Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga.

Greg Wood · 12-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Couris

Maybe I'm wrong but I'm told it's an Alcohol Class problem. None of the tracks want them because they take one third the purse, incur a disproportionate amount of the expenses (they all blow up), pay nothing to get in and bring in very few spectators. If this is in fact the case, once again everyone else loses because of NHRA's addiction to the "Mechanical Rain Delay" cars.

If this is true, then this Eliminator needs to financially stand on its own and not be underwritten by Stockers, Super Stockers the rest of the Sportsman Racers and the track operators, period. If everyone wants to see them then give them a percentage of the gate just like any other Circus Act.

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad but NHRA actually believes that their best customers are the spectators that go to one or two races a year and not the Sportsman racers who pay entry after entry all year long while getting less and less value along the way. Has anyone noticed how many time runs we now receive?

These people are brain dead and have no clue on how to run a successful, profitable business that builds value for its best customers. Think about it, the only other industry that treats its best customers the worst are the airlines and they have all gone bankrupt.

Craig Couris, 404-274-1003

AMEN, Craig

Robert Simpson · 12-03-2009, 11:21 AM

This is a E-mail from Tim Fleming. The responce was from me asking why Valdosta was not on the schedule.

"Robert I appreciate your kind words but because of decreasing car counts and the cost of what we have to pay to have the event (NHRA fees,staff,VHT) and to pay the alcohol classes that which bring nothing in it just not a good date for us.The first the three division races and the Gators now you add Z-MAX two weeks later just to much by the time are date gets here.However we did try to work out a date with Bill Holt but could not get it worked out we will do one if he can move are date.Please understand its not that we don't want to do one we are just tired of losing money on it.We do feel like we have one of the tracks in division 2 and we have the worst date.If you come to the race this weekend this weekend I will happy to explain the rest of logistics.Thanks"

This backs up what others had heard. I sent this e-mail as soon as the schedule came out.

Rollins_2241 · 12-03-2009, 01:00 PM

At the National Open, SGMP was able to pay larger purses to every eliminator, despite lower car counts than an early-season Divisional race, have three bracket races (Fri, Sat, Sun) with both Super Pro and Pro, and generally do well yet finish before 9 PM every day. SGMP came out fine.

The racers were happy because they had more chances to race, ran for Wallys and grade points in addition to more money than usual despite one or two fewer rounds and a lower entry fee, and the Stock/SS guys rewrote the record book (OK, that's luck with the weather, but still).

The only thing missing was points for Div. 2 and Jegs Allstars, and no contingency payout - a problem with bookkeeping, not racing.

Admittedly, with 25-30 cars in each eliminator things go more smoothly. But even with double the NHRA cars, we would have had time for a bracket race on Fri and Sat which finished by 10 PM.

Maybe Division 2 will see that this should be how races are run.

Rollins_2241 · 12-03-2009, 01:03 PM

On the date issue, I think SGMP should get a date in either early May the week before the Southern Nationals, or in late Sept. the week after Charlotte.

Woodro Josey · 12-03-2009, 05:45 PM

Well guys after talking to a lot of racers and Track Operators, looks like the whole problem stems from the amount of money the Tracks have to pay out to run the Alcohol cars, and it is a losing proposition. Lets face it guys, how many spectators come to see them. Looks Like the Alcohol cars need to be run in National events just like the Pros. Some of the tracks in the division level are not geared around that type of car anyway. Now we have Top Sportsman and Top Dragster, that should be a good drawing card and maybe book in some type of show to go along with these cars.
Craig Couris was right on!
I would bet that SGMP would take his original date, without the Alcohol Cars. I just don't quite understand why NHRA would require a Divisional track to run Alcohol and knowing it is a losing proposition! Seems like they need to work with the Tracks, not against them!

Jim Wahl · 12-03-2009, 06:41 PM

It is quite evident that the Sportsman cars without the Alcohol track greasers can support (expense wise) themselves and make the tracks a profit at the same time. If NHRA wants the tracks to run the Alcohol cars then they need to step up and at least help to pay for the payouts! Why should Top Alcohol cars incur no expense at all? They pay nothing to get in and do nothing but cost the track operator $20 to $30 grand per event! That is pure profit loss for them. A perfect example of how it *could* be done is the Cajun SportsNationals @ Belle Rose. Pat knows and has made no secret of how it works! Stock/ Super Stock/ Comp classes with some fun races thrown in for good measure. Craig, Woody and Rollins are right on! The fact remains that if NHRA didn't ram the Alcohol down the track operator's throats is they would die a slow death. Top Dragster and Pro Mod is squeezing them out. No more free ride, everybody pays their way as we have been doing all along. Jim

DK FRAZIER · 12-03-2009, 06:58 PM

Mechanical Rain Delay LOL
What a great quote

Larry Ericksmoen · 12-03-2009, 08:11 PM

I guess we are all wondering why the NHRA doesn't make common sense business decisions for themselves, their partners and their customers to increase profitability and customer satisfaction. The track owners, Manufacturers and the racers all get frustrated with the lack of appreciation and apathy that comes from the NHRA.
This is because the NHRA, like our freaking Goverment, doesn't have anyone in charge that has a BRAIN, or gives a **** about the people paying the BILLS. As car counts go down or people lose their jobs they just charge more or TAX more on the people who show up.
NHRA sportsman cars or cool, people will pay to see them, IF there was some promotion involved. Nobody pays to see Alcohol cars because nobody wants to see them! Why should 300 other racers pay high entry fees so a few alcohol racers can be paid to do their hobby. ITS ABSURD.
There are other drag racing shows out there that attracting huge crowds, those promoters are working at it, These NHRA points races haven't changed for YEARS(35 ?)
They need some FRESH ideas, and some effort into promotion. DAMM
I just watched the evening news and got all fired up. lol

12-03-2009, 11:21 AM	#2
Robert Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 808 Likes: 7 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. This is a E-mail from Tim Fleming. The responce was from me asking why Valdosta was not on the schedule. "Robert I appreciate your kind words but because of decreasing car counts and the cost of what we have to pay to have the event (NHRA fees,staff,VHT) and to pay the alcohol classes that which bring nothing in it just not a good date for us.The first the three division races and the Gators now you add Z-MAX two weeks later just to much by the time are date gets here.However we did try to work out a date with Bill Holt but could not get it worked out we will do one if he can move are date.Please understand its not that we don't want to do one we are just tired of losing money on it.We do feel like we have one of the tracks in division 2 and we have the worst date.If you come to the race this weekend this weekend I will happy to explain the rest of logistics.Thanks" This backs up what others had heard. I sent this e-mail as soon as the schedule came out.

12-03-2009, 01:00 PM	#3
Rollins_2241 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. At the National Open, SGMP was able to pay larger purses to every eliminator, despite lower car counts than an early-season Divisional race, have three bracket races (Fri, Sat, Sun) with both Super Pro and Pro, and generally do well yet finish before 9 PM every day. SGMP came out fine. The racers were happy because they had more chances to race, ran for Wallys and grade points in addition to more money than usual despite one or two fewer rounds and a lower entry fee, and the Stock/SS guys rewrote the record book (OK, that's luck with the weather, but still). The only thing missing was points for Div. 2 and Jegs Allstars, and no contingency payout - a problem with bookkeeping, not racing. Admittedly, with 25-30 cars in each eliminator things go more smoothly. But even with double the NHRA cars, we would have had time for a bracket race on Fri and Sat which finished by 10 PM. Maybe Division 2 will see that this should be how races are run.

12-03-2009, 01:03 PM	#4
Rollins_2241 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. On the date issue, I think SGMP should get a date in either early May the week before the Southern Nationals, or in late Sept. the week after Charlotte.

12-03-2009, 05:45 PM	#5
Woodro Josey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. Well guys after talking to a lot of racers and Track Operators, looks like the whole problem stems from the amount of money the Tracks have to pay out to run the Alcohol cars, and it is a losing proposition. Lets face it guys, how many spectators come to see them. Looks Like the Alcohol cars need to be run in National events just like the Pros. Some of the tracks in the division level are not geared around that type of car anyway. Now we have Top Sportsman and Top Dragster, that should be a good drawing card and maybe book in some type of show to go along with these cars. Craig Couris was right on! I would bet that SGMP would take his original date, without the Alcohol Cars. I just don't quite understand why NHRA would require a Divisional track to run Alcohol and knowing it is a losing proposition! Seems like they need to work with the Tracks, not against them! __________________ Woodro Josey 2002 STK

12-03-2009, 06:41 PM	#6
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. It is quite evident that the Sportsman cars without the Alcohol track greasers can support (expense wise) themselves and make the tracks a profit at the same time. If NHRA wants the tracks to run the Alcohol cars then they need to step up and at least help to pay for the payouts! Why should Top Alcohol cars incur no expense at all? They pay nothing to get in and do nothing but cost the track operator $20 to $30 grand per event! That is pure profit loss for them. A perfect example of how it could be done is the Cajun SportsNationals @ Belle Rose. Pat knows and has made no secret of how it works! Stock/ Super Stock/ Comp classes with some fun races thrown in for good measure. Craig, Woody and Rollins are right on! The fact remains that if NHRA didn't ram the Alcohol down the track operator's throats is they would die a slow death. Top Dragster and Pro Mod is squeezing them out. No more free ride, everybody pays their way as we have been doing all along. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

12-03-2009, 06:58 PM	#7
DK FRAZIER Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bogart GA Posts: 117 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. Mechanical Rain Delay LOL What a great quote __________________ Doug Frazier D/SA 2038

12-03-2009, 08:11 PM	#8
Larry Ericksmoen Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sparta tn Posts: 37 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Div 2 Pts Meet @ South Ga. I guess we are all wondering why the NHRA doesn't make common sense business decisions for themselves, their partners and their customers to increase profitability and customer satisfaction. The track owners, Manufacturers and the racers all get frustrated with the lack of appreciation and apathy that comes from the NHRA. This is because the NHRA, like our freaking Goverment, doesn't have anyone in charge that has a BRAIN, or gives a **** about the people paying the BILLS. As car counts go down or people lose their jobs they just charge more or TAX more on the people who show up. NHRA sportsman cars or cool, people will pay to see them, IF there was some promotion involved. Nobody pays to see Alcohol cars because nobody wants to see them! Why should 300 other racers pay high entry fees so a few alcohol racers can be paid to do their hobby. ITS ABSURD. There are other drag racing shows out there that attracting huge crowds, those promoters are working at it, These NHRA points races haven't changed for YEARS(35 ?) They need some FRESH ideas, and some effort into promotion. DAMM I just watched the evening news and got all fired up. lol