Pro Sportsman Racers

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by chevy620

Hey guys I didn't just throw out a "problem" without solutions or at least some ideas for solutions.
The follow-up article will outline several ideas of ways that will offer Divisional racers a much more level playing field chance to actually have a chance at a national Championship without travelling all over the Country or having to have two or three cars to increase your chances of a payday.
The primary idea of this article is not to tear down people but to figure out and look for better ideas on increasing participation in NHRA and IHRA Sportsman categories.
The ideas I have are not new, at least I hope they aren't, but they have been run over by stacker trailers full of Sportsman cars so one driver can run three classes at a race. I know there is no rule against it because NHRA/IHRA needs every entry fee they can get. But does that make it the right way to approach it?

I do feel I am being pulled in two directions on this but the reasoning behind Editorials is to make people think and step back and see if an idea out of the ordinary might be a new way to approach things.

The new issue of ETDragRacing comes out the 22nd, the different ideas I have and those of others will be shared at that time.

Until then, you know how it works and if you are happy about the current program what I have to say about doesn't matter. I have participated in this sport at levels most of you cannot; as track owner, manager and having raced in every category but S/Stock I am not "blowing smoke" or "whining". I am concerned it is headed the wrong way; some agree and some don't... that is how Freedom works, we all have and get to express our opinion.

I think some of you will like the ideas I have about a true National Championship plan.

Thanks and good luck to you guys who are still racing this year,

Jok

I've always felt the problem with the "Touring Pro's" concept is not the racers but the foundation upon which they can race and pick the events where they obtained the most points and ad them to the points tally.
The fact they can run from one event to the other across the country, throw out the not so good and keep the best towards the championship is the real advantage. Those that do not have the lifestyle that allows them to race all year and be away from home / school / family (or whatever) can almost never succeed against the driver that has the ability to travel all year.
The non Pro Sportsman has a limited amount of races he / she can attend and if he wins half of them and looses half of them, it wont go well against the Pro Sportsman that can go to 3x as many races; when his average rounds won is exceedingly higher when you can throw away the races that you lost first or second round.
The solution? You claim a race as you enter it. Not after the fact. That goes against the allotted Divisional & National events your entitled to run towards the championship. I understand that was once the way it was done. Under this proposal hitting every race in the country is no longer an advantage (other than potential win money), and a non-touring sportsman is on equal footing against the Pro Sportsman.
Additionally, there should be points given to top qualifiers (top 10?) as well as national records set. That gives a reward for your efforts and could upset the balance at the end of the year. These are supposed to be "performance based classes" so reward those that do.
There, I've offered my opinion and possible solutions.

[Michael Beard]

I'm trying to figure out if I'm a "Professional Sportsman Racer" because I tow a lot of miles and have won a bunch of championships and big money races, or if I'm the low-buck kid trying to 'make it' someday and be able to play with the big boys. I'm also not sure where these $15,000 national event paydays are.

That being said, the new magazine needs controversial stories to gain attention and build a reader base.

[Mike Carr]

Does anyone have an idea/opinion on what, or how much exactly, constitutes a "professional sportsman racer"? They run x-amount of races per year? Travel x-amount of miles per race x-amount of times a year?

2003, I was gone seventeen (17) weekends that year, at NHRA/IHRA races, two of my S/SS combo races and Indy. Not counting local bracket racing on a Wednesday night or weekend. Eight of those were over three hundred miles one-way. And could have gone to more races had I chosen to. Does that fall into a ''traveling pro-sporsman racer''?

[Rose Racing]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

Does anyone have an idea/opinion on what, or how much exactly, constitutes a "professional sportsman racer"? They run x-amount of races per year? Travel x-amount of miles per race x-amount of times a year?

2003, I was gone seventeen (17) weekends that year, at NHRA/IHRA races, two of my S/SS combo races and Indy. Not counting local bracket racing on a Wednesday night or weekend. Eight of those were over three hundred miles one-way. And could have gone to more races had I chosen to. Does that fall into a ''traveling pro-sporsman racer''?

Honestly I think its whatever your opinion of a Pro Sportsman racer is and my opinion of a Pro Sportsman racer is a very dedicated and a racer with a very organized racing effort no matter how small or big meaning if you have a very organized rig and a neat and extremely clean car or just a very well thought out racing operation(MOST Class Racers) A few examples I know off and have either known or watched for years are the Marshall Dodge Material clan(Great multi car effort with clean and very sorted out race cars and a TON of years of experience and that team kinda reminds me of the Rod Shop Pro STock team of the 70s) Todd Mathias with the Buckeye Shaker Camaro(Very good friend)(A one car effort with a very sorted out and well working race car and a guy with alot of knowledge of racing and I cant even begin to tell you about John and Mary with How much they knew and Mary still know and my last example of Pro Sportsman in my opinion another single car effort of Joe BUZZINHALFDOZEN Buchanon (Another good friend) as we all know how clean and well sorted out his car is and how organized his operation is and a very good engine builder. I think thats why these classes run at NHRA and IHRA National Events because they are technically Proffesionals running Sportsman classes at a National Level.

[Rose Racing]

Heres my take on this issue from a lower buck guy who is hoping to one day get a chance to run Stock or Super Stock. I want to race these 2 classes not only because it looks fun to race in those classes in true Class Competition but because I want to race and hopefully win against some of the best Class and Bracket style racers in the country! I want a chance to prove I can beat the big dogs such as The Fletchers,The Biondos,The Cummings/Moser Boys,Bertozzi,The Marshalls,Michael Beard etc that I have watched for years and would love to have a chance to beat em and prove that I am worthy to hold a Wally or Ironman and be the best in Stock Doorslammer racing on that particalar day and to me thats what Drag Racing is all about beating the best and if you dont want to beat the best Weds night racing or friday night test and tune is for you not NATIONAL EVENT RACING! Thank you

[Robert Simpson]

It is real simple.. The "Ric Flair" rule.... "To be the best you have to beat the best!" That is how it is. I believe that the article was written to spark more interest in the magazine with comments on other sites like this. I do like reading some of his other articles. Race On!

[Wade Mahaffey]

My hat is off to anyone that puts forth the effort and dedication to do this stuff. Even more so to someone that calls his own shots with regard to his whole program (not just a paid driver, or somebody with a rich daddy). Racers earn their experience, and if they are progressive, just lucky, or whatever, when they WIN...then good for them. You can't complain about a guy that kicks your but bracket racing, anymore than you can with a top engine builder beating you in class. When a person has dedicated themselves to nothing but an "A" game, you are going to need to develop your own.

The average racer looks at these special racers that (so call) race for a living, and think I wish I was lucky enough to do that. I see them and I think, that racer is out doing it, and it's so natural for them...it's like going to the bathroom...no problem right! But then I think about, if you don't win or runner-up...you can't even cover the fuel bill. What happens to the house payment....how about the food, and all the other bills...what about little Susies and little Billys college .....WHAT ABOUT MY RETIREMENT CHECK...when I can't do it anymore!.....What happens to my 15K payday when I lost by .002 in the semi final...What happens when NHRA says.....we don't need you anymore! Now what! I can't imagine doing what I did for a living...(firefighter now retired) and knowing I might not get a paycheck for a thousandth of a second! Think about...they deserve to win....they certainly take the most chances

My hat is off to you, because you've got a hell of a set hanging!

Wade Mahaffey