Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

You guys are waiting to talk to the wrong people. Instead of waiting for NHRA to listen, why not start talking to racers?

If there's one thing that this election cycle has taught us is that one guy with influence and leadership can mobilize a great many people who are sick and tired of being ignored and taken advantage of.

You have at least three serious hitters posting in this thread alone. If one or more starts mobilizing racers to boycott ALL national events this year, then perhaps NHRA will finally take notice.

For my money, I'd like to see that person create their own nationwide sportsman series that is indeed special for everyone. Look at what Pete Biondo has done with the Springfling, and others have done with Sports Nationals, etc.

Talk to Bader. Talk to Dave Ley. Talk to Mark Williams. Talk to all the companies that used to post contingency. Get them involved, get the tracks involved (Numidia stands out, and so do other tracks in D1 alone).

For some of you guys, you're seeing your livelihood at risk. Take a stand, and take the lead. People will listen to you.

From my point of view, NHRA represents California, which has become synonymous with austerity, mismanagement, and corruption.

You will never change NHRA unless they are hit seriously in the pocketbook. One million for a guy who had to step down for a substance abuse problem will look like a drop in the bucket compared to a nationwide boycott of racers. Who knows? You could end up creating a phenomenal series that benefits everyone, and everyone can feel good about, including sponsors and the tracks themselves.

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

Sorry, wrong thread.....

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

Heck yeah! Tru-Start doesn't bother me one bit. Automatic red light for deep staging does!

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

I've already taken my money elsewhere.

We had the Class Nationals, for two years, with massive manufacturer support. It could have grown into something more. Too few racers chose to support it. Yes, the Spring Fling, Loose Rocker events, and others have grown and have great support from sponsors. They are bracket races. Huge numbers of racers actually *support* those events. They get purse increases, they get more sponsors, they get more coverage, etc. When not enough racers support something, it goes away. Why would anyone try to create another national sportsman series at this point? It is not financially viable. Class racers have had numerous opportunities, from numerous promoters, in numerous parts of the country, and they have all ultimately failed. As much as people complain about NHRA, most people only want to run NHRA. So, they will continue to get what they have been getting.

"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard." -H. L. Mencken

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

First time I raced in Div 4 tech avoided me like the plague. I finally asked what was going on. They told me Red wanted to tech my car. He proceeded to pick the car apart... then told me how much he liked it! Almost set the national record but the event got rained out before I could make a backup run. He sealed me up and said he would honor it at the makeup race but I was unable to back it up a few weeks later. I liked and respected his "my way or the hyway" no nonsense attitude. You knew everyone was in the same boat.

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

Got to be friends with Red. One thing we didn't have to worry about was another car being bogus. Same thing with Wesley. We knew everybody else was OK.
First trip to Indy, there was two lines. Red was teching the other line. I had been teched by a guy I didn't know, from another division. (If we went someplace else, we knew we would have no problems if Red was satisfied) I was getting ready to go park. Red & another guy walked up, Red says "Ed, open your hood." I thought "what now?", Red tells the guy "These are the correct carburetors". I thought "whew". LOL I never felt like if I was cheating, I could not really win anyway. Just be screwing people.

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

I would have loved to go to an event like this. I still watch video's of those on Youtube. But for me that would be a 2700 mile tow. Even though my car isn't to the # yet, I would have taken the hit just to support the event.

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

Back to Billy's original question.....

My favorite. Someone, anyone, name just ONE (1) single drivetrain part that actually came from GM in 1969 that MUST be used on 69 Camaro running a Chevy 396/375 drivetrain (engine, transmission, rear) in NHRA STOCK class for the car to be legal. ANY one item, no matter how big or small that has to be 1969 GM OEM. The same is sure to apply to several other year and BBC displacements (402/427/454). Go ahead, give it a try.

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

heater controls?

Re: It's gonna be a long winter
 

Any current 396/375 Camaro or Nova would make one heckuva fast A/SM car in 1980!