if wally was'nt dead this woulda killed him

[Torque addict]

Originally Posted by Tony Janes

Steve it is just another race

To say the the US NATIONALS (Nvm the other corporate names NHRA has whored upon it recently) is "just Another Race" is your opinion which I respect. I also have one to share.

I guess going to Indy for you is like saying that:

- Mt. Everest is "just another hill"
- The Grand Canyon is "just another ditch"
- The Stanely Cup Playoffs are "just another pond hockey game"
- and...Traci Lords was "just another aspiring teen actress".

The original concept of the NHRA was to remove street racing on a national level (thus the Safety Safari) and set a national standard SO YOU could race against other cars locally heads up or with a handicap system. You also had the chance to compare yourself against similar combinations nationally and even try to set a national record at regional races. Therefore, if you had a hot stocker from Nebraska or California or Ohio or Ontario you could see their records and get ready to compete with the same set of rules against the nation's (world's) best at INDY.
The choice of Indy was due to a central location to facilitate competition for the little guy and even the playing field for those who had a chance of competing to be the BEST.

The "BIG GO" at Indy provided this opportunity and venue.

The idea was INCLUSION of everyone and their combos, no matter how diverse, so if you desired you could race and PROVE you had the hottest 6 cylinder ride (as an example) in the nation.
Then you could compete with handicapping against the V8 and big HP guys to become "Top Eliminator".
EARNING that Class win and the title held weight and bragging rights that people had respect for.

If there were NO CLASSES then Top Fuellers would dominate and everyone else could stay home, who wants to see a 8 second hemi SS car when you can see a 4 second digger?
THAT is the premise of classes, a place for everyone wanting to race.

Has NHRA sunk to the level that ALL that matters is the almighty buck and corporate sponsors?

Indy is the MECCA of Drag Racing on an international scale and in spite of NHRA's recent screw ups we have to let it be known that the original concept of Drag Racing still has value.

You should have the pride MANY racers have had over the years to paint on your fender "NHRA Record Holder" or "US Nationals Class Winner". This showed you worked hard on your specific combination and earned something of value on a national level and did not just luck out at some big buck bracket bash.
If we lose sight of that respect and pride, well I guess we deserve what we get...

If you really care, SPEAK OUT to the NHRA management, the racing media, get your sponsors involved and most of all voice YOUR opinion Loud and Proud.

I think you know where I stand on the issue.
Then again, I would also like NOT to see Funny Cars as rolling corporate billboards and have REAL NAMES on their sides, I want to see AA/FA'a running in competition and maybe a Mod Prod car or a dual engine Top Gas car making a pass....
Be silent my friends on losing classes and class winners NOT being in the eliminator and Stock & SuperStock will become "all run", then have class numbers reduced and consolidated, then be a mere footnote in drag racing history when it gets axed.

You do not thing so?? As anyone who used to campaign a car in any of the aforementioned classes ...


Think about it.

INDY is NOT "just another race". It is THE Race.
Classes matter and Class wins and winners matter.



Thanks;
Derek