Takin control of our own destiny.

[Greg Hill]

I think the time is right for sportsman racers to take control of our own destiny. Yesterday I spoke with someone who works for NHRA and according to him the condition of the organization is similar to the big 3 automakers. It's possible NHRA could not survive. What happens to us if this happens? Years of taking all the profit out of the company in huge salaries for top management and members of the board of directors leaves no cushion when times get tough.

The beginnings of local and regional groups are popping up as NHRA becomes less relevant and more arrogant toward sportsman racers. Some of us are lucky enough to have places to race outside NHRA, but others aren't. What I think might work is a group of local and regional groups to put on and promote sportsman racing loosely banded together Nationally by the same rules and with the possibility of having a couple of National races. In Kentucky we are fortunate to have combo races at Ohio Valley and Bowling Green on a regular basis, usually about 10 a year combined. This could be the start of a regional group consisting of KY, IN, OH, and TN. Other groups are already out there including the one in GA and FL and the one proposed for the Carolinas. And don't forget Dave Ley's group in the north east.

There would be a lot of things to iron out including rules, tech, what type cars get to race, i.e. .90 cars, comp, top sportsman, top dragster etc. We would have to get track operators involved and probably try and find sponsors. I don't have all the answers, I just wanted to start the thread to see what everyone thought.

Greg

[X-TECH MAN]

I personally LIKE the idea.

[TOM KASCH]

why don't you try they ?



wttp://www.adrl.us/

[james schaechter]

I like it. Getting some key track owners involved would be important. We can race without NHRA, it gets more difficult if we don't have a track to run on. Most local track owners are looking for opportunity as well.

[TOM KASCH]

http://www.fasteststreetcar.com/

or them !

[Alan Roehrich]

Greg,
There is no doubt the idea has a lot of merit. I know a lot of people were already planning to stay close to home more this year when fuel prices got out of control last year. While fuel prices have come down, the economy isn't doing all that well, and it may have much the same effect.

[Terry Cain]

Greg,
I agree. Matter of fact, I was really thinking about running only the combo races and maybe traveling down south for a vacation and race with them once or twice.
Might race a few of the Super Chevy meets also.
I'm really tired of NHRA's bs and they don't have the only playground.

[ssracer3821]

Everyday someone on this site voices the same basic opinion - it is time for a choice. As you know in the last few years my wife and I have traveled coast to coast running National events and are quite frankly tired of the way Sportsman are treated. Greg, you would be a great person to head up something like this and I believe that you will get more support that you think. We all know that Division 3 divisionals get one of the largest turnouts in the organization. Several years ago, Lisa and I actually managed a small local IHRA track for a few years so we have some basic knowledge of track operations that might be helpful. I recently semi-retired and would love to help get something like this off the ground. There are a large number of racers who obviously agree with you and if we could get some sort of unity and direction I think this could actually work. Call me 419-564-2620 Buck

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

Lets do it Buck, you know i know what to do.

[Just Observing]

Originally Posted by Nitro Joe Jackson

Lets do it Buck, you know i know what to do.

Does that include heads up run during Elimnations?

I know at previous events you have organized that same class cars have not ran heads up in eliminations but dialed in instead. Alot of class racers I know would not go for that!