NHRA, Atco and my thoughts

Billy Nees · 10-09-2010, 08:43 AM

Well I spent last weekend at the Atco "Alternative Lifestyles Weekend" and I went to the Toyo Tires "RV Rodeo" yesterday just for the Stockers. I haven't been to many races (any) this year simply because they aren't fun for me anymore. NHRA racing has changed so much over the years that I don't even recognize it anymore. That's not to say that an awful lot of people (racers?) aren't enjoying themselves, it's just me saying that I'm not enjoying myself.
Getting that off of my chest, Div.1 (imho) made the correct decision last weekend in pulling the plug. They can't control the weather, they are stuck in a position of having to schedule their races (Alternative Lifestyle Weekends) around Track Owners schedules that (I'm sure) includes more lucrative events than LODRS Events and the same for the Raindates.
In their success as a Santioning Body it seems to me that the NHRA and it's Divisions have actually become "secondclass citizens" when it comes to dealing with it's member tracks in regard to it's own meets. Track operators are, after all, businessmen and the bottom line is making money and if a track operator can schedule a Super Something Show or Swapmeet on a nice, midsummer weekend then so be it, that's business.
Track prep, I think that it's about time that NHRA did a study on the long term effects of spraying a porous surface sitting on an aquifer (asphalt sitting on a sandy surface) with a sealant (traction compound). Our recent problems don't seem to be on the starting line where we are dealing with concrete (less porous). What is the effect of running a squeegee (big tire) over this and what effect does temperature have? Should we start cancelling events if the temp drops below 60 degrees or if it rained 2 days prior?
I hate to even think this but my local track and it's weekly Bracket program sure seem to be a better fit for me than what NHRA Events have become.

skills · 10-09-2010, 12:40 PM

I cant really agree or disagree as much since I am just a spectator and not a racer, but I have grown up watching many of you guys. Most of you I have never met but know your cars as soon as I see them. I like NHRA, but do have some issues with how they put out the image of what drag racing is. Some people just think its just the fuelers and not much else, which drives me insane. Yeah a lot of fans come to see the John Forces of the world but the fact you can see 10-15 classes and some 800 cars in a weekend is the best bang for your buck in motor sports. Compare a day at the drag strip to a day at a Nascar race: less for tickets a longer day more cars and close contact with the drivers. Think about that yesterday at the Grove I talked to David Rampy for about 15 minutes. It was the first time I have seen him in the pits, after seeing him race for a few years. It was a joy and something I enjoyed sure he isnt Force but how may Nascar fans have stood and talked to Dale Jr? Maybe the fans like myself need to remind Glendora that we enjoy sportsmen racing too and to push it a little more or email Lucas Oil and tell them the same. I thank the people at the gate in Englishtown and Maple Grove everytime I visit since if they go where would I get to enjoy the sound of John Shaul's max wedge?

cicero819 · 10-10-2010, 04:27 PM

I have to agree with Billy Nees NHRA is slowly moving away from what made it great, a participant sport! I have to lift my hat to all the racers and track workers who have had to deal with a sanctioning body that doesn't really care about it's grass roots. Ken I was in attendance in Reading this week-end and never did I hear a single word from NHRA about the problem they were having on the track, for two hours the microphone were shut off! Many spectators just couldn't believe that no explanation was forthcoming. I think that a better communication between the upper echelon of NHRA and the racers would go a long way in reestablishing a worthwhile relation between parties. Maybe a Divisional committee with racers input would be the right direction to move in. NHRA has a long way to go in this economy to bring back some of the racers and spectators that they've peeved off. What type of spectator am I? well the type that stayed throught stock second round elimination(congratulation to Ed, great win) watch Sc,Sg and super streetpast 9pm where I had to leave due to freezing of my ___ off weather on Saturday. Remember that if an organization stinks from the top it will stink even worse at the bottom. Claude Ruel

Larry Munk · 10-12-2010, 05:49 PM

Billy! I've read that responce a few times but it seems like you're holding back the good stuff. Can you elaborate?

Mike Carr · 10-12-2010, 06:06 PM

I whole heartedly agree with Billy's post. Stuff like that is why I quit racing at the end of 2006, less than five months after buying my own car. Every year the costs went up and the fun factor went down, and it simply wasn't worth it to us anymore to go racing. Doing the S/SS races the past few years allows me to stay somewhat involved in Class Racing.

James Perrone · 10-13-2010, 11:11 AM

Geat post Ken
Now if you guys think D-1 is bad you had to be at the d-7 Arizona in Feb.
That was a real bendover and take hard and no Peanut Oil.

Harry 6674 · 10-13-2010, 03:37 PM

Good post Ken. I think it's funny that most of the whining comes from areas of the country that has other options. I'm sure ihra would be glad to have them all. But then again maybe not.

10-09-2010, 08:43 AM	#1
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,504 Likes: 3,606 Liked 7,814 Times in 1,748 Posts	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts Well I spent last weekend at the Atco "Alternative Lifestyles Weekend" and I went to the Toyo Tires "RV Rodeo" yesterday just for the Stockers. I haven't been to many races (any) this year simply because they aren't fun for me anymore. NHRA racing has changed so much over the years that I don't even recognize it anymore. That's not to say that an awful lot of people (racers?) aren't enjoying themselves, it's just me saying that I'm not enjoying myself. Getting that off of my chest, Div.1 (imho) made the correct decision last weekend in pulling the plug. They can't control the weather, they are stuck in a position of having to schedule their races (Alternative Lifestyle Weekends) around Track Owners schedules that (I'm sure) includes more lucrative events than LODRS Events and the same for the Raindates. In their success as a Santioning Body it seems to me that the NHRA and it's Divisions have actually become "secondclass citizens" when it comes to dealing with it's member tracks in regard to it's own meets. Track operators are, after all, businessmen and the bottom line is making money and if a track operator can schedule a Super Something Show or Swapmeet on a nice, midsummer weekend then so be it, that's business. Track prep, I think that it's about time that NHRA did a study on the long term effects of spraying a porous surface sitting on an aquifer (asphalt sitting on a sandy surface) with a sealant (traction compound). Our recent problems don't seem to be on the starting line where we are dealing with concrete (less porous). What is the effect of running a squeegee (big tire) over this and what effect does temperature have? Should we start cancelling events if the temp drops below 60 degrees or if it rained 2 days prior? I hate to even think this but my local track and it's weekly Bracket program sure seem to be a better fit for me than what NHRA Events have become. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

10-09-2010, 12:40 PM	#2
skills Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hershey,pa Posts: 187 Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 1 Post	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts I cant really agree or disagree as much since I am just a spectator and not a racer, but I have grown up watching many of you guys. Most of you I have never met but know your cars as soon as I see them. I like NHRA, but do have some issues with how they put out the image of what drag racing is. Some people just think its just the fuelers and not much else, which drives me insane. Yeah a lot of fans come to see the John Forces of the world but the fact you can see 10-15 classes and some 800 cars in a weekend is the best bang for your buck in motor sports. Compare a day at the drag strip to a day at a Nascar race: less for tickets a longer day more cars and close contact with the drivers. Think about that yesterday at the Grove I talked to David Rampy for about 15 minutes. It was the first time I have seen him in the pits, after seeing him race for a few years. It was a joy and something I enjoyed sure he isnt Force but how may Nascar fans have stood and talked to Dale Jr? Maybe the fans like myself need to remind Glendora that we enjoy sportsmen racing too and to push it a little more or email Lucas Oil and tell them the same. I thank the people at the gate in Englishtown and Maple Grove everytime I visit since if they go where would I get to enjoy the sound of John Shaul's max wedge?

10-10-2010, 04:27 PM	#3
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,086 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts I have to agree with Billy Nees NHRA is slowly moving away from what made it great, a participant sport! I have to lift my hat to all the racers and track workers who have had to deal with a sanctioning body that doesn't really care about it's grass roots. Ken I was in attendance in Reading this week-end and never did I hear a single word from NHRA about the problem they were having on the track, for two hours the microphone were shut off! Many spectators just couldn't believe that no explanation was forthcoming. I think that a better communication between the upper echelon of NHRA and the racers would go a long way in reestablishing a worthwhile relation between parties. Maybe a Divisional committee with racers input would be the right direction to move in. NHRA has a long way to go in this economy to bring back some of the racers and spectators that they've peeved off. What type of spectator am I? well the type that stayed throught stock second round elimination(congratulation to Ed, great win) watch Sc,Sg and super streetpast 9pm where I had to leave due to freezing of my ___ off weather on Saturday. Remember that if an organization stinks from the top it will stink even worse at the bottom. Claude Ruel

10-12-2010, 05:49 PM	#4
Larry Munk Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 135 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts Billy! I've read that responce a few times but it seems like you're holding back the good stuff. Can you elaborate?

10-12-2010, 06:06 PM	#5
Mike Carr VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Enon Valley PA Posts: 1,650 Likes: 234 Liked 83 Times in 37 Posts	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts I whole heartedly agree with Billy's post. Stuff like that is why I quit racing at the end of 2006, less than five months after buying my own car. Every year the costs went up and the fun factor went down, and it simply wasn't worth it to us anymore to go racing. Doing the S/SS races the past few years allows me to stay somewhat involved in Class Racing. __________________ Mike Carr, Tri-State S/SS Association President Looking for 2015 S/SS Race Sponsors Contact me if interested buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com (724) 510-5912

10-13-2010, 11:11 AM	#6
James Perrone VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: LONG ISLAND N.Y. Posts: 1,690 Likes: 3,408 Liked 1,842 Times in 429 Posts	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts Geat post Ken Now if you guys think D-1 is bad you had to be at the d-7 Arizona in Feb. That was a real bendover and take hard and no Peanut Oil. __________________ james perrone 1290 STK

10-13-2010, 03:37 PM	#7
Harry 6674 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 589 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA, Atco and my thoughts Good post Ken. I think it's funny that most of the whining comes from areas of the country that has other options. I'm sure ihra would be glad to have them all. But then again maybe not.