NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Is there any chance that this can be broadcast live, so other racers can hear what he has to say?

http://www.nhraracer.com/content/gen...073&zoneid=175

I'm not sure if Wheelz Up Radio or Class Racer or Competition Plus or....... can make this happen.

I'd rather see if first hand, than hear it second or third hand on the various forums.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Might as well listen to the Pres. debates, more substance.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I'm told he mostly wants to talk about oil downs and the necessity for fining the culprits that cause them.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Rob Jackson, who is doing our coverage from the Gators is flying in Weds. Plus the fact that they more than likely wont have full media be it audio, or video coverage..

But we are going to be live Thursday night with Rob Jackson.. So you never know what he may stumble across..

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I seem to recall a presentation planned before the Winternationals. Anybody got any info on that?

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

That's called a "Drivers Meeting", why all the suspense? LOL

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

We as Sportsman need to show up. In the past meetings with racers have had terrible participation. If we don't show up, NHRA takes that as a no care message. You can't do everything on the internet. Sometime you got to vote. Please come.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Jeff

Can you find out the time and place of the meeting? I will attend

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

One of the problems with that meeting time is it's during the DRAW Golf Tournament where a lot of sportsman racers attend. I've asked to have the NHRA meeting moved but no response.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Meeting Wed March 16th 9:30 am to 10:30 Top Eliminator Club
Blue Building next to staging lanes

Hopefully will be Productive meeting.

At least they are putting faces out there, Maybe some good changes

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Maybe Pete should have informed his team that he was opening tech early. The gate was supposed to open at 8 am and still hasn't opened. If anyone sees him at the meeting ask him to come see all the racers stuck outside if he wants some suggestions. Suggestion number one: Do your Job Peter!

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

This has been posted on the NHRA website since 3/10. I think they gave the racers plenty of notice about the schedule change for tech. No clue about gates opening.

http://www.nhraracer.com/content/gen...073&zoneid=175

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Can someone post a report from the meeting?

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Interesting Jim, so you are stuck outside the facility in line yet tech opened an hour early?

Anyone attend the meeting? I took different first time friends to two events last year and one event this year, in talking with them afterwards they all have much different ideas of what needs to be changed than NHRA and many racers here for them to return.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

So 24 hours later and inquiring minds want to know-- fed387

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Just came by email:

Hello all

Yesterday there was a meeting held by the President of NHRA Peter Clifford at the Gator Nationals

It was a very informative meeting outlining the 6 initiatives for the growth of NHRA

Number one is the new TV package on Fox that includes 17 of 24 races being broadcast live. Four of those will be one Fox network channel and the balance on FS1 or FS2. The package includes 1 hr shows on Friday and Saturday for the Pro qualifying and the 3 Hour show on Sunday preceding Nascar. A total of 500 total hours of programing which will include some Sportsman. They will also soon announce the all access pass online streaming live for all NHRA events which will cost $99 a year.

2. The goal to increase Sportsman participation - There has already been adjustment made eliminating the physical requirement for several classes and other measures to make it easier to race with NHRA.

3.Expanding sponsor participation- They have made several adjustment in their policy's to try to attract more sponsors including a no fee complimentary sponsorship.

4. Expanding media coverage- Put new people in place to inform the media

5. Better competition -This included rules adjustments for the pros. and Comp and working together to make a better show.

6. New Fan development- Includes programs like bringing in Vo-tech and High school students to National events and other programs like baptism by Nitro.



This is a very brief description of what was said but all in all this was a very good meeting where NHRA NOW has a plan in place to move our sport forward..



Feel free to share this.

Mike Crutchfield

Division 2 Stock/Super Stock SRAC member

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Increase the sportsman participation? How does that work when they cut the quotas down this year for National Events? I must have missed something in the new math...


Dennis Breeden

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Don't go getting all logical on us Dennis.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Sorry, my bad, lol.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Maybe that was a reference to more participation in bracket racing ??

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Mike, When you have time I would like to hear more about increasing sportsman participation. I really would like to know how that's going to work. Thanks, Mike McMahan 2543 H/SA

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Get rid of quotas in s/ss its stupid.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Lets see:

So far the only things I've seen so far that directly affect the sportsman racer:
doing' away with the associate membership, so now if there is two members of the same family that race you have to buy a full membership for both people now. More money. They have raised the entry fee for national events. More money They have raised the fee for the infamous insurance surcharge. More money. If this is how they think there going to increase sportsman participation by making us spend more money to race their logic is beyond me.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

this is my take on what was said

1) Better TV coverage might translate into an increase in TV audience and just might get more attendance at the races---however they might have to "adjust" their ticket pricing accordingly until the economy improves.

2) any increase in sportsman participation is not going to happen overnight--- I think they should not try to "include" every class at every race----The Super (bracket) and Top categories should be relegated mostly to the divisional and Open meets with an occasional foray as participants at the National level by say the top 5-10 entries in standings in those classes.

3) NHRA has screwed the sponsors for so long, as far back as 1963-64 that many companies would rather just pay the contingency monies directly to the racers instead of having to deal with NHRA because it actually costs them less in the long run.( ask Ed Iskenderian) Many still have a bad taste in their mouth from previous experiences as well as what they now view as prohibitive costs associated with either their "trackside" presence or advertising in the Joni section of National Dragster. Taking a look at their (NHRA)shortcomings and a change in their behavior towards a sponsor as well as the overall attitude to those sponsors will go a long way in "maybe" increasing participation and repairing some of those burned bridges.

4) Again, adding more employees is going to increase the payroll significantly not sure if that is going to translate into a ROI. But I am glad that they recognize the shortcoming with the media and are possibly pursuing an avenue to increase potential fan awareness.

5) By eliminating the Super(bracket) and Top (bracket) categories at the National races as well as CHARGING ENTRY FEES FOR EVERY CAR ,DRIVER AND PIT PERSON ( PROFESSIONAL categories) the pit areas will be less cluttered NHRA will be regaining revenue lost by eliminating those racers.The racing could be accomplished/finished in much less time not only in hours per day as well as number of days overall. You can only get so many cars down the track in so much time. Unfortunately our type of racing is limited not only by unfavorable weather conditions but sometimes "community regulations" too if not both. The races take just too long as it is.

6) I'm going to hold any comments on "fan development" for the time being . I reserve that to a future discussion. But his idea is a start

Now everybody can go flame away I offered my thoughts glad to see that Mr. Clifford addressed the issues and offered solutions to them. Moving forward maybe in the near future he will get back to us with a report on how his ideas are working or how they maybe need to be "tweaked" a bit.

You must remember that the situation NHRA is in now didn't just happen overnight. It is the result of many past decisions. It certainly is not going to be an easy fix it will take quite some to rectify this months if not years.

FED 387

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Also meant to mention that if both the Super(bracket) andTop(bracket) classes were not run at National meets but instead eliminating the "quotas" so that more Stock/Super Stock cars were allowed to enter and replace them it probably just might be end up being no overall loss of total entries. FED 387

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I think when they say they want to increase participation they mean at divisional events, pretty much all nationals are sold out, they have no problem there.

You should realize they like top dragster and top sportsman because every team has 1 crew member if not more (extra revenue). How many other class racers come by themselves and some with even 2 cars by themselves.


Glad to see the Big Boss at the track talking to the racers, It is a start.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I noticed you forgot to put (bracket) after you mentioned Stock and Super Stock.......

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Mr. FED , I can tell by your post that you are old school. Let me remind you that WE are the dinosaurs. Top this and Top that are here to stay.The powers to be at NHRA love these classes. We (stock and Superstock) are more trouble than we are worth. Scales, fuel check , bickering, etc....We can't even get along with ourselves as evidenced by the Just Wondering thread that is now 5 pages long.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I've been to 2 Nationals already this year and here are a couple of observations.
Word has it that Clifford listens but nothing will happen overnight.

Car quota's were short for both of those events in most categories from previous years, why ? That's a loss of revenue and it pisses us off cause a bunch missed out.

While going a few rounds at both events it was annoying to be called to the lanes really early and then sit awhile, suited up and then held back for an extended time, I suppose, waiting for the TV time.
Then there was time stalling between pairs and classes which was really obvious. The PA commentary was pathetic trying to stall for time.

I feel that NHRA is over compensating to satisfy the new TV deal for time restraints. I hope the TV deal works for em but they've lost entry money and respect from a lot of sportsman racers and that makes no sense to me. There was a lot of dead air time where Sportsman could have been showcased, I do like the winners parade though, that's cool.

As I always say, follow the money !!.
PS. I hope you all get to experience this some time this year, good luck racing.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

If you want to participate you non racers need to earn divisional points. Brackets racing is the local track Get it?

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

That's all they are. No heads up or class run offs. No engine specs to follow, just anything you want to screw together.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I don't think FED 387 likes the super (bracket) or top (bracket) categories. As far as additional sportsman parcipatation I think the goal is limit the fields at National Events which will will require more grade points to enter and force sportsman racers to run one or two more divisionals. With the lower quotas the days of one or two grade points getting you into a National Event will probably be far and few between.
If the super (bracket) and top (bracket) were eliminated from National Events the only super (bracket) and top (bracket) racers that would concentrate on divisional races would be those chasing points and if the quota for stock (special) and super stock (super special) were eliminated most of them would also run less divisional races and NHRA would have less parcipatation not more.
I understand why spectators don't like the super (bracket) classes leaving the starting line and shutting down for two or more seconds and then taking off so I think the super (bracket) cars should run like stock (special) and super stock (super special) and leave the starting line wide open wheel standing (yes we can do wheel stands just like stock (special) and super stock (super special) and run wide open to the thousand foot mark like stock (special) and super stock (super special) and then lift to protect our index. If the super classes (bracket) did this we would be popular with the spectators just like stock (special) and super stock (super special) and we wouldn't need to eliminate any classes from National Events. 😀

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

SC383 --- you are correct I do not like bracket racing never have never will. Now I do not believe that any form of bracket racing belongs at an NHRA national event !!! a divisional event possibly. You want to bracket race go to those events that cater EXCLUSIVELY to bracket racing. Top whatever or Super whatever (super stock ) is not racing its out there putzing around and trying to run an arbitrary number that some body dreamed up it is not a performance oriented class because if you go faster than the magic number you lose. I think NHRA has deviated away from performance based racing and settled for those that cannot for whatever reason race in those performance based classes get to go out there and "have fun"--- I do not believe in CIC or HP hits on Monday or any of the other BS that NHRA has come up with. You race FLAT OUT TO THE STRIPE no lifting no protecting your index, no dumping at 1000 feet none of that crap... First car there wins!!! As far as bracket racing take away ALL OF the electronics and let the driver determine what the car is going to do and we will see how good some of these guys really are. Flame away!!!!=====FED 387

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Maybe if the new president would have gotten out of the corporate palace and came viewed the dues and entry fee paying sportsman in their conditions this weekend, maybe just maybe someone would give a .....

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Brett that's not going to happen. It's all about the pros period and it will continue to be that way count on it.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

I was at the meeting at the Gators. It was interesting to listen to the head honcho Peter Cliford. Peter is a very good public speaker and did a very good job with his presentation. He seems very passionate about the NHRA. It is clear that at the national events it is all about the pro show and the TV time. He made that perfectly clear. He did say that the healthier that NHRA becomes the better it will be for all involved. The only issue I had with his presentation was that he thought Pro Mod and the alcohol cars were sportsman categories. I guess in all reality they are but not like the true sportsman like comp, stock and SS. That was the first time that I have ever actually seen the person that runs our assn. I would say he is a big improvement over Compton. He put a lot of emphasis in growing our sport and making sure the media is aware that NHRA is the 2nd largest Motorsports organization in the world. He is stepping in after many years of bad management so let's see how he does over the next few. I know we all want bigger purses and lower entry fees but that is not going to happen. Maybe if things get better some of the contingency sponsors will start to come back. There have been some small improvents since his tenure started.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

in his words were the foundation of the pyramid daaa is that the same
as the bottom ?

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Darn Bernie i just may agree with you

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Fed 387 great post. Only thing not spoken was that when the Super bracket cars came to be the spectators began to decrease. Too many devises to worry about for them. They just want to SEE someone get there and Win. Kind of like playing a game on a phone, it doesn't allow a crowd to understand or be involved,only the player.
No spectator involvement leads to no spectators.

Re: NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16
 

Could not make the meeting, but it was nice to hear that it took place. One thing I have been saying for YEARS is the biggest thing NHRA "Sportsman" racing is lacking is EDUCATION of the fans to allow them to better understand what this type of racing is all about. I dont care what "Sportsman" class you race if the fans are unfamiliar with how the race is run then they will NEVER become interested. Most of the casual fans that show up to national events are there only to see the nitro cars anyway, but there are a TON of things NHRA could be doing to build excitement for "Sportsman" racing and even convert some of the fans into racers themselves.