The IRS and NHRA, you gotta see this.

[Alan Roehrich]

I have to wonder why it is people are so convinced that sportsman racing cannot survive, and even thrive, without the pro circus. You know, to hear some people talk, you'd think that drag racing never even existed before the entire program was taken over by the multi million dollar chinese fire drill that is the professional circus freak show.

If nothing else, the marketing job NHRA has done on the average sportsman racer, selling him on the idea that he is nobody without the traveling pros, ranks right up there with Madoff, and the guys at Enron, you have to give them credit for that.

I mean, where would we be without some guy riding around shooting t-shirts into the stands with an air cannon, and getting people to run around in circles pouring sports drinks all over themselves until they get dizzy and puke? What would we do without that horrendous racket they call music blaring out of the speakers during all that down time, and the "announcer" screaming about the points standings? You know, maybe it would be completely impossible to actually race cars without all that added "mind numbing entertainment".

[Ed Wright]

But, how many paying spectators would there be? Sadly, nobody pays to watch us. Look in the stands when the fuel cars are done. Heck, hardly any of them watch Pro Stock. Nobody watches the Alky cars either. Even fewer the index cars, which I understand. :-)

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

But, how many paying spectators would there be? Sadly, nobody pays to watch us. Look in the stands when the fuel cars are done. Heck, hardly any of them watch Pro Stock. Nobody watches the Alky cars either. Even fewer the index cars, which I understand. :-)

The question is: Why?

And the answer is: Because no one spends any money or time to promote us.

NHRA spends millions to promote Top Fuel and Funny Car. If they spent a million dollars to promote anything else, I'd be surprised.

Spectators do not buy tickets to see us because no one is selling tickets to see us.

The only marketing that caters to Stock and Super Stock is the marketing by companies that sell parts to us.

The most time NHRA has dedicated to us is when they've explained to us that "no one watches you because they are not smart enough to understand the classes". That's a Hell of a way to think and talk about your fans.

Well, maybe I wasn't being quite fair there. They've also spent plenty of time telling us that we "don't generate a profit", and that we "take up way too much time and space that would be better utilized by the pros".

And like I said, they've sold the racers on that very idea.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

But, how many paying spectators would there be? Sadly, nobody pays to watch us. Look in the stands when the fuel cars are done. Heck, hardly any of them watch Pro Stock. Nobody watches the Alky cars either. Even fewer the index cars, which I understand. :-)

All I can say is we had a ton of spectators at the "US Class Nationals" about 10 years ago and there was not a single Pro car or circus act on the grounds. Sportsman racing will and can survive if the racers want to support it and its run and marketed correctly. You might find you can walk away with more round and win/runnner up money without having to wait 6 months for a company to send you decal money either with a true sportsman association and race event. You just wouldnt get the oppertunity to run in the Pro/Alky/Jet car oil/kerocine if thats what you would prefer.....LOL. The sky isnt falling yet. The NHRA isnt the only option on the block and without them holding the good tracks hostage such a venue could and would be run at the better tracks ! I never could understand the die hard NHRA mentality I guess. You guys must really like taking it up your shorts. If this offends you then Im sorry but some need to sit back and re think what your addicted to.

[Tom Meyer]

Look at PINKS they filled the stands , You know the difference between sex and rape, salemenship. Nhra has been raping us all these years, but keep selling it to us. We on this site wine all the the time but untill we do something it will never change. Tom

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Tom Meyer

Look at PINKS they filled the stands , You know the difference between sex and rape, salemenship. Nhra has been raping us all these years, but keep selling it to us. We on this site wine all the the time but untill we do something it will never change. Tom

Tom,
Something is being done now. Whether or not it will work out in our favor remains to be seen. But even now, there are just as many people whining about something being done as there are supporting it.

The true test of it all will come IF things fall our way, and something is done about NHRA being taken from its members. Then we'll find out if people want to do something, see something done, or whine about it.

The question is, if it comes to pass that NHRA once again becomes a true membership run organization, how many people will step up to actually try to improve our situation, how many will support those who do, and how many will either complain, or do nothing at all.

[Alan Roehrich]

I keep seeing people saying "the complaint was filed because someone thinks Tom Compton makes too much money".

That's a crock. Look, no one would give a damn if there were 10 people on the NHRA board of directors, each one making $1 million a year a piece, if NHRA were truly healthy, and being run properly, for the benefit of ALL of the membership.

[Rick Bailey]

Well said !

[Sean Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I keep seeing people saying "the complaint was filed because someone thinks Tom Compton makes too much money".

That's a crock. Look, no one would give a damn if there were 10 people on the NHRA board of directors, each one making $1 million a year a piece, if NHRA were truly healthy, and being run properly, for the benefit of ALL of the membership.

Completely agree, also with your previous post stating class racing could thrive. I tend to agree with this line of thinking.

Unfortunately, a big chunk of the guys you are trying to tell this to don't even unload their cars unless it's for an NHRA divisional or national event. These guys aren't going to hear anything but the sky is falling. Hopefully, when and if this stuff ever hits the fan, they will see past their own noses and race somewhere else.

[Toby Lang]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

They've also spent plenty of time telling us that we "don't generate a profit", and that we "take up way too much time and space that would be better utilized by the pros".

I'd be interested to know who told you this. I doubt anybody with any real authority has said this. Or is this just what you think they think? I know I haven't heard this from anybody with NHRA. If it were true, why haven't they done away with us already?

Ever since I've been reading internet drag racing forums (1995 Compuserve) people have been saying the same thing: That NHRA is going to do away with the sportsman classes, especially Stock and Super Stock. They don't need us. They could save money by not hiring as many tech officials. No tech. No teardowns etc...

The fact is, when I went to the Jegs all-stars race in 1998 and 2002 Graham Light spoke at the racer's banquet. He said you may have heard rumors that we are going to do away with the sportsman classes. He assured us that was not true and the sportsman classes are a very important part of their program.

Well, guess what? It's 10-15 years later and the sportsman classes are still here.


-Toby