[SS Engine Guy]

I would take all of the decision making out of the hands of the 'hra's and as a racer strike my own deal with manufacturers. That is what I do in my business and advocate that my customers do the same. Example: XXX Speed Parts Manufacturer isn't on the contingency list. I call and ask what benifit is it to them to have my car wearing their decal and running their product? I have yet to be told "nothing". Most request that I provide written or photo of win or runner up in eliminator or winner in class. Never have I been told that a single will not get anything for class. I keep very good records and could count on one hand the times that I haven't been paid in this way. Most say that they will pay whatever a similar product manufactuer is paying. Some pay in dollars and some give the choice of credit or parts. However, when playing contingency payout as outlined I have been BS'ed by the 'hra's (person or persons) that supposedly handle timely payouts more times than I could count. Therefore, I think my system works far better for me.

The contingency sponsor is paying for advertising on my car whether it be on track or on the front page of a racing publication. They aren't counting on the small amount of revenue that comes from other racers. They want the same as the car dealers want. Win on Sunday buy on Monday incentive for their money. "So and So uses X Brand and is fast and wins so the product must be good" mentality. I have no need for intermediary 'hra's to do this for me and apparantly alot of my customers implement this plan with a good success rate themselves.

I will not fool around with any company that puts limits on time of purchase unless the item has an expiration date. Over the years I have developed a good relationship with the manufacturers that I use as I know other racers and builders have done the same. They expect results from me and I expect results from them. The way a consumer/provider relationship should be.

On single runs: I have never heard a word of complaint from a manufacturer concerning this. Case in point: It is not my customers fault or mine, that he has the field in his class covered by a tenth or two and competitors change classes up or down or even build a different combo. I agree that there are some odd ball classes out there but thats what makes the world go round. The so called odd ball classes surely aren't anywhere close to as bad as some of the BS factoring we are exposed to.

In summary, I think that we as racers are going to have to do a little (actually alot) for OURSELVES in order to keep this class elimination deal and the eliminators as a whole healthy. Not rely on the opinions and decisions of others that have nothing but the dollar they can make as the sole imput they listen to when decisions are made.