PINKS vs Class Racing

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Floyd Gomez

Class racing has been a liability. However, it is a liability that NHRA knows it has to live with. I agree we need more contingency money. I agree we need more TV time. I do not agree that pinks is the answer. We need a format that all class racers can attend and have a shot at winning. We need to ensure an even playing field and to do that with the multiple classes we have it has to involve some sort of handicapped start. I agree with index and CIC. If you set index per NHRA and use a .600 CIC penalty you give every class a chance at winning. Also, how long do you think it will take NHRA and IHRA to threaten track owners of pulling their national events should it start taking money from their pockets. Then you end up at mom and pop tracks that are run down and very dangerous. The solution lies with getting NHRA and IHRA to understand the importance of our breed of racing. I offered a few years ago to assist anyone who wanted to start a True Sportsman Racing Association. I had everyone wanting to do it just no one willing to help.

Floyd, IHRA isn't a problem. But their class racing program isn't as challenged as NHRA. NHRA has the resources to put together a spectacular package but will not take away from their pro program to make it happen. Why? again...lack of fan appeal. OR, they could do it like PINKS, having a final 8 and running them "out the back door". And it still isn't heads up racing. Look at the present landscape in drag racing: here in South Florida bracket racing is dying. Why? because electronics over complicated things and chased away frustrated racers. The growth of heads-up index and outlaw racing has taken over because the tracks can now fill the stands unlike bracket racing ever could.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer class runoffs, but it would take the caliber of Indy at every race to even start to get something decent. Runoffs at other races have lost appeal from the casual fan. Not to mention the hosting costs have become too prohibitive to keep it at that level. The PINKS format has potential to attract support that our categories haven't seen in quite some time.