[Myron Piatek]

Andrew, Your viewpoint is too one-sided. IHRA probably could have done some things a little differently, which may or may not have helped. But it's not easy in this competitive market. NHRA has problems too. But IHRA has had growing pains since the new owners took over. Look at what they HAVE DONE and look at all the concepts that they came up with throughout their history that NHRA copied. -


* Mountain Motor Pro Stock
* Top Sportsman & Top Dragster
* Nitro Harley
* Double-header divisional events which includes lower entry fees and less days off from work.
* Points format was the same as NHRA, so that's not even a valid argument. They have obviously tried other points systems that haven't gotten the desired results.
* Incredible payouts in their Sportsman Spectacular events, bonus Super Rod events and a record sportsman payout this year. But few people came.
* I can't remember the last time IHRA racers complained about a "one lane track".
* There's probably many more.


What comes first, the chicken or the egg. A racing series can only grow if it is supported by the participants and spectators. They have set the "stage" with opportunities to grow, but not enough racers came. IHRA, and others, have gone in the red many times in their attempts to attract racers. The more racers that show up, the more they will be able to pay out, attract more sponsors, etc. Aside from some glitches, the Motor Mania TV and ESPN3 coverage has been great and have gotten a LOT of views online. That's a great way for the "little guy" to provide exposure/impressions for his/her sponsors. If you know what they can do better, offer your ideas. It's easy to find fault. But it's useless criticism if you don't have a better idea. I'm no marketing expert, but I don't know of any more big changes they could have made without going broke.


I don't think that IHRA was trying to compete head-to-head with/against NHRA. Nothing wrong with a "medium" stage. I look at IHRA as a way to compete against racers as good as NHRA has, and many do compete on the IHRA side also (they are the open minded ones), but it's a more affordable level for me. I can't afford to race an NHRA national/divisional schedule and there are a lot more class racers that can't as well. The biggest problem is lack of support for IHRA. I hope I can keep racing with them because it's been a lot of fun and I've met a lot of great people. I wouldn't expect less from the NHRA side, but at least with IHRA I can afford it and the competition isn't any less.