Mark Lyle NHRA chief starter

[Adger Smith]

Jeff,
Let me tell you Mr. Bader is a great guy. He impressed me when he called the hospital several times while I was in a coma after a racing accident. During that 16 days he called until he could speak to me. He even called a couple of times when I made it home. He made it a point to meet me at the first race I made my driving comeback. That man has a heart...
I was just one of the guys that raced. I wonder if that would have happened if I was racing with the other HRA and had an accident??
I have not been NHRA member since 2008. That was my choice because of the actions aimed at me by one of their DD's. I have watched all their enhancements and cost increases and decided it was a good decision to walk away. It will take more than a speech or two and a few handshakes to get this guy back. I will be watching to see if this is sincere or just a ploy to keep the cash cow. This added insurance cost should be covered by someone besides sportsman racers and the crazy things that add extra cost, like the header straps and the length of time on SFI certs as well as the oildown issues need to be addressed. The rules network they have created is treating the sportsman like they were made of money. I'm waiting.....

[Larry Hill]

Mark and crew did a great job on keeping teeth in the track!!!!

[SS/GSI]

I have to say that Mr. Lyle and crew did a great job of preparing the track this past weekend, thank you(even though some how my car got stopped three times to spray and rosen the track before makin our run! Talk about coincidence, lol) I also take my hat off to Mr. Lyle for showing a true passion for the grass roots of "Class" racing when he told a jr. starter to "stand down" and let nature take its course during the, over minute and a half long, BURNDOWN between Duncan and McBean in C2 of the SS/GA runoffs, Bada$$ for all parties involved. Afterwards he came up to me and said "now that was cool", finally someone else who gets goosebumps when s@#t like that happens

[Carguy49]

I have never met Mark personally, but have heard many comments about the way he works the starting line. He was congratulated by Div. 6 racers on his new job, but was told he would be missed here in the Northwest. Seems he can help make the races better for the "little" guy. Kudos to Mark and his crew.

Originally Posted by Marty Buth

Jeff,

It is true, Tom Compton greeted sportsman racers with a hand shake and a warm welcome to the sportsman appreciation dinner at Indy. He spoke to the group and admitted that sportsman racing was the beginning and foundation of NHRA and that NHRA had "lost it's focus". He is definitly talking the talk, now we need to see if they can walk the walk. Actions speak much louder than words.

I hope this is more than lip service from Tom Compton. It is about time that NHRA started to realize that the sportsman racers are VERY MUCH needed at each race. I, for one, don't get excited to watch the national events anymore. It is all about the traveling circus and not the stories behind the racing. Yes, there were some good interviews from the U.S. Nationals, especially Alan Johnson. I was waiting for some coverage of the Hemi showdown and the Factory Stock shootout (or did I miss it). Maybe they will be included in the sportsman coverage whenever that is shown. With 11 hours of coverage between 2 days they could have, at least, mentioned the winners.
NHRA has a real chance for growth and I hope they use it. The sportsman racers need more than lip service, how about some real interest in what it takes to go from race to race? How about more coverage on T.V. than just a sportsman show that covers the Alcohol cars and the finals in all the other classes??????

[Maverick]

I was wondering if the super stockers and stockers were having any traction issue. I run S/G and I spun badly Thursday afternoon, in the heat of the afternoon, and decided to skip the last pass on Thursday, due to the issue of poor traction. Was in the second pair out in the first round of eliminations, and I spun badly. Tried to be the first one out, so that I would had the track preped done right before I ran. Did not have any issues on Wednesday, good traction. I run a clutch car, and trying to figure out what my issue is. Glad everyone was satisfied in stock and super stock with traction. Friend of mine says I need a convertor!

[G Schenck]

Originally Posted by Maverick

I was wondering if the super stockers and stockers were having any traction issue. I run S/G and I spun badly Thursday afternoon, in the heat of the afternoon, and decided to skip the last pass on Thursday, due to the issue of poor traction. Was in the second pair out in the first round of eliminations, and I spun badly. Tried to be the first one out, so that I would had the track preped done right before I ran. Did not have any issues on Wednesday, good traction. I run a clutch car, and trying to figure out what my issue is. Glad everyone was satisfied in stock and super stock with traction. Friend of mine says I need a convertor!

There was a 65 falcon running 9 inch tires in SG with no problems.

Greg

[Maverick]

Well that tells me something,.I did not know, glad to know that it wasn't the track, and just me and my car. I am suprised every one hooked up. Thanks

[ss3845]

Originally Posted by SS/GSI

I have to say that Mr. Lyle and crew did a great job of preparing the track this past weekend, thank you(even though some how my car got stopped three times to spray and rosen the track before makin our run! Talk about coincidence, lol) I also take my hat off to Mr. Lyle for showing a true passion for the grass roots of "Class" racing when he told a jr. starter to "stand down" and let nature take its course during the, over minute and a half long, BURNDOWN between Duncan and McBean in C2 of the SS/GA runoffs, Bada$$ for all parties involved. Afterwards he came up to me and said "now that was cool", finally someone else who gets goosebumps when s@#t like that happens

Congrats on the class win to you and Lincoln. Fast car and a great driver and "sportsman" racer behind the wheel. Wish we could have given you a better run in the final.

Jim McBean

[5343stk]

I was shut-off in Brainerd I believe 2nd round due to a comp car that couldn't figure out how to get off the track.

I was impressed with Mr. Lyle while sitting on the line. He asked numerous times if I was ok. When the track was finally clear, he looked me straight in the eyes and thanked me for being patient.

He made a good impression with me.

[Dallas Kelly]

I want to add my thanks for the great job done in keeping the starting line consistent during the high heat conditions experienced almost the entire event. My limited point of reference is last year's race but there was an obvious concerted effort this year to provide the best racing surface possible.

At the Division level, I'd also like to compliment the starting line crew that worked the Bowling Green LODRS race. Just like the U.S. Nats., the track preparation at BG was much more consistent this year than last.

Thanks to all involved.