NHRA or IHRA

Robert Swartz · 11-16-2014, 09:47 PM

Ditto what Mike says. If you're going to build a car, make it a traditional stocker. Only exception might be, if you are in the vicinity of a lot of IHRA tracks.

I started putting parts together for a crate motor car. Project got stalled. Headache of IHRA only cars, as Mike also mentioned, many combos don't allow them. I might put the car together at some future date. Decided to go the traditional route myself.

countrypuppy4865 · 11-17-2014, 11:53 AM

As already mentioned, I recommend building an NHRA approved stocker as well. Even if you don't intend on running NHRA, I would build it just in case.

IHRA has a family feel to it. The tech guys are friendly and they will listen to your input and suggestions on how to improve the program. Also, two races for the same travel cost is always a plus in my book (Entry fee is $135 per race). The contingency money is not as much as NHRA (mainly due to not having enough support at these races from racers). The tournament of champions is good and bad, in my opinion. I think it's good because you don't have to attend 14 races to win a championship like NHRA. However, if you do extremely well all year and lose first round you're done.

NHRA has a little higher entry fee (around $160). The contingency money is better and there are generally better car counts. Usually, the racers are treated better at IHRA races.

Michael Beard · 11-17-2014, 01:31 PM

Contingency money was better in IHRA 10 years ago than what it is now in NHRA, which should serve as a wake-up call. "Where will be in another 10 years?" Stories like that from Strange Engineering indicates that they haven't heard that wake-up call yet.

Plus side of NHRA is the exposure provided by National Dragster. Since their print coverage has been scaled back, so has the value of that exposure. Contingency payouts are better.

Plus side of IHRA is their schedule. Much less time off work required, as the races are typically Sat-Sun with parking & tech on Friday. Tech is actually open til 8-9 pm on move-in day instead of closing at 5:00:00 on the button, so people don't have to beat themselves to try to get there on time and kill yet another work day. A lot more racing in a lot less time.

Jim Bailey · 11-17-2014, 01:56 PM

Ya But ...." REAL" Drag Racing is a quartermile.

11-16-2014, 09:47 PM	#1
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Ditto what Mike says. If you're going to build a car, make it a traditional stocker. Only exception might be, if you are in the vicinity of a lot of IHRA tracks. I started putting parts together for a crate motor car. Project got stalled. Headache of IHRA only cars, as Mike also mentioned, many combos don't allow them. I might put the car together at some future date. Decided to go the traditional route myself. __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock

11-17-2014, 11:53 AM	#2
countrypuppy4865 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Donaldsonville, LA Posts: 980 Likes: 17 Liked 228 Times in 70 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA As already mentioned, I recommend building an NHRA approved stocker as well. Even if you don't intend on running NHRA, I would build it just in case. IHRA has a family feel to it. The tech guys are friendly and they will listen to your input and suggestions on how to improve the program. Also, two races for the same travel cost is always a plus in my book (Entry fee is $135 per race). The contingency money is not as much as NHRA (mainly due to not having enough support at these races from racers). The tournament of champions is good and bad, in my opinion. I think it's good because you don't have to attend 14 races to win a championship like NHRA. However, if you do extremely well all year and lose first round you're done. NHRA has a little higher entry fee (around $160). The contingency money is better and there are generally better car counts. Usually, the racers are treated better at IHRA races. __________________ Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird

11-17-2014, 01:31 PM	#3
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Contingency money was better in IHRA 10 years ago than what it is now in NHRA, which should serve as a wake-up call. "Where will be in another 10 years?" Stories like that from Strange Engineering indicates that they haven't heard that wake-up call yet. Plus side of NHRA is the exposure provided by National Dragster. Since their print coverage has been scaled back, so has the value of that exposure. Contingency payouts are better. Plus side of IHRA is their schedule. Much less time off work required, as the races are typically Sat-Sun with parking & tech on Friday. Tech is actually open til 8-9 pm on move-in day instead of closing at 5:00:00 on the button, so people don't have to beat themselves to try to get there on time and kill yet another work day. A lot more racing in a lot less time. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

11-17-2014, 01:56 PM	#4
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 674 Likes: 15 Liked 584 Times in 94 Posts	Re: NHRA or IHRA Ya But ...." REAL" Drag Racing is a quartermile.

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