[RPM5595]

I would definitely support IHRA again if they get some more truly Midwest races like we used to have in Div.5. Last week I received a mass email from IHRA and part of it was telling just how much they support the Sportsman racers and all the good programs they have for us. I was in kind of a pissy mood that day and decided I would email back whomever might read it and let them know my disappointment in them "screwing" us racers in Div.5 a few years ago. I also told them to "feel free to take me off your list" of mailings. To my absolute astonishment I received an email from Scooter Peaco (VP of racing operations) the next day and a phone call from Jon O'Neal ( Div. 1,3,and 5 director)! They were TRULY concerned about my response and my negative attitude about the "screwing" I referred to. I spoke to Jon for an HOUR on his dime and we discussed a number of "I" versus"N" issues and what actually led to the decision to cancel what was then Div.5. He had some very valid business reasons and I had some valid racer reasons of why we felt a little screwed such as reading in the IHRA paper that the cause was mostly due to "lack of racer participation" when I know that we were doing the best we could with scheduling conflicts, and trying to get other NHRA racers to show up.
Here is the point.
I truly do not understand some of these supposed "issues" some of you guys have with running IHRA. How many of you think that I could write an email to NHRA complaining about something and have Tom Compton email me and some other muck call me about my concerns? YEAH RIGHT!
My list of things to change would be NO 1/8 mile races at 1/4 mile tracks. It would also be fun to have Class Runoffs. Have a S/SS Shootout Saturday night. Have a time run Sunday morning and allow late entries to help car count. Definitely keep heads up runs in eliminations. Start some kind of "bounty" program for the person that takes out the #1 qualifier. I could come up with more ideas if I try. I'm sure all of you can too, and have.
We should ALL start calling our local NHRA tracks and inquire about them making the switch to IHRA and the excellent Sportsman program they have for us. Jon told me that IHRA would LOVE to bring back Div.5 to Iowa, Minnesnowta, Nebraska, Illinois, etc. but the biggest problem he has is getting the track owners convinced that they wont lose money and racers if they do. I used to travel to IHRA races and NEVER had a bad experience. It was always refreshing to feel like you were welcomed to the races instead of tolerated. Not to say that I didn't have fun at NHRA races because I did. But, it is a different atmosphere at a IHRA race.
As far as getting rid of classes because you may not like them give me a break! I thought we were trying to SAVE Class racing? Some of you pie in the sky NHRA die-hards need to open your eyes and see what is going on. Hell, when I won the IHRA National in Cordova I raced a bunch of NHRA regulars! What the hell is the difference when 99% of the time we DIAL IN? Does it REALLY matter that you may get out qualified by a Crate Motor car? Those types of reasons for not supporting an organization that would LOVE to show you a good time and LISTEN to our thoughts are just plain BS!
Win money? Contingency? How many races do you normally WIN in a given year that it would even matter? As Michael said, if the car counts are there the money will follow! I got almost 9 grand for Cordova in 2002. I guess I thought that was pretty good for a weekend of racing?
People, WE racers need to take control of OUR destiny if we want to keep having Class racing available to us. I say lets see what a motivated group of racers can get done and start talking to local tracks. That is where it will start. I find the IHRA people to be VERY open to RACER input. Hopefully I will be able to support them in the near future again.
Off my box, as you were, carry on.