Is IHRA Going Under?

[jim reynolds]

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

Try explaining to a first-time spectator how a driver left the starting line first and got to the finish line first ended up losing the race.

In the '80s Roxboro Dragway ALWAYS close to 80 super stockers whenever they had the combos and the stands were mostly full. On Easter, it was standing room only and we were handicap racing! The spectators ALL knew about handicap because they were taught about it's particulars-great announcers took care of that! Also, I never see flyers anymore at the local parts stores...it's not rocket science!

[Dan Lattimore]

Originally Posted by jim reynolds

In the '80s Roxboro Dragway ALWAYS close to 80 super stockers whenever they had the combos and the stands were mostly full. On Easter, it was standing room only and we were handicap racing! The spectators ALL knew about handicap because they were taught about it's particulars-great announcers took care of that! Also, I never see flyers anymore at the local parts stores...it's not rocket science!

Jim-----People don't believe me when I tell them that . When they had those races there you were treated like royalty. Rosining the track like Ronny Sox was booked in. The amount of spectators was unbelievable and knowledgeable about what was going on. I remember Sonny Shipmon paying me in cash fives tens and twenties from a wad that would choke a horse. Said he had a great turnout thanked me for coming and then had a big black dude that barely fit in my truck escort me out. Can't believe it's come to this.

[Dan Fahey]

Interesting distinction...
I like it when the races are identified as National or Divisional.
ProAm just does not cut it. NitroJam is just as confusing.
Like dating a girl inviting her over to see your Cyclone Fence
I know IHRA is trying to be different.
Think the Specators say HUH?
Who wants to see Amatures?

Also like the distinction Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall Nationals.
Wide World of Sports always made these exciting!
Would add a Canadian/USA Nationals, Rocky Nationals, Appalachain Nationals, Southern Nationals, East Coast Nationals...and so on!

They all should be distinctive and "Sponsored by" but do not use the Sponsor as the Top Billing!
It tells the Spectators and racers a lot with a few words.

IMHO What we have now is not working!

Dan

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Dan Lattimore

Jim-----People don't believe me when I tell them that . When they had those races there you were treated like royalty. Rosining the track like Ronny Sox was booked in. The amount of spectators was unbelievable and knowledgeable about what was going on. I remember Sonny Shipmon paying me in cash fives tens and twenties from a wad that would choke a horse. Said he had a great turnout thanked me for coming and then had a big black dude that barely fit in my truck escort me out. Can't believe it's come to this.

Had many very enjoyable weekends attending IHRA races with Carol and Tom Rix, made many friends along the way. Thanks for the anecdote with Sonny, I can picture him peeling the bills, a very nice guy. In IHRA Div 5 there were always low car counts, for some reason folks seemed to rather spend 3 or 4 days at an NHRA Division race than attend an IHRA event. I forget his last name, but the young IHRA starter Bill always did his best to have the track in excellent shape.

[jim reynolds]

Originally Posted by Dan Lattimore

Jim-----People don't believe me when I tell them that . When they had those races there you were treated like royalty. Rosining the track like Ronny Sox was booked in. The amount of spectators was unbelievable and knowledgeable about what was going on. I remember Sonny Shipmon paying me in cash fives tens and twenties from a wad that would choke a horse. Said he had a great turnout thanked me for coming and then had a big black dude that barely fit in my truck escort me out. Can't believe it's come to this.

I know you're right Dan! BTW...anyone notice how empty the stands were at Indy today for the Nascar race??? It's bad everywhere, not just us!