Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

Dan has done what most of us only wish we could do. Maybe Dan should let us in on some of those glorious days such as when the truck decides it's time to rest on the side of the road somewhere there is no access bars on the cell to call for help or on those days when his opponent has an 000 something light and it's on the trailer with both cars. I know that Jok has his heart in the right place and just like most of you I will enjoy his future opinions on our sport. Claude Ruel p.s it takes a big sack to go and become a Touring Sportsman so if there is an advantage it's earned.

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

nothing

...

It's all good

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

I see nothing wrong with things like they are. After watching Dan, in the staging lanes and on the track after I went out at Topeka. I'm even more impressed with him. He works at it, and knows exactly what his car is going to do. Much more so than us stay-close-to-home racers. His packages weren't all so tight he could not have lost, but nobody did good enough job to do it. The more you race, the better you will be. I don't see how you could want to penalize a guy that can do that.

I don't see anything wrong with things the way they are. The rest of us just need to work harder. Kinda like real life.

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

Here are some name of past champions who at one time did some touring, some are in my books Elite sportsman through some hard work: Gary Stinnett,Brad Plourd, Peter Biondo, Sal Biondo, Darren Davis, Bo Nickens, Kyle Seipel, Lincoln Morehead, Rod Fuller, Jeg Coughlin jr, Don Elgin, Jim Hughes, Mike Crutchfield, Ed Sellnow, Steve Cohen, Bruno Massel sr and jr, Joey Heffernan, Jeff Taylor, Mike Trumble, Mike Ferderer, Scotty Richardson,Edmond Richardson, Robert Turner, David Simmons, Sherman Adcock, Mike Saye Jim Borburka, Frank Aragona jr, Steve Eckard, Bill Marapulos, Pat Austin, Ace Manzo, Tommy Johnson,Emmons Brothers, Al Provoast, Rick Hord, Doc Dixon,Todd Patterson Joe Covert, Dave Boertman and so many more, so if you've decided to go pro these are the people you're going to meet not considering the other thousand waiting to cut your throat at the first chance they get. I can remember Darren Davis going across country with his Dodge Van, open trailer hauling his competition eliminator 23 T, must have been wild.Claude Ruel

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

What makes the NHRA Sportsman racing different is the very good racers stay grouped with the average racers. In other sports and motorsports the best eventually gravitate to the top and get grouped together. Nascar for example, the great drivers end up in the Cup series or Nationwide series if they play their cards right. In baseball the great players end up in single A and work their way up to the majors. An example I use for those not familiar with our type of racing is," you have to beat Tiger Woods on the fifth hole if you want to continue playing".
You don't have to prove yourself to drag race like other sports, if you have the time and money anybody can do it, but once in a while you come up against a racer who is highly skilled at what he does. We all know we can win, it is a level playing field for the most part, but it's very difficult to beat these guys and it intimidates some and brings the best out in others.
It's part of the game and it's not going to change and I really don't think it's hurting the participation in any way. If anything there are less pro sportsman racers now than 10 years ago.

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

If someone can make a living racing in the sportsman classes, good for them. In comp, we have been able to beat David Rampy a couple of times and yes, that has been extra satisfying. But the satisfaction that comes from beating Rampy isn't because he's a pro, it's because he is so damn good. Of course, the reason he is a pro is that he is so damn good. And the same goes for the rest of those pro sportsman racers.

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

I'm not pushing any website. I read it and thought I'd put a link on here so you guys could read it. Later. :)

Jeff

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

There's nothing wrong at all.

I know several of the touring "pro" sportsman racers.

Bertozzi, Biondo, Fletcher, and Rampy are all great guys that some of us are fortunate to call friends.

As far as it goes, they make the rest of us better racers.

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

I posted a rather long response from my iPhone and apparently it didn't go through. I don't feel like rehashing it again but in a nutshell, it was obvious, Ken, you didn't read my post top to bottom. And taking the chicken chi* way out by editorializing my original post to make your point is all wrong.

Re: Pro Sportsman Racers
 

Probably get banned for this, but have to agree with Jeff.

Ken it is obvious that you are very passionate about your site and NHRA, but jumping on Jeff and some others is showing a lack of class.

Would have been better if you would have just said that you don't agree with what Jok wrote in his piece and let it go at that.

Almost sounds like you have an agenda??

Like you said, let it go and this thread will probably fad, stop throwing fuel on the fire.

OK, ban me for a couple of weeks, I'm ready. LOL

RJ