SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

You have got to be kidding me.....2 cars?

Hey, we're in the Final!!!!

I know they don't have many people to draw from (25 miles to Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area only about 8 million in the immediate area!!).

they could have run the whole damn thing off on Friday and had a concert Saturday and Sunday. A real money maker, Huh???

Unbelieveable

R J

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I know why the stock guys don't go, they don't like the crate motored cars. But why do the super-stock cars stay away. If my stocker had been done I would have run it in SS.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Guess they'd better quit racing in NHRA then, where they have $80,000 crate motor cars instead of $20,000 crate motor cars. :rolleyes:


Man, who *wouldn't* go with such a light field? Looks like "easy money" (all things being relative)

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

LMFAO at that reply !

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I never understood why so many SS cars stayed away. I have known Chuck Nelson for about 40 years, Wesley ever since he hired on with NHRA, 32 years maybe? He, Red & Chuck tore me down for a record first race I remember meeting Wesley. Always very friendly. The IHRA twch guys have been just as friendly with ony knowing them for three or four. Money spends the same, SS rules about the same (I get to carry 40lbs less) we run the same cars, just not all of them. I just don't get it.

My wheel alignment moved during a hard landing before 1st round at Crandall last year, When I told them I had to scratch they gave my entry money back! I was shocked at that.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I would have liked to be there but just got back from Bowling Green and Indy trip. Over 700 bucks for gas alone. Plus tired *** needs some recovery time. Teardown barn, broke transmission, Belle Rose this comming week??

Jeff Colvert SS/G 4456

You Go RJ!!

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I raced in Saturday's event where I dropped a valve 1st round. Went to the tower & got my
money for Sunday's race back. I know the payout isn't great & you need to make the finals to get your entry fee back, but they {IHRA} treat you great. I had a nice chat with the starter as the left lane looked "iffy" , my car hooked without any issues. I have not raced
any IHRA out of Division 4,but if the rest of the folks at IHRA are as racer friendly as
the Division 4 group we NEED to support them! They really seem to try!

Marty Burke
B/SA 4014

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

RJ we were there (wow that makes 3) but we hurt the motor friday night and headed home saturday. Ed

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Michael you are wrong on your statement of "$80,000.00 crate motor cars". That was 2 years ago, they are now $90,000.00 to over $100,000.00 cars.

IHRA does try hard to please, and I will no doubt attend some more events, but even with the attitude that NHRA has, I must say in all honesty, that they do it better than anybody else. Good and bad.

Marty sorry to hear of your breakage, hope its not too bad.

Later RJ

Jeff you really going to Belle Rose??

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Sharon and I went to the Crandall race. Due to truck trouble we didn't get there until Sat afternoon and missed the Sat. race , but we raced Sunday in the TOC race. I'll tell you , thats a really nice racetrack.The people there were friendly and no matter how late you get there your going to be pitted on asphalt or concrete. The only problem I saw was although the IHRA people go out of there way to be helpful you really have to stay on top of whats going on because they"ll changed their scheduling in a heartbeat. Due to rain Sat evening the Sat race was supposed to be run first thing Sun morning , so we thought we would get to sleep late sun morning. I was still snoozing when Sharon came up beating on the side of the motorhome saying they had changed the scheduling that morning and decided to run the Sun race. I think some guys missed the time trial that morning due to the change. We just did get everything ready but were sure rushed.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Sorry, I said $100K in another thread, and somebody said they built a budget one for $80K. :p Trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.

In all seriousness, what is it that they do better? People *do* listen, and are open to suggestions.

I sent my NHRA membership renewal in at the beginning of August, and haven't gotten anything back yet. I get a new IHRA card in two DAYS when renewing. That, and I've just figured out that the membership and car # are two separate things in NHRA, with different expiration dates... now trying to figure out if I can get my competition number re-upped.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Michael

Having run a number of IHRA and NHRA events, Nat'l and Div'l, the difference is all economic, IHRA goes about it with less money to spend on personnel than NHRA. I understand that you don't always get the biggest bang for your buck just by spending more money, but NHRA does have 2 to 3 times more people at the races. In my experience with racing both of their events, NHRA just does it better. I am not saying that IHRA does not try, it just does not run as smoothly IMO. I believe thats one of the problems with getting NHRA racers to attend IHRA events. There are others.

Later RJ

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Does *what* better?

The Pro-Ams and Nitro Jams I've been have been run incredibly smooth.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Michael

IMO they run the race better. I don't know how I can be any clearer than that. Everyone has a different opinion,. There are a number of reasons for NHRA Class racers not attending IHRA races and you have my opinion.

I really don't want to get into a pissing contest with anyone, thats why I stated "IMO". But since you ask I will explain based on my experience with IHRA.

Additional membership fee
Weak administrative decisions
Short payouts
Lack of personnel
Lack of experienced personnel
Favoritism to IHRA regulars (experienced it myself at San Antonio Nat'l)
Tear downs for Records (once got pumped and weighed for the Record)
Lack of established IHRA schedule
etc

Michael I know you will probably not agree with me, and I can appreciate your opinion but I also appreciate your loyalty to them, but I ask you now, why don't they have more NHRA Class racers show up at IHRA events???? They just had a race with over 8 million people within 75 miles and you only draw 15 Stockers and 2 Super Stockers. Most of those that entered were from Louisana, what happened to the Texas racers?? Please answer this for me, because I would really like to know.
Was it the locale, the track, the origanization itself, the way they run the races, the weather, the payouts etc. I am not bashing, just asking.

Now let me say this, I would really like to see IHRA succeed and improve, in the mean time I believe they are regulated to be a step brother to NHRA.

You ask me "what" now I ask you "Why".

Do I still get a discount on my next order??

Later R J

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I don't understand why everyone is fussing about the schedule.
I jus attended my first NHRA race.
Friday they gave us an extra run
Saturday They moved first rd up 2 hrs, then Decided not to run first rd and instead had TT#6.
Sunday was supposed to start at 9 and it ended up being 10.

I personally was impressed with how quick NHRA ran the show. In 4 hours friday everyone had 3 runs. Saturday they did 3 runs and were done by 5.
Chip

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Sure would like to RJ. Ran within .05 of the record at Bowling Green @3300 ft bet i could make that up on a bad day at Belle Rose. 9.42 @ 140.83 Probably need to wait for some sub sea level air so I won't have to do it again for a while.

Jeff Colvert SS/G 4456

Sorry about your bad luck Marty

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

>> IMO they run the race better. I don't know how I can be any clearer than that.

Sorry, I was looking for what you meant by "run the race better". Maybe something's different at the out-west races. The World Finals last year *was* horrible, and everybody admits that. This year, I can't recall a single problem off the top of my head from any Pro-Am or Nitro Jam I attended. I won Rockingham, and was done with winner's circle pics, contingency, loaded up and out the gate by about 1:30 pm that Sunday! Everything has been bing-bang-boom, run cars down the track. Granted, that's just my personal experience... but I've only been to 13 Pro-Ams in four different divisions, four national events and a stand-aone TOC Qualifier. :rolleyes: I've been to numerous NHRA Div'l and Nat'l events with no problems as well. I wouldn't rate one higher than the other. I've heard people holler about both sanctioning bodies for their decisions when faced with inclement weather. That's just one of those tossups where you're never going to make everybody happy.

>> Additional membership fee

What "additional" fee? Each sanction has a membership fee. If you race with one, and want to go race with the other, you have to join. Works both ways. And if you want to get down to it, I sent NHRA $69 membership renewal Aug. 11 (which I still haven't gotten back yet), and an additional $50 today to renew my number. Both together are $70 in IHRA. And sometimes they do specials where they waive membership at certain events and honor NHRA licenses to make things easier. This past weekend at the Million Dollar Race, originally to be held at Indy, NHRA wouldn't let anyone compete that did not have an NHRA Membership, License, and Chassis Cert.... at a track-rented bracket race. The promoter ended up moving the race at the last minute (literally) to another facility.

>> Short payouts

Bring cars. Cars = Money. If IHRA guaranteed $20K to win, would guys show up? I mean ACTUALLY show up? Payouts? I have a race purse calculator spreadsheet. Sonoma: NHRA paid back about 45%. Martin, MI: IHRA paid back about 45%. Looks pretty even. Unless you want to count Indy? About 25%. :rolleyes:

Yes, contingency money is down considerably, but I've still made good money this year. I'd compare Pro-Ams vs LODRS events, but you can't even find LODRS payouts posted anywhere. I do remember making it to the semis at Cecil County many years ago and I *may* have gotten my entry fee back. 5th rnd loser is more than the entry fee in IHRA.

Want to test n' tune? It was $100 at Atlanta this weekend. IHRA events it's typically $25-$35. In another thread a couple of months ago, I laid out how you could chase both a Divisional and World Championship in IHRA for about half the cost of just chasing Div'l points in NHRA. But to each their own.

>> Lack of personnel

Who are they missing, and what do they need to do? I do remember seeing a bunch of guys at Bowling Green tending bald spots on the starting line, but then again it's literally been years since I've even seen bald spots at an IHRA event. I think their staff does just fine.

>> Favoritism to IHRA regulars (experienced it myself at San Antonio Nat'l)

That shouldn't happen. Don't know what your circumstance was, but if it happened, that's a legitimate gripe. Not something I've seen out this way.

>> Tear downs for Records (once got pumped and weighed for the Record)

That shouldn't happen, but if it happened, that's a legitimate gripe. I've been through teardown a numerous times in IHRA, and they checked everything with the exception of pulling a rod n' piston.

>> Lack of established IHRA schedule

I'm confused on this one. We have an established schedule and a run order. The only time something changes is in extreme circumstances. Atlanta and E-Town made schedule changes this weekend, too. What's different?

>> Michael I know you will probably not agree with me, and I can appreciate your opinion but I also appreciate your loyalty to them,

We can agree to disagree. It's okay! And it's not "loyalty", simply facts and my opinions. When I think they screwed up, I express my opinion to them. I just take a broad view of the sport. I look at the big picture, and try to let people know some of the facts about "racing on the other side" if they haven't already tried it themselves. I think a lot of people just have some weird fear of the unknown. Racin's racin', and the nuts n' bolts really aren't different!

>> but I ask you now, why don't they have more NHRA Class racers show up at IHRA events???? They just had a race with over 8 million people within 75 miles and you only draw 15 Stockers and 2 Super Stockers.

That's a D*MN good question! I think some others had replied elsewhere that they're following the NHRA schedule, so they used this weekend as time off leading into multiple races in a row. It's just my opinion, but it's stupid NOT to go, when there's a low car count -- much easier to make it to the finals and collect sticker money. Yeah, it may not be as much as it used to be, but let me tell you, it adds up!

>> Now let me say this, I would really like to see IHRA succeed and improve, in the mean time I believe they are regulated to be a step brother to NHRA.

Again, what they need is specific suggestions, then. For years, guys said it's "Qualifying & ladders", and they didn't come, then it was "need races in my area" and they didn't come, and so on and so on. For the guys that don't race IHRA, they need to *really* know what is it going to take, and will they *really* show up?

>> Do I still get a discount on my next order??

Sure! Like I said, it's just an exchange of ideas and opinions... it's *not* a pissin' contest. I don't take it personal.

$.02,

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

RJ, I'm going to Belle Rose Friday and make a hit and get on the sheet. Then I have to go home. May be back Sunday if eliminations start then, but probably not.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Michael.....The only BALD SPOTS I ever saw at an IHRA race was on the heads of all the old guys still racing.....lol.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Michael,
I would like to see them do a fuel check. I raced three of the four divisionals at Crandall
and nobody did a fuel check. Also during tech inspection the inspectors never looked at my carb or heads to see if they were correct. Now I do understand that they might have
just figured they were correct, but I would feel more comfortable knowing that every car
really got inspected. This would be an easy fix.
I would like to reiterate, that I really believe we must support both sanctioning bodies.

RJ: I believe the motor is hurt real bad. I haven't pulled the head yet, but they are the F5 heads!

Marty

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Marty,
I know the IHRA officials will do a visual on any car if asked. May not be the PPROPER way but they will look.
Chip

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I am not referring to anybody in particular, but the real reason racers don't show up is because they look at the ihra races as second rate. They talk about the crate motor cars, they say there are no races close by, they talk about the payout. They complain about nhra and how they cater to the pros and how they disrespect the sportsman A couple years ago when ihra had big sponsors and they had "real" top fuelers,funny cars,loads of pro mods and pro stocks they also had strong sportsman car counts. Lets just say next year ihra had a national event and John Force and all his cars were there, Schumacher and all his cars were there,and on and on you would double the sportsman car counts. People say they don't like the big races, but how many people show up at div. just to get a grade point so they can go to a national.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Again?

Same as SAR?

Hope its not too bad.

I was going to go and shoot but the
Crandall track photographer has pretty much
made it clear he doesnt want me there.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Thats because they (IHRA)only have one, two or 3 guys at some races who even know what a correct carb or head looks like. How many are being DQ'ed for bogus heads and intakes at the NHRA races or has 100 % of the field started doing this game? THAT is the biggest complaint about IHRA. Lack of tech inspections and fuel checks. It seems that they only fuel check at the National events. When I came back in 1990 after a lay off of several years I DQ'ed 14 stockers and S/S cars at Darlinington S.C. which was the first race of the year and a few were NHRA regulars. Its a hard job and when you have no help its even worse. Hank, Jim and Danny try to do thier best but they cant be in several places at once. IHRA has them doing other jobs during the race and the sechedule leaves NO room for tear downs at National events. Then when I worked my last race I was told there would be NO tear downs in Top Stock so I was done ! Its IHRA's managements fault. Not the guys who are trying to do a good job. Then again....when we did bust balls most everyone complained about that so how can you win?

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I personally like IHRA the best because it's a more layed back atmosphere. They don't hound you about little crap that don't matter. And Marty, why do a fuel check if it isn't a heads up run.....would only be an advantage if it was heads up....other wise just a bracket race.....It feels like to much of a job to go to NHRA races and more of a vacation to race IHRA.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I finally found entry fee/payout info for at least NHRA Div. 1 & 2 events...

Let's look at two events in the same region... Just had 38 Stockers at Atlanta, 42 at Darlington, so let's go off of 40 cars in Stock
NHRA Div. 2... $160/enter (Test n' Tune: $100. 3 Days to complete 1 race = extra time off work)

Winner $1,000
Runner-Up $500
Rd 5 loser $150 (-$10 Net)
Rd 4 loser $125 (-$35 Net)
Rd 3 loser $100 (-$60 Net)
35% payback of entry fees.

IHRA Div. 2... $135/enter (Test n' Tune: $25. Can run 2 races in 2 days.)
Winner $1,000
Runner-Up $400
Rd 5 loser $160 (+$25 Net)
Rd 4 loser $120 (-$15 Net)
Rd 3 loser $80 (-$55 Net)
40% payback of entry fees.

Looks like the only real differences are contingency, which only affects 2 racers, and the number of days involved. Contingency is a self-fulfilling prophecy/catch-22/chicken or the egg deal. Sponsors go where the racers are, racers go where the sponsors are.

So, sorry, "short payout" is not a valid argument.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Dammit MB,quit using facts to back up your viewpoint.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

When I was in stock IHRA did fuel check heads up runs at divisionals.

They would also do a terdown when you protested but you better be ready to teardown too if the guy is found legal.

They always did teardown if you were top ten or set a record.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

A few years ago IHRA did fuel check, weighed after each run, and sealed the motor(head to block and carb to intake) after tech. Now they don't do it anymore. I don't know why. I was told to set a record to show up with a head off.

For those asking I have water in the oil and it looks like it broke a valve. I'll know later this week when I tear it down.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

You can explain it 20 different ways, and all of them might perfect sense. It's not about fuel checks or tech inspections or the purse. A good many stock and super stock racers are snobs about the racing they do. They look down there nose at bracket racing and they look down there nose at racing ihra events. We have guys who live within an hour of budds creek who won't run the ihra races there, but will show up 2 weeks later for a test n tune. All that other stuff is just excuses, they just aren't going to race ihra.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Chris,
I understand what you are saying about fuel check, however lets say there are an odd number of cars in the field. #1 qualifier gets a bye {or a free time trail on race day}
THATS why I believe you need fuel checks.

For the record I am NOT implying that I suspect anyone of doing this!!!
I just like to know that there is provisions in place just in case.
BTW congratulations on a good weekend!

Terry, you are right IHRA divisionals are short staffed. The officials were very friendly towards me & were always available to us if we had questions. As I stated previously we need to support them!

Marty

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Those are fair arguments for fuel check. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with them checking fuel at Pro-Ams. That probably comes down to costs in terms of staffing and equipment -- so in that instance, a fair argument in regards to staffing. That being said, that doesn't explain "why" on car counts for Nitro Jam events, since they do fuel check there. The Dallas Nitro Jam was poorly attended, and the Baton Rouge Nitro Jam was down on Super Stock, although they had a decent field of Stock. So back to the drawing board. Do some people simply not know that Nitro Jam = National Event for sportsman cars?

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Jeff,
They are not snobs they are"CLASSY RACERS"

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Chris Jackson

I really don't care what you think about IHRA.......but I sure would like to see you lovely wife again. Is she still putting up with you??

Later RJ

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Maybe we will find out if it's the contingency keeping them away in 2011....

;)

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I cant wait to see what companies or company it is and how much the racers could collect for a win and runner up. Its about time something good came along for IHRA and the racers.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

I am very anxious to see what will be available in 2011. Don't know what it is overall, but my available contingency payouts have been down around 25% from a few years ago. I REALLY miss Mopar because they had the most to offer, even in class!

I know it's not easy and every company has its own timetables, but it will be a big help for the companies as well as racers if a contingency list is posted and updated as early as possible. The IHRA season has been starting pretty early here in Florida which aggravates the situation. But again, it will be beneficial to all involved if racers know what products will be on the list and have time to purchase and install them. And I have every one I claim!

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

OK Marc, so are you saying it is a safe bet for me to build a SS production engine instead of an NHRA legal combo? It sure would be alot easier on the wallet.

Eddie Bolton

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

Eddie, I am Positive you will have a place to race yes. I hear there may b a press release in the next couple weeks concerning contingency and I feel like good things are happening. When you start running in front of crowds it really helps and the proof is there. Fans were 5 deep along the fence at Epping this past weekend! Haven't seen that at that track in a Long time.

Re: SS field set at Crandall IHRA Event?????
 

RJ....she is still putting up with me....but to make you feel better she did tell me that if she does ever leave me...it will be for you....