A subject for discussion on a winter's day.

B Parker · 02-11-2019, 02:13 PM

In the last several years I've seen a lot of new positions at NHRA. Not sure how many VP's they have but it seems like every few months there's another one. How about if they were to hire someone that would actually go out and promote the sportsman classes. We are one of the greatest car shows on earth. If they stay with the current model of (DO NOTHING) for us this side of the sport will eventually die.

It's sad most of us are just a bunch of Sheep. We would have a real impact if we could just come together as a group. Even the Pro's can't stick together. Just look at Pro Stock. Wait in a few years when the fuel cars can't field a full sixteen at most races. Can we say combine Top fuel and Funny car and have only one payout. A lot of us own businesses. Could you imagine treating your paying customers like this. Sorry I'm only going to let 50 in today. We don't really need you. Yah I know you helped me build this business but that was yesterday.

Almost all of the grass root NHRA workers that we see at the events are great guys and girls and do a great job. The ones at the top don't seem to really get this sport or have a consistent direction. Maybe they do. It's whoever has the biggest dollar today. But in the end you can only burn so many before it catches up to you. And I wouldn't want any of them to touch me. They seem to slowly kill off anything that doesn't fit their current agenda.
BP

Rory McNeil · 02-11-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Parker

Even the Pro's can't stick together. Just look at Pro Stock. Wait in a few years when the fuel cars can't field a full sixteen at most races. Can we say combine Top fuel and Funny car and have only one payout. A lot of us own businesses. Could you imagine treating your paying customers like this. Sorry I'm only going to let 50 in today. We don't really need you. Yah I know you helped me build this business but that was yesterday.

BP

Funny thing is that NHRA reduced the amount of races this year that will have Pro Stockers in competition, yet at Pomona, Pro Stock was the only "PRO" category that had a full field, even had a couple of alternates. By comparison, neither Top Fuel nor Funny Car were even close to having 16 cars each. But I suppose NHRA considers the Nitro cars as untouchable prima donas, so they are immune from such tactics.

Lenny5160 · 02-11-2019, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

Funny thing is that NHRA reduced the amount of races this year that will have Pro Stockers in competition, yet at Pomona, Pro Stock was the only "PRO" category that had a full field, even had a couple of alternates. By comparison, neither Top Fuel nor Funny Car were even close to having 16 cars each.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story!

Mike Jones · 02-11-2019, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Parker

It's sad most of us are just a bunch of Sheep. We would have a real impact if we could just come together as a group. BP

...But why shell out money (that could go to salaries and bonuses) if you could get something for the fans to watch - and not just for free, the performers would pay YOU. So yes, they need the sportsman racer but sadly, not in the way any of us want.
Dan Bennett

Mike A114

HR9121 · 02-11-2019, 07:48 PM

I think they need the sportsman racers now more than ever. With sponsorship money dwindling up and motorsports in general not as big of a draw as it was 20 years ago they need our money more than ever.

Billy Nees · 02-12-2019, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HR9121

they need our money more than ever.

Cooter, there is no doubt in my mind that they do! BUT, why do we continue to support an organization whose B-O-D can't relate to what it is that we are doing? To the best of my knowledge (OK,OK, calm down) with Light leaving there is no-one on the Board who has ever raced.
I believe that Compton would have been doing us a favor by separating us into two totally different entities. I think that could have been our golden opportunity.

1320racer · 02-12-2019, 09:25 AM

the world changed, our country changed so why is it shocking to some that drag racing has changed. It was always about the Benjamin's. Drag racing nor our country is going back to what it was 10 years ago no mind 50 years ago and that should be obvious to all by now. Motorsports is on life support. Enjoy what time it and you have left and stop complaining.

Billy Nees · 02-12-2019, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1320racer

It was always about the Benjamin's.
Enjoy what time it and you have left and stop complaining.

Ed, you must have just read Tony Schumacher's article on Competition Plus.
I can assure you that I have every intention of enjoying every bit of the time that I have left! And just like you, when I'm not racing I enjoy complaining.

1320racer · 02-12-2019, 10:13 AM

Billy, I did not and I don't enjoy complaining. I live in the greatest country on earth, I've had a great life because of the opportunities available to all in the country, I've got a great family thanks to my wife of 34 years, I've been racing nearly every weekend from April thru November for almost 3 decades and for the last 13 years with my son thanks to Wally's and Vinny Napp's vision and all those in the NHRA that continue to see it through year after year. It's all good!!

02-11-2019, 02:13 PM	#1
B Parker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 854 Likes: 1,003 Liked 2,358 Times in 467 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. In the last several years I've seen a lot of new positions at NHRA. Not sure how many VP's they have but it seems like every few months there's another one. How about if they were to hire someone that would actually go out and promote the sportsman classes. We are one of the greatest car shows on earth. If they stay with the current model of (DO NOTHING) for us this side of the sport will eventually die. It's sad most of us are just a bunch of Sheep. We would have a real impact if we could just come together as a group. Even the Pro's can't stick together. Just look at Pro Stock. Wait in a few years when the fuel cars can't field a full sixteen at most races. Can we say combine Top fuel and Funny car and have only one payout. A lot of us own businesses. Could you imagine treating your paying customers like this. Sorry I'm only going to let 50 in today. We don't really need you. Yah I know you helped me build this business but that was yesterday. Almost all of the grass root NHRA workers that we see at the events are great guys and girls and do a great job. The ones at the top don't seem to really get this sport or have a consistent direction. Maybe they do. It's whoever has the biggest dollar today. But in the end you can only burn so many before it catches up to you. And I wouldn't want any of them to touch me. They seem to slowly kill off anything that doesn't fit their current agenda. BP Last edited by B Parker; 02-11-2019 at 02:21 PM.

02-11-2019, 07:48 PM	#5
HR9121 Live Reporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 3,467 Likes: 146 Liked 3,363 Times in 731 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. I think they need the sportsman racers now more than ever. With sponsorship money dwindling up and motorsports in general not as big of a draw as it was 20 years ago they need our money more than ever. __________________ James Williamson W200 J/SA. SS/JA

02-12-2019, 09:25 AM	#7
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. the world changed, our country changed so why is it shocking to some that drag racing has changed. It was always about the Benjamin's. Drag racing nor our country is going back to what it was 10 years ago no mind 50 years ago and that should be obvious to all by now. Motorsports is on life support. Enjoy what time it and you have left and stop complaining.

02-12-2019, 10:13 AM	#9
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: A subject for discussion on a winter's day. Billy, I did not and I don't enjoy complaining. I live in the greatest country on earth, I've had a great life because of the opportunities available to all in the country, I've got a great family thanks to my wife of 34 years, I've been racing nearly every weekend from April thru November for almost 3 decades and for the last 13 years with my son thanks to Wally's and Vinny Napp's vision and all those in the NHRA that continue to see it through year after year. It's all good!!