Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Just add my name to the list not there...but I was a wannabe.
It's just a sign of the times. Hard economy, fuel prices going up, weather issues. I don't think IHRA,NHRA,ZHRA or NobodyHRA could change those facts. Why all the negativism?
I was planning on being there but my tow truck spit a head gasket on the way home from the race at Memphis (only race I've made in 2 1/2 years) & I've been a little under the (health) weather, lately. The economy dictates I spend my time at the shop working instead of off racing. If I had been ready the weather forecast would have been an issue. We have had a cold front stalled on Oklahoma, Texas & Arkansas for over a week now. Anything could happen with those type weather systems. I've had to do my yard work in stages, between storms & showers & heat. It's not the track, IHRA, or their programs that kept me from being there.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Don't need an excuse, as is typical of most IHRA races West of the Miss. poor Class turn outs. I saw there were only 19 T/S cars. IHRA has almost always had poor car counts when they go West, probably because historically they've been an East coast org. I'm not really sure why they continue to try to run these races out of their neighborhood. I'd like for it to work for them but I don't see it happening especially with the economic climate we're in. Oh yeah I believe there were only 12 H/R cars also, so don't point the finger at Stock Super Stock guys for not carrying them. It really doesn't make sense to make the trip out there when there's plenty of N & I races within a 5 hour tow. Also with the contengencies WAY down you can go run a race like the Buckeye S/SS combo's and win about the same money. Joe

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

potetial prize money vs cost to attend race? Goin head to head with a divisional at Joliet didn't help probably any either. Lots of cars starting with a 5 in their number at Joliet...

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Joe,
I don't know about you but I can still get 5 or 6 grand from winningan IHRA race. Not to bad for 5 rds.

We were talking Saturday about the fact IHRA was founded in the South and will probably always be a Southern Organization. The reason they keep going west is they put people in the seats at these places.

Chip

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I agree, they do put butts in the seats .....but how many times can they bring a "short show" to town and expect a good spectator turn out? Don't get me wrong I want the IHRA to do well however it's almost always been the same story when the go outside their yard.... short car counts. Yeah I realize a racer can still win some decent money at a Nat event, I guess we have to weigh the travel expense, the entry fee and the missed days of work, to the payouts. One things for sure you can't argue with the numbers, I doubt IHRA was very happy with the numbers...so what to do? keep trying or work harder on the stuff that does work? I still don't see this as being a viable plan when it's been pretty obvious that their "core racers" wont support them that far West.. Just my opinion. Joe

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Spectator turnout was light, but with rain in the forecast you could expect that. The SS car counts has been about the same to all I have been to, except I think there may have been 20 cars at Baton Rouge.

As for the "slick track"comment, it has been better at all the Tulsa IHRA races than Houston or Topeka this year. This year it has been the best hooking track I have raced on. Houston used to be great, but Topeka has been crap every time I have gone there. Don't know why I expected anything different there this year. My Houston customers have been complaining all year. Too bad, in the past it was a place I looked forward to racing. They tell me HRP no longer uses VHT.

We talked about "Where is everybody?" in the staging lanes a couple of times. Same rules, same cars, just not all showed up. I was the only turkey there, the rest were good cars.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I don't have a dog in this fight but from reading on here over the years all the comments dealing with the NHRA "enhancements" that seem to keep coming at the sportsman level a person might think more racers would want to try IHRA racing.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I live in Southern California....IHRA is not an option to me.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

This is just not right...

............Topeka........Tulsa
SS......... 64............... 12
St ...........92 .................6
SC/QR ..50?............. 39
SG/SR ...34?............ 18
SST/HR .24?............. 19

The two ET classes had a total of less than 30 I believe. There is no reason there should not have been a better turnout.

I was not there, but paid for one guys entry so I did my part. If I would have been able to get in the car I would have been there in a heartbeat. I have lost 81 pounds since I bought the car. It won't be long.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

...........Topeka........Tulsa
SS......... 64............... 12
St ...........92 .................6
SC/QR ..50?............. 39
SG/SR ...34?............ 18
SST/HR .24?............. 19

Steve, you need to double the numbers in SC, SG, and SST you show for Topeka.
You took the numbers from the first round winners list.
There were double that in the first round.
I know I was there and racing.
It is still a major drop for IHRA but it did compete with several NHRA division races the same weekend.
I would like to have been there but my schedule just did not allow.
I like IHRA and raced Tulsa last year and had a good time and did well also.
I would like to see more IHRA races and tracks further west. I could be a convert to all IHRA very easily as long as there are races within reasonable travel distance.
My 2 Cents
Rick