Is IHRA Going Under?

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

FWIW, Kim has been at IHRA for over 15 years. She was working there since before I did. She was always the lead designer of Drag Review. A lot of people had multiple titles and multiple responsibilities, even in the Bader era.

Despite the intent, this thread has made numerous racers consider giving up on IHRA. I was hearing it this weekend. Due to the rumor mill, a track operator even addressed the over 400 entries in attendance where I was this weekend over the PA that they will be racing next year.

The intent of the thread was to warn IHRA racers that all was not well. I stand by my first post here. What I posted Kim told me IS what she told me. I realize she has been with IHRA for 17 years (her statement to me) and she IS listed as being in "Administration" which was why I called her initially. I am not really sure now what her position is currently. She spoke as if she was "in the loop" and knew the big story. After my long conversation With Scooter, as I post in my second post, some things Kim told me were confirmed and some were denied. Two big undeniable facts are
1.) The Drag Review Magazine which was the primary communication device for IHRA is gone! There is NO digital version. IRG eliminated it as an unnecessary expense. Fact!
2.) Half of the IHRA staff have either quit, retired or been let go. Fact!
Both of these facts were a huge red flag for me and many others I had spoken to previously.
I got tired of hearing the rumors and decided to do some investigation. What I was told and who I contacted has been accurately reported in my first two posts here.
I also made it very clear that both mine and Scooter's thoughts are that low car counts have brought most of the problems. Bottom line.... racers are not supporting ANY of the associations the way they have in the past. For what ever reason! Without the racers support and better car counts the Class Racing as we know it can not survive! Period! there is no rebuttal to this statement. You personally Mike can understand this, as can I.
And this is my ultimate statement on this, if you as a racer want somewhere to race, you must support the associations that are offering you a place to race! This is the key! You can't just sit back, sit at home and moan "woe is me"! I have run 9 races and set one record so far this year. I'm not finished yet! I challenge all of you racers out there to support whatever HRA or independent Association suites you, and bring at least one racer who hasn't been racing for a while with you! We hold our own destiny in our hands. What do YOU want your Class Racing future to be? Jim


.