

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Thanks
I went on IHRA's website and it looks like all their events are National Events.

That would have been cool tho to enter both eliminators. My car can run either with zero changes and can cool down quickly. Would have been fun :)

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I heard a radio spot for IHRA in Houston this morning!
Thought that was weird.
But kind of cool...
A shame we don't have a track anymore...

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

"I haven't heard about their crate motor class's (alphabet cars). Let's hope that stays gone"

Seriously.... They were one of the reasons IHRA stock survived back in the in the day. Hell, I'm going to pull out my NHRA engine and put the crate motor back in just to run 2 of their races.

With all the crap that is allowed on NHRA stocker now that didn't come from the factory they might as well be crate motor cars.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Strictly my opinion. Most of our opinions is if IHRA gets the car counts one would expect...they won't need to have them. Thats why they were created in the first place right? To get their car counts up. But if nobody continues to show up............

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

In 35 minutes the next Live IHRA nitro Jam event will be streaming, I highly just just you havebit on.

I guarantee it will be the best viewing experience you've ever had watching Drag Racing on TV.

https://www.youtube.com/live/aW-pPmgDGvY?feature=shared

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

It's Raceday here at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro national event. The Sun is out with a nice breeze with everyone getting ready for final eliminations. Spectator lots are filling up. Looking forward to a great afternoon of racing and Good Luck to all the competitors Here. Trophy's and Nice checks await the Winners.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Sad the car count is low, but their other loss (I know none of the reason(s), as none of my bidness'), is our gain, up in the N.W. in Div. 6 LODRS Double at Woodburn, and we have our Golden Voice on the Mic. Alan R., and we are also low at 43 entries in Stk. for race 2, of course that low count (and the great temps, low altitude, and a great tune, allowed me personally to qualify in the turtle of a sled in the top half of the q-sheet ever at -790 under the EF/S index).

Not Indy ready by any means, but improving slowly, and seeking low elevations/temps to run at from now on.

C'mon east coast class racers, support those IHRA races, so they can buy a couple of track out west too! Sounds like the New IHRA owner(s) are really trying hard to accommodate and have invested heavily, and that is good for all as competition leads to innovation. But, miracles also cannot be expected, growing pains are usual and should be expected. (And fuel costs today are a race killer).

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

After saying all that...if I was not retired, it was just an LODRS Double a 24 hr drive w/west coast fuel costs I would not be here. But a 37 day trip, racing at 3 tracks or more. (2 Doubles, 1 Nat., 3 Bracket's 1 track and a few more at another close by, and 4 straight weekends of solid racing and some very accommodating track locations and great people, and the absolute best wife in the whole world! Makes that fuel bill a bit easier to swallow.

Out and back for 1 event or even a double over 6- 8-10 hrs drive is rough enough.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Watching the final rounds this morning...

Racers have nothing but good to say. Of course they're the ones that got on camera.

Other than a few hiccups, looked good from here, for a first race..

I remember when Bader took it over. We ran some of those races and had a great time. I'm cautiously optimistic that they can reclaim some of that legitimacy and get the participation.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I had a blast at this race. It's been a long time since I actually enjoyed being at the race track. Over the last few years racing
I was considering finding a different hobby,but this race give me a little spark. They treated us like Kings. I actually felt like a race car driver not a nuisance in the way. The only downside of the hole thing was the cowards that didn't show up and the fear that this thing won't last. Compared to my runner up finish last year at the divisional here and this race this year the difference is night and day. As a racer that was at both events nhra looked like the 2nd rate organization to me. So for you keyboard warriors to scared to give it a chance the water is fine come on in.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Few observations as I spent every day there. The track workers and staff remind you of the old Norwalk days back when Bader was showing people how it's supposed to done. We didn't get a homemade bag of cookies when we pulled out of the gate and headed home like that, but the hospitality was thru the roof. I was walking back from the starting line and hospitality stopped and picked me up, delivered me to my pit spot. That storm yesterday was torrential. And their drying time was Nascar style. It was fast, A ton of people out there with blowers, brooms, squeegees, tractors...Plus two new kick *** track dryers and a HELOCOPTER! I expected another hour. Larry Eagle was talking to the staging lane pit steward about how hot it was, and Larry made the commit that you must really want to do this for minimum wage. He said, WHAT? "I make 5 times that". And their staging lane choice is like a NFL game. The pit steward had the coin, (a big weird looking coin with a #1 on one side and a #3 on the other) he asks who wants what lane, he flips it. I'm sure when the car counts go up this will be tough to do, but it sure was different. I mentioned in one of previous post the lack of fuel checks, but at the National Event they did them. There were some glitches. The lights went out a couple times. Andy was talking to the electrical contractor the next morning and he said. "Yes, we had to get all these new lights up and this was all temporary wiring running to the poles.... it's all to be buried underground. We just had to hurry like heck to get it up and running for this event". Anyway, you guys need to support this, it will be something we don't want to get away...

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

They had it all. Fuel cars. Both flavors of Pro Stock. Pro Mod. Tops. Factory Stock. Top Alcohol. Stock & Super Stock. Sleds. Hemi Shootout. Fuel Harleys. Probably missed some.

Maybe not the Big Show hitters, but I thought it was cool to see Scott Palmer and Krista Baldwin in the final.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

One more thing. I was not trying to disrespect any of the people on the ground at nhra, the track workers and tech are wonderful people and do there best with what they got. Maybe even some of them could get more if this can turn into a friendly competition. What I saw was a owner that loves drag racing and might have some deep pockets vs suits in California the only care about the numbers. The legend on that trophy we all love does not run things anymore. Irp is my home track and indy is what I race for. I just hope that a little competition could make it better for everyone.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Life is about choices and I APPLAUD the 40 or so Stk/SS racers that made the tow to Hebron. All the reports that I received from the track were very positive . It seems as though the NEW IHRA is committed to the facilities, the support equipment AND the RACERS/Customers …..Kinda reminds me of the Bill Bader era……Now, all we need is for more Stk/SS racers to attend the next IHRA event ….

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

I?m happy to see they brought the old Ironman back! Congrats to all of the winners!

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

It's about being a good consumer, you're either a good consumer or your not. What you buy in terms of quality makes it so. Let's Face it, NHRA is not a good quality anymore and haven't been since early 2000's.

This is the 1st time I've stayed in and watched an entire drag racong event, the quality of their captured moments in the event was better than I've ever seen. The top end interviews were fantastic. The staging lane interviews caught racong like it is, nervous, not loose.

I can't wait to see the pinnacle of IHRA at Milan Dragway home together for a historic weekend of Nitro methane racing.

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

On the IHRA website the stock indexes are the same as NHRA is that correct?

Re: IHRA at Columbus.
 

Everything i saw looked great and i cant wait to get to one. Definitely gonna try the galot race. As far as the tv coverage goes it was the best i have seen. It was like watching on tv and very well produced and put together. The fact they interviewed the sportsman winners and showed them some love was great. The coverage was 10x better then flo and 100x better than nhratv.

I was very skeptical about the whole thing but i think they are off to a great start

ep