CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post

Mike Volkman · 08-18-2021, 08:59 PM

Just spent a long conversation with our engine builder, Gale Powley, regarding why and what were the reasons for racing with NHRA. The reasons we do it appear to be no longer there. The only plus they have is Jack Jones and the Iron Man.

Bottom line was the racer believed (past tense) it was the most legitimate place to race because of tech and the officials trying to keep a level playing field and you knew the car in the other lane was more than likely held to the same standards.

In other words, no tech and combinations that are way under factored will be and are the major down fall of why many have lost and will continue to lose the enthusiasm that was once there.

I don't believe and actually do not like the word "fair." I always felt that if a combo could get within a tenth of the legit fast guy there was a chance and it just required some more work.

Having said this, I hope that Bo, Jason, Ken and Little Bohannon can somehow group together and maybe pick up others so that they can have a series among themselves where there is a payout at the end of the year, sponsor support at the races, real tech with adjustments made as needed, along with the recognition of being the best of the best.

The current powers to be (speaking specifically of Glendora) are essentially so lost in the woods with class racing they will need a compass to get it fixed. Then outside of tech, we have the race master (scheduler) not giving a hoot about what it takes to actually race competively in our classes with the get them in and out mentally.

If you never raced Indy in class where you were covered by a tenth or played the game so you didn't line up with the fast guy you won't understand.

IHRA, AHRA, and local tracks that use to actually have a stock/super stock class with tear down are long gone. Hope that NHRA powers see the light and make some changes. Too young to give up on them just yet.

Michael Volkman
412.651.2356

08-18-2021, 08:59 PM	#1
Mike Volkman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 79 Likes: 32 Liked 497 Times in 50 Posts	What Made NHRA Legitimate to the Racer Just spent a long conversation with our engine builder, Gale Powley, regarding why and what were the reasons for racing with NHRA. The reasons we do it appear to be no longer there. The only plus they have is Jack Jones and the Iron Man. Bottom line was the racer believed (past tense) it was the most legitimate place to race because of tech and the officials trying to keep a level playing field and you knew the car in the other lane was more than likely held to the same standards. In other words, no tech and combinations that are way under factored will be and are the major down fall of why many have lost and will continue to lose the enthusiasm that was once there. I don't believe and actually do not like the word "fair." I always felt that if a combo could get within a tenth of the legit fast guy there was a chance and it just required some more work. Having said this, I hope that Bo, Jason, Ken and Little Bohannon can somehow group together and maybe pick up others so that they can have a series among themselves where there is a payout at the end of the year, sponsor support at the races, real tech with adjustments made as needed, along with the recognition of being the best of the best. The current powers to be (speaking specifically of Glendora) are essentially so lost in the woods with class racing they will need a compass to get it fixed. Then outside of tech, we have the race master (scheduler) not giving a hoot about what it takes to actually race competively in our classes with the get them in and out mentally. If you never raced Indy in class where you were covered by a tenth or played the game so you didn't line up with the fast guy you won't understand. IHRA, AHRA, and local tracks that use to actually have a stock/super stock class with tear down are long gone. Hope that NHRA powers see the light and make some changes. Too young to give up on them just yet. Michael Volkman 412.651.2356 Last edited by Mike Volkman; 08-18-2021 at 09:02 PM.