The end of class racing....again...

[CMcAllister]

I don't really agree with the notion that class racing is dying. At least not anymore so than other types of drag racing, save for the street outlaw, no prep, no time, drag radial, Pro Mod stuff. At least in this part of the country.

Eight grade points to get into most national events. 130 and over 100 cars respectively at the Dutch. And the notion that every one involved has gray hair? Plenty do. But I see plenty of younger and young people involved in the lanes as well.

Granted, it's not easy or cheap. It's not for the guy who wants to drag his stuff out Saturday morning, go to the track, get done and get home Saturday night, and leave it sit until next Saturday. It's not for the guy who wants a minimum of rules to pay attention to.

Too many people eat and sleep this stuff to declare it dead.

NHRA could do a lot to increase car counts as well, if they wanted to. Increase the payout beyond the humiliating levels they are now. Revive the contingency program and reduce the costs for companies to participate. Open the Big Shows to more cars.

[1320racer]

who is in the white house has nothing to do with class racing as we know it dying.

[1matcoman]

Originally Posted by CMcAllister

NHRA could do a lot to increase car counts as well, if they wanted to. Increase the payout beyond the humiliating levels they are now. Revive the contingency program and reduce the costs for companies to participate. Open the Big Shows to more cars.

Quit making sense.

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by CMcAllister

"It's the economy, stupid." James Carville

As with many hobbies and avocations, the economy and disposable incomes has a lot to do with who participates and at what level.

We've been stuck in the mud for the past 4 years. I see attitudes, outlooks and reasons to be optimistic getting better every day. I see people with that "let's roll up our sleeves and get busy now" frame of mind.

I'd like to think fuel will come down and travel not be so expensive. Inflation not be such a killer to budgets. Business pick up.

Now that we know what the next few years won't be, we can be optimistic about what they will be.

As we get into 2025, I think people will feel more able to spend some money, get cars back out, and get out of that bunker mentality. When things get tight and uncertain, often parking the race car is the first thing that happens for many people.

A lot of this does impact all forms of discretionary spending such as our racing and class racing in general. Inflation is a direct impact, but equally impactful is over regulation (or agencies writing their own regulations).

This was thankfully slapped down with the recent Chevron deference reversal. In simple terms, the EPA was writing the regulations when it is the job of congress to do that. The EPA is the enforcement arm under the Executive branch. They cannot write legislation and enforce it which was what they were doing more or less.

Fortunately the RPM Act never proceeded which would have included race cars which the EPA Act specifically excluded. The RPM Act would have included them. That would definitely been headwinds for our collective interests.

Who we vote for is somewhat like the butterfly effect. Good and bad.

[Jack McCarthy]

simply stated it aint as much fun as it used to be
nhra enhancements costs me more for less fun

getting too old to race by myself, so my days are numbered

damn car won t slow down so i can quit

capt

[goinbroke2]

Since drag racing is an "entertainment" or "hobby" to 99% of us we focus on the economy and OUR interests. However, my wife has her pilots license and is involved with "fly NS" or whatever it's called. Guess what? It's "discretionary" funds that are spent in the flying hobby too. Guess what everyone in the hanger or canteen is talking about? How expensive it is for landing fees, gas, rental hours, all have gone up and "the writing is on the wall for small planes"....sound familiar???

Ever talk to the guys running mud trucks in competition? We have "thunder in the valley" here and one of the biggest 460 guys who builds engines for them goes on about how there is "might be the last year, not sure how much longer it'll be running". Of course he's said that for 8 years I've lived here........

The only way ANYTHING "goes away" is if the people who enjoy it stop doing it. Period. Can't afford it? Broke everything so it'll take a year or two to get back? Getting to old to spend weekends at the track working on stuff?
Lots of potential reasons, but all are a moot point if there is anyone with a desire and do not fall into one of the aforementioned scenarios.

Love it? Yup! Can afford it? Yup....it won't die.


Or you can not race but **** on everyone who does, and enjoys it. Imagine going on a flying forum and tell them (as a non pilot) that all their small engine craft are all gone, done, nobody will be flying in 5 years... what do you think the response from those who are actively flying would be??????

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by goinbroke2

The only way ANYTHING "goes away" is if the people who enjoy it stop doing it. Period.

NOT true!

The way this hobby goes away is by death, both of the participants, racers and staff that work these events and car culture which has already died with late Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

You can't deny the inevitable.

[Greg Gay]

I'm sure that in 1924 someone else calling himself 1320racer was writing letters to his friends predicting the demise of quarter horse racing . . .

[Cotten]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

NOT true!

The way this hobby goes away is by death, both of the participants, racers and staff that work these events and car culture which has already died with late Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

You can't deny the inevitable.

You know I can't argue with your logic. What bothers me, just a little, is the feeling I get that you enjoy reciting it over and over..... and over.

[1320racer]

Of course you can’t and I do

I’m a realist, nothing last forever.