I'm confused about IHRA's Sportsman friendliness

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Toby Lang

Using your formula, how long should it take to run 375 cars with each class getting four time runs except for Stock and Super Stock which got three? My rough guess says about 21-22 hours.

Looks about right.

From what I can tell on DRC, they completed the race in about 27 hours. That isn't too bad, is it? Also, the more cars you have the more likely it is that you will run behind schedule, right?

"Schedule" would imply planning on eventualities, IMO.
Losing an unexpected 6 hours is bad, yes. That's the better part of a day. I guess my ire is more the result of what they set themselves up for, not as much for how they dealt with the hand they dealt themselves.
We've get several issues here:
- Four qualifying runs? It's a race. Three time shots is nice. Four is unnecessary, IMO. Six is ridiculous (Atlanta)
- Additional classes (Unleashed) brought in to bolster the car count. The additional cars have forced the event to go to 3 days when it could be done in 2, which costs an additional day of expenses (track, crew, insurance, etc.)
- Alky cars. Numerous issues here, from unnecessarily burdensome run time to lack of promotion. (ie., if you're going to have them there, PROMOTE them, put fans in the stands, and pay the classes accordingly. If you're not going to do jack with them, don't expect jack from them.

I believe the outlying Divisions could do their events in 2 days (Sat-Sun), with Friday as Parking/Tech/Test n' Tune. The traditionally high car count venues, including Div. 1 & 3 could maintain 3 days.

He needs more cars. Well, they aint coming with this payout a year and a half later.

...an issue that I'm sure they will have to come to terms with and adjust accordingly. So, if money's not the answer for them, it's got to be kind of scary to put your financial butt on the line for other classes.

Fairness People, that’s all I'm asking.

I don't think you hate IHRA, and I know you've been out there supporting them (and winning) for many many years. We just have different ways of looking at things and can agree to disagree. I feel that the S/SS purses, given all of the associated variables, is a valid one. To me, it doesn't matter what any other class is or isn't getting paid, because I don't run them.

Offer more money! If you build it, they will come.

Again, please offer your proposed entry fee and payout, projected car counts and bottom line so that we can present the proposal to the powers that be. (I'm serious. Not being a smart*$$. Let's work through it and try to create a real solution.) I'm sure if you can generate a program that works for both racers and the promoters, they'll happily latch onto it. I have a race purse calculator spreadsheet if it would be of assistance.

So, who's going to the MIR and VMP races for $5K/Win + nat'l event contingency? I'll be at both.