It is very difficult to just walk away
 

After reading a lot of the complaints, problems and issues with NHRA sportsman racing on this site it has occured to me that it obviously goes much deeper with a lot of people than just racing.

1) First of all, I have been an NHRA member for over 36 years. An IHRA member for almost 25 years.
2) Over those years I have invested most of my vacation time going to the races.
3) Over those years I have met many good people who have become very good friends (this is probably why I went for so many years). Even today any race I attend I meet new people and form new friendships.
4) Over those years I have invested lots of time, effort and money to improve the performance of my race car to be and stay competitive. With every rule change there is always a price tag associated with it.
5) Over those years this hobby called drag racing consumed so much time, effort and money that it has been a very big part of my life and my main recreational sport (over golf, bowling, boating, car shows, other sporting events, etc).
6) Over the years with sportsman enhancements like reaction times (which made a lot of racers much better), the rising of the pro sportsman racers, the new cars, me getting older, and all of the other rule changes has made it so much more difficult to win.
7) With the way the economy is today I have been much more selective in which races I go to and I don't go to that many.

But with the time, effort and money invested in this sport it is tough to just walk away. Trying to sell all of the stuff I have accumulated and get a fair price is very difficult today. I, like most other racers don't want to just give it away. Our engines, transmissions, converters, trailers, tow vehicles, spare parts, and our cars in general are at a level where we just don't want to bracket race them. So when selling this stuff you have to find the right buyer in the class racing community, they are not worth anything more to the bracket racing community. If you quit then you miss all of the good times with all of your friends and the competition.

So the question is do you sell out regardless of the loss, hang on to what you have and race when you can, hope this down turn reverses itself, hope NHRA comes to its senses and creates a more affordable place to race, start racing more S/SS combo races or just quit and let everything you own sit.

I like the idea of S/SS combo races for many number of reasons, but there are pros and cons to these.

Your thoughts ..

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

[QUOTE=

Your thoughts ..[/QUOTE]

...are my thoughts as well.

c

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Chuck, I just got off the phone with Tommy Mattingly and we were talking about the same thing. If we sell our stuff we'll be lucky to get half what we have in it. In the last few years I have really enjoyed the combo races at Bowling Green. I think this year we are going to have two double races which are Sat. night and Sunday and 3 single which are on Sunday. I have just as much fun at those as div. races or national events. With 5 or 6 races at Ohio Valley this year and the close points races and open's, I'm probably going to stay close to home.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

The Bowling Green schedule should be up soon, and if you're interested, you need to email them, and be added to their email list. They were excited about this year's program at the banquet Saturday night.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

you and Cradduck sharing a brain? same thing he told me. I may come up there and leave the Camaro at his place for the summer just to run those combos

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

If there is ANY chance whatsoever that you will have an opportunity to race in the future, even occasionally, and you don't have to have the extra money, don't sell your stuff. You will likely not get what it's worth and if you decide to start again, it will be much more costly and just not the same with a different car and parts.

No telling how class racing will evolve, especially with the economy. But it should continue for a while on a national or regional level. IHRA is in a good position to capitalize on the current situation with NHRA IF the economy doesn't get worse and racers support their events! If they get the cars, they can provide more payouts and contingency. But it will take time and IHRA is doing what it can without sticking their neck out too far. Besides, it will be too easy to blow your money on something else that may not be as satisfying. How often do you see most of the friends you made while racing outside of racing? Racing is "healthy" also. Keeps you active physically and mentally.

Hang in there if you can.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Chuck I have been thinking along the same lines; after 42 years as a drag racer and the expectation that retirement from work will probably come in a few years, I wondered if it is all worth the time and money. There are only three events within a days drive from home that I can make this year so I am going to try more of the stock/super stock races just to keep cost under control. and like you I have all those spare parts and the car to deal with. Maybe we should convert the race cars to street cruisers and talk about how fast we once were! LOL Just my $.02 worth.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

I fully agree. I may full retire next year. I can't sell this stuff for much. Just bracket racing here locally. About as exciting as painting the house. Probably just sit on it and run a few close points races.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

I made the mistake of selling all of my stuff and have regretted it ever since and now to start again from scratch would be cost prohibitive.
If I still had my operation I would just race the local combos and an ocassional divisional race.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

KEEP Your car and parts!
I for one would never sell my car, while I can still enjoying it. When I stopped racing it in Stock back in the 1980's, I restored it to only find that it was so boring just ro drive around and not trying to compete with the car. So, I took it bracket racing and enjoyed every minute of it, slowly putting back to Stock Eliminator trim. Now, with NHRA raising costs to go racing, I find myself selecting just a few races to go to. I would like to see more Saturday night races, but our local tracks are not having them like they used to.
Casey Miles
248H Stock?

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Chuck,
You have put so much into your car to made it run so good, just Don't sell it for almost nothing and quit.like you said DON'T give it away.
If you can at least run 2 NHRA races, a IHRA at Martin and some comb. races like Nitro Joes you' ll have a good time & if you slow down a little at a time
it's not like quiting cold turkey.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Exactly why I have never considered selling my AMX. I've always said it will be my last race car because if it's gone, then that means I'll never go back racing. There's no way I'll go through the building stage again. I had no kids when I started class racing and now all my time and money is in the wife and 4 kids. I'll be lucky to make a couple divisional races and a National when I get it back, but that's OK with me.
I am pleased that my kids (who haven't seen much of the car in 4 years), do ask me if I'm ever going to get the car back. I like that they show some interest (they're 8 & 11 years old).

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Jeff, I am so glad to hear you haven't sold the AMX. A person we both know told me you sold it a couple years ago at Barrett-Jackson. Bring that beautiful and fast wheelstander out to SIR on 3/25 and 3/26! Does Mark still own the Challenger stocker?

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Same issue here. 2 teenagers and a horrible vacation schedule= I don't get to race much.

But, if I sold everything, I could never afford to come back. I would start another hobby. like Golf.

I want to race so bad it hurts, but would not even consider selling out at this point. I will just wait it out-it costs me nothing to have the car sitting. Things always get better.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Chuck, the biggest question is, are you healthy. Hopefully you are and don't feel you need to sell and/or quit because the end is near. Some of the folks on this thread seam to be in the same boat. It seams to me that it would be very tough to walk away from a part of life that you loved that long. Drag racing, just like life ain't what it used to be. A competitor has something special deep in his core. It's called the heart of a champion, and most of the folks on here have that. I would'nt sell anything, unless I needed the money for my family to eat. Now if you were making payments to race, and needed to get out from under them OK. That stuff brought you alot of happiness, and still can!

I build my own cars, and they are a part of me! As I build my stuff, I am thinking of some details that will be needed should I retire the car from racing. I then build the car with enhancements to provide a relationship between us after racing

Would Ben Cartwright walk away from the Ponderosa? When a man loves something, he stays with it till the end!

Good luck Chuck and the others thinking about quiting. Remember you guys (veteran racers) built Drag Racing....and I sure thank you for that!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

very well said
all of my things are for sale
but
nobody will buy anything
because i will not take a .01 on a $100

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

I'm sitting out 2011,due to lack of funds.Despite my less than optimistic view of what the
NHRA is doing i still would be out this year.I sat out 2004 for the same reason.Found out it wasn't the end of the world.Came back in 2005 with a brighter outlook.
I do have a project car to occupy my time this year though http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...090900PM-1.jpg

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

If you're near southern Ont. this summer, give the Can Am S/SS series a try. Very reasonable entry fees, great payouts, excellent racing. Most races are 2 day events. Not uncommon to have 40 to 50+ cars. Great series. S/SS associations have a lot to offer. No downsides to this series. Pat.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Myself Ive been racing cars since the 80s. I took a break for 6 years to get my life in order all the while thinking about the next 4 wheel fix. I however sold my pride and joy of 13 years for less than I thought I ever would. Trailer, parts, xtras, etc etc. Well I finally got back into it and jumped head first to Stock Elim.(dumb *** ) Now I am currently and slowly building another Stocker for what? I keep truly wondering why. I am willing to bet Ive spent about a 1/4 of a million dollars over the years on this 4 wheel crack ****.That being said Ive met a lot of great people and made alot of friends in doing this. Now that I can finally afford to do it I am ready to quit again. Im not really sure if anything else makes me as happy. As long as I have something to show for it I guess. Anyway, I promised myself not to sell out this time due to the fact my 4 yr old son cant wait to take the helm. God help me this expense is just the beginning. Time for a 2nd part time job and maybe I can walk there due to the (soon to be) 4 dollars a gallon gas. Its a vicious cycle aint it? For now Im staying close to the home front
as the big storm is coming and the snow blower is ready for some un used c12 .

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Not really.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

holdin' out on me?

what's the plan with it?

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Sometimes you just have to step back and take a break. Selling off the cars and parts should only be done in cases of upgrading or estate sales. :)

I always said that the difference between dope and drag racing is you can really quit dope if you want.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Chuch don't do it... I sold my trusty green camaro after 18 years (6 years ago) because I was going to get out of racing. We bought a family beach house a block from the water in Long Island, went fishing, boating and was bored to tears. Missed my buds and got sick from work & stress due to no outlet. You can only sleep so much on the boat and the fishing is cool but over rated compared to drag racing.

I went to a race at Atco to see some freinds and decided that is where I belonged. I went through 2 race cars until I finally found my niche again and sure wish I had my trusty ole camaro again. I made an attitude adjustment and just happy to race anywhere these days IHRA, NHRA, ASRA, ECSSSA, Super Chevy, etc.

I hope Gary Richards is enjoying my car, it sure is faster now.

Take some time off.....you can always sell it in the future. I think time will confirm your decision either way. Plus I want one more shot at you heads up since I am 0 for 2, LOL.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

For me,stepping away from class racing at the moment isn`t too terribly difficult. Indexes dropping,altitude factor changes,way too far to travel for races,high gas prices,very few local combo events,etc,etc. I love running Stock and always will,but the cost to really persue Championships just isn`t worth it like it was back when I first got in Stock in `92. I`m sure I`ll be back.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

No matter what the Lord brings in the future, We are Stock Eliminator racers to the day we die as was my brother and Dad! This IS our primary Hobby and Recreation~ If we have to go to the track and run against just each other every week......... .We will: As long as there is a drag strip to go to or a straight stretch of blacktop outside town.
When it is time for me to go home to the Lord ...the kids will probably bury me in my Dart.....of course they said the were going to remove the engine/trans FIRST!

Irving Family Racing

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Leaning towards an H/MP street driven tribute car.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Never give up ,Step away I did after putting my car up for sale.I would have sold my car spare motor and trailer for 20k.After a 3 yr break I took it out for 4 laps at Zmax,had a blast.You couldnt give me a 100k for it today.If your not having fun anymore put a Jerico in it,it will be like having sex for the first time.

Tom Hemmingson
4612 K/S
66 Chevelle Malibu

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Ed,

LOVE the wagon!! Sorry you've decided not to race this year. Hopefully things will improve for you and you'll be able to compete sometime really soon! I really looked forward to seeing you at Atco.

Be safe out there!

Lew

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

In the immortal words of Ahrnold:"I'll be back".

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

All I know is I wish I had a race car. Never have and always wanted to. Just never worked out for me. It almost happened a few times. Close but no cigar. So be happy with what you have had. keep what you got and at least you get to do what you love. even if it might be one or two times a year. I'd take that in a heart beat and I would be just THRILLED to be in an NHRA race. I would love it, Warts and all.
All I ever wanted was to have a Super Stocker sitting in my garage.
Just another point of view to help you think about it.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

That was a '70 AMX, 390 4-speed that was painted same colors as my Stocker. I restored that car and sold it at BJ in 2006.
Mark sold the Challenger to Jim Storms. Jim put an automatic in it and it is presently in the for sale section of this site. Jim made some upgrades and I have to think it's a beautiful car!

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

ed do you want to sell that wagon?

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

hey frank i have a nice max wedge wagon for sale at a decent price!!!!

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Stepping away sometimes lets you look at it from a different veiw, If you always do, what you always done, you'll aways get, what you've always gotten. Make alittle change and remember, Winners aren't quitters and Quitters aren't winners

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

You're six months too late.I was going to sell it.Didn't get a bite.
Now that the ***** is really hitting the fan with NHRA I'm more determined than ever to finish and enjoy it.
There are a few for sale that I know of. PM me if you're interested.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Ed, what is that thing?

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Well I sold everything this winter but don't consider myself a quitter. Took my first trip down the drag strip in 1964 and lasted until 2010. Got to meet a lot of nice people and had a ball, even won a few races. No I don't consider myself a quitter in the least.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Mr E, those laps in the stroller don't count!!.......already got a nice pit spot at TMP picked out for y'all.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Those two fast sons will probably keep ya busy.

Re: It is very difficult to just walk away
 

Hummmmmm.....Kind of thought you might be getting a new DP or Mustang.......LOL. With your sons racing you will no doubt stay busy. Good luck.