[Jim Wahl]

I have received timely responses from Jim Waldo (see above) Evan Smith and Woodro Josey. I thank them all! Below is what I received and my response. Jim

Jim,

Thank you for the email. I believe none of the reps (myself included) has responded because whether we are right or wrong we will be taken to task in unfair manner on the boards. As of right now, there is no way we can contact each and every racer on every topic. Perhaps we could establish a forum with registered racers. But for now, this would require me personally contacting with about 400-500 S/SS racers in my division alone every time an issue comes up. As for responding on the web, I just don’t have time to get into an internet debate, especially when half of those who post are no-names. Now on to your question. After receiving many requests from actual racers, we were asked to look into changing the qualifying rule because many have been bumped out at Indy and feel that a slow car should not bump out a fast one. Well, we know this will break tradition so we talked it over and also had a conference call with NHRA. There are seven reps and we all love the sport and it’s tradition, but what’s right is right and at times the sport has, and will continue, to change with the times. Just look at the new 1,000-foot rule, talk about breaking tradition?

First, I will tell you I am a purist—more than some—less than others. I don’t like change unless it helps the sport. But look at the past, change is always taking place: Stock has gone from 7-inch tires to 9-inch tires, to stiff valve springs, to wild cams, to radials and trick transmissions and light brakes, and so on. We have had rule changes (for better or worse) and the sport will evolve whether you or I like it. Lately, we’ve seen smaller fields, quotas for entry lists and so on. OK, you, and many others, speak of tradition in regards to qualifying. Our goal is not to break tradition, but serve the majority of the racers. You may or may not agree with this, but many racers are for this change, even if they don’t voice an opinion on the internet. Anyone registered on Classracer.com can vote, you can have your mother or brother vote so that poll has no validity.

Looking back, any racer can recall that the qualifying “tradition” was that Class winners earned their way into the eliminator by having the fastest car in their category and/or by out-driving the competition. When the tradition began there were fewer classes and nary a single. Over the last decade even a blind man can see that this “tradition” (at Indy) has turned into something totally different. Being a Class winner is something a racer should be proud of. I have about 15 Class trophies and I’ve singled for about five or six of them. To be honest, the single wins mean nothing to me. Sure I earned them, the trophies look cool, and I couldn’t control if no one showed up to race in my class, but there is noting to be proud of because I didn’t race anyone. On the other hand, the ones I’ve earned mean the world! How can a racer expect to race if he is not quicker than the guy ahead of him? Should a racer get to run in the eliminator because of a rule, that has become a loophole, allows them to compete, even if it is tradition? It’s like the provisional in NASCAR. If you really want to argue about tradition, then what you are arguing for is the right for the fastest cars to race? Or should single class winners get to compete even if they are slow, because of an outdated rule, even if it is tradition? Stock and Super Stock are performance-based classes, shouldn’t that count?

Fact: Single class cars can still win Class and race, now they must make the show on performance, which is the intent of the original rule. It is not the fault of a racer if he or she is the only one in a particular class, just make your car quick enough to make the show based on performance, that’s all. Indy will showcase the 128 best performing cars, which is in the spirit of the original tradition.

Jim, I will tell you that personally I voted for the qualified field, accept if a racer actually beats someone, then he or she should make the show, regardless of how quick the car is. While I still feel it should be the quickest 128 cars regardless of Class wins, there is something to be said for beating the competition and that in itself should be a means to ear you way in. So, I voted for the tradition and not with my personal feelings. And the majority of the SRAC members did the same. Still, NHRA went with an “all or nothing” approach, which was out of the hands of the committee.

Evan


Evan,
Thank you for replying to me in such a timely manner! After reading your email I find myself agreeing with you almost 100%. You are obviously an educated, level headed man and I believe you will serve your Division and all of the Sportsman racers well. I thank you for such a detailed explanation of the situation from the SRAC's point. This is what was needed, it was needed last week however. If I came off as critical or harsh I apologize, but it was born from frustration. Frustration from lack of communication from the Committee. I still feel the Committee should communicate with the masses on important developments and the forums are a great way to do it. After all it was the way you members were elected. You are a professional communicator, I hope you will use your talent to inform your fellow racers and nip in the bud the type of humors and fears that have been exhibited in this situation.
As I wrote to Woodro, I could live with the rule the way the Committee submitted it, however I do not agree with the final version. I think you all, as the Committee, should voice your displeasure with NHRA about being usurped. That said, I thank you and all of the members of the SRAC for the work you have and will do for your fellow racers. Thank you, Woodro, and Jim Waldo again personally for your timely response.

Jim Wahl