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Mackie Family Racing · 04-15-2009, 09:19 PM

Interesting reading. Having been on the racer and sponsor side for quite awhile, I would suggest to you that the only two ways that I see that would be effective in dealing with the NHRA folks are to corral the support of (several) major sponsors lobbying on behalf of the sportsman community, and/or to go after the leadership directly in CA. Both impact NHRA leadership directly, and in their pocketbooks.

We were fortunate to have raced with all the great folks in D1 over the last three years -- and I can honestly say as both a racer and thru GMC/Pontiac's sponsorship activities that Bob Lang and the D1 NHRA team couldn't have been better to deal with. I would truly hate to see the sportsman racer community do something that would hurt guys like Bob, nor some of the great track owners that host divisional and national events in the Northeast. Chris D et al, I know you want to be heard -- but you've got to be addressing the folks that need to hear the message.

I would say, however, that if a number of the major sponsors were taking the plight of the sportsman racer to the weenies in CA, I think there would be a much higher likelihood of success. If the Lucas family, or other parts-related sponsors (that cater to the sportsman community) started speaking with their endorsement checks, I do believe we'd get the attention of the folks in CA.

Perhaps a better alternative is to leverage whatever rights we might collectively have as members of an association and look to dump the brass in Glendora -- or at least see what we can do to address their outlandish salaries and perks. Anyone know how Compton remains employed, and whom he has to answer to (presumably the overpaid Board directors)? If this is an association, how are the Board members elected? Everyone else in the industry is getting laid off or taking major pay cuts; perhaps it's time for Tom, Graham and the rest of the characters out there to join us. Perhaps we all need to crash a Board meeting...

Whatever might be done, it needs to be professional. As highlighted in many other posts, something unprofessional, illegal, or poorly-represented is just going to be ignored. Remember all the posts about oildown penalties? To my knowledge, the uproar was ignored until the SRC made the matter a major issue, presumably in a professional way.

Scott Mackie
TD, SC, SG
Auto Exec (oops, I mean "Government Employee")

04-15-2009, 09:19 PM	#5
Mackie Family Racing Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Milford, MI Posts: 179 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: D1 NHRA Boycott? Interesting reading. Having been on the racer and sponsor side for quite awhile, I would suggest to you that the only two ways that I see that would be effective in dealing with the NHRA folks are to corral the support of (several) major sponsors lobbying on behalf of the sportsman community, and/or to go after the leadership directly in CA. Both impact NHRA leadership directly, and in their pocketbooks. We were fortunate to have raced with all the great folks in D1 over the last three years -- and I can honestly say as both a racer and thru GMC/Pontiac's sponsorship activities that Bob Lang and the D1 NHRA team couldn't have been better to deal with. I would truly hate to see the sportsman racer community do something that would hurt guys like Bob, nor some of the great track owners that host divisional and national events in the Northeast. Chris D et al, I know you want to be heard -- but you've got to be addressing the folks that need to hear the message. I would say, however, that if a number of the major sponsors were taking the plight of the sportsman racer to the weenies in CA, I think there would be a much higher likelihood of success. If the Lucas family, or other parts-related sponsors (that cater to the sportsman community) started speaking with their endorsement checks, I do believe we'd get the attention of the folks in CA. Perhaps a better alternative is to leverage whatever rights we might collectively have as members of an association and look to dump the brass in Glendora -- or at least see what we can do to address their outlandish salaries and perks. Anyone know how Compton remains employed, and whom he has to answer to (presumably the overpaid Board directors)? If this is an association, how are the Board members elected? Everyone else in the industry is getting laid off or taking major pay cuts; perhaps it's time for Tom, Graham and the rest of the characters out there to join us. Perhaps we all need to crash a Board meeting... Whatever might be done, it needs to be professional. As highlighted in many other posts, something unprofessional, illegal, or poorly-represented is just going to be ignored. Remember all the posts about oildown penalties? To my knowledge, the uproar was ignored until the SRC made the matter a major issue, presumably in a professional way. Scott Mackie TD, SC, SG Auto Exec (oops, I mean "Government Employee")