[Alan Roehrich]

Uh, I hate to be the guy to break the bad news to you, but Dick Butler was NOT the guy who started Top Stock, OR Jr. Stock for that matter. That would be Division 1 tech man Dave Ley. Dick has only been trying to promote Top Stock and Top Super Stock in Division 3, with some success, at least with Top Stock. I have been helping him. Because some Division 2 racers, about 2 dozen or so, have asked, we've been trying to get Top Stock going in Division 2. So Dick didn't "get classes he wanted", but rather he HELPED some racers to get classes they wanted. No one is paying him, either, he does not get a dime, every penny is paid back to the racers. He drives at his own expense to the races, and has actually driven a thousand miles at his own expense just to help promote the races to potential sponsors. I have yet to see Top Stock take a time trial or anything else from the regular program. It is wildly popular with the racers AND the fans in Division 1. It does fairly well in Division 3, given the limited number of races run so far.

Dick isn't the guy who came up with the idea to consolidate classes, either. That came from other racers, and I also overheard some NHRA people talking about it. Maybe it is a good idea, maybe it isn't. But it might be coming whether we like it or not, so it might be wise to study the idea, and at least be able to give input on it if it comes about.

On the flip side, I disagree completely with Dick's proposal to eliminate a bunch of combinations in an attempt to streamline the classes. If it is in the class guide legitimately, it needs to stay there for people to try. It may or may not be necessary to consolidate the classes further, but it is not necessary to remove cars or combinations. I don't care if it is fast or slow, or even if it is front wheel drive.

Honestly, asking if the front wheel drive cars can competitively run in a class with rear wheel drive cars is a legitimate question. People not familiar with front wheel drive cars probably won't know the answer. So rather than throw a temper tantrum, consider taking the time to give a polite, honest answer as to whether it will work or not, and if it won't, why.

Consider this: Change is inevitable. NOTHING is FOREVER. The sport of drag racing has been in a constant state of change throughout its history. Even in my relatively short time as a diehard fan, from the age of 6 or 7 years old, I've seen radical change from top to bottom, and that only covers a period of less than 40 years.

Further, not all change makes everyone happy. Even no change will not make everyone happy. And remember, the one thing that does not change is that there will be change.

Sportsman racing, and yes class racing as a subset, will change, as it always has. This year we've seen AA class added in Stock, and the fuel injected classes merged. Next year, we already know that "sport compact" cars will come to Super Stock. And we do not know what else will change.

What is sad is that this is supposed to be an adult group, but it never fails that instead of a calm rational discussion, we get name calling and temper tantrums. You see as much of "If I don't get my way I'll take my ball and go home" here as you'll see on any kindergarten playground. Rather than making any real attempt to talk or debate, possibly working towards or at least considering a compromise if nothing else, for the good of the class, we have what amounts to people stomping their feet and holding their breath. Hell, it looks to me like a lot of people can't even agree to disagree with at least decency and mutual respect.

I'm not saying "why can't we all just get along", because that's not really a reasonable goal. I can listen to and respect just about anyone who can state their position with facts and decency rather than a bunch of uncalled for histrionics, and I can accept and respect their opinion, not matter how vehemently I disagree with it.

Whether or not anyone wants it, I'd bet change is coming, and we'd all be a lot better off trying to achieve some sort of workable compromises, rather than refusing to even try. Because if we don't direct the change ourselves, they'll do it the way they want, and you'll get what they give you. And I'm betting very few will like it. Given what I've seen around here in the last few days, I can understand why few people would want to be on the committee, and why NHRA would not want to bother trying to work with the racers when they can more easily just do what they want to.