I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

How can IHRA say that they are the body that cares about the sportsman racers? The way I see it, they care allright... about two classes T/S, T/D. Can anyone answer me why IHRA decided to structure the payout different in just those two classes. It sure didn't pay off in Palm Beach when they payed out over $5,000 and only took in $1,700 for 7 cars in T/S. S#!t, all you had to do is show up with a hunk of crap and slap a T/S on the window and your up a couple hundred even if you lose first round. with less than 32 T/D cars, I don't think they hit much of a profit there either.

Its all in the wording, T/DS get $2,500 win, $1000 R/U, $600 semis, $400 Quaters, $200 eights.
Now what does S/SS or .90 get? $1,500 win, $800 R/U, and here is the kicker, 3rd round loss $100, 4th round loss $200. So, if 16 or less show up (why would they with this payout) then your semi final performance gets a whoping $100. You would need over 33 cars and get to the semis to get your buyin back. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, we don't do it for the money. Clearly thats why people just flood to IHRA National events.

We have suported IHRA extensively in the past 3 years, but I cant stand for this crap. Take a look boys and girls, you would be better off entering your S/SS or .90 car in the box, no box.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

No, you can't. Please read the rulebook. (and for the record, I said the same thing in the late '90s... "Why don't we just build a Comp-legal chassis and show up to collect our qualifying money?", as they had short fields at the time.) If that's what you want to do, go build a T/S car, a Comp car, or a TA/FC and rake in your hoards of Qualifying money.

TS and TD have been a staple of IHRA for many many years, and have only recently fell prone to short car counts, and they still do fine in many areas. Some of the qualified fields have been really good shows.

Why does SS get paid more than Stock? Why does Comp get paid more than SS or S? Why does T/AD and TA/FC get paid more than Comp, SS and S? :rolleyes: Seriously, this is kind of scraping the barrel on trying to find something to complain about, in my opinion. Then again, if that's the only thing we have to complain about, what's the problem?

Correct. You can call it "semifinals" all you want, but the driver in that situation still only won TWO rounds. 4th round loser with 16 cars would be R/U and get sticker money. What's 4th round loser get you anywhere else on the planet?

I swear, some people will only be happy with $100 entry fees to run for $10,000, get 6 time shots, and have no other classes on the grounds other than Stock and Super Stock.

Kinda tired of the whole "IHRA has low car counts" BS. Well if people would GET OFF THE COUCH and GO to the races (like Hagen has), there would BE big car counts. More cars = more payout and more sponsors. Everybody that keeps complaining about all of NHRA's enhancements are doing nothing but feeding that which they claim to hate. I call BS. I think those people LOVE complaining. Maybe if IHRA made you show up on Wednesday, charged you double, parked you a mile from the staging lanes, charged you for pit vehicles, charged you for trash, charged you for waste oil, mandated mufflers, mandated diapers, started at 7:30am then ran you at 11pm, didn't prep the track, allowed Hemi cars to run heads-up with small blocks, didn't put you on TV, and just generally treated you like crap, people would FLOCK to the gates. GIVE ME A BREAK. So REALLY? You're going to complain about what some OTHER class is getting paid? What on earth does T/S payouts have to do with IHRA's friendliness?

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Michael you must have an instant notification on your phone if someone posts something on class racer about IHRA. I was just about to post wait til Michael read this!!! LOL

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Hagen are you going to Houston next month?

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

fuel at $3.60 gal
entry fee $350
fuel to go to Fl. $1200
plus food, drinks, etc
to win WHAT

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

My business is internet-based, so it's always right there. Just happened to stumble on it at the 'right' time.

Sorry for venting. Just absolutely SICK of all the problem-generating WE do, on top of all of the ACTUAL problems that are forced on us. Kinda cranky too from working 14hr days trying to get caught up with work. Been so slammed that I'm not racing this weekend, and probably not next weekend.

Need to go race with Ortiz some more.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Dude, you missed the point. I don't think IHRA really believes they will get more than 32 cars in either class. So they adjusted the payout to rounds won instead of semis, quaters and so on. This has everything to do with friendliness, I expect my friends to be fair to me. The differences in payout structure is not fair in MY opinion. Seems like they know exactly how many cars will show from years past and adjusted acordingly. I figured I earned the right to bitch about how I got enhanced by IHRA. I wish everyone in the area would come give it a try, and thats why this pisses me off.

Ed, I'll be at both BR and Houston, You?

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

hey michael
how about some live reports
what the hell is going on in bradenton

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

If you had come down to win the BIG BUCKS from NHRA you would know what is going on in Bradenton......... You guys all bitch yet wont go anywhere unless the race is in your back yard. It didnt matter when gas and diesel was under a buck and a half.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Pay outs are really tough for the track putting on the race. If you don't post guarenteed money then no one will show. If you base if off of the number of competitors that show up in each category no one would show up. Basing it on the number of rounds helps the track but the problem I have is if there is a bye in any 'paying' round then the track makes out. For instance, if there are only 3 cars left they only pay one semi then the runner up and the winner .. they keep the other semi would be money ..

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

I agree with you Hagan, if IHRA doesnt up their payout they will continue to have low car counts. Im sure someone will immediately reply to this and say, " we as racers need to show our support for them to increase the payout." I do understand this point but just as Vic just pointed out, its hard to leave the house when you will not even pay for your trip if you win. Yes we do it for fun, BUT, this sport is getting more and more expensive and most people are probably making less so this is more important at the moment than, "Lets support them so they can pay us more". Contingencies are less and less, that is what the sportsman racer relies on. I do applaud IHRA for their TOC at the end of the year, an awesome program. Personally, I believe the tracks, organizations should pay the racer more at the track to at least make it more appealing to drive the distance to attend. Even if its $500-$1000 more for the winner/runner up and a little more down the line it would offset cost. If the contingency sponsors have to pay the money, then why isnt there a fund prepaid by them for this so the racer can collect the money at the track for their products/decals? I think combo races will be very popular this year.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

hey terry
i am not rich like you
i am just a poor boy from wv
and i do this for fun
but the cost now is well

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Heh Heh Im from W. "By God" also (the poor coal mine part) and Im sure not rich. Wished I had a motor home like yours. To many other toys took what $$$$ I had I guess. Hope your keeping warm in the frozen north.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

I can't call either organization more friendly than the other. Sure, IHRA is more layed back, cuz nobody shows up. IHRA spends more time with you, cuz nobody shows up. IHRA starts late and ends early, cuz nobody shows up. You park close, cuz nobody shows up. You get it? I have never had a problem with either org. besides the payout structure. Its broken in both. But this is just a slap in the face. Its not my fault if nobody shows, but how can you feel good about paying the same to get in the gate and T/S gets 6 times as much as a SS car in the semis if the same number of cars show up? Give me a break, I could have a competative car in T/S or T/D for the same money in my SS. What makes them so special? I guess if I had a brick with a CM in it, I could call it a stocker and load it up on my open trailer and feel ok with the payout. But I don't want to and a great majority of the people IHRA needs to suport them don't either.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

I've got to agree about TS & TD. I was very disappointed to learn it's just another bracket race. I never watched them, so assumed since they make such a big deal about their qualifying they actually raced heads up like the Alky cars. Their "show" would be a lot better if they actually raced heads up. Of course the beaters would stop showing up.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Michael I'm just having fun with you. I went to 7 IHRA races last year so I don't have a problem with them. I race for fun and to see friends. Winning is nice,but not an necessity to me.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Houston

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Hagen I get your point. Two years ago in Pine Valley there were 3 cars left. I was one of them. I lost to Dwayne Custer. I went to the tower and they said because of the car count we are only paying the winner and r/u. That is the one time I wasn't to thrilled with IHRA. other than that it's been good. I feel if I pulled my car 5 hours to the race I shouldn't be punished for nobody else showing up. Like I said I like IHRA. When I broke in Dallas last year Frank gave me my entry fee and crew fee back. When I broke in Houston a few years ago NHRA said thanks for playing.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Yes Ed, its a bracket race after qualifying, just like S/SS. I agree the payout structure for all classes needs to be adjusted fairly. But if the TS "show" as you call it was heads up, it would be called "Pro Modified", which we all know is outta hand right now. Guys like me would just sell my ***** and just run S/G.(and I dont own a beater).

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Well, great! Looking forward to seeing all of you at Virginia and MIR for the Sportsman Spectacular races. $5,000 to win plus National event contingency. Everything you've asked for.

Vic, staying home to work. Business is insane right now, can't afford to take off on Thursday for a Divisional race.

I call BS, because IHRA people, schedule, and parking were good 10 years ago, too.

Guess people could say the same about S/SS. :rolleyes: What 7-second car is a beater? :confused:

There were 5 cars total. The posted payout was paid. "At 3 cars" was the 2nd round of eliminations. 5 cars or 100 cars, 2nd Round loser does not receive money.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Stop all the crying already.... get ya a motor or a big hose and go get all that easy T/S T/D money....ATTENTION.... there is no money in sportsman racing when you consider the COSTS.....If you don't enjoy the circus buy some golf clubs or a bowling ball and stay close to home....It's cheaper

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

X 2 Its all a "Pants" dropping contest anyway.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

"Show" was not my description, that was a race official's. As I said, if it's a show, nobody is watching. Div races used to pack them in, no more. Div races used to run Top Fuel and Pro Stock also. Probably the reason.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

see terry
its not about ihra or nhra
its about MONEY
i have lived my dream
Vegas and Fl (2)
now i will stay at home tracks
no money honey

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

In the mid 90's I had the same aguement with the IHRA brass. $100.00 for semi's at a National at Tulsa.
Told them they paid better in the late 70's. Their answer, "if we don't get the cars we can't pay the money!"
DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Agreed, but I guess they can only afford to pay two classes regardless of how many show up. I'm just saying, whats fair is fair, and this is not. The Pay structure should be the same for all classes. Please someone tell me how it wouldn't be better to enter your .90 car or S/SS in the et bracket program at the same race. Half the buy in with more payed to the winners, semis and quaters. They even get contingencies.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

there is not an ET World Champion and they don't get to race at VMP.

the only way to collect contingency is to win vs the box winner also

don't know about your car but my stocker is a Terrible ET car!

I don't care to win a trophy with ET on it, want mine to say STOCK WINNER!

Keep it up and there will be nothing but ET and pro's anyway, wish we would all band together so the sanctioning bodies and tracks and sponsors could pay what they paid in the 70's and 80's.

If you want T/S or T/D pay....build you one....if you want T/F dragster pay, build you one...if you spent that much money on your SS car, it was probably because you wanted to, or did you say...("If I build me a 1st class SS car for $100k, I bet I could make that back in 20 or 30 years!")

Come to the races, have a good time, hang out with great people. If you happen to win....take the check to the bank. If you loose 1st round like I usually do, support your friends that are still in. Either way, leave the track with a smile on your face because we get to do something that many many people in this world could only dream of doing!

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Dueces,
Are you going to Houston in March?

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

You are waisting your time Marc. I been there - done that..............Let's see we have class racing ,,bracket racing , bench racing and then there is B**ch racing (getting "real "popular now).................LOL,LOL,LOL...............

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

My bad, you guys are all right. no way should I question the very thing that people come to the races to win. Maybee I should just do like all you old boys and continue to take it in the shorts and just pay my entry and not worry. Well, I can tell you one thing. People my age arn't that stupid, and maybee thats why S/SS is dieing off with all the old addicts. I should just build a fast bracket car cuz the payout is better, right? You people tear me up with wanting it both ways. Your not going to get people in the class if its stupid to run it.

BTW, when I was in NC for 2009 TOC, the et bracket program had the best payout on the grounds by far. Don't tell me they don't run for anything

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Guess so, because T/S, T/D, Comp, T/AD, and TA/FC all get paid more than S/SS in NHRA, too.

What's your proposed entry fee and payout structure for Stock and Super Stock?

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Took the words right outta my mouth :o

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

don't know about your car but my stocker is a Terrible ET car!
Are you for real? last time I was @ a Div. race or Nat. , stockers had shoe polish on the window and if you ran out you lost, just like a footbrake( ET). car .
You guys need to get over yourselves .:eek:

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

I just wanted to say the ET race at the 09 TOC was for the summit super series race which is a totally different ET program at the national events....im just curious how much is NHRA going to pay those Alcky funnies this weekend for the short field per rd won...

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

Quote:

Well, great! Looking forward to seeing all of you at Virginia and MIR for the Sportsman Spectacular races. $5,000 to win plus National event contingency. Everything you've asked for.

When are these races? I would love to go, even if I am in Arkansas. Beats divisional races for sure.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

God willing we will be there!!!!

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

July 8-10 MIR and October 14-16 Virginia

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

...which is analogous to NHRA's Summit ET Series championship runoff at Pomona, where the winners get $5K. (Albeit nowhere near what the IHRA Summit E.T. World Champions earn) Both sanctions pay the championship runoff qualifiers tow money. As Brandon said, these are totally separate programs from class racing and the standard national event. Information regarding these other series is readily available.

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

IHRA does have a Bracket World Champion. How do I know because I won it in 2010.
To Qualify:
Win your Local track Championship
Win Runoff against all track champions in your division
Then you go to the world Finals and race against the 6 division champions plus 2 wild cards drawn fron Track Champions that don't have a bracket finals.

In 2010 I got a
Turn Key 2010 Miller Dragster (value $50,000)
$10,000
$1,000 in tow money
Gold Card for Nationals and divisionals
Silver Card for Bracket Racing
Diamond World Champion Ring
$800 Gift certificate from Simpson

Pretty good Payout for a bracket racer maybe ya'll should try it.

Chip Johnson

Re: I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness
 

NHRA bracket program is way less.
They pay $3500 in tow money against your winnings.
The winner only gets $5,000 less the $3,500
Ask Tim Griffith he won it in his jeep.
FYI
Chip Johnson