Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I drag race occasionally, post infrequently.

I would offer that NHRA/IHRA issues are not new. Further, since they are for profit corporations, they have to chase the money which usually means putting on a show for fans. Mostly, I’m an autocrosser with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) or local clubs but it is all “class racing.” It isn’t about making money, it’s about covering the costs of running. Autocross is pretty boring to watch, so no spectators are going to pay to watch (kinda like most current sportsman and bracket races) No purse, but a local autocross is usually $35 for three or four runs-best run counts. While there are plenty of issues within SCCA, it is a club that exists for the members, not shareholders. There is a rule making process, not a rule declaration process. I won’t go into the details, but it MAY be a model for consideration in the future. I’m not advocating abandoning drag racing for autocross.

Some time back, there was a string about cost to build a stocker. If memory serves, it went something like $20K after the body price. I cannot imagine anyone spending that kind of money to autocross. Sure, some people show up with new Porsches and Corvettes, but most of them are late model pony cars or economy cars. Under the index for under a grand type builds are normal. See Grassroots Motorsports Magazine 2016 Challenge for details. (build your car for $2016 and drag, autocross and show it for points).

Give some thought to comparing Stock NHRA/IHRA to “Street” class (no longer called stock) in SCCA. Street is more like IHRA pure stock and keeps costs under control. This is racing your commuter car. The rulebook is online at http://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules (unlike NHRA where you have to buy a rulebook).

Tire rules have changed driving the cost of tires for most from $1000 a set, lasting usually a year of autocross only to about $600 a set and you can commute with them and they last about a year. An SCCA “Street Prepared” class car (comparable to an NHRA Stocker but without the internal engine work including cams) will run about $5000 in modifications and are usually trailered because the suspensions are so stiff. Street Prepared use DOT slicks at about $1000 a set. Cars are classified based on level of modification and performance potential. From running a stock economy car to running a formula car, there is a place for just about everything (not necessarily a competitive place, but that is class racing). If you like to build cars, there are builder classes.

Basically street class means 200 treadwear tires, double adjustable shocks and sway bar substitutions. No headers, must have pollution controls and stock SIZE wheels. Most cars that means Koni shocks/struts at about $1K, and a $200 sway bar. I don’t run konis, I run the stock shock. (what you drive isn’t going to get the win, nor will mods. It’s HOW you drive that will get the win.) As with stock drag racing, there is plenty to “adjust” in the suspension that will make an enormous difference.

Now, those of you that are heavily invested both financially and emotionally in the current drag race model will refute considering a change in the way drag racing is run and I respect that. Those of you that see that the current race model has problems may want to consider a different way of doing business. Look around, there are plenty of organizations to observe. On the other hand, bracket racing has been a successful model too.

All the best,
Jeff Laferty

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

After a two hour phone conversation with Scooter Peaco I feel that IHRA will do all they can to continue the Sportsman and Class Racing program for 2017. With that said there are many concerns. One concern, and probably the biggest is car count. If the car counts continue the downward spiral then it becomes harder and harder to sell the Pro Am program to track managers.No track owner or manager wants to lose money. They cant stay in business that way. If they can't make a profit they can't justify the payouts. IHRA and NHRA payouts are the same.IHRA is cheaper to race with than NHRA. The overheads are pretty close to the same, so if IHRA doesn't take in as much or more through race fees at their races it's harder for them to continue. Lets face it, no longer does spectator gate fees pay for anything! When was the last time you saw more than a few "butts in the seat" at any race, IHRA or NHRA. Most are family or crew. So the number of racers that show up is even more important. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out.

I'd be only speculating if I told you why IRG hired Mike Dunn to head the IHRA. Was it to draw more Pro racers? Was it because of his organizational skills? I don't know. Only Mike and IGA knows what the deal was there. I am convinced now that it wasn't to gut the Association. There is no doubt IHRA has fallen on tough times. We ALL have! But like most of us everybody has a boss. He must follow the wishes of the mother company or hit the road as been done before. This brings up the question of the Drag Review Magazine. IRG has told Dunn that they do not think it is a necessary expense. So it is gone. Neither Peaco or Dunn are happy about it and told me they fought it. They lost! We lost! And no you will not get a refund. Period. It is possible it could come back in digital form only. I said possible. It's a maybe at best. This is wrong! We all know it. Peaco and Dunn agree with that! IRG said NO!

Now, about next season. As things stand today, the season will go forward as planned. Scooter is starting to work on gathering the tracks together to plan races and dates. But as I stated earlier, everything depends on which tracks want to continue with the Pro Am format. That depends on if he can sell them that program with the low car counts we have been experiencing. Will they take the chance on us? We must show them we want to race! Don't fool yourself. This is no different than NHRA! You want a place to race? You have to show the track owners by showing up! You make your own destiny. If you don't get out and race, you can't sit at home and bitch about it! This goes for IHRA,NHRA and your local S/SS Associations!

The rest of the IHRA season will go on as planned for sure. The people at Summit have a contract to to see to that! Thank you Summit! Hopefully they will be back next year. The World Finals will go on as planned also. Once again Summit will be sure of that.

With all of that said, if you have more questions about IHRA, Scooter has said to feel free to call or email him. (ihra.com)(contact us). He said he will do his best to answer you. If you don't feel comfortable doing that (you shouldn't) feel free to contact me and I will try to help.
Once again, if you don't make an effort to get out and race, you can't bitch! Jim


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Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Pinballer had some valid points, most first time spectators do not grasp the handicap start system, much less the 90 classes with their throttle stops etc. I often thought that the announcers could help in that area, by explaining briefly, the differences between classes or class racing and bracket racing. I'm a poor drag race spectator, mostly because I have been a race for many years. BUT If we can make the sport more understandable for the fans to watch, and they fill the stands every week end as they did years ago, perhaps the current problems at IHRA would not exist! Just my two cents on the subject!

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I think the sanctioning bodies and the track operators need to do more to get butts in the seats. I knew a dirt track operator up north who ADVERTISED the races locally - radio and TV - and ran promotions for discounted tickets. The ticket prices charged to see a NHRA/IHRA divisional are way to high, not family friendly. I'd rather have 100 spectators at 5 bucks a head than 10 at 20. How about 25 bucks a carload? As the dirt track operator told me, you can't sell a hot dog to an empty seat.
The NHRA Divisional at Charlotte was not advertised at all, not even on their website. The Charlotte track had no information on schedules, run times or ticket prices.And there were only a few food truck vendors there, no track operated vendors at all.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

If IHRA wants to increase car counts they should start by increasing their contingency program. I mean hardly any of us do this for money but we do weigh it into how far and where we will travel. I think I can earn $400 for a win at a Pro Am, that is rediculous. Somebody needs to get to work on this.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Good point!
My Daughters will go an buy a nice inexpensive plain looking dress.
Then spend $hundreds assessorizing and they just look outstanding!
Shotgun outstanding ;)

First thing...Good food, maybe invite some of those classy food trucks or local resturants that can cater. Always need clean restrooms, especially for the girls. Then a bit of attractive entertainment, booths with cool things to do, shut down at 10 pm and show a movie. Bring in a local Band. There is a lot of tension at the track especially for racers.
Got to have fun with a bit of down time.
Sure there are some amateur musicians that can bring their instruments for open Mike!
Charge $5 and moderate prices for beverages and food. Have little cute things to buy and some memorabilia give a ways!
If they liked the experience they will be back next year with a friend

Question to ask:
What can be done to bring in the non racer?
First thing people have to know about it.
So proper aggressive advertising.
What kind..? Inexpensive..
Contact local Public Schools and colleges
Local radio and invite the radio station to broadcast.
Has to be a WIIFM concept!
What benefit will they see attending the races?

The ProAm should be the dress!
Then assessorize!

D

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Try explaining to a first-time spectator how a driver left the starting line first and got to the finish line first ended up losing the race.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

IHRA needs to do something to help out the tracks that have pro-am's and also do something to try to get a few more to have them.

I have a few ideas:

1.)How about having a database of racers that spectators or prospective spectators could access from an app, track website, or through IHRA or motormania that has a little bio about the racers and the cars. You could give history of your car, a little about your self, what it took to get where you are at, how far you came to race at the track, etc. I am not talking about sharing any real PII, just some notes so the fans know about you and your car. Any new or prospective fans are going to be tech savy now and they need to be able to play on their phones during the race.
You can't expect announcers to know a lot about every car. They know the ones they see all the time, but not from all racers.

2.a) Let tracks still have bracket races the weekends of their points meets, but do it in a manner that doesn't make track officials and operators work from 7am to 2am to get tech and a race finished.
Consider a pre-entered and pre-paid 32 car field in box and no box. It can be locals, or pro-am guys too if they wish to commit. Tracks could also offer it to the top 16 or 32 in their local points system as sort of a bonus

2.b.) for the tracks that run the doubles, why not see if there is interest in running 1 time trial then racing the first pro-am Friday evening. Start at 3 or 4 pm. Most people are there anyway. Have the 2nd race on Saturday. Have the above bracket race from idea 2a above on Saturday too. That would leave Sunday for rain make up or a travel home day.

2.c.) If 2b is adopted, then the track could have a regular race day for them or street cars, or something like that on Sunday. This way, they are still having something for their local folks in addition to the Pro-Am racers.

3.) How about IHRA having a BBQ or something on Saturday night. There are caterers or folks with food trucks, or portable cookers most everywhere that could come in. Some folks I work with that have horses do this about once a month in the summer when they ride. They have all their horse trailers in a field, and after a day riding, they bring in a person to have a big BBQ.
If IHRA can't get any businesses to sponsor it, just ask for $5 donations from racers to help pay for it. Most racers at pro-ams either stay at the track, or wouldn't mind staying for a dinner if it was available. Offer it to any fans as well.

4.) track operators also have to put a little effort in to get at least a few people in the stands. They aren't all going to be Bill Bader types, but they at least need to make an effort to get some people in the stands. Offer free or cheap admission to local first responders and their families, car clubs, boy scouts, girl scouts, 4H, do at least minimal advertising on radio or at local "hangouts" ( McDonald's, Ice Cream shops, etc.)

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

We find that pretty easy to do, just tell them if you had a college athlete running a foot race against a grammar school student, the grammar school student is going to get a head start based upon the times both claim they can run the race in. To keep them both honest they can't run quicker than they claimed. If one runs quicker than they claimed they lose. If both run the race quicker than they claimed, the individual who ran quicker by the largest margins looses.

The delay box concept is understood so quickly they ask if people cheat with it in classes where it is illegal.
Throttle stops? Even car guys who attend don't understand the concept of the throttle stop!

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

This is what I have been stressing for years! Where is that rabbit loving blowhard to tell us we are all wrong and everything is peachy keen?
We all miss Bill Bader....

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

In the past a racer could win a purse for an NHRA national event that may have been equal to what he had in his racecar...

I know that to be true because I did win a National event and know what I won...vs what my car was worth...

A points race was also worth probably at least double what it is today....and that was in the 1980's so it really is way more than double with todays costs...

Today that is NOT happening and not even close. Contingency $$$ has been the real problem.....and there are varied reasons why companies dropped out.....

The track operators need to make a profit sure....but as has been written many times the cost to compete has skyrocketed.......in all categories...

Your potential return is pitiful and it is driving the sport into the dirt from everyones point of view......

Class racers like to bash .90 racers or bracket racers it seems sometimes. The sport needs everyone and bracket racers that ran the .90 classes helped drive things up. Car counts.....revenue.....contingency sponsors....

The 1960's left the building folks !!! And the car culture is aging out....

The sport has become too expensive and the people participating has shrunk at most every level...

Look at the number of cars that DO show up and compete at the High $$$ bracket events and some draw very big car counts....ask why do they show up in sellout numbers.....real simple...

PAYOUTS.......giveaways.....free BBQ's and things like that.......that was all part of big events years ago.....by the HRA's.....

Today you're lucky if you get a thanks for coming.....

NHRA has always been the only choice in my area.......except for a few tracks that tried IHRA and even some other sanctions years ago..

I always hoped IHRA could expand in my area and succeed.....competition maybe would make things better for both HRA's.....never happened

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Hi guys,

One of my gripes, and I am told that I have many, is that the NHRA rules never remain static......

Years ago when you finished building a car, it was finished......

Now the rules get "updated" (I mean more expensive) every year and sometimes even more frequently......

All this does is increase the cost, without return, for everybody....

When everybody has the trick of the week, it's not a trick anymore...

I could make list of the changes, but it would run for several pages and we would still end where we started. Only with less $$$$$$$$$......

Bob

PS:
If IHRA had a presence on the West Coast I would race there too........

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

You make a very good point, Mike. Yes, advertising does cost a lot these days, but without it nobody knows when these events happen. I remember Sunday, Sunday, Sunday on the radio in the old days. Most local events are so poorly attended that the stands are basically empty. At our local track (Pacific Raceways) we had a Stock Super Stock Combo as part of the Super Saturday program. Many cars there to participate, but only 50 or so people in the stands. On Sunday was a nostalgia show with AA/G cars (high 6's @ over 200) and many other very cool cars and a car show. Spectators in the stands - best count I got was maybe 100. Again most were, probably, friends and family of the racers. No advertising for this event and so much to see and hear.
Another point that has been brought up is the cost of food and beverage. Very few racers eat track food because of cost and quality. For the cost of 1 meal at the track ($15) I brought food to cover the whole weekend and still had leftovers. The cost for spectators has to be reasonable to fill the stands.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

A while back, most everyone was saying 'why doesn't the NHRA make the new 'factory stock' cars the new Pro Stock'. Maybe the IHRA should consider doing this.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

In 2001 (I think, maybe 2002), I attended the IHRA Empire Nationals in NY. My brother and I both a stock eliminator cars. Neither of them were very competitive but being in that environment was worth the entry fee. 25k people in a weekend!!! Top fuel dragsters, alcohol funny cars, pro stock and pro mods!!!!! We were the little guys but the sportsman racers were still relevant at that race. What happened to all of that? Clay Millican, Paul Romine, Shannon Jenkins in the pro mod Camaro, AL Billes. These guys were awesome. Fletcher was there with both cars (seeing as how he lives about 30 min from the track) and a bunch of other heavy hitters in stock and super stock, It literally felt like an NHRA full blown national event. Whats ironic is I looked at the qualifying sheet I found in our Camaro as I was restoring it last winter...and there were tons of racers from all over the east coast running stock and super stock. We need to get this type of atmosphere back. Sportsman need the pro cars and the pro cars need the sportsman cars, or else there wont be anything to show up to.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

If your in racing to make money you should find another sport. Fletcher is probably the only one who makes money racing.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Ed, you misunderstood what I am saying. I'm saying if I do win a race it would be nice to at least win enough to cover my cost for the weekend.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Thank's Jim Wahl for your efforts of getting the facts.

Jim Reynolds goes farther back than I do in IHRA,but I say he would or will agree with me when I say IHRA has NEVER got back to where it was before Billy Meyer crashed it,there has been a bunch of good people worked hard to try to get it back there,IMO only ones that got close were Jim Ruth,his health ended that and Bill Bader, I believe both had IHRA close to the Larry Carrier days.
I think another thing that has hurt is splitting it into divisions, I believe it would be stronger without the divisions,go for quality rather than quantity.
I think the track operator takes all the financial hit if a race doesn't have a good turn out,from what I understand IHRA gets their money if no one shows up,if you want to get racers and operators to get on board,racers need a chance to win more than they lose for the time off work or win more than it cost them to get there and back and the operator needs a partner that is willing to share the financial burden,why would I have a race that cost me over 10K to put on for a organization and I would be the one that loses if doesn't go well and they don't risk anything???
I love IHRA,in KY we had 4-6 races within 2-4 hours, last few years closest thing to me is 7-8 hours away and if I won one day I would about break even for the weekend,even a hillbilly can do that math,not that I expect to ever make money,but at least like to feel like it is somewhat worthwhile.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Just because the sport is expensive doesn't mean that the purse shouldn't be a factor at all.

Last year I lost 5th round of a 6-round race and got $150 on a $160 entry. That should be a crime. The incentive for showing up is points toward a championship and I enjoy that style of racing on occasion, but it certainly isn't a smart business decision to attend.

Myself and most on this forum are fortunate that we don't need to make money with the racing operation, but many folks do and they can't attend these races which leads to low car counts and panic.

I really enjoyed running IHRA in the early 2000s when they had a nice collection of D5 tracks in Iowa and Illinois.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Gold rush is over.Even Dan said so in latest interview Get with the program NHRA. Racing is supposed to be fun it is what you make it

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

You are correct. $400.00 won't pay for your diesel and race entry many weekends.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

In my humble opinion one thing that hurts also is where most tracks are located. I live in New Orleans and the three tracks around here are in the middle of nowhere especially no problem. State Capitol is somewhat close to Baton Rouge and they can get a decent spectator turnout from time to time. Neighbors and noise complaints have problems for years in drag racing but when you have to put tracks so far out its tough to draw spectators even when big markets are only 40-60 miles away. Someone w vision and deep pockets needs to build an indoor dragstrip. Never any rainouts and you could have a race every day of the week.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

The last pro am that I won paid $1200.00 purse and I had $700 contingency. That was last year.. Cost me about $800 for entry, race gas and fuel for the truck.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

In the '80s Roxboro Dragway ALWAYS close to 80 super stockers whenever they had the combos and the stands were mostly full. On Easter, it was standing room only and we were handicap racing! The spectators ALL knew about handicap because they were taught about it's particulars-great announcers took care of that! Also, I never see flyers anymore at the local parts stores...it's not rocket science!

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Right on brother, they definitely hurt themselves splitting it into divisions! I told my friend Larry Coppock, when they did that they were probably shooting themselves in the foot. AND this playoff bulls#it just hurt it badly! I gave it a chance and will still support it and them because I grew up with IHRA and love them to death...even if Robert Leonard and Robert Kinton did tear me down almost every other week...lol!!! I would also like to thank Jim Wahl for caring and his effort on this...we're all brothers and sisters in this! I pray IHRA makes it

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I remember back in 2005,The I.H.R.A. had 15 national events,they ran class eliminators also,a format the same as N.H.R.A.,,the contingency money was outstanding,for example Dan Fletcher won Super Stock at the AC Delco Can Nats at cayuga ,ont,canada,his end of contingency for that event was $10,000.00,now if they all paid ,dont no,but case being ,.I.H.R.A .was a solid entity ,what the f happed to that deal ,something destroyed it, All info is in the contingency sec on the site,

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Jim-----People don't believe me when I tell them that . When they had those races there you were treated like royalty. Rosining the track like Ronny Sox was booked in. The amount of spectators was unbelievable and knowledgeable about what was going on. I remember Sonny Shipmon paying me in cash fives tens and twenties from a wad that would choke a horse. Said he had a great turnout thanked me for coming and then had a big black dude that barely fit in my truck escort me out. Can't believe it's come to this.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Interesting distinction...
I like it when the races are identified as National or Divisional.
ProAm just does not cut it. NitroJam is just as confusing.
Like dating a girl inviting her over to see your Cyclone Fence :rolleyes:
I know IHRA is trying to be different.
Think the Specators say HUH?
Who wants to see Amatures?

Also like the distinction Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall Nationals.
Wide World of Sports always made these exciting!
Would add a Canadian/USA Nationals, Rocky Nationals, Appalachain Nationals, Southern Nationals, East Coast Nationals...and so on!

They all should be distinctive and "Sponsored by" but do not use the Sponsor as the Top Billing!
It tells the Spectators and racers a lot with a few words.

IMHO What we have now is not working!

Dan

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I understand........ive never won any contingency money so I wouldn't know lol.....

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Had many very enjoyable weekends attending IHRA races with Carol and Tom Rix, made many friends along the way. Thanks for the anecdote with Sonny, I can picture him peeling the bills, a very nice guy. In IHRA Div 5 there were always low car counts, for some reason folks seemed to rather spend 3 or 4 days at an NHRA Division race than attend an IHRA event. I forget his last name, but the young IHRA starter Bill always did his best to have the track in excellent shape.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Why would a college athlete race a grammar school student?

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I would like to thank all of you who posted comments and suggestions on this matter and tell you that I know Scooter has seen this as well as my interview on WheelzUp Radio last Wednesday night. I am in the process of combining your suggestions into an email to send him for reference for future board meetings. Scooter acknowledges that your opinions do matter to him and Mike Dunn.

Once again, thanks to all of you who had opinions and comments and to those of you who have not posted anything but have something to say, please do! We can not afford to lose such a large Drag Racing venue as the IHRA! You can post here or email me. Thanks! Jim


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Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Why is it always assumed that spectators can't understand handicap drag racing? Golf has handicaps. Bowling has handicaps. Those sports aren't lacking for participants and spectators.

Also, any form of racing with a major "show" aspect will draw many times more than "participant" events. NASCAR does not dilute it's race weekends with Hobby Stock or Bomber classes. Perhaps its time that NHRA completely reconfigures the format of national events to reach the modern audience, while still offering a venue for some form of sportsman participation.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

When I'm announcing everyone understands what's going on. I make it a point to to make it clear, and to make it fun. Spectators are always thanking me so I know I'm doing it right.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Handicapped bowling LOOKS exactly the same as bowling without handicaps. Handicapped golf also, looks identical to "scratch" (?) golf.

Handicapped drag racing looks NOTHING like heads-up drag racing.

It LOOKS like one of the drivers wasn't paying attention.

Some folks say it isn't even drag racing.

There's a reason that NO Professional categories feature elapsed time handicaps.and, I believe it has everything to do with visual appeal.

The alternative to what we have now in the Sportsman ranks, is NO "Eliminators," and class-racing only, where everything is heads-up with no competition between different classes of cars, and a much smaller payout (than an Eliminator) for a class win.... That totally-different way of doing things would have to have begun back in the '60s before they started combining different classes for one "prize" winner. The payouts would never have been very large, so the big-money Stockers and Super Stockers with expensive parts and modifications would never have been built (no motive) and the result might have been that, now, almost anyone could afford a race car.

The "Eliminator" money would have been split up and dispensed to the class-winners. There would be NO ...... Eliminator winners.

But, that didn't happen, so, we have what we have; a "hobby," the entry-level of which requires an expenditure that includes $400.00-worth of tires, and a cash layout of at least $15,000.00 for a car and ancillary equipment, and that is for a bare-bones budget.

In this economy, the number of people who are willing to part with that amount of cash for a "hobby", is small, indeed.

It didn't have to be that way... but, it is.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I'll have to take a closer look at handicapping in other sports to see if my analogy still stands up.

I'm currently reading "Super Stock: Drag Racing The Family Sedan", which covers the early to mid-60s in great detail. At National Events, Fridays and Saturdays were set aside for class racing, while Sundays featured an eliminator for the top-50 cars regardless of class. Perhaps that would work again.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

Here ya go. Got this email from Ihra division director Jon oneal so I'm sharing. Since jims post I've had people tell me they won't go to any Ihra events this year because since there folding up they don't want to lose there membership money.(?) come on your gonna take a $20,000 car and NOT race over $80 bucks? My brother in-law passed away Thursday and for this weekends pro am at capital in Maryland im gonna miss the first Q run sat but will be there to support this event. (the service is sat for my brother in-law) I, like a lot of racers have been sitting at home and they only to better which ever (the I or the N) you chose to run with, you need to support it. Travel safe see the ones who want to race Friday afternoon.

"Mr. Wahl didn't call me. He didn't call Josh or Frank, our other dds. He didn't call Skooter or Baker. He called the generic office line and got our graphic designer (turned receptionist after the mag went away). I won't pretend that I know what was said but here's what I do know and I'll gladly tell or share with anyone:

The powers that be have a plan for the whole of the IHRA that includes the home office living in Florida. That's no big secret and it's been the plan for a long time. It did mean that some of the staff had to make a tough decision. The most important part of the plan to our sportsman racers is that Baker, Skooter and I (because I live in the area I work) will be staying in Norwalk in a small satellite office just like our other Division Directors. I'm not sure how important it is to a message board theorist that we won't be near where we store a years worth of glue, oil dry or park the National Event semis, but it is what it is. Maybe it matters what zip code you call to renew your membership.

The great news in my eyes and what I'm genuinely excited about is that it leaves us without the burden of spending too much time in the D1 (moniker for the new top fuel and professional program) series. It lets us go back to spending a majority of our time on the Summit ProAm Tour and Summit SuperSeries. Know that everyone above my paygrade that I've dealt with in the organization, personally in one-on-one conversations and in meetings, including Mike Dunn and even the CEO that hired Mike understand that we're doing good things with sportsman and don't want to mess with it. They see the value in the hard work and the history. They want to see it grow as much as we do.

As far as next year, we're in the same exact place we would be in any other season at this time. We have every intention of not only continuing but growing the series just like every year. Do we have commitments from tracks and sponsors... some. I'd bet we have approximately the same numbers we did in July last year. We plan to release the schedule around the same time as last year after careful deliberation of placement and format. More importantly, right now, we're invested in the races we are currently operating and doing everything we can to make those smooth, fun and successful for the racers and track operators. If someone doesn't want to partake in that due to a forum post it will break my heart.

We are invested in this as individuals. You know better than most that we have to love this industry to commit our lives to it. We will do everything in our power to grow this thing. The sportsman racers are our customers and every decision we make revolves around them. Could someone say "enough is enough" and turn the lights off... sure. But that possibility has always been there. Through the 5 owners I've seen it's always been in the back of racers minds. But know than I'm genuinely excited to simply be an asset to the pro program with Baker and Skooter as opposed to being heavily involved in it. We'll have the ability to spend a larger majority of our time on the programs that will carry class racing into a better light. It's honestly heartbreaking that someone would consider airing their unconfirmed theory in such a derogatory manner and labeling it a call to action for support. That's exactly the maneuver that's caused the fear in the minds of racers. Those racers decide the babble has backing and don't show and it's a self fulfilling prophecy. I appreciate your ability to contact someone who may have some actual knowledge on the matter at hand.

Please feel free to let people know your new "inside info" and let them know they can always call us and ask anything they'd like. Just ask them to try and use a little forethought as to which questions they direct to which people. That's what your Division Director is for.

As always, feel free to let me know if there's anything I can do. "

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I am in Oklahoma and we need more race tracks close to us and more events. When I bought my stoker it was more for ihra than NHRA . I don't have the budget for both.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

It is breakouts that are the problem. They understand one racer getting a head start. They have trouble when's car crosses the finish line first and loses.

Re: Is IHRA Going Under?
 

I am a class racers since 1966. (Less Army time and raising a family). Many ideas have been tried by NHRA to keep our sport moving forward. Countless times on this forum, we have criticized the fuel cars..me included. But, let's face the reality, spectators don't go to races to watch us. We can wheel stand to half track and to spectators "it is cool " but we don't go 300 MPH.

NASCAR has had spectator issues lately, but still draw countless thousands of spectators.....we don't. A NASCAR car probably costs less than some of our Super Stock cars (arguably )......and they make thousands just for qualifying, Spectators go to NASCAR races to see "their man". In our sport our man is John Force....like it or not.

When we, as sportsman racers, go racing....frequently family and friends go to watch. Only to watch us run early in the morning then late in the afternoon. How boring is that for a spectator?

This is what I recommend trying. Call it what you want, but for the sake of conversation, I'll call it endurance race. Our class cars will not work well but our cars with cheaper engines would........first endurance class needs to dial less than 10.50. Qualify to 10.00. Full body cars, no tube cars....No throttle stops or electronics. Double elimination. Return directly to the staging area, round robin. Probably on 3 minutes between rounds. Tire pressure and coolant change only.....in front of the grand stands.

Would probably take 10 to 12 rounds and keep their man and car in front of spectators. Do the same for faster than 9.00,, including dragsters..... best 2 of 3 for finals....10k to win. Am I stupid?

If this is redundant, I am sorry. Never heard it suggested before.