Pro Sportsman Racers

[chevy620]

Hey Bernie,
I was pretty clear that I have the utmost respect for the guys who can accomplish being a "pro Sportsman Racer", even if they don't make a living at it due to other sources of income. If they actually make a living drag racing that is incredible, I have always thought that. How could I not? I have dreamed it, tried it for several years for two and three months on the road racing but couldn't keep it going and still make house payments, etc.

I don't think those few guys that run all over the Country are the issue, I think getting a Points system and National Championship program to a place that offers the guys who have families, good jobs and limited time off from work a shot at a National Championship by not having to travel the Country is the kind of plan that would grow Sportsman Racing at the "participation level" and the enthusiasm level.

Everyone will have an opinion on this and I appreciate that. I will throw out my idea in a week or so. You can agree with it, hate it, think about it; whatever; that is what Editorial Opinions are about.

There is nothing personal in my ideas and the guys who race all over the Country should know that. They do what they do to win a National Championship because that is the format laid before laid before them. Would they like to win a National Championship and use 75% less diesel fuel? Probably. Only they really know that answer.

If nothing changes, then nothing changes. Everything must be just fine.

I just feel it is time to at least look at some options.

Jok

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by chevy620;

I don't think those few guys that run all over the Country are the issue, I think getting a Points system and National Championship program to a place that offers the guys who have families, good jobs and limited time off from work a shot at a National Championship by not having to travel the Country is the kind of plan that would grow Sportsman Racing at the "participation level" and the enthusiasm level.


Jok

If you want a points system as you are describing,I thought IHRA had something unique.

You needed to win ONE qualifying race and you were in the Tournament of Champions,where you you could win the World Championship if you won that race.

People complained that it was not fair for someone to win the World Championship by attending and winning two races,so they got rid of it.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by chevy620

I think getting a Points system and National Championship program to a place that offers the guys who have families, good jobs and limited time off from work a shot at a National Championship by not having to travel the Country is the kind of plan that would grow Sportsman Racing at the "participation level" and the enthusiasm level.

IHRA's been doing it since 2009. You could run the entire series and win the World Championship in five weekends.


While it's what I would call a good part time job, I can't race for a living. Granted, I couldn't make a living *without* racing, either. I run my own graphic design and printing business, solely focused on drag racers, tracks, and promoters -- so one is tied to the other. I've had a few good years where I could get by on racing, but it's not something you want to bet on.

[Andys dad]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

IHRA's been doing it since 2009. You could run the entire series and win the World Championship in five weekends.


While it's what I would call a good part time job, I can't race for a living. Granted, I couldn't make a living *without* racing, either. I run my own graphic design and printing business, solely focused on drag racers, tracks, and promoters -- so one is tied to the other. I've had a few good years where I could get by on racing, but it's not something you want to bet on.

IMHO

I think a simple solution would be to limit the championship points to the 3 national and 5 divisional races we are allowed to count.

No national after the third national event would count for championship points - and no divisional after the fifth divisional event would count for the championship points.

Win all of the money you want after you have completed those.

There it is ...

But I am sure there are many on here who will explain why that would never work.

It would not deprive the Pro Sportsman of race winning income but would allow those of us less fortunate in terms of work commitment and cash flow to give the championship a shot.


Ron

[Ken Miele]

Ron,

I'm a little perplexed, why do you feel there is a problem? Because of one article written by an online magazine that has issues with everything NHRA does. The article is creating an issue that does not exist.

Its called a National Championship, you should have to travel and run other racers across the country. The current system works just fine, and to suggest it does not only shows how self serving this created issue is.

Bill Grubbs was right, how about we all win just for showing up.... God helps us.

[Andys dad]

nothing

...

It's all good

[Ed Wright]

I see nothing wrong with things like they are. After watching Dan, in the staging lanes and on the track after I went out at Topeka. I'm even more impressed with him. He works at it, and knows exactly what his car is going to do. Much more so than us stay-close-to-home racers. His packages weren't all so tight he could not have lost, but nobody did good enough job to do it. The more you race, the better you will be. I don't see how you could want to penalize a guy that can do that.

I don't see anything wrong with things the way they are. The rest of us just need to work harder. Kinda like real life.

[cicero819]

Here are some name of past champions who at one time did some touring, some are in my books Elite sportsman through some hard work: Gary Stinnett,Brad Plourd, Peter Biondo, Sal Biondo, Darren Davis, Bo Nickens, Kyle Seipel, Lincoln Morehead, Rod Fuller, Jeg Coughlin jr, Don Elgin, Jim Hughes, Mike Crutchfield, Ed Sellnow, Steve Cohen, Bruno Massel sr and jr, Joey Heffernan, Jeff Taylor, Mike Trumble, Mike Ferderer, Scotty Richardson,Edmond Richardson, Robert Turner, David Simmons, Sherman Adcock, Mike Saye Jim Borburka, Frank Aragona jr, Steve Eckard, Bill Marapulos, Pat Austin, Ace Manzo, Tommy Johnson,Emmons Brothers, Al Provoast, Rick Hord, Doc Dixon,Todd Patterson Joe Covert, Dave Boertman and so many more, so if you've decided to go pro these are the people you're going to meet not considering the other thousand waiting to cut your throat at the first chance they get. I can remember Darren Davis going across country with his Dodge Van, open trailer hauling his competition eliminator 23 T, must have been wild.Claude Ruel