Why National events?
 

Why do you racers who do, continue to go to National events? You get treated like dirt, you get racing surfaces that are not safe to race on, you get schedules that are terrible, and I could go on and on. Stay away from the national events. Let NHRA do their deal without us. That's the only way anything will ever change. Support your division races, opens and combo races. You can probably race as much as you want to. As long as you guys continue to go you will continue to get treated like second class citizens.

Re: Why National events?
 

it's the battered class racer syndrome...

The racer has an inability to place the responsibility for poor track conditions, schedule, pit parking, payout, elsewhere.

The racer fears that if he complains/protests he will be fined, suspended and forced to appologize to the official(s)

The racer thinks that the reason he did not hook was his fault/his car's fault.

The racer has an irrational belief that the NHRA, Division Director, track officals are omnipresent and omniscient.

and finally the racer feels that if he boycotts national events, the other battered racers will look down upon him, talk negatively about him and expel him from their click.

Re: Why National events?
 

I have always wondered why some racers never attend National events,but I will not ruin this thread.

Instead of dwelling on the negative,I will list three positives:

1) The National event Wally is pretty cool compared to the "smaller ones"

2) The contingency if you win (while not as good as it used to be)is still at least three times as large as a Divisional,and an Open has NO contingency.

3) Its pretty cool to be on ESPN 2 if you win (even if only for a few seconds)

Re: Why National events?
 

Because I want to win one.

Re: Why National events?
 

I like national events. I don't go expecting to be treated special. I love bad tracks that's why I have a slow stocker. I am in my first year and enjoy every minute I get to spend at the track. If you don't want to be there move on don't try and take the fun out for the ones that like it.

Re: Why National events?
 

Greg, it we were just real smart we wouldn't be doing this anyway.

Re: Why National events?
 

To see my racer friends across the country that would not typically be at your local Opens and Divisionals. It sure would be nice if NHRA made us feel a bit more welcome though...

Re: Why National events?
 

I do not.


Richard Preiser
SS/DM161

Re: Why National events?
 

WHen I raced in Stock, from 2000-2006, I only ever ran three national events ever. 2002, '03 and '04 Indy. Because it was the only one I ever WANTED to run. Years as a travelling spectator at Maple Grove and Columbus, seeing the deplorable (and I'm being kind, for language) pit conditions, track conditions, run schedules where you are lucky to make one time trial in two days, etc was a total turn-off to ever wanting to race there. I'm three hours from Columbus and never raced there, knowing what a [dive]hole of a facility it was (2003, I had thought of going since they had Class, but opted for a bracket race at my local track--$150 entry for three seperate $1,000 to win Footbrake races, and sleep in my own bed). I had/have no desire to spend a thousand dollars or more (hell, it's a grand to run a LODRS now) to go sit in a muddy field for three to four days, hoping I *might* get to race that day, or even that weekend. And no amount of money, trophy, prestige, fame, five seconds of TV coverage, etc could ever, then or now, change my mind on that.

I do miss my friends a bit, since I retired from racing in 2007 (but wih Facebook and Twitter, I can still keep in contact). But that's about it. The rest of it--you all can have it.

Re: Why National events?
 

What he ^^^ said!

Re: Why National events?
 

I remember back in '98 when I won my first national event wally at Memphis. I was standing in line holding my wally waiting to get my picture taken and Steve Cohen, who also won that day, said to me as he held up his wally "this is what it's all about, isn't it?" and I said "yeah, yeah it is!"

Other than winning a national or divisional championship, winning a national event is what it's all about for a class racer.

Greg, just curious, but have you ever won a national event?

Re: Why National events?
 

I just assumed it was because they wouldn't want to go through tear down or a drug test. We have done both and fortunately Carson was driving.

And as for pit conditions, try Noble Oklahoma this fall and see how nice a bad spot at any National can be.

TP

Re: Why National events?
 

A friend of mine said "If you are going to boycott a national event at least pick a track that is owned by NHRA." Then money becomes a bigger issue.

Re: Why National events?
 

Here in So Cal, the only two races we get are the two nationals at Pomona.If we want to race locally, we have to leave the area and get a few grade points someplace else.For the last two seasons, there has been only one points meet in california.

Re: Why National events?
 

Hey Playa. All you need to do is to carry a small vial of C11 with you. Just a splash in the sample otherwise you will test positive for cervical cancer. No biggie because you won't get tossed for that, but they will send you several pamphlets.

Re: Why National events?
 

Joliet is now FULL QUOTA in Stock. Wonder why?

Re: Why National events?
 

Hi guys. I have raced "stock" since 2000. I have only run 4 "National" events they were all Sports Nationals @ National Trails. Why? Trails is a hour & 40min drive from where I live. I hate the track but it's close. For me racing "stock" is about having fun...enjoying myself NOT the BIG trophy! I love racing @ Indy...Norwalk...Edgewater...tri-state & IHRA Div.9 so thats what I do. Racing should be fun...race where you want ...when you want But have fun! I want to thank Jeff Ross for the Buckeye S\SS races! I pretty much just run those. I don't need 2 days off work & they are fun!

Re: Why National events?
 

It is close for me, but I keep wondering why we keep having races there. It's like going back in time.

Kyle, be nice.

Re: Why National events?
 

C'mon guys....fess up! It's the EGO...the WALLY...winning the BIG one...in front
of your peers...and a "packed house"...(stands full of spectators)......

Although that last point might be changing also....

Doesn't it feel BETTER....than a Divisional?

Re: Why National events?
 

Exactly! I`ve got a "big" Wally from winning the Summit Nat`l deal 10 years ago but not one from Stock. Been close,just never sealed the deal. Still trying.

Re: Why National events?
 

What about class eliminations?

Yeah, I know, the payout is lame, and most races don't have them. But S/SS ARE still performance based categories, right?

Re: Why National events?
 

Greg: it's very important that the Sportsman Racer continue to support National Events. Without their support it would be tough for the santioning bodies to make payroll, and meet the demands of the Professional Payouts. " Greed is Good ". I personally would rather support races that support me. Sportsnationals - LODRS, that's where I'll spend the most of my racing dollars.