Originally Posted by Mike Carr (Post 115110)

I think Larry's point that there are combinations never factory-produced permitted in Stock. I'm not a big fan of the Crates, but they are there and we have to run against them same as we do against NHRA-legal cars (meaning shoe polish). Never kept me home from an IHRA race, although some racers won't. Some "racers" (and I hesitate to use that word) still have the idea that if it's not an NHRA National or Divisional, it's not worth attending. Which always seemed stupid to me. There are good and bad points to both NHRA and IHRA, and probably just about every other racing series has their faults, even our own S/SS Associations that are around. It's nice to have the choice to run any/all that we want, even if we may not agree with certain aspects of the organization. Maybe some more folks will try IHRA this season and the future.

Originally Posted by Paul Precht (Post 114441)

Running IHRA was less of a challenge for me. My first IHRA Nat was at Epping and there were about 32 cars. I lost fourth round. My first NHRA Nat was the Keystones and I qualified 130 out of about 155 cars. I never got to run the show. They took one alternate and I sat there knowing I had to put up a much bigger fight to play this game.. Bigger challenge = more satisfaction, Paul.

Originally Posted by boster58 (Post 115145)

I like IHRA and all of the people involved . They treated all racers fairly and the rules were the same for everyone. With IHRA over the last few years the amount of races available has decreased to the point were it's hard to race a full schedule. I live in the Washington DC area and last year we attend ,both MIR races , Rockingham and Pittsburgh (4) . I also like 1/4 mile racing just a personal choice. With NHRA from where I live you have , Maple Grove (3), Atco (3) , Englishtown (2), Cecil County (1) all within 3 hours. Then you have Bristol (2), Norwalk (2) and Charlotte (1) all within 7hrs. then within 12 hours with NHRA you add another 10 racetrack to race at .

IHRA runs a good show and you can talk to the people running the show at the races , you cant do that at NHRA Tom Compton nor Danny Gracia will speak to you . Arron , Skooter and Mike Baker are in the pits talking to racer and anyone can speak to them and voice any concern they have . To me this is the big difference with IHRA s NHRA . IHRA just need more race to attend on the east coast and the racer will come and support them .

Bo Kenney

Originally Posted by Harry 6674 (Post 115244)

As there are no ihra tracks on the west coast I have not been to one of their races so I have a question. If two stockers from the same class race each other is first to the stripe wins or is it still shoe polish racing?

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek (Post 115265)

To elaborate a bit:

Like-classed cars in eliminations as well as the few events that have specified class eliminations are heads-up.

The World Fianals for the championship as well as the Summit All-Stars and Moser Axle Mania Shootouts are dial-in only. I believe that IHRA feels that after working all year (including possible heads-up runs), to qualify for them, the opportunity to win in those programs shouldn't be cut short by the bad luck of another like-classed car or possible last minute "class adjustment" by a competitor, which puts most emphasis on driving ability rather than resources. Sponsors may have also had an opinion on the matter.

Tear-downs for heads-up runs they do run appear to be considered only under protest or special circumstances. But they have weighed and checked fuel in most, if not all instances that I've seen with occasional "surprise" checks for different things other times. Record runs are certified only if the engine has been torn down and sealed. Usually just the top comes off.