NHRA President - Special Presentation - March 16

[4543]

Mike, When you have time I would like to hear more about increasing sportsman participation. I really would like to know how that's going to work. Thanks, Mike McMahan 2543 H/SA

[Ed Carpenter]

Get rid of quotas in s/ss its stupid.

[Bill Bogues]

Lets see:

So far the only things I've seen so far that directly affect the sportsman racer:
doing' away with the associate membership, so now if there is two members of the same family that race you have to buy a full membership for both people now. More money. They have raised the entry fee for national events. More money They have raised the fee for the infamous insurance surcharge. More money. If this is how they think there going to increase sportsman participation by making us spend more money to race their logic is beyond me.

[FED 387]

this is my take on what was said

1) Better TV coverage might translate into an increase in TV audience and just might get more attendance at the races---however they might have to "adjust" their ticket pricing accordingly until the economy improves.

2) any increase in sportsman participation is not going to happen overnight--- I think they should not try to "include" every class at every race----The Super (bracket) and Top categories should be relegated mostly to the divisional and Open meets with an occasional foray as participants at the National level by say the top 5-10 entries in standings in those classes.

3) NHRA has screwed the sponsors for so long, as far back as 1963-64 that many companies would rather just pay the contingency monies directly to the racers instead of having to deal with NHRA because it actually costs them less in the long run.( ask Ed Iskenderian) Many still have a bad taste in their mouth from previous experiences as well as what they now view as prohibitive costs associated with either their "trackside" presence or advertising in the Joni section of National Dragster. Taking a look at their (NHRA)shortcomings and a change in their behavior towards a sponsor as well as the overall attitude to those sponsors will go a long way in "maybe" increasing participation and repairing some of those burned bridges.

4) Again, adding more employees is going to increase the payroll significantly not sure if that is going to translate into a ROI. But I am glad that they recognize the shortcoming with the media and are possibly pursuing an avenue to increase potential fan awareness.

5) By eliminating the Super(bracket) and Top (bracket) categories at the National races as well as CHARGING ENTRY FEES FOR EVERY CAR ,DRIVER AND PIT PERSON ( PROFESSIONAL categories) the pit areas will be less cluttered NHRA will be regaining revenue lost by eliminating those racers.The racing could be accomplished/finished in much less time not only in hours per day as well as number of days overall. You can only get so many cars down the track in so much time. Unfortunately our type of racing is limited not only by unfavorable weather conditions but sometimes "community regulations" too if not both. The races take just too long as it is.

6) I'm going to hold any comments on "fan development" for the time being . I reserve that to a future discussion. But his idea is a start

Now everybody can go flame away I offered my thoughts glad to see that Mr. Clifford addressed the issues and offered solutions to them. Moving forward maybe in the near future he will get back to us with a report on how his ideas are working or how they maybe need to be "tweaked" a bit.

You must remember that the situation NHRA is in now didn't just happen overnight. It is the result of many past decisions. It certainly is not going to be an easy fix it will take quite some to rectify this months if not years.

FED 387

[FED 387]

Also meant to mention that if both the Super(bracket) andTop(bracket) classes were not run at National meets but instead eliminating the "quotas" so that more Stock/Super Stock cars were allowed to enter and replace them it probably just might be end up being no overall loss of total entries. FED 387

[rognelson777]

I think when they say they want to increase participation they mean at divisional events, pretty much all nationals are sold out, they have no problem there.

You should realize they like top dragster and top sportsman because every team has 1 crew member if not more (extra revenue). How many other class racers come by themselves and some with even 2 cars by themselves.


Glad to see the Big Boss at the track talking to the racers, It is a start.

[KennyAnderson]

I noticed you forgot to put (bracket) after you mentioned Stock and Super Stock.......

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by FED 387

Also meant to mention that if both the Super(bracket) andTop(bracket) classes were not run at National meets but instead eliminating the "quotas" so that more Stock/Super Stock cars were allowed to enter and replace them it probably just might be end up being no overall loss of total entries. FED 387

Mr. FED , I can tell by your post that you are old school. Let me remind you that WE are the dinosaurs. Top this and Top that are here to stay.The powers to be at NHRA love these classes. We (stock and Superstock) are more trouble than we are worth. Scales, fuel check , bickering, etc....We can't even get along with ourselves as evidenced by the Just Wondering thread that is now 5 pages long.

[Bernie Cunningham]

I've been to 2 Nationals already this year and here are a couple of observations.
Word has it that Clifford listens but nothing will happen overnight.

Car quota's were short for both of those events in most categories from previous years, why ? That's a loss of revenue and it pisses us off cause a bunch missed out.

While going a few rounds at both events it was annoying to be called to the lanes really early and then sit awhile, suited up and then held back for an extended time, I suppose, waiting for the TV time.
Then there was time stalling between pairs and classes which was really obvious. The PA commentary was pathetic trying to stall for time.

I feel that NHRA is over compensating to satisfy the new TV deal for time restraints. I hope the TV deal works for em but they've lost entry money and respect from a lot of sportsman racers and that makes no sense to me. There was a lot of dead air time where Sportsman could have been showcased, I do like the winners parade though, that's cool.

As I always say, follow the money !!.
PS. I hope you all get to experience this some time this year, good luck racing.

[James Perrone]

If you want to participate you non racers need to earn divisional points. Brackets racing is the local track Get it?