Unmitigated Greed

[Ken Miele]

Jack, I'll take a runner up at Indy anytime. I'm not boycotting any NHRA race. This could be one of my best years, if no one shows up.

[Jack Matyas]

Chad -- I was so happy for the win that the money didn't matter -- but in the end there was no question about it -- we split ! ! ! !

[mtkawboy]

As my dear old dad used to say "gonna be dumb, you got to be tough". Guys are out there with 1/4 million dollar race cars including haulers running for the same money it paid 40 years ago and youre worried about the cost of a few hundred more ? Makes perfect sense to me, that why I dont do it any more. Blast away ! I still admire the people who can afford to do though, more power to you.

[Mark Lewis]

Dan, I have to agree that it is the principle more than the overall cost increase. But if we take this without any kind of decrease in attendance what will they do next?I was going to enter my first NHRA natl in a few
years and try a few more points meets, but I have about 11 IHRA races within a 3 hour tow so I think I'll just save my time and money.
Mark

[mcaruso]

Originally Posted by Dan Fletcher

I don't think I've ever been so offended by anything in my life. Obviously, the fee increases won't stop anyone from racing, but it's the principle of the matter. We're all struggling to just hang in there and they raise the price to participate. And then offer some BS excuse that doesn't even come close to making sense. And then tell us how they're really still doing us a favor. Thank God we aren't all drinking in a bar together. It could get rather ugly.

It's amazing. Their business, like most any other business, isn't doing as well as they'd like in this economy. But why isn't it doing as well? Because people, both racers and fans, don't have money to spend. But it's like the friggin' government. They raise the costs for those that are still there. How much more can the "taxpayers" bear?

Believe me, Fletchburger understands fiscal responsibility. They have us print our own tickets, we no longer get medals when we win, they cut their payroll by 10%, they cut the amount of staff at events and fuel prices are currently surpressed (bonus) But then to raise the entry fee by 8% and DOUBLE other associated fees?

Our "payout" was already cut severely with the tremendous drop off in contingency postings. Our cost was already raised when crew member tickets went to $85 per event. If they want to have totally pissed off customers, they certainly are off to a good start

I don't have any choice in the matter. They've got me over a barrel. This is how I pay the bills and there aren't enough IHRA events for me to make ends meet. Most all of you have a choice. But let me say this...if everyone wants to collectively skip one event in protest (allow me to suggest Indy), I'm in.

I don't know to whom I'll be writing a seething email to, but someone will be getting one today.

And they don't even sell us a tangible product for Christ's sake! OMG!!!!!!!!!!

Dan- They know they have us by the meatBALLS! As bad as business is right now if I even whispered the idea of raising my prices a penny, let alone double them I would loose the little business I have left in this economy!

They know damn well that we're still gonna show up! THAT on top of the fact like you said, "effective immediatley" is nothing more than a kick in the meatBALLS!

unEffing believable!

Somebody needs to fly out to cali & have a nice talk w/ Mr. Compton. (just a suggestion)

[Philip Saran]

Well gee.....and my car is getting close to completion. As long as the few local
tracks stay open I'll bracket race....move up to SSGT? probably not.

Take the car to a car show and sit in a lawn chair for the day? Still do not like that.

But I will keep the tags and insurance up on it and the mufflers on it too.

[tpoh815]

Trust me when I say Nhra people will read this post and have a good night sleep.Its all about the bottom line. The time for the sportsman to organize is now! I think its a joke the economy is sagging so the sportsman will pick up the slack. Nhra,I think your feeling the pinch so your going to take it out on lowly sportsman racers.Believe me its going to get worse!!!!

[Bunkster]

Originally Posted by Dan Fletcher

........If they want to have totally pissed off customers, they certainly are off to a good start......

YOU, and all racers......are not their customers.

Rethink that part of your ire, and you may begin to get somewhere.

[X-TECH MAN]

NOTHING will ever change unless you stick together and hit them in thier wallets. That INCLUDES the .90 racers and the Top Sportsman and Top Dragster cars.......but we all know that will never happen.

[Brett Brown]

Originally Posted by Mike Graham

Look at the stock/superstock associations. Many of these have 100% payback minus the gate fees.
If we had 200 cars show up at any of these races it could be viable. The problem is that very few support these guys and gals. Just change your schedules to go to a few of these races and the associations will grow. The payouts will increase. There is no major commitment on your part. Just take a detour to Earlville
or Speedworld or wherever. You will be suprised how much fun it is and maybe you will even make some money

It would sure be nice if someone would put together a Stock/Superstock association and series out here on the West Coast. I know the past S/SS races have not been well supported (I think in part due to the dates held), but maybe now would be a good time to put a series together (Mark Y. or Nitro Joe are you listening?). I know I have had about all I can take from NHRA, so I would do my best to support it.