Just talkin' here #4

[Billy Nees]

A few years ago, then NHRA pres. Tom Compton tried in vain to "split" the Pro 's away from the Sportsmen and sell the Pro series to an unknown buyer as a "for profit" entity.
Would that have been a good thing or a bad thing for Sportsmen Racers?
What would an NHRA Sportsman Series standing alone have looked like?
Would/could it survive?
Should the NHRA Sportsmen Racers be actively pursuing something like this today?

[Randall Klein]

Jeff Tueton and “others” tried to organize something under the SRA (Sportsman Racers Assoc), about the time of the Pro sell off. Accused of a personal agenda, it n

[Randall Klein]

Oops
Kinda fizzled out
I still have my SRA decal
As I recall, the supposed Pro buyers backed off, as they examined proposed revenue streams
One key in my opinion is NHRA allowing a secondary organization access to the good tracks

[bykr]

I hadn't attended a national event on Sunday in some time, but I recently attended the World Finals in Pomona. I had tickets in the reserved section and was amazed at the amount of people that left the stands when the Pro Stock cars were pulling up after the fuel cars. Approx. 2/3rds of the stands would empty! So, any sportsman only race would probably be a ghost town spectator wise much like the divisional races.

[Mike Jones]

We have a 3 day race at Lebanon Valley Dragway (NY). Its called the Dover Dragstrip Reunion. Pre 1979, all types of classes, something for everybody, plus exhibition BB Funny Cars, Altereds etc. and 150 participant car show. This year it was the same weekend as the Dutch Classic (PA)
Grandstands are packed on Sunday. Concessions, T shirt sales etc. I can`t explain why it works, but I think in part, its the nostalgia factor. Its very well attended.
MJ

[Jack McCarthy]

Just talking here ... if the pros had a reduced schedule that would lead one to believe the old practice of a few match races on tap during Sunday’s at the sportsman race ... pat joffrion did the best ever first two years had a couple TAD nitro guys testing and licensing I think and he packed that place ... and sold a lot of beer & food

Hmmm match races

[MikeMoller]

That was the IHRA format basically, and it went down the tubes. Only IHRA race that had spectators (and a LOT of them) was at Budd's Creek couple of years ago, they had brought in some match racing, a guy on a jet skate board, and something else. Place was really packed, I talked to the owners when I got paid (semi's) and we agreed hadn't seen a crowd like that since the old match race days.

If there was a 'sportsman' only show, it would have to be 'spiffed up' somehow and ADVERTISED, not gonna work as a pure standalone.

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by MikeMoller

That was the IHRA format basically, and it went down the tubes. Only IHRA race that had spectators (and a LOT of them) was at Budd's Creek couple of years ago, they had brought in some match racing, a guy on a jet skate board, and something else. Place was really packed, I talked to the owners when I got paid (semi's) and we agreed hadn't seen a crowd like that since the old match race days.

If there was a 'sportsman' only show, it would have to be 'spiffed up' somehow and ADVERTISED, not gonna work as a pure standalone.

I was at that race.
Never understood why IHRA did not repeat that format?
The spectators were coming over to talk and look at our cars.