IHRA vs NHRA

[Bart Kilraine]

NHRA is a great place to race if you live in New Jersey ! You can even tow into Pa. 3 times a year to the Grove.Sometimes I even do this.

[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.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Geez guys lets not beg these N racers to come race IHRA, I have several freinds that will only race NHRA, never once did I ask them why.Each racer has his or hers own racing program that they like to run, are they wrong not to try IHRA? don't know but it seems as though all the appeals to them are falling on deaf ears, and hey that's OK. I'm sure if someone asked me to go to something that I wasn't sure I wanted to go to I'd think up any excuse to keep from going.I think after reading all the "excuses" here it's obvious for the most part their not interested. As for me I just finished a new car last fall so I could race with either N or I got my lic. for both so I'll go where it fits my plans best.Joe

[danny waters sr]

Not begging ,just suggesting since so many un-happy racers are talking about selling and quiting . (that's just what our sport needs). Still welcome if anyone wants to come, don't matter who you race with.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

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

X2!! That's the best one I have heard in a while.

[Dave Ribeiro]

Danny,

You are doing the right thing, starting a war of words helps no-one.. We all love to race or we wouldn't be doing it... This weekend at MIR , IHRA is having a double race weekend... Just like the old days , a one day race on sat, & one on sunday.. if you can't make both at least try to make one of them.... Also Friday afternoon there is a Test n Tune for $ 30 bucks ...From 4 to 9 PM ... How can you beat that price..
Weather is calling for 65-70 temps and sunny thru sunday.... MIR is always fast and well maintained and is run by racers..... Come on down and join the fun....
Try it you won't be Sorry .............