A question for the IHRA guys

[Chad Rhodes]

OK, so I always hear about all the IHRA guys claiming that "a lot of people never give IHRA a chance, come to a race".

I was sincerely planning on doing that next year with the I/SA car, then I looked at the schedule.

Baton Rouge Nitro Jam is the same weekend as the NHRA D4 race in Houston, and the D2 race in Valdosta.

Baton Rouge Pro-Am is the same weekend as the Belle Rose Divisional (50 miles apart no less).

And so far Montgomery is not on the schedule.

I don't want this to turn into a debate over who wrote their schedule when (I know they moved the Belle Rose points race). My point is that IHRA, as the smaller of the organizations, should do everything in its power to avoid schedule conflicts. I'm sure there is a lot of ego involved in not wanting to move a date, and i know its not always easy to do, but if I were running a race series I would make sure that within x number of miles, on the weekend I choose, that I would be the race that people wanted to attend. I would also do everything in my power to make sure that races like Montgomery stayed on the schedule. IHRA D2 seems to have the same problem as NHRA D2, they have forgotten they have members/racers in the Central time zone. If anything I would think the IHRA would try to capitalize on the weak NHRA D2 schedule and get some races in TN, AL, MS, etc. At least they ventured north to the Carolinas.

[Bob Pagano]

I believe nhra dose it on purpose to keep you from running anyplace else. At least you could even run your vette at ihra and not have to run the new cars headsup. If ihra continues on they offer a better option for some. I have been to some of their races and you will run some very sharp racers including some nhra regulars.

[Myron Piatek]

From what I understand, it's not always up to IHRA when to schedule a divisional race because individual tracks have their own schedules and reasons. It's up to the tracks to accept or pass on divisional events also. Don't know what goes on at the negotiating table.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

From what I understand, it's not always up to IHRA when to schedule a divisional race because individual tracks have their own schedules and reasons. It's up to the tracks to accept or pass on divisional events also. Don't know what goes on at the negotiating table.

Well it seems that someone is NOT doing thier homework or its done on purpose !

[THE LEGEND]

Chad I agree I think this schedule makes no sense at all. They fuss about car counts then do this. I don't understand.
Chip

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by THE LEGEND

Chad I agree I think this schedule makes no sense at all. They fuss about car counts then do this. I don't understand.
Chip

I may go to the NitroJam race in Baton Rouge as its a few hours closer than any of the others, but I will not miss a division race at No Problem. I was also hoping to go to montgomery.

[Ed Wright]

I asked here at Tulsa why they (IHRA) scheduled a race the same weekend as Topeka. The answer was "We posted our's first." It was the week before Indy, always that weekend. Texas cars, of course, drove right by on their way to Topeka, then Indy. That was before so many began to go to Bowling Green. They did not seem to grasp they need to accept they are the "Jr Tour", and to draw cars they need to pick weekends NHRA is not racing near by. If the tracks want to draw cars they need to think the same way also. Some guys will go if they don't have an NHRA points or national event they need to attend. Of course, some won't go anyway. Not sure why on that last one.

Probably hard to accept you need to schedule around the "big guys", but sometimes that's life.

[THE LEGEND]

Ed,
Jr. TOUR. Come on thats a little harsh would'nt you think. Lot of drivers in IHRA go to NHRA races and do rather well.
Chip Johnson

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by THE LEGEND

Ed,
Jr. TOUR. Come on thats a little harsh would'nt you think. Lot of drivers in IHRA go to NHRA races and do rather well.
Chip Johnson

Call it what you want, but that is what they need to do if they want to draw more cars.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by THE LEGEND

Ed,
Jr. TOUR. Come on thats a little harsh would'nt you think. Lot of drivers in IHRA go to NHRA races and do rather well.
Chip Johnson

Chip, I don't think Ed meant any disrespect. I think he was just trying to give a little prespective. Its not a knock against any of the racers that run there, or their talents. Its just a fact, that IHRA is a smaller organization, and less prestigious to many. So a little humility, and attempting to schedule AROUND the NHRA races in the area would go a long way. Thumping their chests and saying "we had our date first" will get you nowhere.