Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Harris
Well, I HAVE been to and run a PAO event and I can definitely say that the most accurate statement in this thread was made by Bunkster. Hit the nail on the head. There was essentially NO safety tech and it was an aggregation of the biggest bunch of junk ever assembled at one event. I saw more scattered parts, broken axles, wheels flying all over, bikes dumping, antifreeze spilling, oil pouring, redneck barfing and total staging lane mayhem in those two days then I have seen in a lifetime of sanctioned events.
By all means go and have a great time, but don't expect some fabulously organized and safely run event. After what I saw, I would never go again. At least when you line up next to a car at a sanctioned (IHRA or NHRA) event you have some level of confidence that the car in the next lane is in reasonably good condition and has a driver who is reasonably competent. That is absolutely not true at the PAO that I went to.
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When did you attend? Last year? 2 years ago? I'm sure you had a horrible experience. I'm not surprised after hearing stories of shoddy tech at previous events from other racers I met last weekend. But they checked all the safety tags, stickers and what not on my car, and watched them bounce a car and driver with expired cert, belts, and license right in front of me. Is everyone here implying NHRA/IHRA/AHRA were perfect right out of the box? Every organization goes through teething pains.
You, Bunkster, and the other few naysayers are missing the point. I have nothing against IHRA and the regional S/SS Associations. But NHRA is the current media darling that's promoting pros at our expense. Is that acceptable to you? Or are you simply afraid of change? Class racing is on borrowed time and the current economy isn't helping. All I'm saying is we need to have an open mind in finding ways to keep our beloved class racing alive instead of bitching, moaning, and allow "big brother" to roll over on us until we are dead or replaced by something similar to PINKS (which I mentioned is under way
http://www.nhraunleashed.com/ ).
Bunkster I'm sure Clay Millican and Royce Miller will appreciate being associated with the "homeboy" posse, even though they still dress and act like humans, along with the rest of the production crew.
I'd also like to get something else off my chest...I own 2 race cars and a resto-mod street car. While the 2 classic Mustangs get plenty of "ooohs and aahhhs" from everyday people, I'm embarrassed having to explain what Stock Eliminator is to common race fans at displays/shows when I bring the stocker. 20 - 30 years ago that probably wasn't the case. But now I can count on one hand the people who identified what the car is. Even more shameful is hearing "jeez, I didn't know Stock still existed". How many you owners of $120k Super Stock Cobalts have taken your car to a display only to have a gang of "homies" mistake it for an outlaw street racer? It has happened...I've seen it. To me, that would be the ultimate insult after such an investment.
Simply put we need someone of Rich's calibur who can bridge us to new blood through the masses. Running LODRS events in front of empty seats or national events outside of prime time is taking us nowhere.