A subject for discussion on a winter's day.

Billy Nees · 02-11-2019, 10:55 AM

A number of years ago, then NHRA President Compton was in discussions with someone about splitting the NHRA Sportsmen away from the pros. I guess that the idea was to turn the pro part of the program into a "for profit" business and keep the Sportsmen as "not-for-profit".
Can anyone out there shed any more light on this? How close did this come to being a reality? Do you think that we (the NHRA Sportsmen) would have been any better or worse off had this come about?

I'm just asking questions here.

Mike Jones · 02-11-2019, 11:20 AM

Sorta relavent....
I tried to sell some blue-collar, redneck, diesel loving, thirtysomething friends of mine on LODRS at our closest track. Told them there would be TA Dragsters, (A/FD). Told them they would be near the starting line. They would have a golf cart to cruise pits. They only want AA Nitro fix, otherwise, not interested.
Not sure if we would get many fans...
Mike A114

Carguy49 · 02-11-2019, 12:34 PM

I think the sport of drag racing has changed dramatically over the last 15 years or so. Most spectators want the big noise and the wrecks that come with it. At most of the Divisional events that I have attended most of the fans are friends or family of the racers.

I think a split will come eventually, you know Big Boys versus the rest of the racers. More association races and such.

GTS340 · 02-11-2019, 01:12 PM

Sunday!!! Sunday!!! Sunday!!!. You don't hear that anymore for Divisional races. Most Divisional races if any don't have local sponsors anymore. Jet cars, wheel standers or other attractions for fans. Free tickets!!! and serve good food. Thank the folks that do come in some memorial way. The tracks that remember those few things have great fan turn outs

Paul.

Pistol Pete · 02-11-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTS340

Sunday!!! Sunday!!! Sunday!!!. You don't hear that anymore for Divisional races. Most Divisional races if any don't have local sponsors anymore. Jet cars, wheel standers or other attractions for fans. Free tickets!!! and serve good food. Thank the folks that do come in some memorial way. The tracks that remember those few things have great fan turn outs

Paul.

In Division 1 Gary Richard (from PC Richard & son fame) Every Year gave out Free tickets for Englishtown’s Divisional Race that was held in September.
And 1 ticket was good for a carload of people. You still couldn’t have 1/2 the stands full.
Plus Gary used to Add money to the Winner & RU at the D1 National Open Races.

Myron Piatek · 02-11-2019, 01:15 PM

I wonder if class at the "Little Gators" is a feeler gauge towards that split?

Billy Nees · 02-11-2019, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

I wonder if class at the "Little Gators" is a feeler gauge towards that split?

That is what kinda-sorta got me wondering about this old plan again.

FED 387 · 02-11-2019, 01:34 PM

Well if you look at the Entries for all the different National races some have all or a few of the following Pro MOD/Top Sportsman/Top Dragster/Top Fuel Harley/Factory Stock Showdowns IN ADDITION TO the regular classes that have always been present in the past plus the T shirt crew parking group/ the exhibition cars and nostalgic exhibition runs ETC.--- the pit areas have generally not gotten bigger while the size of the rigs have--- such as motorhomes and stacker trailers or Semi tractor trailer combos for many racers--sure some guys still have a truck and trailer many don't ---you cant put 10 pounds into a 5 pound bag they are trying to accommodate as many racers as possible with the limited space they have thats part of the problem-----so you add it all up------many more classes---extremely large rigs and hospitality areas---- manufacturers midway -----same size pit areas as 20 years ago----how do you suggest doing it???

Billy Nees · 02-11-2019, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

Well if you look at the Entries for all the different National races some have all or a few of the following Pro MOD/Top Sportsman/Top Dragster/Top Fuel Harley/Factory Stock Showdowns IN ADDITION TO the regular classes that have always been present in the past plus the T shirt crew parking group/ the exhibition cars and nostalgic exhibition runs ETC.--- the pit areas have generally not gotten bigger while the size of the rigs have--- such as motorhomes and stacker trailers or Semi tractor trailer combos for many racers--sure some guys still have a truck and trailer many don't ---you cant put 10 pounds into a 5 pound bag they are trying to accommodate as many racers as possible with the limited space they have thats part of the problem-----so you add it all up------many more classes---extremely large rigs and hospitality areas---- manufacturers midway -----same size pit areas as 20 years ago----how do you suggest doing it???

Every thing that you bring up is absolutely correct. It also is/has turned the pro show into a "for profit" entity in everything but name.
Is it time to re-examine Compton's idea of splitting the dog-and-pony show into the "for profit" that it has become and splitting it from the "not-for-profit" Sportsman Racers and would it be to our (Sportsman Racers) benefit?

Pistol Pete · 02-11-2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

I wonder if class at the "Little Gators" is a feeler gauge towards that split?

Myron
I think this years Gators has so much going on that their wouldn’t be enough time to
run class eliminations too.
I think theirs like 17 Categories to run plus all the hype for the Gators 50th Anniversary,
which could be the reason.

02-11-2019, 10:55 AM	#1
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,487 Likes: 3,587 Liked 7,684 Times in 1,732 Posts	A subject for discussion on a winter's day. A number of years ago, then NHRA President Compton was in discussions with someone about splitting the NHRA Sportsmen away from the pros. I guess that the idea was to turn the pro part of the program into a "for profit" business and keep the Sportsmen as "not-for-profit". Can anyone out there shed any more light on this? How close did this come to being a reality? Do you think that we (the NHRA Sportsmen) would have been any better or worse off had this come about? I'm just asking questions here. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

02-11-2019, 11:20 AM	#2
Mike Jones VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,125 Likes: 1,179 Liked 684 Times in 289 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. Sorta relavent.... I tried to sell some blue-collar, redneck, diesel loving, thirtysomething friends of mine on LODRS at our closest track. Told them there would be TA Dragsters, (A/FD). Told them they would be near the starting line. They would have a golf cart to cruise pits. They only want AA Nitro fix, otherwise, not interested. Not sure if we would get many fans... Mike A114

02-11-2019, 12:34 PM	#3
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,974 Likes: 2,463 Liked 2,934 Times in 705 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. I think the sport of drag racing has changed dramatically over the last 15 years or so. Most spectators want the big noise and the wrecks that come with it. At most of the Divisional events that I have attended most of the fans are friends or family of the racers. I think a split will come eventually, you know Big Boys versus the rest of the racers. More association races and such. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

02-11-2019, 01:12 PM	#4
GTS340 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 866 Likes: 269 Liked 1,340 Times in 407 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. Sunday!!! Sunday!!! Sunday!!!. You don't hear that anymore for Divisional races. Most Divisional races if any don't have local sponsors anymore. Jet cars, wheel standers or other attractions for fans. Free tickets!!! and serve good food. Thank the folks that do come in some memorial way. The tracks that remember those few things have great fan turn outs Paul.

02-11-2019, 01:15 PM	#6
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. I wonder if class at the "Little Gators" is a feeler gauge towards that split? __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

02-11-2019, 01:34 PM	#8
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,417 Likes: 522 Liked 331 Times in 179 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. Well if you look at the Entries for all the different National races some have all or a few of the following Pro MOD/Top Sportsman/Top Dragster/Top Fuel Harley/Factory Stock Showdowns IN ADDITION TO the regular classes that have always been present in the past plus the T shirt crew parking group/ the exhibition cars and nostalgic exhibition runs ETC.--- the pit areas have generally not gotten bigger while the size of the rigs have--- such as motorhomes and stacker trailers or Semi tractor trailer combos for many racers--sure some guys still have a truck and trailer many don't ---you cant put 10 pounds into a 5 pound bag they are trying to accommodate as many racers as possible with the limited space they have thats part of the problem-----so you add it all up------many more classes---extremely large rigs and hospitality areas---- manufacturers midway -----same size pit areas as 20 years ago----how do you suggest doing it???