CLASS RACER FORUM - Help Fix What's Wrong With Our NHRA

Several years back, I read a letter that Mr. Pat Joffrion of No Problem Raceway sent to NHRA. He informed the board that they made a terrible business decision to double the cost of memberships, licenses, and chassis certifications. His exact words were, “Your ill-advised attempt to raise fees in these tough economic times will undoubtedly drive many would-be racers away from participating at NHRA member tracks.” As a NHRA racer, a NHRA track owner, and a NHRA member, he had a unique perspective on how much damage their decision to increase fees would have on the overall health of the sport.

When I heard on the news that NetFlix was increasing the costs of their service, I couldn’t help but think that NetFlix must have some NHRA board members giving them advice. Well, we all saw how fast NetFlix did a 180, but the damage to their company was already done.

There is a correlation here that I learned in Economics 101 while in college; Price = Supply + Demand. When you increase the price, the demand will fall. In the matter of NHRA, not only did the demand fall, but the decrease was extrapolated by the falling economy which forced many racers to park their ride in favor of paying their house note. Mr. Joffrion had the vision to see what was coming down the pike: fewer racers, a decrease in membership, and financial distress.

Without a bailout, or a quick turnaround in the economy, or a massive restructuring of its business plan, NHRA will continue its downward death spiral. In order to save the organization, I would recommend that the board adopt the following five-step program that Mr. Joffrion recommended two years ago:

First: REDUCE OPERATING EXPENSES BY MOVING TO INDIANAPOLIS.
As recommended to the board several years ago, would result in significant reduction in annual operating expenses.

Second: REDUCE THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP, LICENSES, AND CHASSIS CERTIFICATION.
Make it easier and more affordable for racers to play. (read as an increase in Demand)

Third: REDUCE THE COST OF ENTRY FEES.
Tagging the Sportsman racers for the cost of insuring the total national event has further decreased demand. (Economics 101)

Fourth: RUN THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS MEMBERS.
Each division should have a voting seat on the board of directors, elected by a vote of all division members who entered a divisional or national event the previous year.

Fifth: ALL BOARD MEMBERS WOULD BE PAID $12,000.00 PER YEAR, PLUS TRAVEL EXPENSES.
Getting rid of the top-heavy costs will cover the loss of revenue in the First, Second, and Third recommendations.

I am not a psychic, and I cannot foresee the future. I support drag racing and only want to see what is best for the sport. NHRA needs to do a 180, before it ends up in 11. That’s Chapter 11 for those not familiar with bankruptcy. Unless, and until the current hierarchy increases the demand for its product, the revenue stream will continue to dwindle in a struggling economy. It’s not too late to turn the ship around before the economic storm pounds NHRA into oblivion.

I am recommending that each and every racer copy, paste, and print copies of the following petition, and get as many members as you can to sign and submit it to Glendora.

Board of Directors
National Hot Rod Association
P O Box 5555
Glendora, CA 91740-0950

With the current state of the economy, and the loss of so many racers from the sport, I hereby petition the board of directors to take the following actions:

First, consider moving the organization’s headquarters to Indianapolis.
Second, reduce the membership dues, license fees, and chassis certification fees to the amounts charged in January of 2009.
Third, reduce the insurance surcharge on contestant entry at national events to the amounts charged in January of 2009.
Fourth, allow for member participation on the board of directors by allowing racers in each of the seven divisions to elect a representative to serve a two-year term.
Fifth, set all board member compensation to $12,000.00 per year, plus travel, accommodations, and meals.

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NHRA Member # ____________________