Unmitigated Greed

[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!!!!!!!!!!

[Casey Miles]

I for one drew a line in the sand when they raised the entry for points races by $10. It is the principle of the matter and not the $10. I feel as though I'm not going to pay for almost a quarter of the winners purse to enter a stock eliminator bracket race. In the past at Moroso, there used to be an entry fee of $100 to win $5000., where is the equalization between the entry fees of Moroso and NHRA? I've been racing NHRA stock eliminator since 1974 and this is the worst that I have seen the greed in the organization. Don't they read the news about the economic down turn? I'm angry at NHRA for making me make a decision not to race at races that I truly enjoy participating in. I have my own agenda and don't expect anyone to follow, but if no one goes to bring the show, maybe, just maybe NHRA will get the message and hopefully there will be a revolt in the management of the organization.

Casey Miles
248H E/S ("f" the 4 HP)

[Don Eckel 111]

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!!!!!!!!!!

This says it all. Dan, if you can, please copy this to the Comp board here and at http://www.insidecompracing.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2. I'm glad I just renenewed last month, but they will
get me on the chassis cert though.

What's even worse is that the payouts from NHRA have not increased nationally in 20+ years and contingencies continue to shrink. My feeling is that you will se alot of other people, especially younger, finding new hobbies. How are they going to attract them when they keep getting hit harder in the pocket?

How about this for comparison? Go to your local dirt track on just about any given weekend. Usually a packed house for about a $20-30 admission, sometimes less. Generally a full compliment of 3 or 4 classes of cars and if you make the feature, most get at least their entry fee back. Winner in the sportsman(mid level) class can get 1,000+. And this is all done in 1 Day!

[Bryan Worner]

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!!!!!!!!!!

A men Dan!

Where's the raise in payouts??? I'm sure that's in the works.......yeah right!

While protesting Indy is a GREAT idea......I've got a good one too. Why don't all Stock and Super Stock racers boycott Englishtown and go to the $10,000 combo race at ATCO?!?! Hell, if we did that, we could probably have enough cars to have 2 separate races for each class!!! I believe it's time for racers to stand up. They've cut about everything possible and raised our fees so they can continue to have the "Pro show!!" Why don't they just raise the ticket prices back to where they were last year??? No, the fans can't afford it......but the racers can???? Give me a break!

The main reason I think this would work better than Indy is because you have that alternative in Atco!!! What's everyone think???

[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.

[Greg Hill]

I guess I'm lucky. Saturday night I can race combo at Ohio Valley for $50 with a chance to win $1000. Next Sunday the 18th I can do the same thing in Bowling Green. I decided over the winter to not run any National events. The total lack of respect for the racers and the arrogance of the NHRA management is unbelievable. Last year being on the SRAC really opened my eyes. I am going to run the d3 races and maybe the sportsnational race in Columbus and as many local combo races that I can. I'm 2 hours from Indy and I also am not going to participate in that this year. Some good promoter needs to put on a sportsman race that pays good money Labor Day weekend. I think the attendance would surprise them.

The management of NHRA does not own the organization. They are merely caretakers and happen to be doing a bad job at that.