With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

From the racers view, how is the popularity of drag racing (fans, participants). Anyone quiting, any new racers and/or cars (besides me). Giving account of the current economy, veteran racers that have been around for years and years, what do you think? Do you find yourself saying "how hard would it be to put this thing back on the street". I recently went to a domestic vs import, 275, 10.5 etc at MIR in Maryland, and the place was absolutly packed and they were all (well 90%) under 30 yo KIDS. I was at Indy this year and it could not compare with what I saw at Maryland. Even though Indy is the top for me hands down.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

That depends on who you ask.

1)The NHRA apologists will say it's strong
2)The NHRA detractors will say it's in the toilet
3)And the realists wil say it needs a bunch of tweeking on NHRA's part to level the boat.
I'm in catogory three.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

Count me in category 3 as well

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

I agree, I'm in group 3.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

I waited alot of years to come back, now I will wait even longer. #3 and wont make a move till nhra fixes the mess they have made.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

For the 2s and 3s, why do you still take part in something aggravating you? Or, what are you prepared to do about it? Would you like to be a part of a group statement towards NHRA. Or is it really not that bad? Help me out fellas, am I doing the right thing trying to get into S/S stuff. LOL

I copy your response Bob. (he's a do'er....I like him. I think some **** would get done if you lined up behind Bob)

Wade Mahaffey

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

I've been away alot of years myself. Probably won't even mess with NHRA, except for bracket racing. Going to race IHRA stock.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

Both Bob's refuse to give the bullies their lunch money anymore. Both fellas displaying a nice pair!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

I can guarantee that if I had more close IHRA races, that's where I would be racing. I plan to run a fair bit of IHRA as it stands. But aside from Montgomery and Baton Rouge there aren't alot of IHRA races within a reasonable drive, and the idea of 1/8 mile points races makes me throw up a little in my mouth.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

With my health (cancer) issues I will still race and bitch...............

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

Gonna keep pluggin' away to finish the Max Wedge but I'll race IHRA or stay with the SSSSA and race locally.

JimR

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

Im with number 4.....LOL. I was going racing as I have the $$$ to do it now but unless something is done with the new cars by the 1st of the year in the stock and S/S catagories I will get a street rod instead. Less stress and less BS. Less money in the long run and it will never be worthless as some stockers are now.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

I like the way you think Bob,have had 5 heart attacks one open heart and not about to slow down. when my # is called then I'll go untill then it's BA_ _ S to the wall.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

i agree,

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

Lets here from the top 10 in Stock and Super Stock to see if they think NHRA or IHRA is healthy for the coming year, maybe even the division leaders.

Re: With 2010 almost done, is drag racing healthy?
 

Wade, thanking nothing away from MIR this past weekend, that race was a freak show. With bikini shows, burn out contest, the Army helicopter, music, the import cars, etc., those things bring in a lot of younger people. That was good for the track. The down side is that a lot of the "real" racers were upset and said that they will not return to the track. We both know that only a handfull will not be back, but still, a handfull is the profit for a track on a regular night. You raced their MidNIGHT Maddness (street only cars) for years, won a bunch of races and even was the grand champin once or twice. The Millers have suffered most of this year with small turn out. Thier X275 program was outstanding this year with regards to car count, but only a hundred or so people in the stands. Two or three years ago, the stnads would have been packed to see 30+ of those type of cars. My son and I ran the RAM series (all N/A cars, index classes, 10.5, drag radial). The promotorer had poor turn outs; he took money out of his pocket to pay the purse at most races. Ceicl County had decent turn outs for their Street Car series, with fair spectator turnout. Everywhere we raced, there were light turnouts accross the board. The cost of travel has gotten out of hand. Entry fees have gone up. Racing gas has risen. The overall cost to field a car has exceded what most working people can afford. We race at "racer friendly" tracks. How would I like going to a big event, NHRA, IHRA, or local track, where I spend weeks getting ready, spent a copule of thousand dollar, and then got crapped on (whether I really was crapped on or I perceivced that I was). After a while, it gets old, I get tired of the B.S., I can't afford it, or whatever, I stop going. I believe that is what is really going on. Most Sportsman racers are older, in our age group (I'm 57). We do it part becasue it's our way of life. Part because of the friends that we have made over the years. Part because of the competition. And a little bit because we don't know anything else. I finally bought a Mustang like my son's. Boy, I really didn't want to spend the money, not knowing what the job front may bring. But I didn't know how much longer I might be able to try it again, health and money wise. I've injoyed this year racing with and against my son, but who know what the future will bring.

Thanks, Tom Sr.