IHRA vs NHRA

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Mark,

I understand your thinking. But the dial-in deal only applies to the 3 "invitational" races mentioned and one has to deal with heads-up runs throughout the rest of the year to get to them. Being that they try to make it easier for the "little guy" for the sake of car counts and competiveness, they compromised a bit. This is encouraging for the slower racers who do make it through the "mine field" of faster, like-classed cars for a shot at the championship. But on the other hand, with the variety of classes available, there are not that many classes that have more than a few cars in them. If their plan attracts more crossovers and new racers, there will be more heads-up runs during the season.

While I have picked up some ET with my current engine builder, Larry Whitley, I




can't afford to get into a money/HP battle with anyone. My continued racing depends on doing well and getting most of my spending back through winning, sponsors or selling parts. It's a matter of survival so I can't put much emphasis on being a top qualifier or guaranteed class winner. I like going faster within the rules and make improvements when I can, but I have to win rounds first. A lot of other racers also have to set their priorities. The championship format is not my favorite, but I understand that the compromise can help bring out more racers and hopefully help IHRA grow as a viable option for class racers. The less options there are for class racing, the more leverage NHRA will have.

At IHRA, you have the opportunity to dial-in, or run heads-up if the ladder falls that way, at all national events. In NHRA, you may not have the grading points, not make the qualifying cut despite running under or not even be able to have a chance to race, dial-in or heads-up, because they leave out your class alltogether at a particular event!

Although I may go a couple times a year, weekly bracket racing lost it's appeal a long time ago. Same higher fees, small, stagnant payouts, late night/early AM finishes, less exposure and sponsor opportunities, trans-brakes allowed, some tracks I won't go to because of track prep and too many street tires, etc......



Damn, I got carried away and gotta go shopping!

Myron
And there lies the difference between bracket racing and class racing
You can bracket race any weekend at several tracks in many parts of this country
We spend $$ to go class racing and I for one dont want it messed with

If so and it gets any worse there will be 2 stockers being sold by me

You know it is simple it costs money to do what we do and not every one can afford it
So do we water down what we do so everyone can afford it?
And I am not the fastest guy out there
Many would beat me in a heads up
But I want that chance at every race
Not just a high end bracket race....

[Paul Precht]

Hi Mark, how's it going. You missed a great cookout party at the Dutch. Say Hi to the gang, Paul.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by mark callanan

And I am not the fastest guy out there
Many would beat me in a heads up
But I want that chance at every race
Not just a high end bracket race....

Out of 14 H/SA cars at Lebanon Valley, Mark was the quickest. Sure he wants heads up runs. He has probably worked hard to be the quickest. That being said, looks like IHRA sees it differently when it comes to a special championship race. There its about how good the driver is, not about how much quicker a car is in a heads up race.

[mannymen]

I think those that want to stick with the NHRA feel it's a prestigious sanctioning body over the IHRA. People say the NHRA has more to offer. I question that. I think those diehard Sportsman racers in NHRA want to run at the same events that Larry Dixon, John Force or BG DADDY Don Garlits run at (It makes them feel important). They say more exposure, more exposure to what TV? Just so they can say to someone that I run at the same events that John Force does (BIG F-IN deal). I guess that makes some people feel good. I thought all of us Sportsman racers hated the BIG BOYS. I guess not.

[Myron Piatek]

I still can't understand why some people won't go to an IHRA race because of the "no heads-up" clause at the invitation-only World Finals.

There are still heads-up possibilities at all of the IHRA national and divisional events plus a few class eliminations. I'm sure that there have been many event winners, IHRA as well as NHRA, who did not have any heads-up races through the course of eliminations. I'm also sure that it did not dilute their satisfaction or status of their accomplishment, which, for most, is the ultimate goal at an event. But I do know of racers who have the resources and put most of their emphasis on being a top qualifier or winning class, particularly at Indy. If that's their goal, fine. But sportsman racing has always been a compromise and the handicap system has been an integral part of it for decades. It's been a necessary part to allow more racers to participate and keep the Stock and SS alive. The World Finals are a shootout for qualifiers who have already run the gauntlet of possible heads-up runs to make it there. Once they have earned a spot, IHRA has provided them an incentive to attend and still have a shot at a world championship based on their skill, not their already depleted wallet. Many people can't afford to try & fight all year to get a spot then see that there are several faster cars in their limited field. The bottom line is getting more racers to participate so the sportsman classes can survive. So this format that IHRA is trying with the final race only "compromise" is better than not having a Stock or SS class at all. I appreciate their attempt at trying to raise their car counts so they can keep Stock and SS in their programs and keeping the door open and more affordable to participate - WITH heads-up runs in regular and class eliminations until the invitation-only World Finals.

More cars = more sponsors = more contingency and for a smaller initial investment.

[Chris1529]

I think it would also rule out someone borrowing a faster car if they would have a "heads-up" first or second round.

[danny waters sr]

One reason there are no heads up in SHOOTOUT races is so that a SHOOTOUT competitor cannot borrow a real fast class car to insure a round win during the SHOOTOUT competition. Example = 8 SHOOTOUT cars in stock and say there is a b/sa in the SHOOTOUT and you can go borrow a friend's b/sa that would assure you a win by having a heads -up run. The ladder is posted in advance to show who you run and would make it easy for you to borrow a car to at least get you a first round win in the SHOOTOUT. Now ,on our regular race format you will have heads -up runs just as NHRA has.You got to understand this is SPECIAL Programs that are "no heads-up.It's kinda like lifting on your qualifing run to try to place yourself on the ladder to try to get a by-run or even try to have a heads-up with someone in your own class to insure you a so-called" free "round (unless you screw up and go red or leave way late).I hope that you guys and gals will give us a try . I know we are not NHRA ,but we are not trying to be.Come by and see us at tech or staging lanes and say hi ! We would be happy to have you here at IHRA.

[Brandon Peterson]

Danny we've tried to tell them its only for SPECIAL programs but they don't understanf that because what has NHRA done thats special for them....no great programs for there sporstman except jegs all stars ...all they have done it seems like is raise allot of the sportsman fees...IHRA offers us the sportsman 2 div.. races on a weekend and even a few triple headers with 2 div.. raced and a sports natl..now who could ask for anyhting more for a sanctioned event...pretty damn good to me....its like i read in another post about racer getting truned away at a natl race in houston...what kind of buisness is that ....IHRA welcomes all..come and enjoy a great weekend of fun and racing....

If you want to win a natl. by 4 or so heads up runs stay with NHRA

[Harry 6674]

Ihra takes more skill? Thats funny right there I don't care who you are.

Thats Marks point. He wants to race where a good fast car can be as important as a good driver. Heads up's are very Important to him, and a part of NHRA racing that he likes.

I'd run IHRA events if they were close to me, but they are not. They are a fine organization and have very good racers racing it, But they are much more bracket orented races with barely a heads up to be found. If you showed up with a FarmAll tractor they would have a class for it . Way to many classes in IHRA. If I'm going to support a bracket type format, It will be the ECSSA that Dave Ley and Bill Holmes run. Close to my house, great payout, and great people that you race with and against.

Originally Posted by Jason

Out of 14 H/SA cars at Lebanon Valley, Mark was the quickest. Sure he wants heads up runs. He has probably worked hard to be the quickest. That being said, looks like IHRA sees it differently when it comes to a special championship race. There its about how good the driver is, not about how much quicker a car is in a heads up race.