No Sportsman at Northern Nitro Jam

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by KennyAnderson

Palm Beach Nitro Jam is brackets only also. I was told that the Pro-Am schedule is already set and if it was a Pro-Am it would give Div 2 too many points opportunities. I wonder if a non-points Pro-Am class structure would bring in the car count? Sure would be more entertaining for everyone than box/no-box.

Late last year, rumors had it that IHRA was trying to do just that....give Florida enough ProAms to be it's own division, like North Carolina has been. That would require giving Lakeland, Palm Beach and/or even Orlando IHRA divisional events. The same person who runs Lakeland under IHRA also runs Orlando under NHRA. We'll see if it holds true in 2015.

[Ed Carpenter]

Same deal at the San Antonio race. Sucks only an hour from me.

[KennyAnderson]

That was the hope. New owner of Orlando was being persued to switch O-town to IHRA. That would have made it happen. The decision maker was the lil no-points Pro-Am held at Lakeland on Halloween weekend. Lakeland had a pretty short shutdown and the race was not very well advertised. The turnout sucked. Ozzy was a little leery after that and then NHRA promised him a Div 2 race so here we are. Keeping my fingers crossed for next year.

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Late last year, rumors had it that IHRA was trying to do just that....give Florida enough ProAms to be it's own division, like North Carolina has been. That would require giving Lakeland, Palm Beach and/or even Orlando IHRA divisional events. The same person who runs Lakeland under IHRA also runs Orlando under NHRA. We'll see if it holds true in 2015.

[Mike Fuller]

I know how you feel Bill. Not only is St Louis the most remote place in Division 3 but the time of the event could not be any worse. Why wouldn't you schedule event the weekend before or after the national event. Look at the average high tempurature for these dates andf you will see exactly what I'm talking about. Unless I am in the top three in points I would not be caught dead at this event.

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...7?climoMonth=8

[Bobby Lundholm]

I would run the Nitro Jam race if they ran a combo.

[Greg Hill]

I know NHRA would still like to have a race in Michigan, but Stanton is not a safe race track anymore. Last year Andrew came back after his first run and commented on how much his car was moving around on the big end. We didn't have working scales last year and the comp guys almost revolted. I also know how much the d3 guys would like to have Martin in the NHRA camp. I really think they could do close to what Norwalk does for a points race.

[Daran Summerton]

Bradenton is kinda weird??? Is it a National? Is it a Divisional? Is it a Divisional at a National??? Someone needs to fix this and put the sportsman classes back on the schedule.

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Daran Summerton

Bradenton is kinda weird??? Is it a National? Is it a Divisional? Is it a Divisional at a National??? Someone needs to fix this and put the sportsman classes back on the schedule.

From what I recall when it first started, most divisions would get one of their ProAm divisional events incorporated into a Nitro Jam "national" event. For Sportsman racers, the "national" tag provides a higher contingency payout and the opportunity for Sportsman cars to race the final rounds in front of a crowd. Good for a little extra money, ego and sponsor exposure. But it still is a divisional event as far as points and qualifying for the Tournament of Champions/World Finals is concerned.

I would like to see "real" national events or Sportsman Spectacular/Sportsnational type events return. But history had has shown that not enough racers supported it. IHRA tried, got burned and changed their championship format.

[charlie westcott]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

I know NHRA would still like to have a race in Michigan, but Stanton is not a safe race track anymore. Last year Andrew came back after his first run and commented on how much his car was moving around on the big end. We didn't have working scales last year and the comp guys almost revolted. I also know how much the d3 guys would like to have Martin in the NHRA camp. I really think they could do close to what Norwalk does for a points race.

I wouldnt throw stanton under the bus. I had 1.18 60' and went 8.48 at that points meet last year. Martin isnt gonna switch to NHRA for a points meet. We go there and test, and have seen Jay there meeting with the track operator. 20 spectators for a points meet doesnt pay the bills.

[ss3011]

The place used to be packed in the early 80's for the Popular Hot Rod Meet, big crowds from Chicago.