National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

The first National Dragster issue for 2021 is available to view on the NHRA site; but it is transitioning to a monthly publication. It started as a weekly publication, then a few years ago it went to every other week, and now it is going monthly. At this rate, in a few years, it won't be published at all.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

But we all know we can count on the cost of a membership increasing. NHRA is getting more like the US Government every day; more money for less service.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Back in the day I used to get my Dragster about once a month anyway.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Another "enhancement"

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

It's amazing to me that an organization that could publish a weekly magazine back in the stone age of the 70s & 80s with a whole bunch more info ( records ect) cant do it today. I realize that everything is going digital today, but it's kinda hard to put those digital images in a scrapbook!!

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

If you’re going to take that away from us at least give us the damn rulebook back!

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

It would be great if our membership went towards live coverage. I can see way more than the dragster can ever give me personally. I used to years ago look at the record page but that isn't much to observe either these days.
I bet even manufactures that advertise in the dragster would enjoy a new format possibly.

My two cents,
Paul Haszlauer

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

How times have changed !!

It used to be something I really looked forward to every week......ND

Sit down and read thru it and all the results from everywhere in the country and good feature articles, write ups and stories...

Couldn't even read the paper at one time once the year got going it was so thick !

I was out of racing for about 10 years and reading ND was my weekly fix....LOL

Now I barely bother reading the current version......nothing in there to read most of the time and race write ups are minimal.....

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

This is really sad for me. Before I went to work for National Dragster, I'd wait for those Huge X Large issues to arrive in my mailbox. As others have stated, many issues were so big, you couldn't read them in one sitting. Gee whiz, many of the ads were entertaining too.

And when I eventually went to work for Dragster (as a weekly), there was a very large editorial staff. Daily Dragster at Indy was an equally massive undertaking.

Now the regular editorial staff is down to Editor Phil and Kevin McKenna. It wouldn't surprise me to see it shrink down to the Editor and a few freelancers. Sad state.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

I got issue 1 today, 130 pages! Heavier stock paper, lots of large photos, even a full page N/SA wagon on page 7. Phil and Kevin have done an excellent job, I'm sure their staff and budget are bare bones.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Sounds impressive; but I will reserve judgement until I receive mine.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

who really cares ...

I never look at it ...

Too many other drag racing news out lets

IMHO



Ron

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

BI before internet. advertising has changed, google ads dominate, do you look to national dragster 1st to buy parts, probably not, internet 1st. live feed to watch all races last year. instant results with live timing. now many tracks have apps to check on time slips so you get all the numbers. remember always checking mailbox for ND to get results. anymore, not so much

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

End of an era.

Loved my weekly ND back in the late 70's as a high school student.
For a young gearhead starting out in KY it was an escape.

I had the other big 3 as well....Hot Rod, Car Craft and Popular Hot Rodding

Still have all those issues

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Sure would be nice if they started showing the National Records again! Seems like the monthly format would make it easier for them to put the records in. Also, it was mice to see some young racers highlighted. Especially the up and comer Parker Devore!

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

As long as there's more/better sportsman coverage going down to 12 a year dont bother me

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Super Stock & Drag Illustrated was the best.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

It sure was; I have every issue that was published.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

I agree.
I wished I had known about SS&DI back in the 80's.
I do have several issues dating back to the early 90's all the way to the last issue published

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

When was it last made ?

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

May 1999 was the end.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

I received mine today and I agree; it is an impressive improvement.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

I agree. The only thing that I didn't like was no classified section

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Realistically, in recent years, there have been less and less cars and parts in the National Dragsters classified section. Between the cost, and waiting weeks for the ad to appear, Racing Junk, craigslist/Marketplace, not to mention all the racing specific forums and facebook groups have made printed for sale ads almost obsolete.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

I got my ND yesterday and I liked it.

I think the change is appropriate.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

National Dragster started in 1960, I have every Issue till 2004

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

I received my issue yesterday and I liked it. We will see if it continues with better sportsman coverage.

On another note, has anyone ever emailed Phil Burgess and asked him about posting the national records in ND? I looked for an email address with no luck. Maybe if its posted we can all send him one and see if it helps at all.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication
 

Maybe it would help them to post the Nat. records if they changed their format. Just list the current record holders incl. relative info and skip listing all the classes that are at minimums.

Re: National Dragster transitioning to a monthly publication