Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Has no one noticed the "Win and You're In" part is gone. At least it's back to some form of a points chase.

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Yup, best three in each Division go to the TOC. Period. Good move. Jim


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Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

That is a GREAT thing. I'm not a fan of the T.O.C. format, and glad to see the 'win one race and you're in' part go away. Imagine this scenario:

A) Most of the typical IHRA racers (Beard, Piatek, Bertozzi, Cummings, Folk, Stillings, etc) support IHRA like they always do. Win a Nat'l or two, win a Div'l or two, and, under a normal points chase, would likely win the World Championship, or finish Top 5.

B) Meanwhile, someone goes to a TOC qualifier in June. Drives well, gets a break or two, and wins the race. That person is (or, was) in. So they choose not to race anymore IHRA that year, or get a new job that doesn't allow them to, etc. They go to the World Finals, again, drive well, catch a break or two, win the race and the so-called 'World Championship'. While the ones who supported IHRA get a .009 package laid on them first round, and don't even get a Top 10 number out of the deal.

That scenario, which easily could have happened, was my #1 beef with the TOC. Had the person in scenario B been me, I would have a hard time calling myself (or anyone) a "World Champion", having only attended two races all year, while drivers who WON 4-5 races don't get a 1-10 number. Actually, had I only ran the one TOC Qual race and won, I wouldn't have gone to the World Finals at all, and would have preferred to let the deserving drivers run for it.

I'm still not a TOC fan, but I admit I like the new 'Top 3 in each Division' rule much better. You have to support, and succeed, first, before getting to go run for the big prize.

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Mike your scenario has happened. I know racers that have won 1 race and attended 1 weekend won the TOC and were the World Champ. Here is a better account.
2010 I won the last Nitro Jam race at VMP which in fact was a qualifying race for 2011.
I then proceed to finish 8th in my division although I did compete in 20+ events ranging from divisionals,TOC, and NJ events. I would not have been in the TOC for 2011 if I had not won the final 2010 race. I won the 2011 TOC runoff to be crowned 2011 Hot Rod World Champ. Fast forward to 2012. I lost the Division Championship on the last weekend of the year by 5 points. I then went to Memphis as a Qualifier and got beat 1st rd. I was .008 10.898 to a .000 10.910. My opponent got bye to 6 cars and a top ten. I go home licking my wounds.
My take on this is I did everything I could. I won a World Championship under their rules and I lost one under those same rules. That being said. I like the Top 3 only rule thats the way it should have been all along.
Chip Johnson

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Are the Sportsman Spectacular races over?

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Who was it?

Anybody that can enter TWO races and WIN BOTH RACES (one of which was the TOC) is a pretty good driver.Maybe not a "World Champ" to some,but WINNING 2 out of 2 is pretty good!

From what I understand,they are over.Very little support.I am not surprised.There were 4 or less Super Stockers in San Antonio racing for $5,000 to win.

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

I hadn't seen it announced elsewhere yet, but I was just flipping through the 2013 IHRA Rulebook, and it says Top 3 in points in each Division get $2,000/$500/$250. That's a big step up! Thanks Summit & Amsoil.

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

442,
One comes to mind 2011 T/D champ won TOC at Richmond his home track then won VMP to be the champ. I'm sure there were others. I would have to research it.

Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Good deal! Now THAT is an enhancement! Jim


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Re: IHRA Pro-Am Schedule & D-1 Open Schedule
 

Can't say I'm shocked that Clay City is not on the schedule...they have been lacking cars for several years and last year was a complete joke, no cars, poorly run race, LOTS of unhappy racers.