The World Series move and IHRA's experiment

Don Sofranko · 08-31-2016, 11:23 AM

I was wondering how it would work out for IHRA's brainiacs.
If you ever had a chance to go the "World Series" event, you would know it was a party circus for the locals to come out once a year. It was like the fair, drink, camp, party, and call it good after sat night. The locals thought it was big deal, and made a yearly event out of it. They weren't even told it was just a match race, and didn't care.

In a nut shell, it was just a good old match race under the lights, at Cordova Illinois. It went through the evening to late at night, and Saturday night was the big draw. You parked behind the bleachers, were allowed your own food and coolers. It had easy fan access, as you parked behind the bleachers, and were not shook down for every last dime, or parked 3 layers behind VIP amenities.

It kept the track open for years and funded the overhead, until Scott Gardner and others rebuilt Cordova. Now Cordova has Musco lights, lots of paving, a few new buildings, and a much improved joint. They never equaled the world series attendance at all the IHRA National type races or the NHRA Divisional races. Midwest class racers all use this track, to test and compete.

Then IHRA takes the fair to a new town, and Cordova doesn't even open on its usual 1 week before Indy race. The locals were all upset with the move.

This report says what happened in the new Memphis home last weekend.
Did anyone down there go? Is this report true?

http://www.dragzine.com/news/the-wor...ly-falls-flat/

and this report also

http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-...ing-to-nothing

MR DERBY CITY · 08-31-2016, 12:17 PM

It is hard to get excited about IHRA since Bader left. They had their opportunity to get things right when they moved a few weeks ago, they should have relocated their offices next to Barnum and Bailey. B and B can truly appreciate these CLOWNS....

Chris1529 · 09-01-2016, 07:17 AM

As of 7:15am this morning, there have been 53,410 views on the live from Indy thread.
This one has garnered 600 views. That's about 1.12% of the views of the Indy thread.
I believe that sums it up right there.

Dan Fahey · 09-01-2016, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

It is hard to get excited about IHRA since Bader left. They had their opportunity to get things right when they moved a few weeks ago, they should have relocated their offices next to Barnum and Bailey. B and B can truly appreciate these CLOWNS....

What happened to Mr. Bader?
What did he do that made IHRA a better sanctioning Drag Racing organization?

XSTOCKER · 09-01-2016, 01:09 PM

The Bader family went out of there way to make sure your IHRA experience was better in every way. From a personal hand shake to a clean bathroom....and I even saw young Bader with a mop.

Brister · 09-01-2016, 02:33 PM

I remember going to a bracket finals and Bill Bader was welcoming EVERY racer coming through the gates. He made it a point to walk up to your tow vehicle and speak with you. It sure made an impression on me.

pontiacchuck · 09-03-2016, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brister

I remember going to a bracket finals and Bill Bader was welcoming EVERY racer coming through the gates. He made it a point to walk up to your tow vehicle and speak with you. It sure made an impression on me.

he did same then at 131 motor sports park in martian mi

Mike Keener · 09-03-2016, 11:49 AM

Bill Bader is both a business man and a visionary all rolled in to one. When Terry Bell and I pitched the Top Stock idea to him back in 2000 he jumped all over the idea and it was an immediate Night of Fire Spectacular. He got Horsepower TV to show up for the first event, and he just flat out promoted the heck out it.

Let's put it this way. If Bill Bader ever ran NHRA or regained control of IHRA you wouldn't believe the difference !!

Dan Fahey · 09-03-2016, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Keener

Bill Bader is both a business man and a visionary all rolled in to one. When Terry Bell and I pitched the Top Stock idea to him back in 2000 he jumped all over the idea and it was an immediate Night of Fire Spectacular. He got Horsepower TV to show up for the first event, and he just flat out promoted the heck out it.

Let's put it this way. If Bill Bader ever ran NHRA or regained control of IHRA you wouldn't believe the difference !!

I would like to meet him.
How can we get him back?
D

08-31-2016, 11:23 AM	#1
Don Sofranko Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 121 Likes: 0 Liked 128 Times in 32 Posts	The World Series move and IHRA's experiment I was wondering how it would work out for IHRA's brainiacs. If you ever had a chance to go the "World Series" event, you would know it was a party circus for the locals to come out once a year. It was like the fair, drink, camp, party, and call it good after sat night. The locals thought it was big deal, and made a yearly event out of it. They weren't even told it was just a match race, and didn't care. In a nut shell, it was just a good old match race under the lights, at Cordova Illinois. It went through the evening to late at night, and Saturday night was the big draw. You parked behind the bleachers, were allowed your own food and coolers. It had easy fan access, as you parked behind the bleachers, and were not shook down for every last dime, or parked 3 layers behind VIP amenities. It kept the track open for years and funded the overhead, until Scott Gardner and others rebuilt Cordova. Now Cordova has Musco lights, lots of paving, a few new buildings, and a much improved joint. They never equaled the world series attendance at all the IHRA National type races or the NHRA Divisional races. Midwest class racers all use this track, to test and compete. Then IHRA takes the fair to a new town, and Cordova doesn't even open on its usual 1 week before Indy race. The locals were all upset with the move. This report says what happened in the new Memphis home last weekend. Did anyone down there go? Is this report true? http://www.dragzine.com/news/the-wor...ly-falls-flat/ and this report also http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-...ing-to-nothing Last edited by Don Sofranko; 08-31-2016 at 11:38 AM. Reason: spelling

08-31-2016, 12:17 PM	#2
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,609 Likes: 1,069 Liked 7,792 Times in 1,496 Posts	Re: The World Series move and IHRA's experiment It is hard to get excited about IHRA since Bader left. They had their opportunity to get things right when they moved a few weeks ago, they should have relocated their offices next to Barnum and Bailey. B and B can truly appreciate these CLOWNS....

09-01-2016, 07:17 AM	#3
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,366 Likes: 6 Liked 70 Times in 29 Posts	Re: The World Series move and IHRA's experiment As of 7:15am this morning, there have been 53,410 views on the live from Indy thread. This one has garnered 600 views. That's about 1.12% of the views of the Indy thread. I believe that sums it up right there. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

09-01-2016, 01:09 PM	#5
XSTOCKER Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 147 Likes: 19 Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Re: The World Series move and IHRA's experiment The Bader family went out of there way to make sure your IHRA experience was better in every way. From a personal hand shake to a clean bathroom....and I even saw young Bader with a mop.

09-01-2016, 02:33 PM	#6
Brister Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: morehead city, nc Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: The World Series move and IHRA's experiment I remember going to a bracket finals and Bill Bader was welcoming EVERY racer coming through the gates. He made it a point to walk up to your tow vehicle and speak with you. It sure made an impression on me.

09-03-2016, 11:49 AM	#8
Mike Keener Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 294 Likes: 102 Liked 24 Times in 13 Posts	Re: The World Series move and IHRA's experiment Bill Bader is both a business man and a visionary all rolled in to one. When Terry Bell and I pitched the Top Stock idea to him back in 2000 he jumped all over the idea and it was an immediate Night of Fire Spectacular. He got Horsepower TV to show up for the first event, and he just flat out promoted the heck out it. Let's put it this way. If Bill Bader ever ran NHRA or regained control of IHRA you wouldn't believe the difference !! __________________ Mike Keener A/S B/S C/SM