The New IHRA ???
 

Being that the sanctioning body has just gotten bought up,if you were the new owners would you leave things as they are or make changes??? Same eliminator categories? Would you combine Stock and Super Stock and maybe add a Nostalgia eliminator with with indexes like Nostalgia Super Stock?
I'd like to see them work on the Divisional events and making them more successful. Div 3 is scattered to the outer limits of the division. They need to bring them into the more central part of the divisions so racers will more likely chase points.They need to come up with a way that the track owners don't take a beating on the divisional events.
IHRA Drag Racing was for me some of the best times of my racing career. Like anything I'm sure that if they throw some funding to help the Pro Am events racers will return, and the investment will follow.
What do you think????

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I would invite the PURE STOCKERs that have to look exactly like an original and the upgraded look alike in everyway Stockers that run heads up.

http://www.purestockdrags.com/

Would bring back Junior Stock and merge with Pure and regular Stock.
Try and produce more classes that do not require a Roll Bar being added.

Junior Stock always had a wonderful history.
Just need to standardize the rules.

Create a Crate Motor Pure Stock so older cars can compete.

Allow 4 Speed Automatics and 5 Speeds manuals to older cars allowing only 3 or 4 speeds respectively.

May get more cars driven off the street instead of towed.

Drop the Racing Gas and 2 year Harness Certification rule.

my 2 cents.

Dan

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Jeff, I agree with most of what you said. The Divisional races near us are not that great. Pittsburgh is 85 miles for me. Every other race in Division 1 or 3 are 300+ miles away. In 2003, when I started racing IHRA, I had four (yes, 4) races within a hundred miles [two at Pitt, one at Quaker (25) and Dragway 42 (100)]. Since then, we have lost Quaker, 42, Beaver Springs, Hamilton, and other tracks that were as close, or closer, than almost all the current NHRA/IHRA tracks. And yet, we still have it better than many others. A Nostalgia-type Class for somewhat stock-appearing cars (period correct scoops, no Pro Stock style scoops, etc) might not be a bad idea, but make it 1975 and older, and allow pony cars (Camaro, Nova, Mustang, etc.). Maybe a Quick-8 shootout for Top classes (would have to be Friday night at Double races, or have a seperate 32 car dial-in field and Q-8 no breakout show. Maybe some money (even $100) and points again, for records in S/SS. Just some small things that may help.


An increased payout might help some (currently, other than Pitt, I have to win one day, or R/U both days, to break even or make a small sum). Yes, we don't do this for the money (most of us), but would be nice to know we could get SOME money if we do well. A runner-up at Maple Grove, with some sticker money, I *might* break even (R/U pays $400). Every NHRA/IHRA weekend will cost me close to a thousand dollars in entry, gas, tolls, motel, foods and any extras. The exceptions would be Pittsburgh, Norwalk and Columbus. For these reasons alone, one would THINK that more racers would support their local .90, S/SS, etc Associations. Alas, many do not see it that way.

I wish the new owners in IHRA well, and hope they can change/ improve upon a few things.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

There are currently seven sportsman classes. Several more classes have been suggested here already. What increase in payout (multiplied by the number of classes) will yield a higher car count to the point that it will cover those increases? It's already been proven that there is not necessarily a direct correlation between payouts and car counts. Where does the money come from? "Well, just get some sponsors!" Sponsors must be able to identify a value and a return on their investment.

Points are inexpensive (administration only), but cash? Class Eliminations are similar to Records: Seems simple enough to do "just a little something" for class winners, right? Based upon projected car counts, the Northern Class Nationals trophy bill alone could approach $3,000.

Ironically enough, we've just started discussing "The Reality of Racing Math" on the new ET Drag Racing magazine. http://etdragracing.com/magazine/

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Michael , I don't know if you remember it or not ,but when Stanback headache powders used to sponsor us in the 90's i came up with the idea to pay all record setters $25.00 when record was set at an event .The stipulation was put Stanback in the names mentioned on the record sheet which in turn was printed in every issue of Drag Review under records until record was broken or reset ....We paid at our race trailer at that event on the spot for setting record ...Wasn't much ,but was very appreciated from the racers as they were getting nothing but a certificate at that time......( it did help out on the gaskets ).......Stanback was in every record sheet every issue ,and that was cheap advertising .....

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

At the very least,I would expect Stock and Super Stock to be consolidated or eliminated.The numbers are just not there to have a profitable race with 10 or less Super Stockers at most races.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Before my time, but I remember you telling me the story. Now there's an example of at least some semblance of a return on investment, with branding/name recognition -- something which would require very little of both the racers and the promoters. How could this general concept be applied today to generate a greater value for existing sponsors and attract new sponsors, thus eventually resulting in a greater draw for racers?

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I like the idea of adding NSS to the program but again money is an issue, but perhaps the NMCA rules could be added to the IHRA allowing them to compete.
NSS is very popular in the heart of IHRA country and people like to see the old cars compete plus it might give retired racers a new outlet for their need for speed just like the old days.....but perhaps the NMCA will allow use of it's funds for the NSS cars and consider it a part of one of it's races.

JimR

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I'll just hope for the Pro-Am series to reach IHRA's Div. 7, plus bring back the allowance of Av gas for Stock Eliminator (if it has to be pure gasoline), or allow Unleaded Premium blends in Stock....

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I would like to see an entry level class with no electronics ,air shifters, or throttle stops. The basics of the way the 90 classes used to be. Everyone cant afford a class car, especially when they are starting out. My two cents, would be hard to police.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

What about an Open Comp .500 pro tree format? That seemed to be the most popular in the NMRA and NMCA.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

"Being that the sanctioning body has just gotten bought up,if you were the new owners would you leave things as they are or make changes?"[/QUOTE]

I would do only minor change for the moment, so as to keep the racer and fan base you now have. I would then tweak the rules and such to lure the other racers from the other HRA's etc, and add to my racer and fan base. Trying to stablilize the organization and achieve some credibility, and add some more tracks, for increased coverage.


And hope for the weather to cooperate.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Would be cool to see the new IHRA owners work together with the NMCA/NMRA guys on some sort of special event together.

I raced my Pure Stocker at both the NMCA event and NMRA event @ Bowling Green last year and had a few people ask me about Pure Stock and the IHRA rules.

Maybe have a special Stock/SS exhibition/combo class at those NMRA/NMCA events to expose their fans to class racing. :)

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Why all the complicated speculation about returning IHRA to its former glory? Do you reall think boutique micro classes or a few dollars here or there is what is really needed? Just close your eyes for a minute and remember the packed track with cars and sectators at Cayuga,131,the Rock let alone Norwalk and ask your self what was the secret ingredient----------THE PROS! Yes folks the PROS which bring people to the seats who spend money,the speed channel which broadcasts the PROS! Kids who want the autographs of the PROS!.Whats the magic here you need the PROS just like that other sanctioning body you know the NHRA they have THE PROS!I can remember parking so far away from the starting line at MIR that I had to refuel to make a run.Now you can park by the well attended porta potties there are so few cars.
NEW OWNERS LISTEN UP the magic words are THE PROS! And yes also heads up classes for these new factory cars which have created the first real buzz in years.No rocket science here folks.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

In order to have a Pro point series Pro Mod, Pro Stock, Nitro, even Top Alcohol, they need to find a title sponsor who is willing to invest enough money so that the Pros will be paid enough. It will take millions to ensure a fully paid Pro point series and all that comes with it. I dont think IHRA can find that kind of investor, maybe they just arent interested in doing it? Does IHRA even have enough first rate 1/4 mile tracks to hold National type events for Pro cars?
I hope they do change for the better, Im just bringing up a couple of points.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Yes. I've personally competed at most of the national event hosting facilities since 2003, and been to over 70 tracks, so there's a basis for comparison.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Palm Beach for one is first class and can handle anything you want to throw at it! The track hooks and it is smooth as glass. Plenty of stopping room. I'm sure there are many more around the country. Jim


.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Bingo....Pro Mod started here with Charles Carpenter. In the Southeast we like door cars. Rockingham with no Pro Mod/ Pro Stock is a crime. Nitro makes noise, the fans like it although I could live without it,IMO.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Palm Beach
Budds Creek
Pittsburgh
Rockingham
Memphis
San Antonio
State Capitol
US 131
Possibly the new Old Dominion.
Did I leave any out Michael?

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Now is the time to think about" PINKS". It is not about the types of cars that came out, but how they got the seats filled, the racers excited, TV coverage and a payout that makes sportsman classes look like freebies.How many divisionals fill the seat to 25%? How many divisionals get 350+ cars? Look at the number of cars that come out to race on Mopar Ford and GM events.Mopar nostalgia SS events. It is all hard racing.It is all exciting . Lots of factory loyalty. And it is not about the $. It's on the wall that NHRA is having $ problems. Their business plan does not work. There are plenty of new Mopar GM and Ford factory hot rods that can race and continue this tradition. You just need the get higher car counts and fans in the stands. I can't answer these questions but the new owner have the resources to do it.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I'm with you on this one Jim, and one of the (many) others is here in my state...Southwestern International Raceway, in Tucson, Az.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

How about a divisional event in Montana? YDS in Acton is a perfect locale, otheriwse I'm stuck going to Canada for a Pro-Am or big event!

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

You make a great point...
IHRA should video tape their events and show them on Speed like PINKS all Out does.
Add some drama with a good team of announcers and history.
It is interesting watching old Videos of races in the 70's.
There were exciting to watch.

Bringing PRO Classes back is a good idea.
Do it the IHRA way and does not have to do what NHRA does.

Drag Racing needs to attract a wide and more affordable level racing.
Fixing up the Pit Area to accommodate Large Trailers and Driven Cars.
Add electrical connections and other facilities to quiet the Generator noise.
Make easy to get in and out of parking spaces for drive cars.
Smaller spaces for towed car trailers.

FIX up the Rest Rooms. Most are modified outhouses and the better ones ones step up from a Prison.
Hell, I cannot get my wife and daughters out because they are so disgusting.
AND women are the other half of participants rarely considered.
Appealing to women's needs, who may have kids following along would bring a lot of additional participants.

On the larger racing meets create a play area for the kids.
Making Drag Racing more Family friendly will bring in paid participants.

Dining and Food:
The food is barely edible, not tasty and over priced at the tracks.
Get a few Chefs in there, fix up and entertainment and make a nice eating and viewing area.
Have BBQ and Roasted Chicken and decent Pasta.
Invite local restaurants to bring in their Food Coach's.
You entertain the public they will come.
How about a tasty New England Lobster sandwich?
or English Fish and Chips

Consider adding the Local Bracket Racing Point programs to compete at Divisional and National Meets.

Go back to more 1/4 racing and less 1/8 mile racing.

Top Fuel & Funny Car and Alcohol
Limit Supercharger size dramatically.
Will reduce breakage, create reliability and lower organization costs.
Engines may last an entire meet without a full rebuild.
Noise and speed are still there, but lower ET, Mph and insurance costs and operate 1/4 tracks safely.

Pro Stock..needs to take a step back and get back to Stock Bodied vehicles instead of the Pro Stock style Bodies.

Regarding Pinks..there are a lot of cars running in the 9, 10, 11 Second Range, most in the 10's.
Good time to recreate Modified Production by standardizing engines and power adders.
Yeah this will require a lot of jiggling.
But we have lots of Engine power Models work with.

Just a suggestion: Limit RPM with Valve Spring, look at all the Master Engine Builder Rules, limiting Induction, cam size, piston configuration.
AND NO HOOD SCOOPS ! Except maybe little ones.

Create a 16 MP Classes and run them for champ bracket style.

Got to start attracting the foreign made cars.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This alone will drive a whole new generation of racers to IHRA.
Something that NHRA is not doing.

Stock and Super Stock are still hot items.
Pure Stock, Jr Stock, Nostalgia, Pure Stock Drags all need to be promoted.
Especially if you add foreign makes like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Nissan, Toyota...

Bigger is better if done in the right way.

my 2 cents again

D

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I'm with you on your thoughts Dan....especially the import racing thoughts. Less we also be aware that just like those domestic specialty events are contested in frequent contests nationwide, so is a series called "Import Face Off". They run in the same format as "Super Chevy Show", as well as the other shows, and they get spectators out for them nationwide. How about it IHRA? I'm not a fan of imports, and I love racing against them, but they are getting the following, so they're worth looking at too...their racing is much less expensive also...how does $30 bucks to race for $2k in their top classes sound to ya???

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I have often wondered why tracks do not offer spaces with 30 amp hookups.
Seems like a good money maker to me. Must be a liability issue.

I would pay 30 bucks a day to be able to hook up to that instead of burning 4 bucks a gallon gas running a noisy generator.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I had to get to this post. All of the disturbance I have stirred up over the years about Pinks All Out and here we have some posts wanting IHRA to look at their format. If IHRA can make their work plan close to Pinks All Out I know a lot of cars that will be ready to race. I always said that NHRA and IHRA had to have been looking at Pinks All Outs car count, how fast their car count filled up, and sold out venues for spectators

A track cleaning up their act and their facilities to make it friendly for family is a big selling ticket. That was the thing at tracks with Pinks All Out. Things were set up to acccomodate racers, and their families. During the day the children played together while the adults raced. Night time was like a big family campground. I will give two IHRA tracks a point here, Dunn-Benson demolished all of the old facilities and now has very nice, family friendly facilites. Piedmont Dragway has followed suite and now has new cleaner facilities. Chris3 Racing is a three generation racing family and a track has to be where I would take my wife, children, their spouse, and grandchildren if I am spending our money to race there.

Oh yes, myself and alot of others who raced the Pinks All Out Series and still keep in contact over the years are watching IHRA site every day to see how this is going to mature.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

From what i have read about the new owners of IHRA is that they are looking to buy tracks.Right now mostly in Canada.As for Pinks coming back i dont think so.As for any reality show Pinks was all about the drama.And that is why it was so popular for its short time.From Rich C. falling off of a motorcycle ,to him getting in someones face for "not running all out".I dont think any sanctioning body really want to put up with that bs.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Pinks filled up tracks for one reason.....TV. Everyone and their brother showed up in hopes of getting on tv with their cars. Without the tv coverage, nobody would have shown up. It had everything to do with tv exposure and nothing to do with format, racing, tracks or anything else.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Where's the "Like" button? Dead on! Look at how much attention this site has to just a pic of Larry Hill's car in Dragster. NHRA's TV coverage is missing the boat and IHRA can capitalize on it.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

IHRA is on the right track with Motor Mania TV - Live internet feed during races and then copies posted on YouTube. They had it in Immokalee last week and it was announced that Carolina Dragway in Jackson, SC will also be doing this during their double-header divisional.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Most of this is facility related and unless they buy all the tracks they will have little todo with any of these things.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

http://youtu.be/hg5wl-u6RD4

http://youtu.be/__0yaUm2Phw

http://youtu.be/mbqDlkXZyJ0

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

MIKE:
This is a start...

However needs to be on TV and a professional format not just YouTube.
AND
without the painful advertisement !!

I like PINKS and their format...

D

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you need to raise awareness of your product! You must advertise in order to maximize your portion of the publics entertianment dollar !!! THEY WILL NOT COME AND SEE/SUPPORT YOU IF THEY DON'T KNOW YOU EXIST! Everybody is not a motor head, atleast not yet but there's a first for everything. Expose them to what you love to see and do!

1. Fill the grandstands....even if you need to give them away with free admission (on the spectator side). Now charge them to enter the pits, (after they're hooked). Sell products to all the full seats ie. food, souviners. YOU CAN'T SELL ANYTHING TO AN EMPTY SEAT!

2. Have a cost for up close/priority parking for spectators.

3. Saturate the community with promotional oppurtunities ie. Race Cars and Drivers/Teams on location in the publics eye. Media advertisments Radio/TV/ internet. I realize these things cost money....but most are simply effort driven!

4. Have some type of compensation for racers who are willing to go above and beyond to promote in the area prior to an event ie. priority pit parking, additional event passes, acknoledgement on the public address system etc. The racers should back this program to the fullest, because it enhances the their future and drag racing in general.

5. As far as the racing itself, I don't believe that you should cheapen or water down the Stock and Super/Stock classes/rules to gain competitors. I do like a bracket program during the event at a seperate time in which the class competitors can enter if they like.

I must say that as a competitor on race day, I'm not aware if fans are present or not. But when not in the car....I love to see the stands full! I feel that the single most important factor in the future of what we love ...is $$$$$. And the single most important portion of incomming money is fan support. The more fans...the better the ratio of money for the racers...even though it's hard to see that on the NHRA side!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

1) This is merely archived footage. The entire event was broadcast live, including photo galleries, results, and interviews.
2) TV is EXPENSIVE. Pinks All Out cost "more than $400,000 an episode"
3) Missed a TV broadcast? Unless you DVR'd it, it's gone. There's very little multiplier available.
3) TV viewership is a guesstimate. Online viewership is trackable via server stats, it's a targeted, engaged audience, where advertisers have the ability to do more than just show static banner ads or traditional commercials. Audiences can also participate in live chat while watching the broadcast. Times, and audiences, are changing.

If it wasn't for my wife, we wouldn't even have cable. I canned it when I was in NC, and didn't miss it at all. There is an enormous amount of content available online now. The paradigm is slowly from "watch when we tell you to watch" to watch on-demand.

That would be the people that PAID to make the broadcast possible. While you can't skip it in the live broadcast, you can very easily click past it in youtube. I've seen a lot of threads recently saying how "sponsors should do this" and "sponsors should do that", yet people complain about how sponsors don't do everything the racer wants and exactly how they want it.

Quite frankly, I thought the use of 'classic' elevator music in the elevator ad was hilarious! Am I in the market to buy an elevator? No, and never will be, but I sure appreciate everything John Taylor has done for the sport, both locally and nationally.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Michael , some of these guys would complain if they got hung with a new rope .

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I believe if you don't want a Pinks All Out tv type show and you can't afford the pros your pretty much toast. You can't put butts in the seats with shoe polish. Never have never will. Although some nostalgia races can draw some people.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

If the weather holds up,I think there will be a pretty good crowd this year at this event:


http://www.route66raceway.com/Events...t-Sundown.aspx

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

"Pinks" and "Pinks All Out" are to completely different things. Pinks was a complete disgrace to drag racing. It was like going to a fight and a drag race broke out. Pinks, in my opinion, was suppose to appear to be a grudge street race for "Pink Slips." Pinks All Out was a tv show and you did have to do some "show time" in the pits and in the staging lanes but when you pulled to the starting line one prize of $18,000 was at the end of the day. If you went to be on tv with 550 race cars in 9 classes then that was a roll of the dice. After you raced the first time under their program you new what to expect, but track to track for 3 years we raced their series it was a mad dash to get into the race which fill in about 10 minutes, but the entry fees were reasonable, spectators cost was reasonable at $25 per day to see 550 cars run heads up and "all out.

Wade you hit the nail on the head. Whether you are a car guy are not there are still people who like drag racing and just do not know that there are race track operating and there are some good races. The tracks seem to believe that the computer automatically comes on and tells you there is a drag race this week-end at your local track. It seem that they fell that everyone will go get on the computer and look for a race. In our area, North Carolina, the only radio advertisement you hear is NHRA at ZMax and ADRL at Rockingham. No one knows that one of the best drag racing events in our area, the Stock/Super Stock combo races, ever takes place unless they are a family member, friend or a Stock/SuperStock racer.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Pro Stock,Pro Mod,Top Fuel get the idea. People do not come to races to see Stock or Super Stock. Next time your staging your car look to the left and right and tell me what you see. Nada!