The State Of Sportsman Racing - Interesting Read

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Kevin Panzino

Hey guys, the bashing of our beloved sport is getting old....
And enough with the constant ranting over the payouts.
Sub-Single digit percentages of class racers do this for any hope of payout. Literally only a few individuals.

Yes, we want the wally, yes we want the prestige, yes we want the satisfaction of winning in this class. Your damm right we'd rather race at an NHRA national event then some local bracket race, regardless of the payout.

You can go on and on about the big money bracket races. Fine, go ahead get your generic classless bracket car and run against those boys in the high dollar bracket races. Good luck with that. I'm sure its a great plan to make money for retirement. After all, you mention all the time about the big money bracket race payouts, so go ahead and start earning all that money. Let us all know how well that works out.

A great many of us wouldn't even bother to race if all we could do was bracket race generic cars.

Class racing is an entirely different breed and its never been about the money.

Can the never-been-class racers, class racer wannabees, and ex-racers living in an era long gone, please stop beating down what a lot of us are currently have a great time doing. Your on a public forum making our case look far worse than it is!! YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR ME.

I'm inclined to say, you know what guys, if you aren't currently racing in S/SS in NHRA competition, you don't really get to bash the current state of affairs.
Its not 1969, it wont ever be 1969 again, and you know what, that is fine with a great majority of us.

Now all that being said, I must admit, I tend to agree with statements about the amount of "bling", the folks who don't turn a single wrench on their combo just purchase everything, and the need to take several days vacation to attend a divisional race.

I am with Kevin on this one. Well said Kevin. I spend what I am able on my racing. I am just a blue collar working man. I have a 100K big rig. I have a 40 ft trailer. I build my own engines, transmissions rear ends and do my own welding and fabricating. Racing is expensive and the only thing that limits me is how much money I can dedicate to that. I don't count on winnings to finance my racing. Being a working man I can not take days off to go sit at an event to try to get a premium pit space. I go I park and I race. I am one that would probably quit if I had to bracket race. I have always either raced super stock or modified. My car is purpose built for racing super stock and does not make a good bracket car. If I crashed my car or it somehow got destroyed I would probably mover over to Top Sportsman. The sanctioning bodies and the promoters need to do a better job to sell our product to the general public. In my opinion they do little to help themselves and expect the racers to bare the cost of putting on an event. I will keep class racing as long as I am able to.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

I haven't raced for many years, but worked and spent as much as it took to "run with the crowd" as we liked to say back then, and it paid off.

What I don't understand about today's racing;

1) The excessive money spent on race rigs.
2) The excessive money spent on race car "bling".
3) Doesn't anyone do anything themselves anymore?
4) The racers themselves changed the rule book, not the NHRA, and it has cost them.
5) The racers showing up Wednesday for a divisional race. For a good pit spot?
6) A divisional race should be two days not three.

Please enlighten me.

I'm with you, Frank.
#4 - A lot of collusion from both sides. A classic case of not thinking things through; unintended consequences.
The valve spring rule was more destructive than the duration rule change.

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

I'm with you, Frank.
#4 - A lot of collusion from both sides. A classic case of not thinking things through; unintended consequences.
The valve spring rule was more destructive than the duration rule change.

Yup...had this conversation before!
Do not think the xHRA are going to change this without some thought.
D

[Steve Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Dave Ley

Dan, Just an FYI : Helmets are good for 12 years. Check the rulebook !

Perhaps your own tech guys should do the same Dave. I was told at this past LODRS meet in Columbus by an NHRA tech official that a Snell 2010 was only good until 2017!

[Dave Ley]

2016 NHRA Rulebook
Section 20, Page 44
Helmet expiration dates :


2005 expires 1/1/2017
2010 expires 1/1/2022
2015 expires 1/1/2027

Originally Posted by Steve Sullivan

Perhaps your own tech guys should do the same Dave. I was told at this past LODRS meet in Columbus by an NHRA tech official that a Snell 2010 was only good until 2017!

[James Perrone]

It still amazes me that the same group of wash women non racers that have so much time to spend on this forum yet don't race
Yeah I have a nice rv .nice trailer .nice car .yes I have an engine builder. Transmission builder You no why? Because I CAN !! Me and the wife like nice things We work hard for what we have. Question answered. Yeah I want a Wally.

[Frank Castros]

Originally Posted by James Perrone

It still amazes me that the same group of wash women non racers that have so much time to spend on this forum yet don't race
Yeah I have a nice rv .nice trailer .nice car .yes I have an engine builder. Transmission builder You no why? Because I CAN !! Me and the wife like nice things We work hard for what we have. Question answered. Yeah I want a Wally.

Wash women, this has come to name calling, who do you think you are Donald Trump?

[Yo Ken]

Frank, knock off the politics, or this thread will be closed.

[lstanford]

Originally Posted by Steve Sullivan

Perhaps your own tech guys should do the same Dave. I was told at this past LODRS meet in Columbus by an NHRA tech official that a Snell 2010 was only good until 2017!

The only person your protecting is yourself. I would think that you would want the very best helmet money will buy. A closed head injury is not a pretty thing. I know from experience.

[James Perrone]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Wash women, this has come to name calling, who do you think you are Donald Trump?

I guess I hit a nerve Got a privete message to stop name calling..lol
To the offened wash woman facts is facts and that's the way I have always been
I answered the question you don't like my answer and opinion PUT IT OUT THERE
I haven't begun to insult Go do some laundry I will be racing the next 3 month not like you internet key strokers NEXT