CLASS RACER FORUM - Petitioning NHRA to Open SS @ Gainsville

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS/GSI (Post 306494)

If Mike is as accomplished as you say he is, you think he would have learned about composure and respect along the way.

While I appreciate those coming to my defense, my on-track accomplishments do not have any bearing on the discussion. I don't think people should have to post a resume to determine the weight of their argument -- a point should stand on its own merits, independent of the source.

Quote:

If people have a thought, post it properly, with conviction and facts, not in a uneducated rage like a five year old. Everyone who reads these posts and doesn't know peoples personalities off the website might construe some individuals as simple minded and just passing time, without real motives to inform, help or learn.

I've posted here and elsewhere for many, many years, and I'll have to admit, that's the first time I've been accused of being simple-minded. I'm sorry my posts on this thread haven't been of my typical long-winded and overanalyzing nature... been slam busy with work (even just finished up a draft of an event flyer a little after midnight Sunday night), so I don't spend as much time here as normal. Those who have read my posts for years have apparently read these new ones in context.

Were my posts "negative"? Technically, yes. And after re-reading them, yes they came out more biting and sarcastic than was probably necessary, so I apologize. The underlying point was constructive criticism. It came out a bit short due to 1) again, my workload and 2) the context of NHRA's long-running history of policy decisions, without which the reaction would likely have been far more tempered.

The points still stand:
- "The car count was low last year, so we lowered the quota" In my opinion, this does not make sense, if the goal of a business is to increase profit. Is this a reasonable point?

- "Racers petitioned to have quota increased, which NHRA did." That *is* a good thing, and appreciated. That being said, from a business perspective, looking at all of the numbers, it would seem reasonable that the business would figure that out on their own. This also seems akin to raising gas prices from $3.10 to $3.45, and then when customers complain they lower the price to $3.30 and tell you they did you a favor. It's conditioning. I think it's reasonable that some people see it this way and don't like it, just as much as some people take it at face value and simply appreciate the higher quota -- doesn't make either side "wrong".

- "Grade point level maintained at where original quota was met." To me, this begs the question of whether or not they actually want more cars to show up. Is it a step toward "forcing" racers to attend more LODRS events to obtain grade points? I don't know. It's just my opinion, but I personally am more supportive of a business model that is set up to make people *want* to attend an event as opposed to doing something to make people "have" to attend. Vinegar vs honey.

- "It's their playground and they make the rules." True, no question. While I still express my opinion from time to time, primarily I'm one that typically votes with my feet/wallet. I don't expect a business to change its business model because of my opinions alone. It's not about me. If no one shares my opinions, then there's certainly no impetus to change. If a large group of customers *do* share a particular opinion, is it reasonable for a business to give them consideration? (as they have done in the instance of raising the quota)

If you disagree with my opinions, I respect that, and have no problem with that. I would just hope that you don't confuse my passion for the sport as ranting. If it came across as such, I apologize. I get frustrated at times with things I see because I feel there's a better way, sometimes with ideas that I think could provide a better value and experience for the customer *and* help a business's bottom line at the same time. I am *not* demanding that, "I'm right and that's the way you have to do it." They're just opinions, and as such, I could be most certainly be wrong.

I have put many of my ideas to the test, not only through consulting with promoters, tracks, and sanctioning bodies (yes, plural... not just IHRA. A mostly forgotten tidbit: I made the pitch to, and worked with, Phil Burgess to create the "ND Web" concept, which became NHRA Online, now known simply as nhra.com, and also created NHRA Div. 1's first website.) There are a lot of other things out there that nobody knows about. I've dedicated my life to this sport, since I was in high school.

Last year, I ventured into race promotion, and we had an extremely successful big money Footbrake race over Thanksgiving weekend. I feel that it was successful specifically because of those customer-driven ideals that we put behind it... more round money than similar events, purse incentives (more cars = increased payout), round prizes, free racer appreciation BBQ, a live band, homemade cookies (yes, baked them myself), free coffee and biscuits in the morning, and the list goes on and on. Many would argue that it wouldn't make sense to spend money on all of these "extras". However, because of everything we offered to our customers, we drew increased support, so the bottom line *did* make sense!

(Now that's more like the kind of post most Classracer regulars are used to seeing from me! LOL I've gotta get back to work!)

I'd be more than happy to meet Mr. Gaffney at the race track, shake hands, race, benchrace, and the whole nine yards. (Heck, I even like Charley Bob at the race track! LOL) :D