Is IHRA Going Under?

[goinbroke2]

This is horrible and I hope there is a way forward as I've always liked IHRA better than NHRA. That said, this is my first week taking over a new maintenance shop and guess what, for a shop of mechanic's, nobody is into racing, most drive imports and they all enjoy demo derby's. Point being, those who appreciate competition or can appreciate hard work and dedication are quickly being replaced by mouth breathers who want to see carnage. A monster truck running over a car is more exciting to them than racing. The worst of it is, in talking to them yesterday (about this exactly) they could care less if the car being smashed was a corolla or a hemi cuda, it meant nothing. Zero appreciation, and this is MECHANIC'S! They might as well be repairing toasters as there is no "love" of things mechanical, just a job to make a paycheck.

(they call me a dinosaur and I look at it as a badge of honor compared to what they are)

[1320racer]

two comments...

1. happy to see some have woken from their coma

2. America no longer has a car culture, Americans no longer have a love affair with cars and therefore Americans have no interest in car racing!

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

two comments...

1. happy to see some have woken from their coma

2. America no longer has a car culture, Americans no longer have a love affair with cars and therefore Americans have no interest in car racing!

That's right...........
too many other distractions now. Social media ,video games , etc etc.
Never mind cars are so much more sophisticated and generally light years ahead of old muscle cars , the incentive to improve isn't there.
Its us "old guys" now.............and after we're gone...........?

[BRETV]

"American's don't have a love affair with cars" I beg to differ. Me and my family have been car dealers for over 60 years. And the new car business is selling just as many new cars as in the heyday and go ask Barrett- Jackson and Mecum auctions and all the other classic car auctions they have how business is. They're all doing great. On top of that that new car manufactures are in with both feet with the Cobra Jets, COPO and Drag Paks, The problem is the cost of racing is sky high and NHRA and Ihra have dropped the ball in promoting their type of racing. When Pinks All Out and Street Outlaws can get the type of following they have, Both HRA'S need to take note. It's not the LOVE that's gone!!. IMHO

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by BRETV

"American's don't have a love affair with cars" I beg to differ. Me and my family have been car dealers for over 60 years. And the new car business is selling just as many new cars as in the heyday and go ask Barrett- Jackson and Mecum auctions and all the other classic car auctions they have how business is. They're all doing great. On top of that that new car manufactures are in with both feet with the Cobra Jets, COPO and Drag Paks, The problem is the cost of racing is sky high and NHRA and Ihra have dropped the ball in promoting their type of racing. When Pinks All Out and Street Outlaws can get the type of following they have, Both HRA'S need to take note. It's not the LOVE that's gone!!. IMHO

The Barrett Jackson cars sold won't do a thing for drag racing. Those cars are coveted collectables now. The new cars are too expensive and generally , unless you have deep pockets and an insatiable quest for g forces or speed won't get touched by most guys............let alone see a drag strip.
The love may be there , but the hands-on desire to "tinker" isn't.

[BRETV]

Originally Posted by joespanova

The Barrett Jackson cars sold won't do a thing for drag racing. Those cars are coveted collectables now. The new cars are too expensive and generally , unless you have deep pockets and an insatiable quest for g forces or speed won't get touched by most guys............let alone see a drag strip.
The love may be there , but the hands-on desire to "tinker" isn't.

Joe your right about the "tinker" part. But it's because these new cars are too hard to work on and too expensive.



Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

[Dan Fahey]

IHRA will survive.
They leave a lot of opportunity on the table.

NHRA is struggling too!
They have enough of a better model.

d