Is IHRA Going Under?

[Duane Eiskant II]

Here ya go. Got this email from Ihra division director Jon oneal so I'm sharing. Since jims post I've had people tell me they won't go to any Ihra events this year because since there folding up they don't want to lose there membership money.(?) come on your gonna take a $20,000 car and NOT race over $80 bucks? My brother in-law passed away Thursday and for this weekends pro am at capital in Maryland im gonna miss the first Q run sat but will be there to support this event. (the service is sat for my brother in-law) I, like a lot of racers have been sitting at home and they only to better which ever (the I or the N) you chose to run with, you need to support it. Travel safe see the ones who want to race Friday afternoon.

"Mr. Wahl didn't call me. He didn't call Josh or Frank, our other dds. He didn't call Skooter or Baker. He called the generic office line and got our graphic designer (turned receptionist after the mag went away). I won't pretend that I know what was said but here's what I do know and I'll gladly tell or share with anyone:

The powers that be have a plan for the whole of the IHRA that includes the home office living in Florida. That's no big secret and it's been the plan for a long time. It did mean that some of the staff had to make a tough decision. The most important part of the plan to our sportsman racers is that Baker, Skooter and I (because I live in the area I work) will be staying in Norwalk in a small satellite office just like our other Division Directors. I'm not sure how important it is to a message board theorist that we won't be near where we store a years worth of glue, oil dry or park the National Event semis, but it is what it is. Maybe it matters what zip code you call to renew your membership.

The great news in my eyes and what I'm genuinely excited about is that it leaves us without the burden of spending too much time in the D1 (moniker for the new top fuel and professional program) series. It lets us go back to spending a majority of our time on the Summit ProAm Tour and Summit SuperSeries. Know that everyone above my paygrade that I've dealt with in the organization, personally in one-on-one conversations and in meetings, including Mike Dunn and even the CEO that hired Mike understand that we're doing good things with sportsman and don't want to mess with it. They see the value in the hard work and the history. They want to see it grow as much as we do.

As far as next year, we're in the same exact place we would be in any other season at this time. We have every intention of not only continuing but growing the series just like every year. Do we have commitments from tracks and sponsors... some. I'd bet we have approximately the same numbers we did in July last year. We plan to release the schedule around the same time as last year after careful deliberation of placement and format. More importantly, right now, we're invested in the races we are currently operating and doing everything we can to make those smooth, fun and successful for the racers and track operators. If someone doesn't want to partake in that due to a forum post it will break my heart.

We are invested in this as individuals. You know better than most that we have to love this industry to commit our lives to it. We will do everything in our power to grow this thing. The sportsman racers are our customers and every decision we make revolves around them. Could someone say "enough is enough" and turn the lights off... sure. But that possibility has always been there. Through the 5 owners I've seen it's always been in the back of racers minds. But know than I'm genuinely excited to simply be an asset to the pro program with Baker and Skooter as opposed to being heavily involved in it. We'll have the ability to spend a larger majority of our time on the programs that will carry class racing into a better light. It's honestly heartbreaking that someone would consider airing their unconfirmed theory in such a derogatory manner and labeling it a call to action for support. That's exactly the maneuver that's caused the fear in the minds of racers. Those racers decide the babble has backing and don't show and it's a self fulfilling prophecy. I appreciate your ability to contact someone who may have some actual knowledge on the matter at hand.

Please feel free to let people know your new "inside info" and let them know they can always call us and ask anything they'd like. Just ask them to try and use a little forethought as to which questions they direct to which people. That's what your Division Director is for.

As always, feel free to let me know if there's anything I can do. "

[Ok stocker]

I am in Oklahoma and we need more race tracks close to us and more events. When I bought my stoker it was more for ihra than NHRA . I don't have the budget for both.

[SStockDart]

I am a class racers since 1966. (Less Army time and raising a family). Many ideas have been tried by NHRA to keep our sport moving forward. Countless times on this forum, we have criticized the fuel cars..me included. But, let's face the reality, spectators don't go to races to watch us. We can wheel stand to half track and to spectators "it is cool " but we don't go 300 MPH.

NASCAR has had spectator issues lately, but still draw countless thousands of spectators.....we don't. A NASCAR car probably costs less than some of our Super Stock cars (arguably )......and they make thousands just for qualifying, Spectators go to NASCAR races to see "their man". In our sport our man is John Force....like it or not.

When we, as sportsman racers, go racing....frequently family and friends go to watch. Only to watch us run early in the morning then late in the afternoon. How boring is that for a spectator?

This is what I recommend trying. Call it what you want, but for the sake of conversation, I'll call it endurance race. Our class cars will not work well but our cars with cheaper engines would........first endurance class needs to dial less than 10.50. Qualify to 10.00. Full body cars, no tube cars....No throttle stops or electronics. Double elimination. Return directly to the staging area, round robin. Probably on 3 minutes between rounds. Tire pressure and coolant change only.....in front of the grand stands.

Would probably take 10 to 12 rounds and keep their man and car in front of spectators. Do the same for faster than 9.00,, including dragsters..... best 2 of 3 for finals....10k to win. Am I stupid?

If this is redundant, I am sorry. Never heard it suggested before.

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Duane Eiskant II

Here ya go. Got this email from Ihra division director Jon oneal so I'm sharing. Since jims post I've had people tell me they won't go to any Ihra events this year because since there folding up they don't want to lose there membership money.(?) come on your gonna take a $20,000 car and NOT race over $80 bucks? My brother in-law passed away Thursday and for this weekends pro am at capital in Maryland im gonna miss the first Q run sat but will be there to support this event. (the service is sat for my brother in-law) I, like a lot of racers have been sitting at home and they only to better which ever (the I or the N) you chose to run with, you need to support it. Travel safe see the ones who want to race Friday afternoon.

"Mr. Wahl didn't call me. He didn't call Josh or Frank, our other dds. He didn't call Skooter or Baker. He called the generic office line and got our graphic designer (turned receptionist after the mag went away). I won't pretend that I know what was said but here's what I do know and I'll gladly tell or share with anyone:

The powers that be have a plan for the whole of the IHRA that includes the home office living in Florida. That's no big secret and it's been the plan for a long time. It did mean that some of the staff had to make a tough decision. The most important part of the plan to our sportsman racers is that Baker, Skooter and I (because I live in the area I work) will be staying in Norwalk in a small satellite office just like our other Division Directors. I'm not sure how important it is to a message board theorist that we won't be near where we store a years worth of glue, oil dry or park the National Event semis, but it is what it is. Maybe it matters what zip code you call to renew your membership.

The great news in my eyes and what I'm genuinely excited about is that it leaves us without the burden of spending too much time in the D1 (moniker for the new top fuel and professional program) series. It lets us go back to spending a majority of our time on the Summit ProAm Tour and Summit SuperSeries. Know that everyone above my paygrade that I've dealt with in the organization, personally in one-on-one conversations and in meetings, including Mike Dunn and even the CEO that hired Mike understand that we're doing good things with sportsman and don't want to mess with it. They see the value in the hard work and the history. They want to see it grow as much as we do.

As far as next year, we're in the same exact place we would be in any other season at this time. We have every intention of not only continuing but growing the series just like every year. Do we have commitments from tracks and sponsors... some. I'd bet we have approximately the same numbers we did in July last year. We plan to release the schedule around the same time as last year after careful deliberation of placement and format. More importantly, right now, we're invested in the races we are currently operating and doing everything we can to make those smooth, fun and successful for the racers and track operators. If someone doesn't want to partake in that due to a forum post it will break my heart.

We are invested in this as individuals. You know better than most that we have to love this industry to commit our lives to it. We will do everything in our power to grow this thing. The sportsman racers are our customers and every decision we make revolves around them. Could someone say "enough is enough" and turn the lights off... sure. But that possibility has always been there. Through the 5 owners I've seen it's always been in the back of racers minds. But know than I'm genuinely excited to simply be an asset to the pro program with Baker and Skooter as opposed to being heavily involved in it. We'll have the ability to spend a larger majority of our time on the programs that will carry class racing into a better light. It's honestly heartbreaking that someone would consider airing their unconfirmed theory in such a derogatory manner and labeling it a call to action for support. That's exactly the maneuver that's caused the fear in the minds of racers. Those racers decide the babble has backing and don't show and it's a self fulfilling prophecy. I appreciate your ability to contact someone who may have some actual knowledge on the matter at hand.

Please feel free to let people know your new "inside info" and let them know they can always call us and ask anything they'd like. Just ask them to try and use a little forethought as to which questions they direct to which people. That's what your Division Director is for.

As always, feel free to let me know if there's anything I can do. "

Let me start by saying that I DID talk to Scooter for an hour and a half, maybe two hours last Wednesday. Call him and ask him!!!! I called Fran Kohutec, Josh Peake, Jim Woods, Mike Dunn and KIm Parsons (Graphic Artist and Scooter's Secretary who claimed to be the "Administrator" for IHRA). I did NOT call Jon O 'Neal (I don't know him) or Mike Baker. I got voice mail and left messages on the phones of Josh, Frank and Mike Dunn. I personally spoke to Kim Parsons, Scooter Peako, Josh Peake, and Jim Woods. My conversation with Kim is the one that started this whole thing. She is the one that told me she didn't believe there would be Sportsman racing next year. That's when I started calling all the others. I spoke with Scooter Peaco last Wednesday and posted my last post on here after that. Scooter is he one who told me Kim was NOT the Administrator but a Graphic Artist and his Secretary. I told him if he looked at the IHRA website it listed her as Administrator. (I'm thinking she did that herself possibly, who knows.)

To Jon O'Neal and Duane:
1.) I NEVER said Duane, that racers shouldn't race with the IHRA!!! In fact I said exactly the opposite! Most of what you said in your email Jon, is correct with the big exception of who I called and who I talked to! All YOU have to do is make a phone call to your boss, Scooter Peaco to confirm that. One fact you left out is the downsizing of the IHRA staff and the Drag Review Magazine. There IS NO Drag Review Magazine and over half of the staff IS gone! Both facts in my book and everyone else I've spoken to is a big red flag. What are YOU doing to combat rumors since there is no longer any official communications with your racers? Apparently the "word of mouth" method isn't working so well! I do know that the reason some of the staff were retired or let go was that they did not want to move to West Palm Beach. I also know that you, Jon, will be staying in Norwalk.
2.) I find it particularly offensive that you, Jon, would call me a liar with out calling or speaking to Scooter Peaco, Mike Dunn, Frank Kohutek, Josh Peake, Kim OR ME and finding out the real facts! Also your insinuations Duane, that I am trying to persuade racers NOT to race with the IHRA are completely and utterly false. Apparently you never read my posts. Perhaps Duane should have relayed the facts a little more precisely to you Jon, or you should have done a little more investigation yourself before you knee jerked an email with a list of things you say I DID NOT do! If either of you, Jon or Duane had been paying attention to what I have been writing about you would know that mine (and Scooter's) opinion as to why things are not going so well with IHRA, NHRA, and the other smaller Associations is CAR COUNT, and that I've been telling racers for years to get out and support those Associations or there will be nowhere to race! Perhaps Ken ( the admin here) would give the IHRA a forum in this website with which to communicate news and report results since there is no more official communication device within the IHRA. All you have to do is ask him.

I will email this response to Johnny O so I know he will receive it rather than assume Duane will get it to him. Jim


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[Duane Eiskant II]

So me where I said you told racers not to race with Ihra? I'll save you the time YOU CANT. I said since your post I've had people tell me they weren't going to race OVER WHAT YOU SAID. So since they all and you (yes you decided to start this after talking to a secretary) like rumors I'll share this. I've already been awarded the world championship and I don't even need to show up. Btw how's that stock super stock thing going down there?

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Duane Eiskant II

So me where I said you told racers not to race with Ihra? I'll save you the time YOU CANT. I said since your post I've had people tell me they weren't going to race OVER WHAT YOU SAID. So since they all and you (yes you decided to start this after talking to a secretary) like rumors I'll share this. I've already been awarded the world championship and I don't even need to show up. Btw how's that stock super stock thing going down there?

Your quote inferred that Duane. Maybe you should have written it differently. And yes, I started this after talking to Kim, who passed herself off as something other than a secretary. I started asking about the Drag Review Magazine and SHE brought the rest up. She is STILL listed as being "Administration" on the official IHRA website. I hadn't spoken to her or even had knowledge of her ever before. I have always delt with Donna Harper who is retiring. Good for you on your World Championship (not even sure you were invited to show up).
You are the ONLY negative comment I have had about this and sort of proves you might have an agenda here.
Your comment about the SSSSA is very unnecessary and a cheap shot. We have had low car counts just like all the other Associations. At least I am trying to do something about it. What are YOU doing big mouth? Jim

BTW. I see you're #28 in IHRA D1 Stock with two races run and no rounds won! Not exactly a stellar showing ya think? Way to support the Association! Have you bothered to call Scooter to get any of the real facts?


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[Duane Eiskant II]

Hey jackass I like a lot of people have been vacationing from racing for a bit BUT I kept ALL my memberships up to date and still support the event that's close to me. Learn who people are before you talk smack cause before my vacation from racing (which is over now)- I went to more Ihra races in one year then you attended in 3. As for the ssssasa or whatever it is, well I talked to manny who called joe who talked to Pete who said it's folded up. (How's it feel?) get the point now?

[jim reynolds]

Does anyone know how late the gates are open Friday night for this race at Capital? Their flyer doesn't say.

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Duane Eiskant II

Hey jackass I like a lot of people have been vacationing from racing for a bit BUT I kept ALL my memberships up to date and still support the event that's close to me. Learn who people are before you talk smack cause before my vacation from racing (which is over now)- I went to more Ihra races in one year then you attended in 3. As for the ssssasa or whatever it is, well I talked to manny who called joe who talked to Pete who said it's folded up. (How's it feel?) get the point now?

Wow! I'm impressed now. Go to Memphis this year, they might let you spectate. Oh, and it feels great to be informed. As for you, maybe you should just stay out of things you have no clue about. Have a great vacation. Jim

.

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by Duane Eiskant II

Hey jackass I like a lot of people have been vacationing from racing for a bit BUT I kept ALL my memberships up to date and still support the event that's close to me. Learn who people are before you talk smack cause before my vacation from racing (which is over now)- I went to more Ihra races in one year then you attended in 3. As for the ssssasa or whatever it is, well I talked to manny who called joe who talked to Pete who said it's folded up. (How's it feel?) get the point now?

Perhaps you would do better getting your point across if you had a better grasp on English and punctuation.

JimR