NHRA or IHRA

fastmachone · 11-16-2014, 02:10 PM

Stockers, which do you prefer, NHRA or IHRA and why?

Mike Carr · 11-16-2014, 05:14 PM

Both have good and bad points. IHRA, most of their Divisional races are doubles (two races in one weekend). For someone that lives in an area like me (on the PA/OH line), it costs me a thousand dollars (or more) every weekend I would race, if I still did (exception is Norwalk and Columbus for NHRA; Pittsburgh for IHRA). Every other race is a three-hundred mile (or more) tow. At least in IHRA, I get two chances to race for that $1,000 expense (gas, tolls, hotel, entry, meals, etc). So if I had to choose between, say, Budds Creek Pro-Am or Maple Grove LODRS, I'm going to B.C. every time.

As far as cars go, my personal recommendation is to build an NHRA-legal car. That way, you can run both NHRA and IHRA. IHRA has several classes that are not included in NHRA (Stock GT, Pure Stock and Crate Motor). Plus, some S/SS Combos and Associations do not allow IHRA cars. So in that regard, I suggest building a 'traditional' Stocker.

Again, you will find a lot of good and bad with either of the HRA's. Find one that has a schedule, proximity, etc that works for you, where you live and choose one. Or, like I did, run some of both.

Robert Swartz · 11-16-2014, 09:47 PM

Ditto what Mike says. If you're going to build a car, make it a traditional stocker. Only exception might be, if you are in the vicinity of a lot of IHRA tracks.

I started putting parts together for a crate motor car. Project got stalled. Headache of IHRA only cars, as Mike also mentioned, many combos don't allow them. I might put the car together at some future date. Decided to go the traditional route myself.

countrypuppy4865 · 11-17-2014, 11:53 AM

As already mentioned, I recommend building an NHRA approved stocker as well. Even if you don't intend on running NHRA, I would build it just in case.

IHRA has a family feel to it. The tech guys are friendly and they will listen to your input and suggestions on how to improve the program. Also, two races for the same travel cost is always a plus in my book (Entry fee is $135 per race). The contingency money is not as much as NHRA (mainly due to not having enough support at these races from racers). The tournament of champions is good and bad, in my opinion. I think it's good because you don't have to attend 14 races to win a championship like NHRA. However, if you do extremely well all year and lose first round you're done.

NHRA has a little higher entry fee (around $160). The contingency money is better and there are generally better car counts. Usually, the racers are treated better at IHRA races.

Michael Beard · 11-17-2014, 01:31 PM

Contingency money was better in IHRA 10 years ago than what it is now in NHRA, which should serve as a wake-up call. "Where will be in another 10 years?" Stories like that from Strange Engineering indicates that they haven't heard that wake-up call yet.

Plus side of NHRA is the exposure provided by National Dragster. Since their print coverage has been scaled back, so has the value of that exposure. Contingency payouts are better.

Plus side of IHRA is their schedule. Much less time off work required, as the races are typically Sat-Sun with parking & tech on Friday. Tech is actually open til 8-9 pm on move-in day instead of closing at 5:00:00 on the button, so people don't have to beat themselves to try to get there on time and kill yet another work day. A lot more racing in a lot less time.

Jim Bailey · 11-17-2014, 01:56 PM

Ya But ...." REAL" Drag Racing is a quartermile.

11-16-2014, 02:10 PM	#1
fastmachone Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Indian Head, MD Posts: 27 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	NHRA or IHRA Stockers, which do you prefer, NHRA or IHRA and why?

11-16-2014, 05:14 PM	#2
Mike Carr VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Enon Valley PA Posts: 1,650 Likes: 234 Liked 83 Times in 37 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Both have good and bad points. IHRA, most of their Divisional races are doubles (two races in one weekend). For someone that lives in an area like me (on the PA/OH line), it costs me a thousand dollars (or more) every weekend I would race, if I still did (exception is Norwalk and Columbus for NHRA; Pittsburgh for IHRA). Every other race is a three-hundred mile (or more) tow. At least in IHRA, I get two chances to race for that $1,000 expense (gas, tolls, hotel, entry, meals, etc). So if I had to choose between, say, Budds Creek Pro-Am or Maple Grove LODRS, I'm going to B.C. every time. As far as cars go, my personal recommendation is to build an NHRA-legal car. That way, you can run both NHRA and IHRA. IHRA has several classes that are not included in NHRA (Stock GT, Pure Stock and Crate Motor). Plus, some S/SS Combos and Associations do not allow IHRA cars. So in that regard, I suggest building a 'traditional' Stocker. Again, you will find a lot of good and bad with either of the HRA's. Find one that has a schedule, proximity, etc that works for you, where you live and choose one. Or, like I did, run some of both. __________________ Mike Carr, Tri-State S/SS Association President Looking for 2015 S/SS Race Sponsors Contact me if interested buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com (724) 510-5912

11-16-2014, 09:47 PM	#3
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Ditto what Mike says. If you're going to build a car, make it a traditional stocker. Only exception might be, if you are in the vicinity of a lot of IHRA tracks. I started putting parts together for a crate motor car. Project got stalled. Headache of IHRA only cars, as Mike also mentioned, many combos don't allow them. I might put the car together at some future date. Decided to go the traditional route myself. __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock

11-17-2014, 11:53 AM	#4
countrypuppy4865 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Donaldsonville, LA Posts: 977 Likes: 17 Liked 227 Times in 69 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA As already mentioned, I recommend building an NHRA approved stocker as well. Even if you don't intend on running NHRA, I would build it just in case. IHRA has a family feel to it. The tech guys are friendly and they will listen to your input and suggestions on how to improve the program. Also, two races for the same travel cost is always a plus in my book (Entry fee is $135 per race). The contingency money is not as much as NHRA (mainly due to not having enough support at these races from racers). The tournament of champions is good and bad, in my opinion. I think it's good because you don't have to attend 14 races to win a championship like NHRA. However, if you do extremely well all year and lose first round you're done. NHRA has a little higher entry fee (around $160). The contingency money is better and there are generally better car counts. Usually, the racers are treated better at IHRA races. __________________ Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird

11-17-2014, 01:31 PM	#5
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Contingency money was better in IHRA 10 years ago than what it is now in NHRA, which should serve as a wake-up call. "Where will be in another 10 years?" Stories like that from Strange Engineering indicates that they haven't heard that wake-up call yet. Plus side of NHRA is the exposure provided by National Dragster. Since their print coverage has been scaled back, so has the value of that exposure. Contingency payouts are better. Plus side of IHRA is their schedule. Much less time off work required, as the races are typically Sat-Sun with parking & tech on Friday. Tech is actually open til 8-9 pm on move-in day instead of closing at 5:00:00 on the button, so people don't have to beat themselves to try to get there on time and kill yet another work day. A lot more racing in a lot less time. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

11-17-2014, 01:56 PM	#6
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 673 Likes: 15 Liked 547 Times in 93 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Ya But ...." REAL" Drag Racing is a quartermile.