Does anybody really care?

[Bobby Fazio]

This thread was about Tom Compton's absence, a guy that I am sure very few of us have ever met. That kind of bothers me actually. If I ran an organization like this and time permitted it, I would make it a point to try and come around the pits at national events, say hello to my clientele, and at least pretend to be making sure they are enjoying their experience. Sort of like a restaurant manager does when he walks over to your table, introduces himself, and asks how everything is going.

[Tony Corley]

Good Post above by Bobby Fazio ^^^^^^^

[Dale Rethke]

I guess if you have an expensive car you still can complain it just looks a little stupid when you seem to have the most assets maybe?
Ok
Now since everyone complains about payout which is nothing great where should this improved payout come from?
Nobody in the stands/What advertiser wants to put up anything?
Contingency payout?
Dan knows more about this then anyone what is the deal with it.

If your looking for payout to offset your costs in any real way vs your investment your kidding yourself.
You do this because you love it regardless of the economic common sense of it and the fun of competing and being around racing friends you have met over many years and maybe having your family with you when you do win that day.

You do it because you love the sport

[Alan Roehrich]

ROFLMAO.


That's like telling an abused wife that it's okay if her husband beats her, because she really likes being married and all her friends in the neighborhood.

[Dale Rethke]

wow

I think most people would tend to agree with my point on why they enjoy the sport.

[Alan Roehrich]

Nobody said they didn't love the sport.

YOU said payouts don't matter because people with nice rigs have plenty of money.

[Dale Rethke]

I don't think anything constructive can come form this.
Take care

[dragracer9911]

I have been a member of the NHRA since the 1969. I missed two years when I first got married because I could not afford the membership.

Personally, I can't remember when I ever "voted" or was asked to cast a vote anything as a member of this assocation. I am a member of several other assocations and I am lucky enough to have a few stocks, in which both have asked for me to vote for different things like board of directors, COF's, CEO's, etc. So I have offen wondered why, for example, I get a "Fan Guide", Decal/Sticker and a "Hat Pin" with my NHRA membership, but I no longer get a "Rule Book" (in paper form), that I can really use. I didn't get that choice, like so many other things.

I have not renewed my membership as of yet for this year, and probably will not. I have retained my IHRA memebership, more for insurance as I race most at IHRA tracks. The "straw that broke the camel's" back for me was the position that NHRA took with regards to the TV Show Street Outlaws. No, I don't condone street racing. I have supported most of my life Legal Drag Racing, competed at scantioned tracks. But this was a darn TV show. At least it comes on at a decent time, when I am still awake. To me, it's no different than Pro Wrestling, Dancing with the Stars or Fast and Loud, it's entertaining to me. NHRA drag racing on TV has become boring and drawn out. NASCAR has become the same way. The cars are all the same, the racers are all the same, the results are predictable.

Big Rigs. I mean not disrespect to those who have all the cool stuff, hell yes, if I ever win the Lottery, I will have it too. And yes, I would love to see better and timely payouts, but the reality of "our" kind of racing is, if run as a business, we would all be broke. At our local track, the weekly bracket program has gone from $1,000.00 to win to $1,500.00 for TOP ET. The average rear engine dragster, truck and trailer and support equipment is over $100,000. Many are well over $ 250,000 if they have a decent motorhome, stacker trailer, etc. Entry fee, crew entry, food, drinks, fuel, etc is at least another $150.00 to $200.00 or more. So, even at our track, that pays back to the second or third round, tell me, as a business man how the racer or the track operator ever breaks even.

We, or should I say I, do this for the fun and love of the sport that I have loved for 54 years. I do it now with my wife, son and grand-daughters. We don't go on vacations or family trips. We go to the track. Sometimes it's our home track, sometimes we travel, but we do it as a family and for the love of the sport. We race two cars and a JR when we can afford it. We have a 24' box trailer and a 16' open trailer with a box on it. We tow with an old Expedition and older Expedition. We are generally lukcy enough to go to the money rounds, which helps us race the next weekend. When we don't go rounds, we have to watch our money and budget our races. That's just the way it is for us and a whole lot of racers.

Good luck to all.

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

This thread was about Tom Compton's absence, a guy that I am sure very few of us have ever met. That kind of bothers me actually. If I ran an organization like this and time permitted it, I would make it a point to try and come around the pits at national events, say hello to my clientele, and at least pretend to be making sure they are enjoying their experience. Sort of like a restaurant manager does when he walks over to your table, introduces himself, and asks how everything is going.

This has been my gripe too, even on my other post. It's not about wishing failure to NHRA. And I don't wish personal ill will on Compton, but I don't have to respect him, and I don't. He gets a failing grade for the job he's done ultimately since it's been self serving (you don't give yourself a pay raise above economic performance). But disappearing from his customers is outright unacceptable. And while I don't support all the big money that comes into the sport, what racers spend on their stuff is their own business. At the end of the day, we don't need Tom Compton, or NHRA brand to continue moving forward. This is why coups happen, to capitalize on a failing government, to oust self serving monarchy/dictatorship, instituting better leadership and sensible economic infrastructure.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Alan, a close friend of mine will often ride throughout the sportsman pits and declare.....Look at all the poor ness.....LOL... Isn't it ironic that NHRA follows such a poor business model yet so many of the sportsman racers are astute business men and ladies and that is why they can afford such expensive toys...ie....support equipment....M.J.