Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

After starting line traction problem at Englishtown, I had spoke to Mark and he said that they were going to start prepping the track for the sportsman racers, mainly stock and super stock. I will tell you he was not kidding ! I have been at four national evens sense Englishtown and all I seen is a sea of yellow shirt keeping after the starting line. As most of you know I help a good friend of mine out, Don Fezell with his 08 Cobra Jet stick. Don's combination is probably one of the hardest to get off the starting line. Sense Englishtown Don's has been getting the best 60ft's he has ever had. I miss the set up on Don's car the first couple of runs at Indy. I was expecting the car not to work at the tracks high temperatures, and man was I wrong.
I want to give a big thanks to Mark Lyle and his starting line crew for giving us the best starting line they could possible give us.

Jim D'Amore
JDM Engineering

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Good to hear this, and its good of you to mention the improvement. Often times many folks are quick to complain, not not so quick to give props when a change is made.

After all the childish behavior at Englishtown, I give NHRA credit for working to improve the situation instead of digging their heels in and treating us the way they were treated there. That could have easily gone the other way with what happened, and I'm glad NHRA realizes the temper tantrums of some folks are not representative of the class of this fine group of class racers.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I heard a rumor that Tom Compton was at Indy shaking hands with Sportsman racers and thanking them for being there? Anybody that can confirm that?
I'd like to believe it as it may signify NHRA realizes there are problems and they are trying to alleviate those problems.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

It is true.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Jeff,

It is true, Tom Compton greeted sportsman racers with a hand shake and a warm welcome to the sportsman appreciation dinner at Indy. He spoke to the group and admitted that sportsman racing was the beginning and foundation of NHRA and that NHRA had "lost it's focus". He is definitly talking the talk, now we need to see if they can walk the walk. Actions speak much louder than words.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Jim is right on, the track temps were high, but Mark and his crew were on it, constantly prepping the track. I would say after every 4 or 5 pairs they were out there making sure the track was in great shape.

In my class final there was a oil down at the top end, so the shut us down in the burn out box. They pushed us back and while the clean up was going on one of the start line crew offered me a bottle of water, I'm sure they did the same for the other driver. They starting line crew were polite and apologized for the delay. I don't know the name of the starting line crew that put us through the water, but every time I made a run he put me exactly were I needed to be, professional and friendly they were all, I couldn't ask for more.

Jeff, I did not make the dinner but I did here Tom Compton speak to the sprotmans racers, they piped it through the radio for all to here. I was very impressed with what he had to say. Not being a big fan on they way Tom Comptom has run NHRA, I'm hopeful that this new direction will give sportsman a better place to race. Tom Compton said NHRA lost their focus on the sportsman. He said the sportsman are big part of NHRA and changes are coming to make NHRA a better place for us.

I also heard he was talking and shaking hands with the sportsman racers. Its a positive step in my opinion and I think he was sincere also.

Although my experience at Indy did not turn out so well, the tech department was courteous and professional. At no time did I think they were unfair or unprofessional.

I also can not leave out the parking crew, as always they did a great job. You know parking is a stressful thing when we get to the track, but Red, Wallace and the whole crew always seem to work with everyone.

I know to some it may sound like I'm sucking up to NHRA, but I can tell that I can see a difference and I have a good feeling about the future.

Jim, sorry to go a little off topic, but I thought I would mention the rest of the NHRA officials, as I think its part of something good for all of us.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Absolutely outstanding. So happy to hear this.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I'm glad to hear this. I flew in and was a spectator to the inaugural Top Stock race in OH. I was impressed that Bill Baeder (sp?) shook hands with the TS racers and he made sure he met me as I came in all the way from AZ just for this race. Considering I had been racing at Firebird AZ for about 20 years at the time and had never met the owner (Charlie Allan), much less seen him, I was impressed.
So I hope this is a new leaf for NHRA and yes, actions speak louder than words!

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I hope you all are right about the change in attitude from the top but with all due respect, I've heard this before and the actions haven't followed the talk. The difference this time is that they may not be able to survive without us.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I would agree the track was great at Indy, Mark Lyle seems to really care about the track conditions. He made a great impression on me at the Epping National event . Jeff NHRA upper management could learn a lot from the Baders. I enjoy the Factory showdown. Even though my car broke , looking forward to the next one.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Jeff,
Let me tell you Mr. Bader is a great guy. He impressed me when he called the hospital several times while I was in a coma after a racing accident. During that 16 days he called until he could speak to me. He even called a couple of times when I made it home. He made it a point to meet me at the first race I made my driving comeback. That man has a heart...
I was just one of the guys that raced. I wonder if that would have happened if I was racing with the other HRA and had an accident??
I have not been NHRA member since 2008. That was my choice because of the actions aimed at me by one of their DD's. I have watched all their enhancements and cost increases and decided it was a good decision to walk away. It will take more than a speech or two and a few handshakes to get this guy back. I will be watching to see if this is sincere or just a ploy to keep the cash cow. This added insurance cost should be covered by someone besides sportsman racers and the crazy things that add extra cost, like the header straps and the length of time on SFI certs as well as the oildown issues need to be addressed. The rules network they have created is treating the sportsman like they were made of money. I'm waiting.....

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Mark and crew did a great job on keeping teeth in the track!!!!

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I have to say that Mr. Lyle and crew did a great job of preparing the track this past weekend, thank you(even though some how my car got stopped three times to spray and rosen the track before makin our run! Talk about coincidence, lol) I also take my hat off to Mr. Lyle for showing a true passion for the grass roots of "Class" racing when he told a jr. starter to "stand down" and let nature take its course during the, over minute and a half long, BURNDOWN between Duncan and McBean in C2 of the SS/GA runoffs, Bada$$ for all parties involved. Afterwards he came up to me and said "now that was cool", finally someone else who gets goosebumps when s@#t like that happens :)

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

:)I have never met Mark personally, but have heard many comments about the way he works the starting line. He was congratulated by Div. 6 racers on his new job, but was told he would be missed here in the Northwest. Seems he can help make the races better for the "little" guy. Kudos to Mark and his crew.



:confused:I hope this is more than lip service from Tom Compton. It is about time that NHRA started to realize that the sportsman racers are VERY MUCH needed at each race. I, for one, don't get excited to watch the national events anymore. It is all about the traveling circus and not the stories behind the racing. Yes, there were some good interviews from the U.S. Nationals, especially Alan Johnson. I was waiting for some coverage of the Hemi showdown and the Factory Stock shootout (or did I miss it). Maybe they will be included in the sportsman coverage whenever that is shown. With 11 hours of coverage between 2 days they could have, at least, mentioned the winners.
:rolleyes:NHRA has a real chance for growth and I hope they use it. The sportsman racers need more than lip service, how about some real interest in what it takes to go from race to race? How about more coverage on T.V. than just a sportsman show that covers the Alcohol cars and the finals in all the other classes??????

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I was wondering if the super stockers and stockers were having any traction issue. I run S/G and I spun badly Thursday afternoon, in the heat of the afternoon, and decided to skip the last pass on Thursday, due to the issue of poor traction. Was in the second pair out in the first round of eliminations, and I spun badly. Tried to be the first one out, so that I would had the track preped done right before I ran. Did not have any issues on Wednesday, good traction. I run a clutch car, and trying to figure out what my issue is. Glad everyone was satisfied in stock and super stock with traction. Friend of mine says I need a convertor!

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

There was a 65 falcon running 9 inch tires in SG with no problems.

Greg

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Well that tells me something,.I did not know, glad to know that it wasn't the track, and just me and my car. I am suprised every one hooked up. Thanks

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

Congrats on the class win to you and Lincoln. Fast car and a great driver and "sportsman" racer behind the wheel. Wish we could have given you a better run in the final.

Jim McBean

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I was shut-off in Brainerd I believe 2nd round due to a comp car that couldn't figure out how to get off the track.

I was impressed with Mr. Lyle while sitting on the line. He asked numerous times if I was ok. When the track was finally clear, he looked me straight in the eyes and thanked me for being patient.

He made a good impression with me.

Re: Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter
 

I want to add my thanks for the great job done in keeping the starting line consistent during the high heat conditions experienced almost the entire event. My limited point of reference is last year's race but there was an obvious concerted effort this year to provide the best racing surface possible.

At the Division level, I'd also like to compliment the starting line crew that worked the Bowling Green LODRS race. Just like the U.S. Nats., the track preparation at BG was much more consistent this year than last.

Thanks to all involved.