Quick "BITCHING"
 

Why in the Hell is everyone B******* about NHRA doubling their fees. We as racers do what we do racing BECAUSE we want 2. If more or less $ 200.00 causes a problem, then QUIT Racing. Everyone "WASTE'S that much per year on stupid things like SMOKING and drinking BEER WINE ,ETC..

I for one love's drag racing. I have been around it since "1966" I do it because I LOVE IT. With that said NHRA NEEDS to THANKS their racers They DO NOT.. IHRA will bend over backward to say[listen NHRA..IHRA said THANK YOU] When was the last time NHRA say a WORD???????????? Much less ..Thank you..

At No Problem for the Sportnationals the crew [NHRA] that work the race told RACERS THANKS YOU for COMING. I heard that from a large number of racers.

At Baton Rouge IHRA national .."WHAT" a race great time. IHRA SAID Thanks for coming and put on a great MEAL. And when I got home they sent an email saying [NHRA ARE YOU LISTENING] THANK YOU for coming and racing with IHRA.

Just my opion if anyone has a comment "PLEASE" email me at bobbybrannon@cs.com or call me 318-422-4646


Bottom line "QUIT BITICHING" let's RACE

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

For me it really has very little to do with the added money, it's the principal. It's not gonna change until we take a stand. I'm standing, anyone care to join?

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Well said Bobby, man It sure is nice to here someone else say it. I though I was the only one having fun at the races.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Comes with being "OLD" LOL

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Hey Bobby, I'll quit Bitchin' when NHRA quits giving me something to bitch about! You can blame my attitude on me OLDER than YOU! :~) Hang in there buddy, maybe you will get there with a few more birthdays. LOL!

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

I'll believe an extra $50 is a burden when I stop getting displaced in the pits by stacker trailers...:p

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Its not going to happen Bobby. It just in thier nature. Out of hundreds (or thousands?) who read this forum have you noticed its the same few who complain over and over. I can see the point of this last act of greed from NHRA upsetting most but its thier ball park and if you want to play you have to play with thier rules and buy the ticket to get in like it or not. The only other option is to go to another ball park or turn the car into a street rod or street machine if each still wants to play with cars.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Bobby,

I see your point, a little. I just remember when we used to get "car and driver, one crew" for one price. well they robed us there. (just knowing that crew person used up too much of NHRA's air) But everyone went on with it............And now ? I ask you sir, where does it stop? Belive me, I wish I had nothing to bitch about......just maybe the weather. LOL

Rick

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Agreed. Many people go for the added benefit of being "old" and seeing their "older friends" for a week end. A common hang out away from home.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

I resent that remark about beer, wine, etc. And a little "Thank You" or "Thanks for being here" would certainly hellp. Brannon, since I have to spend $200 more for all that stuff, then you get no more beer.
I am applying for the Sportsman Public Relations position at NHRA. Whoever is there obviously is somewhat out of touch. Anybody ever do any math on entry fees per race? I might do that next week and see what secrets are revealed. Maybe Sportsman (Comp, SS,STk,S/C,S/G,S/St) might be for sale? Who knows. Dan Fletcher's idea about Sportsman not attending a race is good, but over the years I have found us to be too scattererd in our opinions to pull that off. But maybe we need to organize again and see what happens. This might be the straw that unites us to action. Be nice to have a master list on the sponsors paying contingency. Anybody got one?

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Jeff.....Maybe you should contact Alex and see if you could be the head of "Sporstman Public Relations" with the Class Racers Association?

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Hey Jeff whats up??

I could not agree with you more, now may be the time to try and organize the racers. I really believe that with some serious experienced leadership, like yourself, Dan Fletcher and others, that now might be the time to seriously consider a different approach to the situation. While getting 5 racers to agree on something is a tough row to hoe, there seems to be enough concern, that maybe we can come together to try and save whats left.

I don't want NHRA to go away, I want it to prosper, and make money. I just don't agree with the way that they are trying to solve the problem. I also don't think that another $200.00 is going to stop me from going to a National Event. I believe that what they are doing is the act of an organization that is in great financial turmoil and is grasping to hold on to what they have. Like rats on a sinking ship they are all trying to stay afloat. Sportsman racers are much like the Middle Class, we supply them with the bulk of the money/support to be able to survive. They also know that most of use will continue to comeback for "more of the same" regardless of what they "enhance" us with.

I am writing my letter to them with my concerns and hope that everyone does the same. The noisiest wheel always get the grease. I believe that we need to let them know how we feel and maybe we can work together with them to make it better for everybody.

Lets organize, I believe that the time is right and the cause is worthwhile.

R J Sledge

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Most of us who post about nhra are very dedicated racers. Yes, we are offended by nhra's capricious behavior towards all Sportsman racers. We have the right to take issue with these changes when they come tumbling out of Glendora.

On the flip side, there are racers who are so enamored with nhra that they will subscribe to anything that comes out of Glendora. It's like the old mule said to his owner "I'm just pull'n the cart, you load it up." These racers just want to race and I say more power to them if they want to ignore the nhra reality. Let them have their fun!

But, many of us feel that nhra has taken a giant dump on the Sportsman racers by introducing these new fees and allowing the new wash'n drive designer cars into Stock. It is important to allow everyone to have his/her voice in these matters.

On the subject of fees. The mighty nhra is raising all of theirs and little hard working IHRA is holding steady. I don't think you have to be an accountant to figure out that nhra is in some serious financial waters; yes, we know, they are not alone. Many companies are in trouble right now; some more than others. I feel IHRA will continue to inherit a lot of Sportsman racers while nhra is cracking at the seams and may ultimately sink.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

All of you guys (Jeff, Dan, Bobby, etc.) say let's organize...Hell, you are organized..it's called "NHRA"..you belong to an organization. You need to hit them in their pocketbook in a clandestine manner. They have allready stated that they are limiting expenses by cutting back on the number of personnel committed to a given race, so; you need to tax those limited numbers with extra duty. When you go through "tech", replace the 3/8" holddown bolts on your battery with 1/4", or put your outdated window net in the car, or take the double return spring off the carb, and replace it with a single, etc. Be innovative and cause them to "tech" your car more than once to tax the system. When you go through fuel check, report a different fuel than what you are actually using, causing them to reference the wrong page. If you're allowed to park your rig without direction, take up more space than normally allotted which will cause them to send someone out to correct the situation. When your class is called to staging, delay as much as possible to slow down the process (this may require some collusion ). Have the first two or three cars in line develop a mysterious electrical problem, further delaying action. Take the maximum amount of time permissible to stage your car during time trials. When the PRO classes are called to the lanes, don't go to the bleachers, take you whole family or group to the starting line and cause as much obstruction as possible to require the security and track personnel to move you before continuing the event. Organize a pit bike or four-wheeler race in the pits near the vendors, which would require disbursing by track personnel.
Just a few suggestions to help. Have a great day.
(Disclaimer: I am not a NHRA competitor.)

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Roger....that all sounds like a "TREE HUGGER" protest in Calif. or someplace and it would only hurt the over worked tech people and give cause for NHRA to get rid of legal class racing. Just hit them in thier wallets to get them to take notice. Terry

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

I can't see making things tougher for our tech guys.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

I do not see where any of that would do any good, but more likely a great deal of harm.

The NHRA staff that actually works at these events are our friends, I cannot see anything to be gained by ruining those friendships and making their jobs harder.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Maybe NHRA needs to rethink who they are charging the "new" enhanced fees
and look at the "PROS" as a new source of funds.

Lets see each Pro team has at least 10 crew members.....@ $85 each that is
an additional $850.00 per team.

The list could go on and on......

Just my $0.02 cents.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Maybe they need the money.car count are are down and the money is not rolling in.up goes the price of playing.it's the way it is.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Bruce -- Maybe , just maybe you ought to do something to help fix things rather than trying to make us feel like we're on the Titanic . Remember-- if the NHRA goes under so does Classracer along with the personal soapbox you're on ! ! Also - its not us that are pulling the NHRA's cart -- its the pros .

Personally I have nothing against the IHRA -- I've won many a race with them over the last 35 or so years but there must be a reason that they haven't grown to a larger size than they currently are .

As far as the "Wash 'n Drive " cars go exactly what voice did you want ? Did you expect the NHRA to ask for your approval on these matters ? I believe they already knew how you personally felt .And how do you know that the NHRA is in "serious financial waters" ? Did I miss that memo ?

Happy Easter .....................From the "Christmas City" .

PS-- As Brittany would say -- "Opps, I did it again" -- yep , I picked you apart -- line by line .Sorry -- but I too can voice my opinion.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

I thought that perhaps one day I could race some close NHRA events with a different combo when time, money and scheduling with IHRA would allow. But it doesn't look like it will happen. I haven't been an NHRA member for almost 2 years and only ran brackets. So perhaps I can qualify as an objective observer. But NHRA's actions over the years seem to be a calculated, systematic plan to see what they can get away with and eventually achieve some long-term goals. "The money is not rolling in" for them, but it it isn't rolling in for the average sportsman competitor either! I see people say, "If you can't afford an extra $50.00, $200.00, or whatever, to race, you shouldn't be racing". Well, how many times has that comment been used to defend them over the years? It's starting to sound like a broken record. The business logic has already been outlined and their approach isn't logical to maintain or increase their "grassroots" participants. It's financially more difficult to patronize a business and less people show up. So the business raises the prices to make up for it??? My impressions are that they are either trying to "prune" those participants to an exclusive/specific clientel or simply chase most of them away. In most big businesses/corporations, the "suits", "desk jockeys", or whatever you want to call them, don't have a clue of what it's like at the bottom of the totem pole, and/or don't care. Their money and position has spoiled them and the bottom line is all they look at. It's the same attitude that got the economy in the situation it's in now.

I bet their spectator prices haven't gone up in proportion to sportsman competitor prices!

....Just my opinion.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Hey Jack,

You should be careful, your beginning to show your true colors...If the pros are pulling the cart, then let them pay for it ... The sportsmen racer is always getting it the shorts, we lose parking spots, we pay more entry fees, insurance, etc... Yes, we keep going back, but I think these times are different, no-jobs and alot less money ....
So if racers want to keep racing, it will done at local tracks only, just look at National events they are way down and getting worst .... Wrong time to kick racers when they are already down on their knees and can't effort to travel ... Oh well , why should they listen now, as you say they never cared enough to ask before....One last thing not only sponsors are down but payouts are down 30-40 % , they must think our bills haven't gone up too..... Thank God for choices, so you better start supporting people who support sportsmen racing...........Try it , you may just enjoy racing again !!!!

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Hey Dave! What's the best way to get to Rockingham from 95 around Richmond?

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Dave -- You're the one who should be careful of what you wish for as a National event can be run without Sportsman racers .Pros are the ones who put people in the stands and pay the bills -- imagine how many employees NHRA could get rid of at National events if they killed off Sportsman -- tech people , staging , scales , fuel check , teardown , tower personel , credentials , the list is endless .All needed for Sportsman racing and they could run without us with a crew of probably 25% of what they use now .

Somehow I missed the part where they reduced the purses by 40 % -- how did you figure that ?

We kept racing last year when gasoline was up over 4 bucks and diesel was over $ 5 -and you're still buying gas and diesel from ExxonMobil - is $200 per year that much of a hardship ? I hope I'm not sounding like I'm supporting the NHRA or their recent price hikes as thats not my intent -- I feel they're just trying to exist like the rest of us ....................

PS-- Yo Ken ! ! ! -- how about a little help here -- I'm standin' all alone ............and the 'injuns( or cowboys in this case ) are circling my wagon .

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Jack,
You haven't picked anything apart line by line. Do you suppose the Internet will disappear if nhra goes under? Do you think the debates here will determine nhra's future? Do you think your lame attempt to pick at my post will stop me from saying what I feel? Are you a new nhra spokesman? You sure sound like you are. You missed the meassage about the cart. Probably because you were too busy working on your Brittany Spears taunt. BTW it was way worse than my cart - which you are helping to pull. You must love the whip.

Also, National events can not be run with out Sportsman racers. Where did you get that from Mr. nhra?

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Jack, if NHRA dumps Sportsmen from their national events they will lose their not-for-profit status. Ask your accountant about that.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Jack, we do not have a chance. The only question I have, will they take prisoners or skin us alive.

Re: The King has NO clothes...
 

Is it possible that FINALLY, NHRA is going to find out what a "non-profit" ledger actually looks like???

How long will those suits stick around if this "not-for-profit" organization ACTUALLY fails to make a PROFIT???

Might be interesting to see... :)

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

What I would like to see,,,,,, Pros pay at least the same entry fees as us, crew passes too, maybe give them 4 free crew but also give us 1 free. They can afford it more and they get more help financially than any ten or more sportsman racers. Then it will be more realistic and sportsman can see they are paying to race the same as we have too. Just a thought. I still hope to be out there racing as much as I can though.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Take 85 South to 220.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Jack,

The pro's would never pay their own way in the first place, so we don't have to worry about that.. Second, who would fill-in all the oil downs & slow times.... Third, how much more do you think the weekend racer can afford to pay... Forth , is who will they get to park their rigs in the fields ? Fifth, you are partially right, when you don't pay for anything, you don't need people collecting the money ...... Jack, as we know its not the same NHRA as it use to be, so lets leave at that ... You know how they have changed better than most !!!

The money part was based on winning a National or Points race today and 15-20 years ago, entry fees and the difference in money...Check it out ... We pay more and get less, am I wrong ?

You are wrong, racers did stop racing and will again when gas goes up to $4-5..Not everyone can afford all this Fun ... Time will tell, but I do think racers are traveling less even now ....I don't know about you but when there's not enough money to go around, I am not going to spend $ 200 -300 more to race NHRA, when I can travel less and race IHRA.... Plus, the double races are a great idea....

Jack, don't you think we should spread around some of that wealth from the Pro's to help the little guys ... Hah, Hah....

Maybe Washington will bail them out with a TARP deal.................. Happy Easter...........

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

Fast Johnny, ( Mr. Warehime )



You have a P M...................Dave,

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No they wouldn't. They still sponsor divisional races, youth programs, scholarship programs, blah, blah, blah.

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Julie,
They are paid to run divisional races. A non profit attorney from California (also an accountant) said they would have an awful lot of explaining to do to the IRS if they went Pro Show only. He had spent some time reading Wally's 5 page Charter.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

850 per team.
48 Teams qualify
14 Teams dont qualify lets say.
24 races a year.

1,264,800.00 Now that is stimulas.

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How much do you think they make just doing "certifications"?

At the old rate of $75.00 per, it was $400,000.00 a year. Now it will be close to $1,000,000.00 a year. Plus they cut back the amount that the Tech's get and it all goes to HQ's. It would not surprise me if Stockers were the next in line for "Certifications" being mandatory.

R J Sledge

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

"$200 isn't much", well let's just make it $300, or $400, or...

The US Postal Service ups stamps by a penny and complains that they are operating in the red. Shouldn't they just double stamps to $.84? Oh, wait, doubling isn't a big deal. They should just make it $1.20/stamp. ...right?

A cheap steak at the grocery store is $6. C'mon, who wouldn't pay $12 for a steak? That's not going to break anybody. ...right?

It's more than just the principle of the thing... it's the roots of rampant inflation that's going to hit in the coming years. NHRA's just the first straw.

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Well a big part of the problem will be the wealthy suckasses that wont mind paying the rediculous price tag that Nhra has imposed upon us measly sportsman racers. It will be you people I blame for not uniting together for the principle. IT MUST BE NICE! Im stayin home !

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The NHRA has hired four guys from the UFC, when you get to the track to race these guys mug you and take all your money before your allowed to race.
They turn you upside down and shake you until your wallet falls out, then they allow you to enter.

Re: Quick "BITCHING"
 

No no thats Guido and his brothers the bat boys from NJ