Re: How Realistic
 

No, Stock and Super Stock racers do not JUST race for many, the way big money bracket racers do.


However, I come from a time when good racers could finance their racing with their winnings. That hasn't been the case in at least a decade or two. If you compare the SHRINKING purse to the escalating cost of a competitive class operation, it's literally INSULTING. Entry fees have gone up 2-3 times, plus additional costs with the sanctioning bodies, and the purse absolutely has not. Further, the sanctioning bodies drove the contingency sponsors out. I know several sponsors personally, and they way they were treated, and their money was taken, borders on criminal. When you consider the current level of spending required to take a truly competitive car racing, the potential for return on investment is absolutely a slap in the face.


It's not that Stock and Super Stock racers race for money, many know that a real win is often not likely in their future. But that fact that a big win would barely pay for the trip is just ridiculous. A racer wants to think that if he managed to actually pull it off, and that's the dream, that the payout would be at least somewhat impressive. These days, winning a national event would be like hitting the powerball and getting $10,000.

Re: How Realistic
 

I don't see any way possible for the IHRA Pro Am races to return with Super Stock and Stock as separate classes.The turnout was usually pretty poor. If they paid $100,000 to win with free entry,it would probably not bring that many more cars out.
I'm just speaking from past experience as I used to attend quite a few IHRA races years ago.They tried all kinds of innovative ideas and nothing seemed to help.

Re: How Realistic
 

I don't think any track owner in today's financial situation would agree to split the entry fee and run a race like that with only 22k. By the time they pay knowledgeable track officials to oversee class racing, traction compound and all the other costs associated with running an event, I think they would rather run a no.prep race or a test and tune and clear better money. Racers talked about how NMRA was so great and payouts were great for what the entry fees were and you see where that got them.
As much as people complain on how much we pay at divisionals and how little the payout is, track operators complain it almost isn't worth their time hosting the race. It's not just one track saying that, it's many tracks that say that. I am not sure IHRA is looking to host races and not make any money for the "Good of class racing"

Re: How Realistic
 

I made the disclaimer,, I don't know anything, my math could be off,just a quick rough figure... $ 22,400.00 would be from one class there are seven classes or was...to generate income from,plus series sponsors

Re: How Realistic
 

I like Mike Taylor's idea. The track makes $22400. not counting other categories being run. So track cost is spread out over all racing. Also you have to add on entry fees for crew and family plus concession on those people.Then market your product like any other business, which they don't do for divisionals. Race fan will come if they know, just don't rape them at the gate,you will more than make it at concessions.Also bring in sponsors for event to make more money. Just have to do it.

Re: How Realistic
 

Top Stock was a fan favorite. Pro ladder, quicker car had lane choice, decent money for the winner and the winner got a tear down tech inspection. It was fun until the Fast Burn crate engine was allowed and IHRA was slow to adjust to its performance.

Re: How Realistic
 

All great critiques, thanks for the input. Money talks for sure, you folks make it seem like that's all it boils down to. If so, then that's where we need to put our focus.

I believe we could all agree, at the very least, we'd love for IHRA to bring it's excellent class racing program back and return it to the way it used to be. Figuring out how, or deciding not to, is all that's left.

Re: How Realistic
 

I still have all the Buick stuff that I got to run Top Stock. I could probably be convinced to put it together if the original rules applied. No fiberglass hood, etc.

Re: How Realistic
 

I'm sure someone will be along to poo-poo this idea, but cut the IHRA out completely, and have the local associations get together to run their own national championship series.

Have a "central" group responsible for maintaining files/records. Each association submits their results to the central group from each event, these count toward a national total. There would be no actual divisions, but the local series would act as the division. If there were to be 15 'national' events, for example, your best 8-10(?) would qualify toward your final total. Use IHRA Stock/SS Classes and Indexes...Nostalgia Super Stock cars would not be eligible toward a national championship. I don't have an issue with them running, but I think they should be separate. I understand why they were allowed in some organizations.

Kind of like the original IHRA WCS series, no?

Re: How Realistic
 

Dawson, I'm also hopeful! A few things IHRA will need to overcome.
1] As stated elsewhere, the payouts must align with entry fees ie they charge x dollars for entry the win, RU, and round money must be enough for racers to want to travel and chase that coveted Iron Man.
2] !/8 mile racing doesn't appeal to everyone.
3] Rules need to be close to what NHRA runs now to help with car count.
4] World Championship!! For all classes. This is the main reason I didn.t chase NHRA points back in the day. I could running IHRA Hot Rod.

IHRA is planning an announcement during PRI so its going to be a wait and see. What's going to throw a wrench in their plans is the half *** attempt they made last year. Ran one race and cancelled the whole series.