The Fight To Preserve Class Racing - Page 2

Ed Fernandez · 09-07-2009, 07:31 PM

First and foremost we have no negotiating power with NHRA.Even $$$ isn't on our side.They can keep the super classes,add T/S T/D,Pro Mod and make up the cash flow.Would you want to be in charge of rules and enforcement of S/SS?We are the biggest pain in the *** for them,money and enforcement.
And we are NOT a car culture anymore like in the 50-70s.All these people want is to smell nitro fumes,see flames,cars blowing up and get Ashley's autograph.
And lastly,look at some of the mean spirited posts about class at this years race.We can't even get along among ourselves.
Drag racing is going along at the edge of a cliff,it won't take much to push it over the edge.

Alan Roehrich · 09-07-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Storms

I agree with your concerns!!! but is does no good for our classes when NHRA gives us, examples...80-130 car entry spots and we only fill 2/3 of the feild.... If racers were that concerned about losing our classes they would be entering races and showing NHRA....they want be part of racing in the future...if people says it's to exspensive to go racin...then there in the wrong sport... NO EXCUSES....

Well, there is the problem of NHRA making it too expensive. They raised nearly every fee possible on sportsman racers right in the middle of the weakest economy in 30 years or more. But hey, that's just an excuse, right?

People are getting sick of the way NHRA treats them. Good people, long time racers, who have enough money and have good cars as well. You get to a 3 day race, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, late on Thursday night, they stack you outside. Then, Friday morning, while you are waiting outside, behind a line of $1M motorhomes of the pro drivers they are parking first, they run your first time trial. They put you on the track when it is barely prepped. If it rains, they call off class eliminations, and/or time trials, while they drag *** running the pros, with wasted time between sessions. Either that, or they run some exhibition class that has 3-4 wrecks so that running 16 cars one round takes 2 hours.

So, in a poor economy, they increase your cost, and treat you like dirt. But there is no excuse for not falling all over yourself to take an extra day or two off, skip spending money on something else, and line up for more abuse at a higher price. Got it. Thanks.

Jim Storms · 09-07-2009, 07:56 PM

I believe most of us do this for fun!! a hobby, or what ever you choose to call it? if i remember correctly hobby's or additional entertainment cost$$$$, everyone needs to quit crying about the ECONOMY. if a real racer want's to get to a race there is always a way...don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with going or getting to a race and being $$$ smart about it,,,, we all like this sport that is why we all still deal with the issues..you can't please everyone..just enjoy what your able to to.. becuase some people can't!!!

Gary Smith · 09-07-2009, 08:13 PM

Jim, I do this STRICTLY as a hobby. BUT I WANT IT TO CONTINUE. What do we do when NHRA carves us out of the picture???
As I've asked ad-nauseum...WHAT IS IT THAT PEOPLE THINK NHRA IS NEEDED TO KEEP CLASS RACING ALIVE???? WHAT DO THEY HONESTLY BRING TO THE TABLE? DO WE RACERS WANT TO CONTINUE TO RACE...OR BITCH ABOUT THEM YET CONTINUE SUPPORTING THESE GREEDY BASTARDS???? Class racing will only continue IF we take control of our destiny.....PERIOD.

Ed Fernandez · 09-07-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

Jim, I do this STRICTLY as a hobby. BUT I WANT IT TO CONTINUE. What do we do when NHRA carves us out of the picture???
As I've asked ad-nauseum...WHAT IS IT THAT PEOPLE THINK NHRA IS NEEDED TO KEEP CLASS RACING ALIVE???? WHAT DO THEY HONESTLY BRING TO THE TABLE? DO WE RACERS WANT TO CONTINUE TO RACE...OR BITCH ABOUT THEM YET CONTINUE SUPPORTING THESE GREEDY BASTARDS???? Class racing will only continue IF we take control of our destiny.....PERIOD.

Where is you're bargaining power.It's their company now not yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gary Smith · 09-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Where is you're bargaining power.It's their company now not yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't Ed. That's why I keep saying WE are ultimately in control of class racing's destiny...not just me, just you, or just every other individual stock & super stock racer... ALL OF US COLLECTIVELY. As a united group we DO have bargaining power. That committee B.S. from the last couple years, with reps from each division....was the perfect opportunity for racers, as a collective group, to tell NHRA IT'S OUR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. But the conceptual attitude of many class racers allowed for the Glendora bozos to walk all over us. Why wasn't my voice heard when my div reps confronted NHRA? I CHOSE NOT TO RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP OUT OF PROTEST. Class racing doesn't exist because of NHRA...NHRA HAS class racing because of US & OUR MONEY.

Sadly, I lack conficence that anyone takes this serious and don't see much point in further voicing my ideas as it's inevitable class racers aren't concerned about this concept or simply in denial...so long as they can hand over their entry money and get to race the next event, everything is just rosey....and that mentality is what WILL kill the sport.

Mark Yacavone · 09-07-2009, 10:06 PM

Gary , It seems to me that things will have to get a whole lot worse, racing with NHRA, before they get any better elsewhere. Our S/SS combo numbers have continued to drop off while ALL the other categories have been steadily growing.

It looks to me like during tough economic times, people would rather save their money to hand it over to NHRA, if they have to choose between venues.

What's the answer? Where's the bottom? I don't know. I think C S &N said "the darkest hour is right before the dawn"

Jim Storms · 09-08-2009, 07:11 AM

Mark.. To my 1st post if we don't support OUR CLASSES!!! when NHRA gives us the chance to by # of entries. we as racers need to take advantage of that... the superclasses do! the more we all complain and wonder about our future in NHRA does not help the current time's. get on your computer enter a up and coming race and have some fun..................

Bob Pagano · 09-08-2009, 08:00 AM

Gary I understand but as you can see just by the posts on this thread you will never get the majority to agree to make a move forward. Nothing will happen until we get dumped by nhra, than a need arises and you will be able to deal with racers that want to continue with S & SS and maybe you better start looking now for tech people that mite be interested because without them there is no reason to go forward.

Dick Butler · 09-08-2009, 10:15 AM

Gary, another problem which has developed with sophistication and progress is the cost of parts NOW available to run class. Rules bend , NEW HEADS, Rules bend, new cranks, rods, pistons cams springs. With 90 + classes dividing up those interested in the "class "format most wont change combinations to see more class racing.
It has been proposed to combine classes, delete some for lack of participation and All racers are concerned rightly about the cost to move to another class or car. The long term good is sacrificed for the save money today for the individual while NHRA continues to crank out the classes and allow the variations which make it worse.
Good luck getting most to accept change...

09-07-2009, 07:31 PM	#11
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing First and foremost we have no negotiating power with NHRA.Even $$$ isn't on our side.They can keep the super classes,add T/S T/D,Pro Mod and make up the cash flow.Would you want to be in charge of rules and enforcement of S/SS?We are the biggest pain in the *** for them,money and enforcement. And we are NOT a car culture anymore like in the 50-70s.All these people want is to smell nitro fumes,see flames,cars blowing up and get Ashley's autograph. And lastly,look at some of the mean spirited posts about class at this years race.We can't even get along among ourselves. Drag racing is going along at the edge of a cliff,it won't take much to push it over the edge. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

09-07-2009, 07:56 PM	#13
Jim Storms Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Renton, Washington Posts: 320 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing I believe most of us do this for fun!! a hobby, or what ever you choose to call it? if i remember correctly hobby's or additional entertainment cost$$$$, everyone needs to quit crying about the ECONOMY. if a real racer want's to get to a race there is always a way...don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with going or getting to a race and being $$$ smart about it,,,, we all like this sport that is why we all still deal with the issues..you can't please everyone..just enjoy what your able to to.. becuase some people can't!!!

09-07-2009, 08:13 PM	#14
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing Jim, I do this STRICTLY as a hobby. BUT I WANT IT TO CONTINUE. What do we do when NHRA carves us out of the picture??? As I've asked ad-nauseum...WHAT IS IT THAT PEOPLE THINK NHRA IS NEEDED TO KEEP CLASS RACING ALIVE???? WHAT DO THEY HONESTLY BRING TO THE TABLE? DO WE RACERS WANT TO CONTINUE TO RACE...OR BITCH ABOUT THEM YET CONTINUE SUPPORTING THESE GREEDY BASTARDS???? Class racing will only continue IF we take control of our destiny.....PERIOD. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating"

09-07-2009, 10:06 PM	#17
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,816 Likes: 2,906 Liked 5,121 Times in 1,952 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing Gary , It seems to me that things will have to get a whole lot worse, racing with NHRA, before they get any better elsewhere. Our S/SS combo numbers have continued to drop off while ALL the other categories have been steadily growing. It looks to me like during tough economic times, people would rather save their money to hand it over to NHRA, if they have to choose between venues. What's the answer? Where's the bottom? I don't know. I think C S &N said "the darkest hour is right before the dawn" __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

09-08-2009, 07:11 AM	#18
Jim Storms Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Renton, Washington Posts: 320 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing Mark.. To my 1st post if we don't support OUR CLASSES!!! when NHRA gives us the chance to by # of entries. we as racers need to take advantage of that... the superclasses do! the more we all complain and wonder about our future in NHRA does not help the current time's. get on your computer enter a up and coming race and have some fun..................

09-08-2009, 08:00 AM	#19
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 241 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing Gary I understand but as you can see just by the posts on this thread you will never get the majority to agree to make a move forward. Nothing will happen until we get dumped by nhra, than a need arises and you will be able to deal with racers that want to continue with S & SS and maybe you better start looking now for tech people that mite be interested because without them there is no reason to go forward. __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

09-08-2009, 10:15 AM	#20
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: The Fight To Preserve Class Racing Gary, another problem which has developed with sophistication and progress is the cost of parts NOW available to run class. Rules bend , NEW HEADS, Rules bend, new cranks, rods, pistons cams springs. With 90 + classes dividing up those interested in the "class "format most wont change combinations to see more class racing. It has been proposed to combine classes, delete some for lack of participation and All racers are concerned rightly about the cost to move to another class or car. The long term good is sacrificed for the save money today for the individual while NHRA continues to crank out the classes and allow the variations which make it worse. Good luck getting most to accept change...