Quick "BITCHING"

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

I resent that remark about beer, wine, etc. And a little "Thank You" or "Thanks for being here" would certainly hellp. Brannon, since I have to spend $200 more for all that stuff, then you get no more beer.
I am applying for the Sportsman Public Relations position at NHRA. Whoever is there obviously is somewhat out of touch. Anybody ever do any math on entry fees per race? I might do that next week and see what secrets are revealed. Maybe Sportsman (Comp, SS,STk,S/C,S/G,S/St) might be for sale? Who knows. Dan Fletcher's idea about Sportsman not attending a race is good, but over the years I have found us to be too scattererd in our opinions to pull that off. But maybe we need to organize again and see what happens. This might be the straw that unites us to action. Be nice to have a master list on the sponsors paying contingency. Anybody got one?

Jeff.....Maybe you should contact Alex and see if you could be the head of "Sporstman Public Relations" with the Class Racers Association?

[RJ Sledge]

Hey Jeff whats up??

I could not agree with you more, now may be the time to try and organize the racers. I really believe that with some serious experienced leadership, like yourself, Dan Fletcher and others, that now might be the time to seriously consider a different approach to the situation. While getting 5 racers to agree on something is a tough row to hoe, there seems to be enough concern, that maybe we can come together to try and save whats left.

I don't want NHRA to go away, I want it to prosper, and make money. I just don't agree with the way that they are trying to solve the problem. I also don't think that another $200.00 is going to stop me from going to a National Event. I believe that what they are doing is the act of an organization that is in great financial turmoil and is grasping to hold on to what they have. Like rats on a sinking ship they are all trying to stay afloat. Sportsman racers are much like the Middle Class, we supply them with the bulk of the money/support to be able to survive. They also know that most of use will continue to comeback for "more of the same" regardless of what they "enhance" us with.

I am writing my letter to them with my concerns and hope that everyone does the same. The noisiest wheel always get the grease. I believe that we need to let them know how we feel and maybe we can work together with them to make it better for everybody.

Lets organize, I believe that the time is right and the cause is worthwhile.

R J Sledge

[Bruce Noland]

Most of us who post about nhra are very dedicated racers. Yes, we are offended by nhra's capricious behavior towards all Sportsman racers. We have the right to take issue with these changes when they come tumbling out of Glendora.

On the flip side, there are racers who are so enamored with nhra that they will subscribe to anything that comes out of Glendora. It's like the old mule said to his owner "I'm just pull'n the cart, you load it up." These racers just want to race and I say more power to them if they want to ignore the nhra reality. Let them have their fun!

But, many of us feel that nhra has taken a giant dump on the Sportsman racers by introducing these new fees and allowing the new wash'n drive designer cars into Stock. It is important to allow everyone to have his/her voice in these matters.

On the subject of fees. The mighty nhra is raising all of theirs and little hard working IHRA is holding steady. I don't think you have to be an accountant to figure out that nhra is in some serious financial waters; yes, we know, they are not alone. Many companies are in trouble right now; some more than others. I feel IHRA will continue to inherit a lot of Sportsman racers while nhra is cracking at the seams and may ultimately sink.

[Roger K Fain]

All of you guys (Jeff, Dan, Bobby, etc.) say let's organize...Hell, you are organized..it's called "NHRA"..you belong to an organization. You need to hit them in their pocketbook in a clandestine manner. They have allready stated that they are limiting expenses by cutting back on the number of personnel committed to a given race, so; you need to tax those limited numbers with extra duty. When you go through "tech", replace the 3/8" holddown bolts on your battery with 1/4", or put your outdated window net in the car, or take the double return spring off the carb, and replace it with a single, etc. Be innovative and cause them to "tech" your car more than once to tax the system. When you go through fuel check, report a different fuel than what you are actually using, causing them to reference the wrong page. If you're allowed to park your rig without direction, take up more space than normally allotted which will cause them to send someone out to correct the situation. When your class is called to staging, delay as much as possible to slow down the process (this may require some collusion ). Have the first two or three cars in line develop a mysterious electrical problem, further delaying action. Take the maximum amount of time permissible to stage your car during time trials. When the PRO classes are called to the lanes, don't go to the bleachers, take you whole family or group to the starting line and cause as much obstruction as possible to require the security and track personnel to move you before continuing the event. Organize a pit bike or four-wheeler race in the pits near the vendors, which would require disbursing by track personnel.
Just a few suggestions to help. Have a great day.
(Disclaimer: I am not a NHRA competitor.)

[X-TECH MAN]

Roger....that all sounds like a "TREE HUGGER" protest in Calif. or someplace and it would only hurt the over worked tech people and give cause for NHRA to get rid of legal class racing. Just hit them in thier wallets to get them to take notice. Terry

[Ed Wright]

I can't see making things tougher for our tech guys.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Roger K Fain

All of you guys (Jeff, Dan, Bobby, etc.) say let's organize...Hell, you are organized..it's called "NHRA"..you belong to an organization. You need to hit them in their pocketbook in a clandestine manner. They have allready stated that they are limiting expenses by cutting back on the number of personnel committed to a given race, so; you need to tax those limited numbers with extra duty. When you go through "tech", replace the 3/8" holddown bolts on your battery with 1/4", or put your outdated window net in the car, or take the double return spring off the carb, and replace it with a single, etc. Be innovative and cause them to "tech" your car more than once to tax the system. When you go through fuel check, report a different fuel than what you are actually using, causing them to reference the wrong page. If you're allowed to park your rig without direction, take up more space than normally allotted which will cause them to send someone out to correct the situation. When your class is called to staging, delay as much as possible to slow down the process (this may require some collusion ). Have the first two or three cars in line develop a mysterious electrical problem, further delaying action. Take the maximum amount of time permissible to stage your car during time trials. When the PRO classes are called to the lanes, don't go to the bleachers, take you whole family or group to the starting line and cause as much obstruction as possible to require the security and track personnel to move you before continuing the event. Organize a pit bike or four-wheeler race in the pits near the vendors, which would require disbursing by track personnel.
Just a few suggestions to help. Have a great day.
(Disclaimer: I am not a NHRA competitor.)

I do not see where any of that would do any good, but more likely a great deal of harm.

The NHRA staff that actually works at these events are our friends, I cannot see anything to be gained by ruining those friendships and making their jobs harder.

[Philip Saran]

Maybe NHRA needs to rethink who they are charging the "new" enhanced fees
and look at the "PROS" as a new source of funds.

Lets see each Pro team has at least 10 crew members.....@ $85 each that is
an additional $850.00 per team.

The list could go on and on......

Just my $0.02 cents.

[dartman]

Maybe they need the money.car count are are down and the money is not rolling in.up goes the price of playing.it's the way it is.

[Jack Matyas]

Bruce -- Maybe , just maybe you ought to do something to help fix things rather than trying to make us feel like we're on the Titanic . Remember-- if the NHRA goes under so does Classracer along with the personal soapbox you're on ! ! Also - its not us that are pulling the NHRA's cart -- its the pros .

Personally I have nothing against the IHRA -- I've won many a race with them over the last 35 or so years but there must be a reason that they haven't grown to a larger size than they currently are .

As far as the "Wash 'n Drive " cars go exactly what voice did you want ? Did you expect the NHRA to ask for your approval on these matters ? I believe they already knew how you personally felt .And how do you know that the NHRA is in "serious financial waters" ? Did I miss that memo ?

Happy Easter .....................From the "Christmas City" .

PS-- As Brittany would say -- "Opps, I did it again" -- yep , I picked you apart -- line by line .Sorry -- but I too can voice my opinion.