[Chuck Porter]

I came down to south Florida in part to experience racing in the S.E. and to meet racers and their families from another region of the racing community. So far it has been a very positive experience. Coming from a part of the world where we have one IHRA track (Edmonton, Alberta), where we have only one major IHRA race (Rocky Mountain Nationals) I wanted to see first hand how IHRA runs their program in their back yard - especially their new format. This is my opinion: Yes it would have been nice to have more class cars in attendance. It is an early race and for many (so I am told) they simply didn't have their cars ready to go. Also, you just can't ignore the effects the economy is having on the sport, whether it be IHRA, NHRA or any other flavour of the month.

IHRA's new Sportsman focused program has great potential. We had ample qualifying runs, eliminations started on time and weren't interrupted by pro sessions etc. It was all about the Sportsman during the day. Eliminations were all cleaned up, pictures taken and we (Sportsman) were back in the pits free to do what ever we wanted before 5 PM.
After that, around 6 o'clock the "Show" got underway. You could attend if you wanted, you could have a few pop's with the boys back in the pits, go out for dinner or whatever. You were finished for the day before the first Pro turned a wheel. Most of us know if there's a big negative to drag racing, it's the waiting. How many times have you sat for 3, 4, 5 hours because the pros take priority and you sit until they can plug you into the program? It sucks.

As far as contingency is concerned, I heard that additional contingency postings came in during the event. If I were a sponsor, I'd like to see if a new format had potential before I stepped up to the plate. It wouldn't surprise me if we saw a significant increase in contingency sponsors in the next few months.

This is the first time I have been to the WPB track and it's a very nice facility.
As much as I would like to have the grandstands filled to capacity to watch class racing I am doubtful I will see it in my lifetime. The spectators/fans come for the "show" and believe me when I tell you they came WPB this weekend. The grandstands were packed to capacity both nights and it was standing room only. How does this affect us as Sportsman racers? They're going to run the "show" with us or without us. If we are offered an opportunity to compete with our own "show" in conjunction with theirs then I think it's worth it.

Being a realist, I'd like to reserve final decision for another 6 months, but in saying that the first impression was positive.