Originally Posted by Steve1118 (Post 547284)

What world do you live in? When we ran class, to rebuild a torqueflite we went to NAPA and got a rebuild kit. Now, one has to have some 'trick' trans with 904 innards that will not last. I've got a good pal with a Stocker Ford that has more money in his heads than I have in a complete NSS 426 Hemi motor. He also has a 3K converter and some kind of trick transmission that cost thousands. At 65, I don't event WANT to get into that. Who can blame anyone for not wanting to sleep in the pickup? That may be part of the problem, why the counts are so low.

Most guys also have families, and there are other priorities in life than having a 'competitive class car'. Like bills.

You might want to think about what you say before you say it.

Originally Posted by 1347 (Post 547308)

Im a little lost, during the crate motor discussion, it was brought up that at IHRA races, less than 20 SS and Stockers show up at races, so though it sucks that IHRA got rid of class racing, someone said the writing was on the wall due to low car counts. In div1 NHRA divisionals, we get close to 100 Stockers, and 75 or so Super Stockers. At the Dutch Classic, we had 124 Stockers, at 170 per entry, that's over 27,000 in entries, to pay 2000 to the winner ( Gold Rush and ATI put up money also)
I'm not sure where the bean counters are gonna say thats a money loser. I dont know any bracket racer that would pay a 170.00 entry fee to win 2000.00. I'm sorry for you IHRA guys, but with the field size, and filling quotas fast at National events, no-one can say that the lack of participants will kill NHRA class racing as was said about IHRA class racing last week prior to the bad news

Originally Posted by Cdncarnut (Post 547319)

So, Steve, therein lies your problem. You don't "want" to spend the money on your car, would rather complain about the expenses and live in luxury at the track.
I sleep in my trailer, cook on a Coleman stove and tow a budget trailer with a 1/2 ton pickup. I have more money in my car than in my support equipment as I want to race competitively.
My current upgrade, a new engine, has already cost me almost as much as I paid for the car, 3 years ago.
I have a simple job and am not far behind you in age.
Life is about choices. I choose to race. You choose to complain?

Originally Posted by Marc White (Post 547331)

Sure is a bad day for the class racers. Not surprised though. When the IHRA hired Chris Lencheski as the boss it has been a steady downhill slide that was gaining speed daily. They finally sent him packing and now the cut everything to keep whats left afloat has begun. He single handily ruined everything they had. There is an Interview with Scott Gardner about his time there as president. More geared towards the Pro side of things but gives you an idea on the mess over there. http://dragracingonline.com/scott-ga...innerview.html Hope other organizations help with places for class guys to race.

Originally Posted by Mike Jones (Post 547338)

it looks like the exclusivity class racers have enjoyed with large associations, since the beginning, could be coming to an end. There were some great posts in this thread about the many factors involved. IHRA/Summit deal is going to accommodate drag racers who spend their money at Summit,purchasing the latest technology.
You can buy all the parts, aluminum everything, right off the shelf.
in your pajamas.
They populate the local tracks all over, for the past few decades.
if they have numbers, it looks like its their turn.
Money talks.

Mike A114

Originally Posted by EricArrow (Post 547358)

I'd be scared to look at the receipts I have from Summit over the last five years....my wife would be even more so. Class racers spend money too.....heck I bracket race quite a bit also. We made our bed. I understand IHRA's logic...they tried. I think after Bader bailed and IHRA has yet to be owned by a interest that really cared about drag racing the writing is on the wall. Truthfully I don't expect IHRA to make it even with just bracket racing and that's a sad deal. Maybe we can buy it and roll like the Green Bay Packers...lol

Originally Posted by Bunkster (Post 547368)

Within this web site….

http://classracer.com/magazine/?p=6037

…is piece entitled “THE FUTURE OF STOCK ELIMINATOR IS IN YOUR HANDS” from last April.

Down in the comments from a Robert Cooper, is a biting, painful yet probably accurate description of this stock/super stock subject:

“Exactly who and where are these fans that relate?

While seemingly exciting for those that participate, and maybe even for family and friends that go along, this is an arcane endeavor that even the sanction tolerates for one reason and one reason only, competitors pay and pay.

Regardless of what the sanctioning body and equipment suppliers/builders choose to foist upon these regulars, they continue to show up, essentially to hang with the others that choose to show up and continue drag racing in this spectrum. Subsequent to spending massive amounts of money in some cases, many Stock racers have very little motivation to win the event they enter. If it happens, that’s wonderful but certainly not the main reason they attend. Qualifying at or near the the top is already a victory to many that compete. Beating a car next to you that happens to have the same letters on the window is another relished accomplishment. Never mind that drivers are making incredible efforts not perform at the maximum level the vehicle can achieve. No other racing option/sanction offers the credibility in the mind of the Stock racer and in support of this, they’re even on the same grounds with the big guy’s in many cases.

Nope. There aren’t any fans and quite frankly, you’ll never see facilities crowded simply to watch this class. I certainly enjoy watching Stock, although the definition of the term has gone far astray from its original intent and maybe not for the betterment of the class. watching Stock on Television will never offer any appeal. These cars are SLOW! Even the Factory cars are pooches after viewing the pro junk, using whatever name they associate with this kind lit grenade.

Keep in mind that many attendees that arrive to watch the mayhem displayed by these absurd pro category vehicles arrive in cars that can outperform cars competing in Stock Eliminator.

Stock was a gas. Now it’s faster that the Gasser’s……… and Modified’s and Pro Stocks of not all that long ago.

Enjoy track picnicking with friends of many years and enjoy a few passes from time to time as well but don’t deceive yourselves with regard to the appeal of Stock. Only the racers themselves give a hoot and the sanction is constantly seeking ways to rid themselves of the pain this group imparts on them. If only they could replace the revenue.”

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone (Post 547373)

A lot to disagree with here. I'll have to take it in stages.

When we did our nostalgic events, we always ran a S/SS combo too.
I would talk to people in between our events, and invariably, they'd ask if the Super Stockers would be back next time .
I never once had anyone ask if the Hot Rod II (no box) bracket cars would be back next time.
Just who are these spectators that are going to bail out the new IHRA? No box, 1/8 mile fans? I think not. So , in reality, are they just looking for big car counts?
This kind of thinking is c***-eyed, in my opinion.
Take a look at the Hot Rod Reunion or the South East Gassers' spectators count.
Yes , they're based on nostalgia, but then look at the demographic group that has the money to spend, as spectators.

Originally Posted by boxmotorsports (Post 547288)

This is terrible news for sure. But, shame on us as a Stock/Super Stock community for not supporting IHRA. IHRA welcomed us with open arms to run double events and virtually NO ONE showed up. I went to US131, Empire and Pittsburg this summer and the car counts at these IHRA-sanctioned races were unbelievably low.
Just last week I had a lengthy conversation with Scooter Peco from IHRA and he expressed the frustration from their end with the low car counts in Stock and Super Stock, as well as the other sportsman classes. No one can expect sponsors to continue to hand over money to classes when the car counts are so low.
Twenty years ago we started the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Association and it has continued to thrive and grow as a local series. I also raced a Great Lakes Stock/Super Stock race at Milan this year. They, too, are continuing to grow. I know other similar associations exist all over the United States and Canada.
I suggest that we build on the strength of these independent, smaller associations by bringing them loosely together under the umbrella of the IHRA or NMCA, or whatever sanctioning body can make use of this idea. This could happen by allowing each regional association to have one or two sanctioned events, using the sanctioning body's points system to accumulate points towards one national champion at the end of the season. For example, in Division 3, include two races for the Buckeye Series, two races for the GLSSSA and two for the Can-Am S/SS Series,as part of each association's regular schedule. From these races, a Division Champion could be crowned wherever the sanctioning body holds its finals.
This idea wouldn't cost a sanctioning body any major money, but would strengthen both sides of the relationship.

Doug Box

Originally Posted by Dave Turner (Post 547383)

Mark, the fans love entertainment value and I can attest to the fact that the Southeast Gassers serve it up large! We saw their show in Myrtle Beach last year and will probably take it in again this coming weekend. Fifteen bucks admission, all the unpredictable action you can handle, cool car names and.....BUGS!! The announcing is captivating and the cars are well prepared for the most part. My wife loved it, and that says it all. Who wouldn't want to cheer for a '56 Chevy called the "One Gone Dawg"?? :p

Originally Posted by Chris1529 (Post 547365) As a rule bracket racers do not travel to race. I don't see bracket racers supporting a 20 race series that you have to travel to compete. It will be interesting to see what this new format looks like when they finally announce the details.

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz (Post 547394)

Chris, I can't find the source of that quote, so I'll quote your quote of it. :)

There are certainly already more than 20 independent big money ("$10,000 to win" level) ET events scheduled through the year. Enough to consider creating an umbrella series of "national events" to bring them together for a championship.

As to whether Bracket Racers will travel to them, I'll bring up what happened at the Fall Fling in Bristol. For Friday's "$50,000 to win" race I counted 249 individual drivers entered (disregarding multiple entries or buy-backs). The drivers represented 29 different states and provinces, with 50 from NC and more than 20 each from PA, TN & VA). There are probably just a handful of LODRS races, and only one NHRA national event (Indy), that had as many overall combined SS & Stk entries.

Originally Posted by BKSG1198 (Post 547417)

I read in an article that it might return in 2019....problem is you've already dug yourself a hole with the racers and the turnout might be lower then before.

Originally Posted by BKSG1198 (Post 547417)

I read in an article that it might return in 2019....problem is you've already dug yourself a hole with the racers and the turnout might be lower then before.

Originally Posted by BKSG1198 (Post 547441)

It popped up on one of those Facebook Drag Racing sites...tried to find it but, no luck. Basically the title stated "IHRA discontinues sportsman racing, goes to all bracket format, rumored to return to sportsman series in 2019". Not sure if the author was just trying to stir the pot cause the article didn't mention anything about 2019.

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl (Post 547064)

Scooter Peaco, IHRA V.P. is quoted in an email to state that "IHRA will be an all bracket racing oriented organization".
.

Originally Posted by mopar68 (Post 547453)

If memory serves me correct, isn't this what Billy Meyer did when he was president of IHRA?

"IHRA headquarters briefly moved to Waco, Texas in 1988 after it was purchased by Texan racer and track operator Billy Meyer who made many changes to the organization, some of which proved controversial amongst racers such as completely restructuring the sportsman classes overnight."

--Wikipedia

Originally Posted by high winder (Post 547419)

What will happened to Good Old Charlie Brown one of the best...

Originally Posted by Ron E (Post 547448)

Highwinder,
Good old Charlie Brown has been running with the Gear Jammers for a few years. And, doing quite well too.

Originally Posted by BKSG1198 (Post 547417)

I read in an article that it might return in 2019....problem is you've already dug yourself a hole with the racers and the turnout might be lower then before.

Originally Posted by BKSG1198 (Post 547441)

It popped up on one of those Facebook Drag Racing sites...tried to find it but, no luck. Basically the title stated "IHRA discontinues sportsman racing, goes to all bracket format, rumored to return to sportsman series in 2019". Not sure if the author was just trying to stir the pot cause the article didn't mention anything about 2019.

Originally Posted by Dan Lattimore (Post 547488)

I know this is localized but you have to start somewhere. I can see the CCRA picking up all the Sportsman classes dropped by the IHRA and putting on their own three day show. I would be happy to send in my IHRA membership dues and entry fees to the CCRA and I bet a lot of others would too. You could probably get Danny and the old IHRA crew to come work the race . RACERS running the show----Imagine that. ------ Someone brought up the Southeastern Gassers and the Gear Jammers where Mike runs the Good Ole Charley Brown. Go check out their sites , they know how to promote a good old fashioned drag race with lots of wheel stands and they pack the house. Looks like a lot of fun and at 73 I still have the fire and desire to bang on a 4 speed. Point is things have changed a lot since my first drag race in 1959 and if we want to race we have to get creative. -----

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl (Post 547490)

Where did you read this? I can tell you with no doubt, Class Racing will never return the the IHRA unless the Association is sold to someone who likes us! Take it to the bank! Jim

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