IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

Here's the Nitro Jam format for 2010 gang. I'm sure someone will see a downside, but from my perspective our weekends should be more enjoyable.

http://www.ihra.com/article/5242.html

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

I just finished reading it and thought, somebodys gotta have something to say. Its you!

Would be nice to get it done in two days!

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

It looks like a move to being a circus to me. Jet cars and Nitro cars just dont float my boat. Just my feelings but I will give them the benifit of doubt and see how the sportsman side of it will turn out.

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

just what the fans and racers need. A weekend less enticing then a N.H.R.A. points meet to watch and a selection of invited 2nd stringers that have no crowd appeal . This may not be the fat lady singing but shes warming up in the corner..Bring in the clowns

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

He does not say anything about the Sponsors!!

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

Sounds Great! Quicker event, more focus on the sportsman and less on the pros. This should be everyone on this boards dream come true!?!?

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

I believe it's called MONEY !
Most people who bring their kids are looking for a SHOW.
Little Johnny & Mary want fire works, Wheel Standers, Top Fuel flames & Thunder
Jet Cars and Trucks...
Popcorn,soda,, turkey leg at the rock...
Then home and tuck them in...
It may work...Hey, NHRA has Force.......lol

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

We're getting there, it will be nice not to load up on Wednesday to race on Saturday.

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

I like the part that the Sportsman portion doesn't get interrupted by the Pros or postponed due to oil downs/crashes. Their plan is to run start-to-finish before the "Pro show" starts. But I wonder what the options will be for Sportsman delays and rain. One less day doesn't sound bad either. Looking forward to more specific details on Sportsman schedules, purses, points, etc.
It would be nice if there was a TV deal that might allow more time for Sportsman. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.:p

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

A Pro Stock racer told me that if IHRA goes in this direction of booked shows the bulk of cars will decamp to ADRL where they can race for real.

Maybe IHRA doesn't care about PS if they are putting all their marbles in the nitro show/family fun aspect. But the more serious fan won't tolerate that...

In the world of drag racing they are separating themselves...not settling for being NHRA wannabes. I don't see this change putting them on the map of motorsports greatness. It's more like on a par with arena truck pulling or something...but maybe it will work for them without hurting the sportsman.

Bruce Deveau

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

man, I can see a lot of different sides to this one....IHRA needed to do something, I saw first hand that the spec count was WAY down. I think, most was in lack of marketing the product. Reorganizing, repackaging...could be a way to shake things up, but I still dont know that new fans are gonna know about it. Shake it up internally all ya want, if you dont improve from the external view (ie:spectators), then....?
I plan on runnning some IHRA in 2010, but I'll need some help and want some support....from the experience I had visiting an IHRA track this past year, I can see that attracting a big audience will be difficult....

Basically, it frustrates me when I 'pump up' an event, more than the organization running it. I have my 'entourage' show up for the show, and there's 27 people in the stands. I dont mean to vent, but drag racing needs a little spark, and this looks like a good place to strike flint.

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

they are toast

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

Sounds like the old SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY Format. In our area it might work out OK. I know a lot of people who would go to a good 1 day show with Nostalgia Funnycar and some decent sportsman racing. Most Fans only go for a day anyway. I did not get the whole picture on how the sportsman will run but let's give them a shot. Here in Virginia it's what we have to work with anyway. I am curious as to how the Divisionals will be handled, hoping for no big changes there.SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

glad we don't race ihra what a joke

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

Can anyone answer or help us out with this important question? Also contingencies.

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

So IHRA says they are going to focus on the sportsman more and some people are actually upset?! Your fuel cars will still be running down the track, just not as much. I'll hit a couple of these events next year.

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

truthfully.... i don't have an opinion on wether I think it's better or worse yet (for sportsman).
BUT... I do have a question.

If there are TWO full sessions of pros on saturday.... what's different about that (from this year)?
The way I see it.... there is no "extra" time for sportsman..... NONE.

Did I miss something?

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

Tom, Mr. Polburn provides more detail in his interview with DRM. They envision an uninterrupted sportsman schedule on Saturday until approx. 5:00pm. The "pro show" runs from there. The inevitable time thief will be incoming weather that might move the circus back into our program. Sundays would be similar but with fewer sportsman cars on the property, the nitro guys hit the track in the afternoon.

That's my take anyway.

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IHRA needed to do something. Spectator attendance at MIR was terrible. If they can't get the butts in the seats IHRA will be done. Time will tell if this will work and there may not be much time left. Maybe if the tracks are saving money with this format they can put more money in promoting the races. Years past in Southern Maryland when the Pres Cup was coming to town there were many signs/banners in the area welcoming racers and fans. I didn't see any this year. I would like to see IHRA succeed and I hope they do.

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

I heard that also Bruce, The Pro Stockers will defect to ADRL, Pro Mods already left, they couldnt get more than 10 Pro Mods at some events. As sportsman racers its better for us, but how long will IHRA last without a legit Professional program?, no qualifying, no real points chase? I thought it was weird when they eliminated Funny Cars from their programs a few years ago. They wont make enough money from "Sportsman events"

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In one paragraph, Mr. "P" says there will be no "National" events per se, and later on in another paragraph,"Sportsman", he says everything will be the same as in "National" events etc. Will there be "National" events , or NOT. Whassup!!
Also, it appears that Montecalvo, Berner, etc. will have to change the designation of their cars from "Pro Stock" to something that fits into the "Sportsman" category. We may see the the re-emergence of "Top Stock" with different rules, of course, to accomodate one of the most popular segments of the previously designated "Professional" normally aspirated cars.
Additionally, how can IHRA objectively analize and evaluate the worth and performance (more revenue) of the current "Race of Champions" format, without having tallied up the results and proceeds of the supposedly biggest event of the season; Rockingham. I would think they would want some input from the competitors and sponsors, track owners, etc. prior to releasing this "state of the sanctioning body" statement on the conduct of next year's program. Generally, The "ROCK" is one of the largest drawing events of the season with 80 Stock and 85-90 Super Stocks in attendance. Those numbers will this year be reduced to probably 30 and 30, by virtue of the "Champion" rules (talk about shooting oneself in the foot). Maybe they should take a "wait and see" attitude, and then make an overall objective evaluation to determine the way forward.

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they want a show for the fans,bring back modified.

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This year the new tournement of champions is put in play,now next year this anouncement,2 years 2 new formats,,,to much change is not good,seems like getting away from traditional drag racing,low attendance,one reason i think one event had t.fuel and prostock,that was it for pros,down from fuel funny car alcohol funny car and other classes IHRA dropped,looks like all will be 8 car qualified fields ,,,,,,,,,,,,

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i miss bill bader.... oh well, lets bring out junk cars and jump them, a clown or two, some ballons, sparklers and fireworks, yea that outta do it...

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Blame it partially on the average fan. I go to the NHRA events in Dallas and half the spectators leave the stands after the nitro classes are done. They don't even stick around for PS or the alcohol classes. I blame this on TV coverage (NHRA today). All they talk about is NITRO! Even when it's raining, let's go talk to a nitro driver instead of some coverage the previous day of another class. I think the Nostalgia F/C is a good move. That's a good place between TAFC and the NHRA FC cars. People have forgotten that two of the Pro classes came out of SS - FC and PS. The new fans never saw drag racing in the 1960s. $.02.

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IHRA needs some big names to go with their show. People need to have name recognition so they can feel like they know someone at the event. People feel like they know the Forces, the Sarge, etc.

Let NHRA say Force and his teams are suspended or out for a few weeks and watch what their attendance does.

lastly, drag racing is about competition. need I say more.

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This all sounds crazy.....PROS BY INVITATION ONLY....no Qualifying and apparently no test runs,
Can you say UGLY racing and LOTS of UP IN SMOKE ??? Fans won't like the "show" and won't come back.....IMHO.....
This doesn't look good...........

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I agree he was great for the IHRA but even he knew what was going on..
Who knows maybe he will come back
Without him I believe Ihra is done as far as a real racing format....
I will tell you one thing I am sure IHRA is for sale and on sale lets see who steps up...

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James it is all about the fans
Thats how the IHRA and NHRA makes money
Thats why Aron is trying to make it into a show
i dont like it but it is about trying to make money...
But never forget the fan he pays the money....

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I agree IHRA is on its way out

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While the initial reaction to the concept may seem ridiculous,I would not underestimate the possiblity of this idea being sucessful.Sounds to me like they are trying to turn it into a form of entertainment instead of true competition.Look at how big the WWE is now.If they can get fans into the gate,it can't be all bad for Sportsman racing.Fans want to see nitro,smoke,fire,and maybe some fights.Maybe they will eventually merge with the WWE and have pay per view events like Wrestlemania.It could be called Nitromania.

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Actually I don't see what the bad part is. Back in the day. UDRA used to have one round of qualifying then ran the quickest 2 cars in the 2nd round for a winner. That was fun to watch. Who really want's to sit in the stands for hours on end to watch boring qualifying? It'll be nice to see different classes a different tracks.

I guess you will always have the ones who think the roofs coming down. Why keep having classes that no one shows up to run? Or you get maybe half the amount of cars. It's one less day of vacation that has to be used. The sportman racers won't have to sit around waiting to run between the pro's.

One thing I do want to see is a clown doing a arm drop between the two jet trucks.

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You dont see a bad part in this?
May I ask what class you run??

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The fans don't pay the MONEY, they are icing on the cake. The competitors pay an entry fee for a chance to pit their equipment and abilities against others of equal classification to win a purse put up by a sponsor of the products used by the aforementioned competitors. If these track promoters and/or sanctioning body controllers opt to bring in circus acts to supplement the program, they solicit sponsors for that also. It's a total win/win situation for them unless they continue to denigrate the racers in favor of the side shows to the point that they (racers) have enough and stay home.

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Roger
The fans do pay the money and that why IHRA is doing this to get people to come to the races
You are right we do pay to enter but that isnt enough to make a Nat event worth it

By the way i wish you were right...

Re: IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format
 

Some food for thought since this a forum about Stock and S/S racing.

Maybe the new plan will work out great for IHRA Stock and S/S racers....however it might not be a bad idea this winter to start thinking about ways to switch a IHRA class car around so it can be made NHRA legal....just in case the "new plan" does not work out for the sportsman racers. I seriously doubt IHRA only classes will be added to the NHRA format if things do not work out.

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So what days do the sportsmen actually run?

These are the same people that run the nitro jam shows. I wounder if the racing will be fixed just like they do at the nitro jam shows?

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It cannot be any worse than NforceRA!

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Fixed??

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For the sportsman racer its a good place to race where we dont have to take 3 days off work to go do it. Oh but wait I forgot the people who think NHRA is the greatest thing ever. Its funny how alot of people bitch about IHRA but have never run a race there. I just had a racer tell me on the NH side his car went from 33 decals paying to 14. BUT WAIT, they didnt lower his entry, gas is still expensive. My point is we ARE ALL A DIEING breed. As a former track operator I can run a Test and Tune, Get a guy to blow hisself up in a box, hire to 10 inch tire cars to grudge race and make more money than a bracket race, IHRA Divisional, NHRA lucus race or a stock ss combo. I have no risk with a TNT, compared to a 3 day race. We need to figure out that we are dieing and do something to save ourself. We wont be around in 5-7 years if something doesnt change, its only business. With NHRA we are already a filler, look on DRC on any national event, first two rounds of pro's on Sunday then they fill in a few. THey get through the semi then round robin us down. If we arent done by the time the NFORCE RA show is ready to run the final then we sit, and finish late at night. Sorry for the long post.....

Herb Jr