CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post

Jerry Hatch · 12-07-2009, 11:40 PM

[QUOTE=Do NOT accept that a driver is stuck at a certain level of ability. While some are going to be blessed with more innate ability than others, *everyone* can learn and improve. But, just like making your car better, it takes willingness, time, effort, and dedication. I've worked with a lot of guys over the years, to varying degrees, and *everyone* can be better than they are right now.

Unless you simply "outlaw" the Pro Sportsman, nothing you do is going to change anything. They adapt and overcome, and that is what makes champions. [/QUOTE]

Well said Mr. Beard. Generally speaking the rules in drag racing should not, and indeed could not be changed to adapt to every individual competitor's abilities. Should that happen it would strip away the competitive spirit that drives the sport. The ideal of improving ones self to the point of beating the best constitutes the competitive spirit, without which would eventually religate drag racing to a very boring and non-productive sport. Success in drag racing can be measured in different ways. For some it's financial gain (earning a living), for some it's the satisfaction of being competitive (and beating the best), and for others it's all about having fun participating in something they enjoy. Drag racing is not unlike any other venture, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. Those who work hardest, weather it be vehicle performance or driver performance, will realize the biggest gains. Our sport is what it is, and if we choose to play we need to adhere to the governing rules to the best of our abilities. I think most will agree the rules are not perfect........but what is.

Trying to change the "generally accepted" rules to compensate for ones inability to be competitive is not a constructive way to advance our sport.

12-07-2009, 11:40 PM	#140
Jerry Hatch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lubec, Maine Posts: 72 Likes: 7 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: my opinion [QUOTE=Do NOT accept that a driver is stuck at a certain level of ability. While some are going to be blessed with more innate ability than others, everyone can learn and improve. But, just like making your car better, it takes willingness, time, effort, and dedication. I've worked with a lot of guys over the years, to varying degrees, and everyone can be better than they are right now. Unless you simply "outlaw" the Pro Sportsman, nothing you do is going to change anything. They adapt and overcome, and that is what makes champions. [/QUOTE] Well said Mr. Beard. Generally speaking the rules in drag racing should not, and indeed could not be changed to adapt to every individual competitor's abilities. Should that happen it would strip away the competitive spirit that drives the sport. The ideal of improving ones self to the point of beating the best constitutes the competitive spirit, without which would eventually religate drag racing to a very boring and non-productive sport. Success in drag racing can be measured in different ways. For some it's financial gain (earning a living), for some it's the satisfaction of being competitive (and beating the best), and for others it's all about having fun participating in something they enjoy. Drag racing is not unlike any other venture, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. Those who work hardest, weather it be vehicle performance or driver performance, will realize the biggest gains. Our sport is what it is, and if we choose to play we need to adhere to the governing rules to the best of our abilities. I think most will agree the rules are not perfect........but what is. Trying to change the "generally accepted" rules to compensate for ones inability to be competitive is not a constructive way to advance our sport. __________________ In God I trust.