2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Interesting, sportsman monetary penalties are 1/4 what the Pros pay for a similar violation, wonder if they're willing to pay sportsman racers a quarter of the Pro's purse?

As problematic as it might be for certain combos a blanket might be a very good investment.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

This again?!?!? Wonderful.....
Bad enough if you're unfortunate enough to blow up or break your stuff, but NHRA is going to stick it to you on top of your broken car.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I thought Clifford was going to help the sportsman racer?

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Nice $$ grab....Kick a racer in the wallet when he is down.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

What a bunch of B.S.!
I guess, if it ever happens to me, I'll be one & done!

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Does NHRA believe that we break on purpose? To keep racing, we now have time and money for repairs PLUS the oil down TAX.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

This bunch can teach the Mafia a few tricks about money collection.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I'm actually a little surprised that they didn't set up an "oil-down bank" for Sportsman racers and force you to pre-pay your first infraction just to eliminate the one-and-out scenarios. Additionally, it kinda puts the consideration of a diaper back on the racer so that they (NHRA) can claim minimal (deferred) financial impact on Sportsman racers this year.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

We need to start a fund to help racers who are fined by NHRA.If every sportsmen racer would put $5.00 or$10. into a fund, it would probably cover all racers affected in 2016.The money left in the fund at the end of the year could be donated to DRAW.It only takes a little puddle,and they will fine you.Five or ten bucks would be cheap insurance.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I'm in. Just tell me where to send my money. You would think they would give one a year before they start fining.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Really ? When are you guys going to get a set ? You all need to walk away and show them you don't have to put up with there ship,the NHRA is just as bad as the government but you don't have a choice with government. There are more choices out there where they are not trying to push you out,look at some of the alternatives. Local tracks,assioatiion races,big dollar bracket racing,or just keep letting them bend you over.
Your choice !!

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Well I guess my first oil down will end my racing career.
Out of general principle I will not pay and will end a long career in racing.
I am at Pomona tonight in the pits and the car is already teched in.
Peter Clifford is having a meeting tomorrow at 4 PM in the Coporate Tent to talk about NHRAs Stragetic Direction. I now hope he asks at the end for comments and he will get an ear full about this BS policy.
What a sorry way to treat customers.
My 2 Cents
Rick Cates

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Rick, why wait for HIM to bring up the subject? You'll have him there in front of you. These people need to know first hand their policies are destroying the sport. Then maybe they just don't care.
Give 'em hell tomorrow.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I don't see how sportsman oil downs could effect the TV broadcast. 99% of the sportsman racers are out of the competition before the cameras are rolling. There is no coverage on Thursday, Friday or Saturday when the sportsman are running the majority of the rounds. They are usually down to 4 cars in SS by the Sunday program. There is no way an oil down on Thursday can have an effect on the Sunday program. I could agree with the penalty being enforced during the Sunday program if it is during the broadcast. Also when was the last time that you saw a sportsman car oil the track from start to finish. I have been racing my same car for 39 years and have never oiled the track. Knock on wood

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

$250? Well if I happen to blow a motor, don't expect me to pull over and save the track. I am going straight down broad way and getting my moneys worth!!!!

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

lol! I just spilled coffee on my keyboard!

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Sounds like a job for the "Designated Oiler", you know his supporters pick up the tab for the penalty, an donate some money to his favorite charity....LOL

RJ

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I heard of a guy at our local track (now closed), that was part of a meeting saying if there is engine failure etc, pull out of the center groove and stop. He unfortunately had a engine let go, near the starting line, and he preceded to go from lane to lane in a weaving motion, to about half track. When asked what happened, he said he lost control, he had a big smile on his face!! LOL... Funny now but not then...

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Robert you just made me spit my water out lol..

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Ed, I want to show Peter respect and not shout him down however, if he asks for questions I will speak my mind. If he does not take questions I will try to talk to him after the meeting and give him an ear full.
I guess NHRA just does not want the sportsmen at the events just their money and go away.
I will be at the meeting.
Rick Cates

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I see that there is now a $100 insurance cost to enter any national event in addition to the entry fee. Is this "Insurance" cost to cover down time in case of oil downs? If not, what is it for?

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Just trying to figure out how to make us go away.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

And the beatings will continue until morale improves!

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Way ahead of y'all.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

It's actually 110.00. It was 100.00 for years and now this year they added 10.00 to it. In my opinion, it was a way of getting more money out of the sportsman racers and by calling it a charge for insurance instead of calling it an increase in entry fee, they figured no one would be able to ask why the entry fee went up but the payout didn't
Chuck

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

And when does it end 120 130 140 150 200 I wish they would help pay for mine LOL THE WORM

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Billy, For me they accomplished that a while ago. I don't want to go to races and be mad before I get in the gate. I've always gone to have fun. The fun factor meter has been bouncing near Zero for quite a few years and the Ego inflation has leaked off!!! I think this oil down enhancement is one of the biggest slaps in the face sportsman racers have ever had from NHRA. Just who do they think would intentionally tune or misuse their equipment to win a dial in Sportsman race? Who's pocket do they think the fine money is going to come out of? No, we don't have a sponsor contract that budgets in $$$ for oil down fines. To me it just shows how far out of touch the management of NHRA is with the Sportsman ranks. The problem with oil downs slowing the program is with the Pro ranks. What does it matter if they spend 45 seconds moping up a few drops of oil on the starting line from a sportsman car or a few drips( probably caused by being held too long & overheating in the lanes) of water? I'm sure they are concerned with putting on a good show for the 25 people in the stands when Sportsman racers run. There is no TV or rush for time when the Sportsman classes are running. If they don't get finished when it is time for the pros to run just do like they normally do, cut'em off & run the pros. I thought that was what filler was for.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

As I read these posts about the rising cost of racing and the anger that it causes a very vocal few. I can't help but wonder why you the few continue to complain about YOUR situation or imply that its NHRA's problem that YOU don't have the resources to race and enjoy yourself. I'm fortunate enough to be self employed and enjoy some of the benefits that it affords me most of the time, but what struck me this morning was the renewal of the commercial insurance policy that has increased for the 16th year, and if I had not passed the cost on thru the services I provide, I would be scratching a broke ***** here today. I also wish the cost of racing was less and the payout was more but like so many, common sense tells me for that to happen the entry fee would have to be increased substantially, just pick a number 1,000, 2,000 3,000 entry and the purse would be better for the top two cars and trickle down accordingly. The facts are the cost of doing everything is up and we have little or no control. I have read the posts about the salary that the management @NHRA received and, if that was the problem IHRA would be the answer. I haven't seen their W2's posted, but I don't think they are compensated the same so, I don't believe complaining on Class Racer is going to change that one dollar, its unfortunate that everyone can' t play, but that's life in general. Be happy with what you have or stay home and complain to your dog, wife or whoever is willing to listen. I'm very thankful I woke up this morning, most things on my body are working and I'm not going to complain about a damn thing today.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

You obviously spent more time writing your diatribe than you did reading the official policy. You only pay if they need to fire up the tractors.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Dale, yes racing is expensive. We all know that going in. What really bugs me is the entry increase vs the purse lack of increase. I'm a relative newcomer compared to some racers out there. I ran my first national event in 1996, and the entry was $160. Plus you could sell the extra crew pass they gave you back to NHRA for $40 if you didn't need it. When I won my first national in 1998, the purse was $1800 in SS.
Fast forward to 2016...Entry is $320 and crew pass is $85. The purse? $1800. Plus as others have pointed out, the contingency is horrible. I won a total of &15,000 20 years ago without trying as hard as now on the stickers. Now I'd be lucky to get $10,000.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Dale,
All is well and good here, but just like you everywhere it is getting more expensive. I could afford to build another track and run it, but NHRA's policies are not even conducive to a track owner making the profit he should for the investment. Over a decade ago I did exactly what you suggested. I chose to run only IHRA. Then I got the ego rush to run some NHRA races. It didn't take long for me to remember why I had made the decision to let my membership and drivers license expire. In may 2008 I decided they were not getting any more money or support from me until they changed some of their policies toward sportsman racing. I have not seen any good significant changes despite a lot of their rhetoric of doing so. The oil down enhancement was one of those policies that was a tipping point for me. I also sat back and looked at the big picture. NHRA management doesn't want but enough sportsman racers at a National event to make for good filler. They are now having trouble selling their divisional events and need to move Sportsman participation from National events to participating at Divisional. Why, can't they just come out and say that instead of hiding their intentions behind rules and quotas. Without going into the difference of how the National events and the Divisional races pay NHRA I'll just say they have milked the track owners that hold Divisional races just like they have Sportsman racers. The medium size track cannot afford NHRA. If they changed a few policies and cut some of the heavy overhead out they could probably make things more affordable and grow the sport instead of just squeezing a dollar out of it. Point: just look at how their policies have run the contingency sponsors away. Sportsman racers depended on them for money and support.
As far as writing on class Racer, I will probably continue to voice my opinion, esp on the subject of where NHRA is taking the Sportsman program. If you don't appreciate my humor or opinions or even like or agree you can see my name clearly displayed (not hidden in a Screen name avatar or alias) and move on to something more suitable to your reading habits.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Thought the same thing. They are making it harder for racers that want to be a part of it all. I agree if the car blows up you might as well oil both sides and get your moneys worth!

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Well said. Dale. Always the same old witch hunt

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

That is a bit a bull**** rule, I say that because at our home track they also have an oildown penalty of a $1000.00 however... they do not enforce it if you have a diaper or belly pan. If they feel you did what you could to prevent it then its not your fault.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Don't over react guys. I was involved at a pro level when all this stuff started. An oil down back then, was defined as "WHEN THE TRUCKS ROLL". As long as NHRA doesn't get crazy about mopping up a few drips, I don't think we have much to be worried about. At least I hope that's the case.

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

Has any Sportsman racer been subject to the oil down tax yet?

Re: 2016 Oildown enhancements
 

I would expect that Markus Svensen got a fine for his trans blow up on Thursday in Pomona with Meadors great white whale. It was about a half hour clean up.