New Era. We are wanting change

[Matt1234]

I have watched and raced NHRA racing for most of my life. What is going on and the way that NHRA treat Stock and Super Stcock and other sportsman classes is unacceptable. The more we take it and do what they want the more they will continue. NHRA is the pinnacle of drag racing and we all want to win a Wally. For a lot of us it’s a dream but they know this and I feel like they take advantage of us, such examples: limited car counts, limited class racing, entry fees higher for certain races and schedules that cater to pros instead of caring about the sportsman and they way we feel. My idea is, we have 4 reps, 2 from Super Stock and 2 from Stock We send a letter of concerns to NHRA that we would like to see changed. If they don’t negotiate or make changes, then we need to stand together and not support their program. The only way they will change is, us as a group stand together. Individuals calling NHRA or division directors with their concerns is not working. The 4 reps appointed can talk and negotiate changes with NHRA. I want NHRA to be successful and survive. But at this rate they are killing sportsman class racing. I am willing to be a rep for Super Stock and I’ve had many volunteers to be reps. Many people out there have the passion as I do for class racing and feel like you guys understand where I’m coming from. I feel like we are getting no where with individuals reaching out to NHRA. We need to stand together and show NHRA we will support them if they will support us! Please respond with your in put!

[matt82114]

I'm assuming you're referring to national events, correct? Because aren't the car counts unlimited at a division or regional?

And are you suggesting all national events go an extra day to accommodate the extra round or 2 in each category? Because if stock and ss are going to get an extra round so should everybody else right?

[Chip THELEGEND Johnson]

The problem here is a lot of Sportsman racers don't understand the "Pecking Order" in other words WE ARE NOT THE SHOW. We are field fillers/time killers.
The majority of "Hot Dog Eaters" come to see JOHN FORCE.
Hell you can get a Wally at a Bracket Race now.
I go to 3 or 4 nationals a year because I enjoy the show
I go to 8 "grade points races" a year so I can go to the show next year.

Flame Away

Chip Johnson

[Herbie Null]

I agree with you Matt, the problem is we had a chance this year to support 3 big money races and the turn out was not so great in my eyes. This was a time to send a message and support our class, all it showed is that 60 percent of the class racers are chasing the Wally and enjoy the camping out atmosphere. Bo's race couldn't draw the cars with the payouts he put up, so my take is people are happy. My Divisional races are the only thing that keep me in it. Time to enjoy being a camper or get a boat, I'm leaning towards the boat.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Like they treat the pros any better! I would love to see a breakdown of what the NHRAs take is for a national event by class, if there's a thread with such info please post a link.

[Ronnie1858]

JMO - and I freely admit I am a newbie to all of this. But, I think Chip hit the nail on the head. At national events, we are time killers between the pro rounds, nothing more. I would love to win a national event Wally some day, just like everyone else here, but the chances of that happening are pretty slim for me. There are just too many good drivers out there. So, for me, the divisional and regional races are where I have my fun, along with the local bracket races and test and tunes. I just love running the car down the track and hanging out with all the great folks I've met along the way. If I go a few rounds, that is great. If not, there's always tomorrow. Everyone sees it differently. That said, I am willing to support a group effort to get a bit more respect from the NHRA folks, if enough of us think it is really necessary.

[SS/GSI]

Originally Posted by Herbie Null

I agree with you Matt, the problem is we had a chance this year to support 3 big money races and the turn out was not so great in my eyes. This was a time to send a message and support our class, all it showed is that 60 percent of the class racers are chasing the Wally and enjoy the camping out atmosphere. Bo's race couldn't draw the cars with the payouts he put up, so my take is people are happy. My Divisional races are the only thing that keep me in it. Time to enjoy being a camper or get a boat, I'm leaning towards the boat.

Herbie is correct...250 cars showed up to Baby Gators to chase the "little man" not the $1200 to win the race, meanwhile Mr. Freeman was giving $10,000.00 one hour away and couldn't get 2 dozen cars to show up! 250 cars showed up at Columbus a couple weeks ago to chase down the "little man" again and that was with a week of forecasted rain surrounding the race! LOL

More STK and SS cars have shown up to the 2 NHRA Class Runoff Races than Mr. Freeman's, Butner/Line, Bohannon and CR Numidia races put together....and those were for a total of $170,000.00+!!! I know there is a large amount of support for these races and perhaps they will grow over time; however it will take time and it will probably become a sink or swim situation for some.

Don't get me wrong, winning big money is great but I am sure that the majority of us do not race to subsidize and/or add onto our annual incomes...seeing as only a handful of sportsman racers have ever legitimately raced full time as a means of employment.

The racers have spoken and all the majority of us have shown, is that we want more class runoff racing like before...and we do not need JFR or DSR on the property to make it feel anymore special. With the low quotas at National Events, division races are a better venue for class so we can actually have cars to runoff against and not end up with a 23 car auto-combo race! Put all class runoffs to divisional events like the Baby Gators(1 per division) + the Sports Nationals in Columbus and Indy...that is all most of us would ask for. IMHO

PS: When Class at Indy is done Herbie, I will be boat shopping with you!!! LOL

[B Parker]

Originally Posted by Chip THELEGEND Johnson

The problem here is a lot of Sportsman racers don't understand the "Pecking Order" in other words WE ARE NOT THE SHOW. We are field fillers/time killers.
The majority of "Hot Dog Eaters" come to see JOHN FORCE.
Hell you can get a Wally at a Bracket Race now.
I go to 3 or 4 nationals a year because I enjoy the show
I go to 8 "grade points races" a year so I can go to the show next year.

Flame Away

Chip Johnson

Chip this is by no means to Flame Away, I agree with what you have said but we ( Sportsman Cars) are the greatest traveling car show on earth. Who in NHRA is responsible for promoting Sportsman Racing ? Is there even a budget for it? We have the greatest membership and pay the majority of the membership fee's. Shouldn't we have someone paid that promotes our racing !! It's like making a great product with no sales force. If no knows about it or see's and understands what the product is you will never sell it. One simple way to promote us would be to have an event the night or two before the start of the race with about 50 cars off the grounds. Most of the malls have plenty of room with shopping switched to online. And would welcome anything they could do to attract more cars into their parking lots . Give away some FREE PASSES to the race. I have a cruise night once a month and my place is a hole in the wall and we get a lot of people that go by to stop in and check out the cars. Even with all the years I've been at this there are cars that show up at races that I'm in awe about. There is a cruise night a few Towns from me. They get upwards of 400 cars a week. But they also get upwards of over a thousand people to show up to check the cars out. There are plenty of other ways to promote our classes. All it would take is an organization that cared enough to actually put some effort in. AND PLEASE I don't want to here it won't work. I'm 65 and have had several successful small businesses and everyone I've had was either someone else's that was failing or failed and closed. Everyone that I have had others said I was nuts and it won't work. Barry

[Matt1234]

Chip I’m glad you enjoy hot dogs and watch John Force. But for most of us I feel like agree with what I’m saying. NHRA system is broken and keeps taken advantage of us. We need to stand together whether you run divisional or national events. Change is needed. If NHRA don’t listen or don’t want to change then that’s the line in the sand. This Indy schedule is a joke this year because of All Stars Why are we having the All Star race in Indy Have it at Topeka or somewhere in the middle of the US. Makes more sense to me. This is some of the changes they need to look at. One race a year is what we are asking for class and to be open. Our pole showed people want it open and be able to run as fast as they can but NHRA keeps it like all other races. WHY And it’s killing car count. I also own a business and the negative people will always try to bring you down. But to be successful you power on. And that’s the way we should look at this Like I said if they don’t. You take what they give you or quit doing it. It’s simple. Thanks for reading Matt

[rognelson777]

Since the day NHRA changed Stock/Super Stock from heads up class racing to mostly bracket racing it has been on decline. Sorry, I only watch class eliminations. No interest in the bracket portion. And It is a numbers game, NHRA tracks how many Crew Tickets are bought by each racer for national events. I bet most stock racers only by racer entry. Top sportsman/Dragster all have at least 1 crew person, same with comp. That is what pays the bills and top sportsman/dragster and comp get dumped on the same way, 1 qualifier and get ready to race