CLASS RACER FORUM - IHRA Cancels Cayuga National Event

Please don’t take my racing away,

The recent announcement regarding the dropping of the IHRA National Event in September leaves a black eye on the Canadian drag racing fraternity. It is a true shame that both parties here could not have come to a better resolve. It does however cast doubt on the integrity of Toronto Motorsports Park as well as the ability of IHRA to lead track operators with a clear path to sound physical plant management leading to a brighter financial future. The shame is that all of this falls on the backs of the ones who can least afford it, that being the drag racing fan. I wonder what help IHRA has provided in mapping out a plan for success with the ownership/management, notwithstanding the ownership/managements inability to ensure completion of these requirements. I imagine Mr. Polburn feels no other way but to pull the event and I am sure Mr. Bieri feels the “list” is financially too difficult, I wish that there could be transparency here but fear that we will hear two distinctly different stories, somewhere in the middle will lay the truth. As a fan and a racer I am sad to see this event scrubbed and implore both parties to fix this problem. The fans that sit in the seats on Saturday night spend a lot of money to be treated in this manor. As racers it is also unfair that we lose another “playground” As for the bleed off business of the event I am sure the tills will be ringing a sour note on that September weekend. Being a novice traveler and having enjoyed some of the great American venues I have to wonder is TMP really that bad or are we just pawns in a game of egos?

I have customers who have invested in the sport of drag racing what with motor homes, race cars, trailers and equipment. They will be truly unhappy in this recent event, ironically the event that brought home to them the point of how great drag racing can be. I am asked in the bank and at the grocery store “when is the big race?” My answer as always is “you have to see the show that is put on by the IHRA and TMP at the national event. These same people would not be interested if it wasn’t for the energy that a national event brings to the area. I fear that the IHRA might be turning their backs on TMP what with no announcement for reinstatement for the 2009 year. This lack of information leads to a lot of unanswered questions. Will the list of upgrade requirements be published to prove that the requirements are fair and in the best interest of the racers? Does this list of “must haves” fit all national event tracks? If the track comes through with the upgrades what will be the process for re instating the event? Does IHRA expect so much that the ownership is not willing to jump through the hoops to secure the event? The point I am making here is there is a credibility gap with both parties and this should be addressed in a timely manner. Making an announcement stating TMP is not ready and offering no plan or policy to follow is unfair to the racers and the fans. Likewise it is also unfair that TMP has not taken the IHRA position seriously enough to sit down and make it happen. I find it hard to believe with the seats that are filled for this race that both IHRA and TMP cannot make this event happen, everybody loses...