Division 4 IHRA support
 

Just wondering what reasons do Division 4 stock and super stock racers have for not attending D4 IHRA events. These guys will listen to suggestions so let's hear them. What would you like to see at different at D4 IHRA races? What do you dislike? What do you like?

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

All too far away for me. Nothing close. With the cost of fuel, the NHRA races are about all I want to spend. I missed the No Problem points race for the same reason. May make it up at Topeka. It's close. If I don't go some rounds this weekend, I won't bother making it up.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I realize that we are very little fish in a big pond but we are IHRA Division 4 members and do have a legal Pure Stocker. However, we also like to run some local and Super Chevy heads-up stuff so we have nitrous on the car. I contacted someone at IHRA about running without the nitrous bottle in the car and leaving the solenoids and wiring in and they said no. We would actually run quite a few class events but taking all of the stuff out of the car isn't feasible. I get it but if there isn't a bottle in the back what advantage do I have? BTW, the car will run about 9 tenths under our B/PS index and we still drive in on the street.

Scott

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Cooter,
We really enjoyed the race in Baton Rouge. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, not to mention grateful that we attended. I would like to do more. Mostly, schedule conflicts for us would be the reason that we don't make a near by race. Like this weekend...family vacation time.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

IHRA is going in the right direction. The live streaming video is awesome. I got my IHRA license/membership this year secondary to that. I was going to San Antonio, but cancelled secondary to work on the car after Great Bend and with Belle Rose the following weekend, put a bind on things. The schedule and distance is the driving factor I would assume for most racers. Pine Valley was on the schedule also, but, rained. Now that race is in the middle of July. Belle Rose was difficult at best in June, Texas in the middle of July! Need to make that a night race with 1st qualifier at 6 p.m. The dew point was 77 in Belle Rose at 94 degree's, the heat index was 110. I doubt many will show up for that kind of abuse.

If you could change one thing I would suggest going back to divisional points and a divisional championship. People will chase points, at least I do.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

They do have Divisional points and Division championships. It's only the World Championship that's a shootout style race.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Cool, did not know that, should pay closer attention, Thanks

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I do not like having 2 races on 1 weekend (or paying for 2) and I do not like "no qualifying on Friday".
Thanks Jerry

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I make as many as I can. I like 2 races in one weekend. Saves money from travel expenses. There shouldn't be any races in July or August in D4 ever!

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Well, the weather and lack of make up dates available is what put the race at Pine Valley in July. They listen to racers and that's why they try to schedule everything early. How does everyone feel about Friday qualifying? They do have test and tune that is always reasonably priced, but if many would like some qualifying runs I'm sure it is a viable option. As Michael said, they do have division points chase. The top 3 in every division gets into the tournament of Champions, and division winner gets a gold card and $2k.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Like the 2 races in a weekend format.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

If you only have one race and add Friday qualifying, then you have people traveling on Thursday, requiring extra staffing, insurance, and track operating expenses, which means entry fees would necessarily skyrocket. It really doesn't take 3-4 days to run 200 cars.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Myself and other guys here in Div3 quit racing IHRA pts because the payouts went from around $2200 to win a race to $1200

$250 to enter two races
$300 in fuel
$100 in race fuel
$250 in hotels

You haft to win one of the to races two just to pay your expenses. The last time I ran a IHRA pts race I went 5 rounds to the semis and got $5 less then my entry fee.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I'm not a big fan of the create motor classes of IHRA or NHRA. We thought we might make Memphis on the way back from Belle Rose but we had a granddaughter's birthday party to attend on Saturday. Maybe next time, we hope.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Larry, I was going to say NHRA doesn't have crate motor classes, then I realized what you were referring to. LOL

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I think a lot of people will say the payout and lack of contingency money now is a key. The economy is tougher for a lot of people, and we all have to make choices. I can stay at home, run a local bracket race ( I know, I just got black balled by some readers) and have about the same payout for a LOT less expense... entry, gas, lodging, etc. and TIME. IHRA wise, you have option with bracket series to race at World Finals, if you do well enough, and the prize for winning it all is better than championship in any class.

Don't get me wrong. I love the challenge of stock, and have not given up on it by any means. Still want to put my Pontiac stocker motor together. Just have to weigh this with other family choices.

Living in TX now, I too wonder why IHRA does not get more support from Stock and SS. The cars are here, just not at IHRA races. Maybe the travel distances make more people make same choices I have to make? In South east, lot of tracks close, and travel to chase points is MUCH easier. When I lived in NC, I ran entire div. 9 schedule, and some div. 1 and 2, and never had more than a 4 hour drive each way. Now the closest race is about that far...

While I have not made as many races as some, I have ran 2 to 4 points races a year the last 3 or 4 years. With Crandall closing, that really makes the travel time harder for me now to chase points. With my job, and two younger kids, travel is a lot harder now anytime... I do have my oldest racing a JR now, so maybe more racing is in the future. But, trying to teach him to race, going to local bracket race and letting him run as many runs as possible, is the best option for my family, right now.

Ken Graham
Stock 412
67 Firebird Convertible

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Its tough trying to juggle family and work schedules while trying to make these races all over the country. So many races so close together also takes a toll on the wallet. I couldn't make Memphis because I'm working this weekend so that I could be off last weekend to attend the race NPR which is only 60 miles from the house. I attended the IHRA race at BR and really enjoyed it. For me, I have to pick and choose the races that fit my schedule and budget. I hope to make more IHRA events in the future, schedule permitting. Without the support of family and friends I would not be able to do this at all.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Contingency has gotten very bad -- in both sanctioning bodies. I make less at NHRA Divisionals and Nationals now than what I did at IHRA races 10 years ago. NHRA had better put that in perspective and consider where *they* are going to be 10 years from now. They should be kissing the feet of every sponsor.

>> $250 to enter two races

It's $135/race, so it'd be $270. To be fair, you'd have to compare the costs to run two races across the board.

To run 2 races:
IHRA - 3 days, 1 round-trip in towing fuel, $270 in entry fees
NHRA - 8 days, 2 round-trips in towing fuel, $320 in entry fees

>> The last time I ran a IHRA pts race I went 5 rounds to the semis and got $5 less then my entry fee.

When was that? 5th round loser gets $160, which is $25 more than the entry fee.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Cooter, after this weekend I'd say everyone is just scared of having to race you!!!! Congrats on your wins buddy!!!

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Very good point to look at you have two shots to win at ihra on one tank of fuel. The sponsors would support ihra more, but the racers have to support IHRA more for them to do so. I understand those that have to pick and choose races and work schedule. I am more concerned about the ones in the immediate range of a particular race say 5 hours or less.

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I doubt that Chad. There are plenty of talented drivers out there.

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I agree that it costs less in the long run to go to an IHRA race than it does a NHRA race. You have less entry, almost the same payout, not the same on contingency, twice the fuel (in the tow rig and race car), twice the hotel bills (we stay at the track) and when you look at it, lose more at home because of missing work (if you work and can take off). We weren't at Memphis because of low to no extra income due to retirement and no motor in my car. I can't push it fast enough to go under the index. I like the two day, two race weekend. I wish it had been around when I was working and could afford to go racing. We are getting too "old" and fragile to be able to do all of this work. Friday tnt works out pretty good if you want extra runs and it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg.
Sharon

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I agree with the format, two days, two races, tnt on Friday.

Scheduling has to be difficult for the sanctioning bodies and I sympathize with whoever is in charge of that.

There just aren't that many weekends from March - April - May, taking out Easter and Mother's day.

In the last several weeks - Great Bend Div, Topeka Nat, San Antonio Div, Belle Rose Div, Memphis Div and then Tulsa Div. So, from the Dallas area you could attend 6 races in 6 weekends. Total travel of 4000+ miles. That would stretch almost any team and any budget unless you are a professional sportsman.

This year all of the IHRA Div were scheduled before the end of June.

Looking at the year from March - June,

Houston Div
Pine Valley Div
Baton Rouge Div
Houston Nat
Ennis Div
Great Bend Div
Topeka Nat
Belle Rose Div
San Antonio Div
Memphis Div
Tulsa Div

If you live in Louisiana, Arkansas or Tenn, add the Div 2/3 races you could attend. There are lots of opportunities. If you have work/business/family commitments something has to give.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

Glad to hear some replies guys. It is a lot of races, if scheduling is an issue that can definitely be addressed to a certain point. For the four ihra races we could have one per month starting with the first race in February. This would put the last race in May, but having one in February could help a little.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

I have always enjoyed IHRA and the races they put on, but I started a new job this March and lost all of my vacation time. I am having a hard enough time getting to the NHRA races this season with the time I have off. Plus living in D/FW we have only one race that is within 3-4 hours from home. Baton Rouge is 8 hrs, Memphis is 8 hrs, Lufkin is 3 1/2 hours, and San Antonio is 5 hours from home.

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

This works for me. Not a member yet,but could be!

Leonard A Johnson 4445 CC/SA

Re: Division 4 IHRA support
 

For me its $$$. Like Ken said, I can go bracket race for the same winnings these days. I love division events and especially love stock eliminator, but unfortunatly I do not have that luxury to spend $1000 a weekend to race for $1000. I have been fortunate enough to wheel some great cars for great owners but no way could I afford to build or buy a good stocker and maintain it. Theres a reason why there are only a handful of under 40 year olds in D4 stock and even less in D4 super stock racers.

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I like this idea. Frank is good at listening to ideas.

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I like the 2 race weekends. That is a must keep I think for IHRA.
I think schedule for one a month would be good, and in the cooler months as you said Cooter.
Travel times from DFW area, one of the bigger populations in Div. 4 area is making it tough. No easy answer there.
Frank is trying, and understands racers... that is a big plus.