If an advocate could be found - what would you say?

[1320racer]

Somebody please enlighten me to these alleged important issues and the implied failing health of NHRA Sportsman Racing.

[Bruce Noland]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Somebody please enlighten me to these alleged important issues and the implied failing health of NHRA Sportsman Racing.

There are several threads that are open for debating the pros and cons of NHRA Sportsman Racing. This thread is for racers to offer their thoughts about the current state of NHRA Sportsman Racing. You are welcomed to offer your thoughts about how pleased you are with Sportsman racing. But, again, this is just for comments. I hope people will respond because we may have a chance to win some much needed support.

[1320racer]

I just want to add another element here in addition to $ and eroding skills of these old men who are complaining about the NHRA...those that don't race.

Bruce, these alleged important issues and the implied failing health of NHRA Sportsman Racing that you refuse to elaborate on, how would you know?

The last time you competed at all 5 divisionals was 2013 and you have NOT raced one divisional last year, 2018, not one in 2016 and not one in 2015. 2017 you competed at 1.

So how is it a guy that hasn't supported the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in 4 of the last 6 years can alleged to important issues and failing health of NHRA Sportsman Racing?

[GTX JOHN]

Charles Meyers ran the Bakersfield Track and has been
in Advertising/Marketing for NHRA for the last
couple of years (As I recall). I believe his new position in head
of Sportsman Relations (Or something like that)

He is a extraordinary talented younger man and loves Sportsman
racing. He WILL BE a asset to the Sportsman community.

He and his father purchase my '80 Aspen O/SA a number of years
ago and he has won class at a National race a couple of years back.
They have been regular competitors on East Coast when time allowed.
He has been thinking about buying our SS/MA '80 Aspen for a while......
But I think he is going to be pretty busy in his new position!

I believe this to be a positive development for Sportsman Racing......He
loves it as much as we do!

Charles: I hope you are not mad at me for posting a little bit about your
background without checking with you first.

[GTX JOHN]

Charles is monitoring everything currently being posted
on this site and others.

If you wish to communicate directly with him......PM me and
I will try to facilitate that happening.

I am hoping that his appointment to this position will be a
real benefit to the Sportsman Racing Family and a truely
hopeful sign from NHRA!

My son and I will be in Phoenix and Tucson if anyone wants
to stop by and visit.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland;582461as

as we continue to work on these problems.

still waiting to hear who is "we" and what problems?

[340Cuda]

My biggest concern would be the possibility of running off the important sponsor.

The appointment of a person in charge of Sportsman Relations is good news. The fact that it is somebody like Charles Myers is described is fantastic news.

[SS/1230]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Somebody please enlighten me to these alleged important issues and the implied failing health of NHRA Sportsman Racing.

I'm not entirely sure how the issues aren't obvious. Contingency for one has become a joke. Even if you do win, you have to fight for every penny. That's only if the company doesn't create a loophole (i.e Weld racing rims creating a "purchase in the last 3 years" rule. Who the hell buys rims every 3 years). How about the lack of payout for divisional and national level? Entry fees continue to go up, yet the pay outs go down.The reason national events have been lowering quota lists is because it becomes a 6 round race. Meaning that if you get to the final 4 cars (semi-finals), and you lose, they only have to pay you 5th round loss money and not semi-final money. Which is less than if you were in the semi-final of a 7 round race, another $$ loophole. I've experience that first hand at a national event. Also, at the divisional level, they pay $250 for semi-final loss in a 7 round race in super stock. That's a joke, when it cost $225 for my wife and I to get in. What about all the merchandise and promo stuff racers used to get at the gates of a National event? If anyone still has their blue Powerade cooler they'll know what I'm saying. (As an example) I remember getting that cooler full with random stuff. That was when National Event were $210, and if you won or R/U Valvoline would pay you at the track for every sticker without question. Now you win less $, can't get paid from contingency, and it cost $370 to get into a national event. I don't know how any of this can show how NHRA is treating sportsman racers the way they should. I think we're the back bone of NHRA, the passion of this sport, and we get treated the worst. How many racers are under 35 that are able to pay and race on their own budget without a 1st generation paying the way? I'd say less that 2%. They are making it impossible to attract new young blood and for the current ones survive. When the older generation of racers retire, what generation will continue to make the sportsman ranks grow? No such thing as racing on a budget anymore. They turned it into a rich mans sport, and they wonder why car counts are down... their solution, "lets just lower qoutas then, problem solved..."

[Carguy49]

I remember a story of a west coast racer having so much stuff when he returned from Indy years ago he was glad that he raced a station wagon so it would all fit. Times certainly have changed.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

The reason national events have been lowering quota lists is because it becomes a 6 round race. Meaning that if you get to the final 4 cars (semi-finals), and you lose, they only have to pay you 5th round loss money and not semi-final money. Which is less than if you were in the semi-final of a 7 round race, another $$ loophole. I've experience that first hand at a national event.

All-in-all a great post, but let's keep the complaints legitimate. I can't speak for past flyers but today, there is no 'semi-final money' in the purse listing.

I don't think they are turning away 10-20 entry fees so they can screw the semi-finalists out of $100 each.