[Chris Williams]

This is a very interesting question and has had me thinking for a while. We race in a couple of series, a local SC association and the NHRA divisionals (and/or nationals...).

The payouts in the association dwarf the others, even though it's fewer racers. The association just turns more back to the racers. But that's not why we race there. The people are amazing, and the competition is tough, some really top-notch SC racers. And the fact that they hold double-headers means we get more hits in two days that we do in a four day divisional. The racing for the association championship is tight, and a lot of fun.

But we do race for the divisional (and/or national) points. There's something about all those cars, some folks you rarely get to race, and some really really good racers that makes it worth it. Yes, I hate four days with only hit or two a day. Yes, I hate the often random organization. And yes, the douche bags who take it all so dang seriously, and always seem to get bent out of shape, rain on the fun of it. But chasing those points, racing people who are really good, seems to make us come back. At one point this year, we were 8th in the division, with the top five in sight, that was fun. And oh, yeah, there's that trophy...

In the last year, it's actually been good to have TD and TS for us. It's given a place for all those people who just have to go faster and faster. Those guys for whom a 6 or a 2 at the front of the ET or MPH is all that matters. Some good racers, but they aren't racing in SC just to go fast. That's probably a good thing.

For suggestions, I guess I'd like to be on the stop for a shorter time. So I'd like to bump the index. And it would make everyone's life better if they were round numbers: 8.00, 9.00, etc. so that even an idiot could figure it out. To do that, you have to have a place for the people who can't go 8.00, so I'd like to see the 9.00 class allow dragsters. Maybe even add an 11.00 class as the entry point.

That's my suggestions, period. Don't need a bigger payout to make us race (although money is a nice thing). Just more of the same.

Chris