2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced

luckydog · 11-16-2008, 11:49 AM

Bottom line is that this should add car count to events, period. I applaud IHRA for making this change and not just sitting around, content with the way things were, and letting IHRA sportsman racers lose a place to race. I do agree with the statement that there should be a required number of divisionals to attend, and feel this will be addressed. For those stating that they wish IHRA would have gotten more racer input...
R&S Motorsports said "If you notice at the very end of the letter it states that less than a dozen racers contacted IHRA regarding this matter personally I was never notified other than the rumor mill. I feel that they should have contacted the racers for input on this... "
Well, I was contacted a while ago for my input. I was given a copy of the proposed plan to review and offer my comments. Skooter was very open to my opinions and we discussed them on numurous occasions. He even apopted a couple of my suggestions into the final points structure. To say they did this without racer input is not fact.

sammy christian · 11-16-2008, 02:23 PM

i think chip has the right idea, it can only be better.

as far as having a min number of races, or anything else like that, it's time to get over the fact that this isn't some club for the guys that show up all the time. what are you all afraid of? some killer local bracket guy showing up and kicking your behinds? the idea is to have more participation and competition, not try to exclude people because they can't commit to traveling.

this format will put it all on the level like the legend said- go to as many as you want or can afford, or if you are good- just show up and win one.

as for the divisionals- anything that will get people to go is big help. the track owners have been taking a beating, and the pitiful car counts make it look like a joke. yeah! who cares if you win a div race when there are 9 cars in your class? i don't. fri. night bracket race is alot tougher to win than that.

people have to work, pay bills, etc., this format will make it possible to have a life and still race for something big. get over it and get used to it.

Jason Oldfield · 11-17-2008, 12:52 AM

Maybe its just me, but I don't see this increasing car counts above and beyond the level that they're already at. I don't think racers are consciously making the decision to not go to IHRA national events because they don't feel that they have a chance to win the world championship. I think its the standard stuff:

1. Too far / travel expenses too high
2. Entry fees too high
3. Conflicts with another race on the schedule
4. Is an NHRA snob (you've met them, the ones that wouldn't even think of possibly lowering themselves so much that they'd actually attend an IHRA race).
5. Are intimidated

Most of the local racers from a particular track usually use #2 and #5 as their reasons. I know plenty of racers in WNY that would never consider spending $150 for car & driver entry, even if the race was at their local track. Then there are all the local racers that have the perfect car for a particular class, but because they don't run it regularly don't enter. That's probably logical thinking, as their chances of winning are going to be pretty small, and though the stakes go up, their chances don't get any better because the stakes are higher.

Only time will tell, but if car counts go up next year, I think it will be more of a reflection of gas prices and the economy, and will have less to do with the new points structure (though you might pull one or two more people out of the woodwork to each race as they play the lottery).

How about we just do it like boxing? You're the champ, until you get beat, then that person's the champ, and so on and so forth...

luckydog · 11-17-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy christian

as far as having a min number of races, or anything else like that, it's time to get over the fact that this isn't some club for the guys that show up all the time. what are you all afraid of?
as for the divisionals- anything that will get people to go is big help. the track owners have been taking a beating, and the pitiful car counts make it look like a joke.

Is it just me or is that a contradicting statement. I couldn't care less about a minimum required number of nationals, but in my opinion there should be a minimum required number of divisionals (like 4). I believe a champion should have to show a little support for the sanctioning body. If a racer wins a national event, by having a required number of division races, he now has to attend some divisionals. Maybe I'm just dumb but to me this could not make any more sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryGoFast

Epping isnt doable if they keep stacking it on Etown D1 race

This is the thinking that kicks IHRA right in the groin year after year. I have no idea where you live Gary, so maybe it has something to do with mileage and fuel prices. If not, how can you justify attending a NHRA divisional over an IHRA national, especially being a 10.90 racer, and with the new points format? Even if you win the NHRA divisional ($2500), and the division points ($2000), then qualify for the Jegs allstar and win it($4500), your not winning much more than you could win at the IHRA national ($8-$10,000). At the IHRA national you also can qualify for the championship shootout ($10,000 +cont), the summit allstar ($5,000), and the moser axle race ($22,500). I know some poeple are very loyal to NHRA and have made lots of friends there, and I respect that, it just don't add up to me. IHRA goes out of their way to TRY to appeal to the sportsman racer, and the kicks just keep comin!

John Nechiporchik · 11-17-2008, 09:39 PM

Per my communication w/IHRA, Milan is no longer on the divisional schedule as well as no more MOTOR CITY NATIONALS.......Good thing I renewed the NHRA license........

GaryGoFast · 11-17-2008, 10:55 PM

"This is the thinking that kicks IHRA right in the groin year after year. I have no idea where you live Gary, so maybe it has something to do with mileage and fuel prices. If not, how can you justify attending a NHRA divisional over an IHRA national, especially being a 10.90 racer, and with the new points format? Even if you win the NHRA divisional ($2500), and the division points ($2000), then qualify for the Jegs allstar and win it($4500), your not winning much more than you could win at the IHRA national ($8-$10,000). At the IHRA national you also can qualify for the championship shootout ($10,000 +cont), the summit allstar ($5,000), and the moser axle race ($22,500). I know some poeple are very loyal to NHRA and have made lots of friends there, and I respect that, it just don't add up to me. IHRA goes out of their way to TRY to appeal to the sportsman racer, and the kicks just keep comin! "

Damien Hazelton
Lucky Dog Racing
2007 IHRA Hot Rod World Champion

Absolutely is the total cost of time & travel, I would rather race against the best at a D1 race which was 2 hrs away than deal with other than Epping at least a 7-12 hr hook. I made the rds this yr putting 10,000 miles on my RV. Of course the year I get the gold card, gas goes thru the roof. But thats over I wanna stay close to home, by the way upstate NY. And what if I said to you its not about the money & I won a National this yr. I'm into easy right now, whats ever easier.

Jason Oldfield · 11-18-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckydog

but in my opinion there should be a minimum required number of divisionals (like 4). I believe a champion should have to show a little support for the sanctioning body. If a racer wins a national event, by having a required number of division races, he now has to attend some divisionals. Maybe I'm just dumb but to me this could not make any more sense.

Damien, I'm not trying to pick a fight, but that doesn't sound like the 100% support for the new system that IHRA quoted you as saying. Honestly, I'm with you on this one, as I think the WORLD CHAMPION should need to do more than win one national event and the Rockingham shootout. Just like I don't believe the drivers that finish 2nd in division points should be invited to the Rockingham shootout. If they didn't win a national event, and they weren't good enough to be better than their division champion, why should they be eligible for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP???

Makes no sense to me. But, the way it stands now, the new points structure benefits me, as it was highly unlikely that I ever would have been world champion with the old format as I was never going to go to 5+ IHRA division events. Now, I just need to win my IHRA national event, and I'm going to Rockingham baby!

luckydog · 11-18-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Oldfield

Damien, I'm not trying to pick a fight, but that doesn't sound like the 100% support for the new system that IHRA quoted you as saying. Honestly, I'm with you on this one, as I think the WORLD CHAMPION should need to do more than win one national event and the Rockingham shootout. Just like I don't believe the drivers that finish 2nd in division points should be invited to the Rockingham shootout. If they didn't win a national event, and they weren't good enough to be better than their division champion, why should they be eligible for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP???

Makes no sense to me. But, the way it stands now, the new points structure benefits me, as it was highly unlikely that I ever would have been world champion with the old format as I was never going to go to 5+ IHRA division events. Now, I just need to win my IHRA national event, and I'm going to Rockingham baby!

How on earth does the fact that I think the new points structure could use some tweaking have anything to do with whether or not I will support it 100%. Support = Participation

I also don't understand where you are coming from thinking the 2nd place finisher in the division should not be invited to Rockingham. Someone who attends a seasons worth of divisionals and finishes second in their division should be rewarded. Remember, we're trying to help with car counts here. My guess is that your not planning on attending too many divisionals in 09.

Jason Oldfield · 11-18-2008, 11:45 AM

If there are one or two that are close to me and I'm bored that weekend, I might attend. Otherwise, this new structure has pretty much sealed the deal for me to NOT attend IHRA division events. Why should I? Unless I am planning on going to 5 to 8 of them to try to come in 1st or 2nd in the division, its pretty much a waste of my time & money. They cost just as much to attend, yet the payout is a quarter of what national event payout is, winning one doesn't buy me anything from a national championship standpoint, I don't have to attend them in order to have the privledge of attending a national event (i.e. NHRA grade point), and last but not least, media coverage is basically non-existent at these races so it brings little value to my sponsors to attend these races.

But, even if I was I don't believe the person that's 2nd in points in their division should be invited to Rockingham for a chance to win the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Again, if that person wasn't good enough to win the division after a whole year's worth of racing, why should one race (Rockingham) crown that person the WORLD CHAMP??? Doesn't make sense.

And supporting the new system 100% means just that - supporting it ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! If you are saying that the system needs some tweaking, then that means you're not behind it 100%. You may still generally like the new format, maybe 80% or 90%, but not 100%. 100% implies no changes are necessary.

That said, I realize you will support the new structure Damien. You're a racer. You would support it if there was no world championship points structure, just like there isn't in NHRA for S/St. We race because we love to.

Again, this new format does nothing but benefit me, but I still don't feel like somebody that goes out and wins two races, maybe the ONLY IHRA races they attend that year, should be crowned WORLD CHAMP. Make Rockingham the "Race of Champions" by invitation only with national event and division winners. But, crown the WORLD CHAMP the person that has somewhat supported the sanctioning body and put together a body of work, not just one race. It's the same reason why I don't like NHRA's and NASCAR's countdown formats, but at least those are over a SERIES of races, not just one race.

But, hopefully they'll leave it as is so that I don't have to attend any IHRA division events, and can have a legitimate chance at proudly displaying the world championship trophy in my house, even though chances are that if that ever happens, there will probably be somebody else out there more deserving of being called "IHRA World Champ".

JJ3159 · 11-18-2008, 03:37 PM

I give ihra credit for trying to make a change,it at least it shows they wanna give everyone a shot to be world champ, i wish they had this structure in 04 h/r1159 s/st 1159

11-16-2008, 11:49 AM	#1
luckydog Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa, OH Posts: 274 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced Bottom line is that this should add car count to events, period. I applaud IHRA for making this change and not just sitting around, content with the way things were, and letting IHRA sportsman racers lose a place to race. I do agree with the statement that there should be a required number of divisionals to attend, and feel this will be addressed. For those stating that they wish IHRA would have gotten more racer input... R&S Motorsports said "If you notice at the very end of the letter it states that less than a dozen racers contacted IHRA regarding this matter personally I was never notified other than the rumor mill. I feel that they should have contacted the racers for input on this... " Well, I was contacted a while ago for my input. I was given a copy of the proposed plan to review and offer my comments. Skooter was very open to my opinions and we discussed them on numurous occasions. He even apopted a couple of my suggestions into the final points structure. To say they did this without racer input is not fact. __________________ Damien Hazelton Lucky Dog Racing

11-17-2008, 12:52 AM	#3
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced Maybe its just me, but I don't see this increasing car counts above and beyond the level that they're already at. I don't think racers are consciously making the decision to not go to IHRA national events because they don't feel that they have a chance to win the world championship. I think its the standard stuff: 1. Too far / travel expenses too high 2. Entry fees too high 3. Conflicts with another race on the schedule 4. Is an NHRA snob (you've met them, the ones that wouldn't even think of possibly lowering themselves so much that they'd actually attend an IHRA race). 5. Are intimidated Most of the local racers from a particular track usually use #2 and #5 as their reasons. I know plenty of racers in WNY that would never consider spending $150 for car & driver entry, even if the race was at their local track. Then there are all the local racers that have the perfect car for a particular class, but because they don't run it regularly don't enter. That's probably logical thinking, as their chances of winning are going to be pretty small, and though the stakes go up, their chances don't get any better because the stakes are higher. Only time will tell, but if car counts go up next year, I think it will be more of a reflection of gas prices and the economy, and will have less to do with the new points structure (though you might pull one or two more people out of the woodwork to each race as they play the lottery). How about we just do it like boxing? You're the champ, until you get beat, then that person's the champ, and so on and so forth... __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

11-17-2008, 10:55 PM	#6
GaryGoFast Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York Posts: 804 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced "This is the thinking that kicks IHRA right in the groin year after year. I have no idea where you live Gary, so maybe it has something to do with mileage and fuel prices. If not, how can you justify attending a NHRA divisional over an IHRA national, especially being a 10.90 racer, and with the new points format? Even if you win the NHRA divisional ($2500), and the division points ($2000), then qualify for the Jegs allstar and win it($4500), your not winning much more than you could win at the IHRA national ($8-$10,000). At the IHRA national you also can qualify for the championship shootout ($10,000 +cont), the summit allstar ($5,000), and the moser axle race ($22,500). I know some poeple are very loyal to NHRA and have made lots of friends there, and I respect that, it just don't add up to me. IHRA goes out of their way to TRY to appeal to the sportsman racer, and the kicks just keep comin! " Damien Hazelton Lucky Dog Racing 2007 IHRA Hot Rod World Champion Absolutely is the total cost of time & travel, I would rather race against the best at a D1 race which was 2 hrs away than deal with other than Epping at least a 7-12 hr hook. I made the rds this yr putting 10,000 miles on my RV. Of course the year I get the gold card, gas goes thru the roof. But thats over I wanna stay close to home, by the way upstate NY. And what if I said to you its not about the money & I won a National this yr. I'm into easy right now, whats ever easier. __________________ Gary Federico S/St, S/G 1814

11-18-2008, 11:45 AM	#9
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced If there are one or two that are close to me and I'm bored that weekend, I might attend. Otherwise, this new structure has pretty much sealed the deal for me to NOT attend IHRA division events. Why should I? Unless I am planning on going to 5 to 8 of them to try to come in 1st or 2nd in the division, its pretty much a waste of my time & money. They cost just as much to attend, yet the payout is a quarter of what national event payout is, winning one doesn't buy me anything from a national championship standpoint, I don't have to attend them in order to have the privledge of attending a national event (i.e. NHRA grade point), and last but not least, media coverage is basically non-existent at these races so it brings little value to my sponsors to attend these races. But, even if I was I don't believe the person that's 2nd in points in their division should be invited to Rockingham for a chance to win the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Again, if that person wasn't good enough to win the division after a whole year's worth of racing, why should one race (Rockingham) crown that person the WORLD CHAMP??? Doesn't make sense. And supporting the new system 100% means just that - supporting it ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! If you are saying that the system needs some tweaking, then that means you're not behind it 100%. You may still generally like the new format, maybe 80% or 90%, but not 100%. 100% implies no changes are necessary. That said, I realize you will support the new structure Damien. You're a racer. You would support it if there was no world championship points structure, just like there isn't in NHRA for S/St. We race because we love to. Again, this new format does nothing but benefit me, but I still don't feel like somebody that goes out and wins two races, maybe the ONLY IHRA races they attend that year, should be crowned WORLD CHAMP. Make Rockingham the "Race of Champions" by invitation only with national event and division winners. But, crown the WORLD CHAMP the person that has somewhat supported the sanctioning body and put together a body of work, not just one race. It's the same reason why I don't like NHRA's and NASCAR's countdown formats, but at least those are over a SERIES of races, not just one race. But, hopefully they'll leave it as is so that I don't have to attend any IHRA division events, and can have a legitimate chance at proudly displaying the world championship trophy in my house, even though chances are that if that ever happens, there will probably be somebody else out there more deserving of being called "IHRA World Champ". __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

11-18-2008, 03:37 PM	#10
JJ3159 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WEST SENECA N.Y. Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced I give ihra credit for trying to make a change,it at least it shows they wanna give everyone a shot to be world champ, i wish they had this structure in 04 h/r1159 s/st 1159 __________________ jj h/r 1399 s/r 1399 s/g 1399

11-16-2008, 02:23 PM	#2
sammy christian Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: buffalo,ny Posts: 35 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced i think chip has the right idea, it can only be better. as far as having a min number of races, or anything else like that, it's time to get over the fact that this isn't some club for the guys that show up all the time. what are you all afraid of? some killer local bracket guy showing up and kicking your behinds? the idea is to have more participation and competition, not try to exclude people because they can't commit to traveling. this format will put it all on the level like the legend said- go to as many as you want or can afford, or if you are good- just show up and win one. as for the divisionals- anything that will get people to go is big help. the track owners have been taking a beating, and the pitiful car counts make it look like a joke. yeah! who cares if you win a div race when there are 9 cars in your class? i don't. fri. night bracket race is alot tougher to win than that. people have to work, pay bills, etc., this format will make it possible to have a life and still race for something big. get over it and get used to it.

11-17-2008, 09:39 PM	#5
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 316 Likes: 85 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Re: 2009 IHRA Championship Format Announced Per my communication w/IHRA, Milan is no longer on the divisional schedule as well as no more MOTOR CITY NATIONALS.......Good thing I renewed the NHRA license........

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