Who's Racing & Who's Parking for '09?

[Gary Smith]

I continue to hear bad things about NHRA's future (except from Glendora, where everyone seems to be wearing rose colored glasses) and now I'm hearing doom & gloom about IHRA. So where is class racing headed? And since the friggin' media won't let up on how bad things will be in '09, I can't help but wonder about everybody's racing plans this season. Unfortunately some racers will have to liquidate to make ends meet, while others will simply park this season until the economic climate improves. What I want to know is who are the brave souls that will continue their regular racing plans this year, betting that the economy will improve rather than get worse... who's racing at what venues & who's parking their stuff?

[Freddie]

for now, I am awaiting final determination on our budget for next year. Other than that I am still building the new car, for now.

[danny waters sr]

I will be racing as well as working at IHRA events,. My son will also be racing at mostly IHRA events and at a select few NHRA races. Just think possitive. I have not recieved my pink slip from IHRA and that is a good sign ! Be more possitive and try not to talk yourself out of racing. If everybody thinks that way then it will probably turn negative. I will race and support drag racing as long as i can afford to,without taking from my family priorities. The sport has to have our support to survive!

[Earle Holt]

We were actually parked for '08. We're now building a new car for '09 and hope to be up and running by Spring.

[GarysZ24]

Right now, I'm focusing mainly on divisional racing, but if I don't start getting to work overtime hours at my job, then that may even be in doubt...with me not racing the full five (counted) divisionals as I did (for the first time) last year??? I may end up doing more sitting, especially if Div. VII increases divisional entry fees again (like they did the last two years...$155 to $165, to ??? this year)?

Too bad this country doesn't seem to care much about "MADE IN THE USA" anymore, because if we did then (I feel) we wouldn't have the economic woes we're dealing with now...did our country have these problems back in the 50's-mid-70's? I think not!!!

As Archie Bunker used to say...."THOSE WERE THE DAYS"!!!

[Notch1320]

Finally sorted out my clutch issues, so this year I will be out a a few races once we get everything dialed in.

Gary, what are you doing for 09?

How is the Stocker?

[Michael Beard]

I'll be racing about the same as I have the last 2-3 years, running 50+ races. Gas is half what it was last year, which will offset not having a gold card. Besides, can't make money if I'm not racing.

[Kenny Wigington]

I thought I could be getting a pink slip at Christmas, but Im told I have a project waiting on me now. I got a good bonus , from a yr long job I finished in June this year, and wife says that's my racing budget. I should be good to go, for Div races anyway. Barring any untimely expenses, I'm in for 09, Thank God !

[DK FRAZIER]

As of now we are in. Leaving Tuesday, taking Duster to South Carolina and engine should be out Wednesday. Rings, springs, new cam and check runner CC-just to be sure. Plan on being in Bradengton in Feb, will be on a budget for sure, but will try to make all 4 FL races plus South GA div races.

Gotta help keep money moving in this economy, might as well spend it doing something I enjoy. Like Mr. Beard said "can't win at home"!

Gary, you are right. We need to check for labels for made in US. Tracey and I are on a 7 year Walmart ban. She saw a man in there one time trying to buy jeans that had a "made in the USA" sign with the price on it. After several store employee's could not find the jeans made in the USA she heard the manager explain to him it was not the jeans made in the USA but the sign the price was on! Ain't that some crap? If we all keep sitting on our wallets, we will all be out of a job soon. I know it is tough but we have to spend a little money (Don't ANYBODY tell Tracey I said that), but we do have to spend wisely. LETS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Freddie]

Doug: the problem is that the economy will not stimulate itself enough trying to feed it up-hill. Money is alot like crap, it always flows downhill.

the way I see it is unless some of these corporate executives start making the right decisions and soon, this whole country will be in some serious trouble, yes alot worse than we have now.

I run my own small shop, and I am seeing my suppliers cut back which makes it harder for me to do business when I cant get parts like I used to. Sometimes I have to wait a day or two for parts that used to be in stock. Ties up my small shop, and reduces the ammount of income I make.

We have decided to race at least 3 divisionals this year, and will run our sons Jr at a few races as well. May try to hang on to more of the budget $$$ this year till the end of the season and try my hand at some of the big $$$ bracket races.