Interesting Comments from David Rampy

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

That's exactly the kind of treatment that's been getting worse every year. It takes the fun out of it sometimes. I remember the days that we barely had enough room in the motorhome to put all the stuff that NHRA national events gave us. Anyone remember the blue Powerade coolers that were full of stuff? Or how the divsionals used to sponsor cookouts for the racers? I believe one year at Numedia when they used to have D-1 divisionals there, they had semi-pro wrestlers show up, after a crew of guys built a wrestling ring between the stands and the guardrail at the 330' just to entertain the racers. NONE of that stuff exists anymore.


- James Fontana
SS/STK 1230

Damn we missed out. Dad said he used to get oil, spark plugs, etc. when he ran the Keystones and Etown back in '90-91. We didn't race again until 2009. I'm hoping that since I read TV ratings and viewership went up so much this year that maybe just maybe more contingency sponsors might step in if NHRA doesn't fleece the **** out of them.

[69ss/rs]

That's why I stopped over 10 yrs ago. The fees where going up and at the national events they were starting to rushing you in an rushing you out. I can remember back in the mid to late 80's when you had to buy tickets in advance to go to Maple Grove points race, cause of the crowds. An yes I remember the first thing that you did when you got parked at a National event was to go to whatever oil company that was the sponsor, for your case of oil and go over to get your pack of spark plugs. You got 4, count them 4 time runs. The fees went up and the services went down. As a businessman I thought that if you are successful than you stick with what got you to that point, but you also have to be able to adapt to your changing environment or you won't be in business for long. This is something that NHRA needs to learn. Most of the young people I have talked to don't watch class racing, because they don't understand the rules and aren't willing to learn; when they can just go watch heads-up racing pretty much anywhere.

[SS/1230]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

Damn we missed out. Dad said he used to get oil, spark plugs, etc. when he ran the Keystones and Etown back in '90-91. We didn't race again until 2009. I'm hoping that since I read TV ratings and viewership went up so much this year that maybe just maybe more contingency sponsors might step in if NHRA doesn't fleece the **** out of them.

Those were the days. I hope for our sake Bobby, that it improves, or NHRA is going to end up in the toilet.

- James Fontana
SS/STK 1230

[Mike Pearson]

Its sad to see our sport in decline. My observation is that the TV coverage is doing absolutely nothing to improve our sport. Back in the hey day of drag racing there was no TV coverage and the stands were packed full and there were lots of race cars both pro and sportsman. Now NHRA has decided to severely cut back on the number of sportsman entries at the nationals and pretty much do away with tech for the sportsman categories. All of these actions are for the TV coverage of the pros. The pro classes are almost dead now but the heads cant see that. I really don't see that the path is going in the right direction. I had some hope when Peter Clifford took over but we went from the frying pan to the fire with him. He doesn't have a clue.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

I had some hope when Peter Clifford took over but we went from the frying pan to the fire with him. He doesn't have a clue.

I met and spoke with him in Pomona last year. I made the comment then that"he is going to make Compton look good!". My thoughts on the subject haven't changed.

[boostedf22c]

Originally Posted by Fireofficer5

A lot of the younger generation races the import races.

Exactly. And there are a ton really nice, fast cars.

If NHRA made a few classes for them, and gave it a chance, they'd pull in an entirely different genre of cars and fans.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by boostedf22c

Exactly. And there are a ton really nice, fast cars.

If NHRA made a few classes for them, and gave it a chance, they'd pull in an entirely different genre of cars and fans.

Appreciate your comment Cary, and while your car created a lot of interest when it first appeared at Indy the ensuing hassles with NHRA are probably indicative of just how receptive they would be to trying to again build a following with that segment. Do you think 'traditional' class racers would welcome more classes while Stock and SS quotas keep shrinking? Also wonder where the 'tech-less' direction (=cut qualified staff) would fit in with new classes. Think the import racers would put up with the hassle of running NHRA when they can attend so many Import Races that fill the stands? Afraid NHRA has completely drank the DSR/JFR/COPO/CJ kool-aide and they will probably ride that horse into the ground meanwhile giving lip-service to Class Racing, Comp and Pro Stock.

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by boostedf22c

Exactly. And there are a ton really nice, fast cars.

If NHRA made a few classes for them, and gave it a chance, they'd pull in an entirely different genre of cars and fans.

I seem to recall NHRA did just that a few years ago, with the NOPI series. Between very few race cars in each class, with drastic spans between qualifying positions, constant breakage, no shows, and singles, very few "races" had many runs with 2 cars running together, even fewer where the 2 cars ran within 20 feet of each other.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

Damn we missed out. Dad said he used to get oil, spark plugs, etc. when he ran the Keystones and Etown back in '90-91. We didn't race again until 2009. I'm hoping that since I read TV ratings and viewership went up so much this year that maybe just maybe more contingency sponsors might step in if NHRA doesn't fleece the **** out of them.

We used to get stuff like that at all national events. I used to use Penzoil, the rep (very nice gentleman) used to bring a case of oil by at every race. 24qt cases of oil. Free ACCEL spark plugs, and Fram filters. First day was making the rounds, loading up. Never asked, given to us.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Its sad to see our sport in decline. My observation is that the TV coverage is doing absolutely nothing to improve our sport. Back in the hey day of drag racing there was no TV coverage and the stands were packed full and there were lots of race cars both pro and sportsman. Now NHRA has decided to severely cut back on the number of sportsman entries at the nationals and pretty much do away with tech for the sportsman categories. All of these actions are for the TV coverage of the pros. The pro classes are almost dead now but the heads cant see that. I really don't see that the path is going in the right direction. I had some hope when Peter Clifford took over but we went from the frying pan to the fire with him. He doesn't have a clue.

Interesting observations Mike, but its easy to see why NHRA has regressed...no board members or bean counters ever raced....they haven't a clue.....