my opinion

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

If we indeed are "Sportsman" and are somehow separated from "Professional" since NHRA does indeed have these labels, a professional (by NHRA definition) should not be mixing it up with "Sportsmen" racers.

Semantics. "Sportsman" does not equal "Amateur". So... what do you do with IHRA S/SS racers, since we run the "Pro-Am" series, which was quite deliberately given that name by Bader as just another way to acknowledge the professionalism exhibited by the "sportsman" racer.

As I explained earlier, there are many areas I believe differentiate one from the other and I would bet the IRS would agree with me. That is the "problem". The solution? That should be apparent. Don't allow professionals to compete against sportsmen.

So, the problem is 1) with Pro Stock drivers running S/SS, 2) with people who claim their racing as a business running S/SS?

If 1) - again, what does driving a Pro Stock car have to do with driving in S/SS? They are totally different disciplines. Jeg and Line are exceptions to the rule who happened to be Sportsman Champions before they were Pros.
If 2) - if you seek a truly amateur status, should we race for just trophies as someone else pointed out?

Want to level the playing field? It doesn't have anything to do with Pro- Trees, Points, or Hood Scoops. It has to do with driving and strategy, both of which are learned skills.The biggest thing standing between Joe Average and the Touring Professional Sportsman racer is KNOWLEDGE. I've helped a bunch of people over the years with their driving, and will continue to do so, because I love our sport.