Dear SRAC Members

Jim Wahl · 07-23-2008, 01:58 AM

Gentlemen,
As you must already know the new 128 car fastest qualifying rule the topic of much debate on the internet. The biggest problem I and many other racers have is the apparent blackout of information on how this rule came about. It has been asked dozens of times in various threads on ClassRacer.com and not one of you have come forward to speak to the situation. I do not happen to agree with the rule as it violates a 40 year tradition of NHRA Stock and Super Stock tradition. However, where this is a major concern, it is not why I felt compelled to write you. The fact that there appears to be no transparency as to the way this rule even came about is of major concern for many racers.
Gentlemen, You do not belong to a secret society. You were elected by the racers to represent all racers and their wishes. Voting on rules in what appears to be the dark is not the way to do this. No other club, business, or organization operates this way. Notes are taken and information is shared openly with the members. That is the proper way to do it. This is not an unreasonable request. Doing so will, I am sure alleviate many rumors and unneeded angst. I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Jim Wahl
2239 Stock

I sent this to each of the members. I hope we get answers. Jim

Jim Wahl · 07-23-2008, 03:46 AM

Below is a copy of an email sent to Gary Sinnett from Jim Waldo commenting on the new rule recently adopted by NHRA:

If you had a senior moment then so did I at the young age of 46. It didn't come out the way I remember it being agreed on. Gary

--- On Fri, 7/18/08, Lgwaldo2@aol.com wrote:

From: Lgwaldo2@aol.com
Subject: Re: committee secretary
To: gph.hill@insightbb.com, evan.smith@sourceinterlink.com, woodyrace@yahoo.com, jefft@southlanddodge.com, gsracing5545@yahoo.com, jimmy@calcarcover.com
Date: Friday, July 18, 2008, 11:33 PM

Greg, We have been busy racing last 10 days or so. Glad to see you volunteered for the secretary job. Did the Indy class rule change come out the way we submitted it? I thought we said if a guy raced somebody for class and won, he would be in the field. I thought we eliminated single run class winners getting in the field unless they were fast enough to qualify. That isn't the way it turned out. Have I had a senior moment?

Jim Waldo

Jim Wahl · 07-23-2008, 04:04 AM

Here is a copy of the new rule enacted by NHRA, it clearly is not what the above committee members remember being submitted!:

NHRA Technical update: Policy and procedure update
Thursday, July 10, 2008

Effective July 14, 2008, class winners in Super Stock and Stock will no longer be automatically placed into the eliminator fields. All national and divisional Super Stock and Stock eliminator fields will be based on the quickest 128 qualifiers.

Super Stock and Stock class winners

To be declared a class winner and awarded a class winner trophy and be eligible for other awards, a driver must be the winner of a class with multiple entrants or if a single-entrant class, a contestant must:

1. Have recorded a qualifying run five-tenths or more under the class index during qualifying preceding class eliminations or during the first round of class, and

2. Self-start, self-stage, and accept starter's signal in first round of eliminations. If class eliminations are cancelled for any reason (i.e., weather, curfew, etc.), class win will be awarded to the contestant recording the quickest elapsed time up to the time of cancellation. If class eliminations are cancelled after a round of eliminations, win will be awarded to the winning contestant recording the quickest elapsed time from qualifying or class eliminations up to the time of cancellation.

Jack Matyas · 07-23-2008, 06:32 AM

Interesting development on this matter...............

fredjohnston · 07-23-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

Gentlemen,
As you must already know the new 128 car fastest qualifying rule the topic of much debate on the internet. The biggest problem I and many other racers have is the apparent blackout of information on how this rule came about. It has been asked dozens of times in various threads on ClassRacer.com and not one of you have come forward to speak to the situation. I do not happen to agree with the rule as it violates a 40 year tradition of NHRA Stock and Super Stock tradition. However, where this is a major concern, it is not why I felt compelled to write you. The fact that there appears to be no transparency as to the way this rule even came about is of major concern for many racers.
Gentlemen, You do not belong to a secret society. You were elected by the racers to represent all racers and their wishes. Voting on rules in what appears to be the dark is not the way to do this. No other club, business, or organization operates this way. Notes are taken and information is shared openly with the members. That is the proper way to do it. This is not an unreasonable request. Doing so will, I am sure alleviate many rumors and unneeded angst. I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Jim Wahl
2239 Stock

I sent this to each of the members. I hope we get answers. Jim

How long are you going to beat this dead horse? The only race this could possibly impact is Indy, I don't know if I've ever seen your name on the Indy entry list. Do you plan on attending this year, is that why you keep beating this dead horse?

Mike Savelle · 07-23-2008, 07:45 AM

Fred I will second that , Amen

Alan Roehrich · 07-23-2008, 08:32 AM

It's pretty obvious what happened here. The committee intended to allow winners of CONTESTED classes in to the final eliminations. However, NHRA decided that they could not enforce the rule as it was written, most likely because of what we hear so very often on this board "It's not MY fault NOBODY ELSE races in MY class". So NHRA decided you either qualify on time or you don't. So those who whine about not being able to SINGLE for a class win are responsible for NO class winners bumping in.

REMEMBER, the committee is NOT solely responsible for the rules, or if/how they are changed. NHRA has the FINAL SAY.

So, those of you who have been on here trashing committee members owe them an apology, that is provided you are good enough to admit your error.

And after this fiasco, if no one wants to represent YOU to NHRA, for free, on their own time, and listen to you bitch, you have only yourselves to blame.

Dick Butler · 07-23-2008, 09:46 AM

Well said Alan. Not that it should be this rule but....SRAC is voluntary, unpaid and at this point known to not make rules only "advise".

Jeff Lee · 07-23-2008, 10:21 AM

So NHRA has gone full circle over the years. Starting with, you must win class to even race the eliminator to, winning class doesn't necessarily mean anything.
The fact Jim Wahl is not or may never be entered into Indy is irrelevant. The point is this is a grevious error on the part of NHRA against 40+ years of tradition brought about by those with their own agenda.
And the fact SRAC menbers are volunteers has no merit about what has or will be said for or against them. You step into such a role, you should expect no less. As our elected representatives, they owe it to us to report the minutes of the meeting so it can be publicly seen as to what transpired.
As I have said before, personal agenda's have should have no weight in any issue. Reading these post's filled with personal slam's makes it apparent this is not the case.

Bill Koski · 07-23-2008, 10:39 AM

Asking for an explanation is slamming somebody? I've seen one derogatory statement about a committee member.
How times change, in the mid 90's when I was looking at running a stocker I was advised to run the body I have now rather then what I had in mind by an NHRA official because my choice would not be very competitive and the other class had noone in it then.
At the time you did not even have to run the index to win class though you did not get on the ladder. Since then singles not only have to run the index but are required to run .50 under to win class. DISCRIMINATION???????
Trying to discriminate against a certain segment generally has unintended consequences!

07-23-2008, 01:58 AM	#1
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,843 Likes: 663 Liked 682 Times in 128 Posts	Dear SRAC Members Gentlemen, As you must already know the new 128 car fastest qualifying rule the topic of much debate on the internet. The biggest problem I and many other racers have is the apparent blackout of information on how this rule came about. It has been asked dozens of times in various threads on ClassRacer.com and not one of you have come forward to speak to the situation. I do not happen to agree with the rule as it violates a 40 year tradition of NHRA Stock and Super Stock tradition. However, where this is a major concern, it is not why I felt compelled to write you. The fact that there appears to be no transparency as to the way this rule even came about is of major concern for many racers. Gentlemen, You do not belong to a secret society. You were elected by the racers to represent all racers and their wishes. Voting on rules in what appears to be the dark is not the way to do this. No other club, business, or organization operates this way. Notes are taken and information is shared openly with the members. That is the proper way to do it. This is not an unreasonable request. Doing so will, I am sure alleviate many rumors and unneeded angst. I look forward to your response. Thank you, Jim Wahl 2239 Stock I sent this to each of the members. I hope we get answers. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

07-23-2008, 03:46 AM	#2
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,843 Likes: 663 Liked 682 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members Below is a copy of an email sent to Gary Sinnett from Jim Waldo commenting on the new rule recently adopted by NHRA: If you had a senior moment then so did I at the young age of 46. It didn't come out the way I remember it being agreed on. Gary --- On Fri, 7/18/08, Lgwaldo2@aol.com wrote: From: Lgwaldo2@aol.com Subject: Re: committee secretary To: gph.hill@insightbb.com, evan.smith@sourceinterlink.com, woodyrace@yahoo.com, jefft@southlanddodge.com, gsracing5545@yahoo.com, jimmy@calcarcover.com Date: Friday, July 18, 2008, 11:33 PM Greg, We have been busy racing last 10 days or so. Glad to see you volunteered for the secretary job. Did the Indy class rule change come out the way we submitted it? I thought we said if a guy raced somebody for class and won, he would be in the field. I thought we eliminated single run class winners getting in the field unless they were fast enough to qualify. That isn't the way it turned out. Have I had a senior moment? Jim Waldo __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

07-23-2008, 04:04 AM	#3
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,843 Likes: 663 Liked 682 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members Here is a copy of the new rule enacted by NHRA, it clearly is not what the above committee members remember being submitted!: NHRA Technical update: Policy and procedure update Thursday, July 10, 2008 Effective July 14, 2008, class winners in Super Stock and Stock will no longer be automatically placed into the eliminator fields. All national and divisional Super Stock and Stock eliminator fields will be based on the quickest 128 qualifiers. Super Stock and Stock class winners To be declared a class winner and awarded a class winner trophy and be eligible for other awards, a driver must be the winner of a class with multiple entrants or if a single-entrant class, a contestant must: 1. Have recorded a qualifying run five-tenths or more under the class index during qualifying preceding class eliminations or during the first round of class, and 2. Self-start, self-stage, and accept starter's signal in first round of eliminations. If class eliminations are cancelled for any reason (i.e., weather, curfew, etc.), class win will be awarded to the contestant recording the quickest elapsed time up to the time of cancellation. If class eliminations are cancelled after a round of eliminations, win will be awarded to the winning contestant recording the quickest elapsed time from qualifying or class eliminations up to the time of cancellation. __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

07-23-2008, 06:32 AM	#4
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,900 Likes: 401 Liked 1,847 Times in 377 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members Interesting development on this matter............... __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

07-23-2008, 07:45 AM	#6
Mike Savelle Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 369 Likes: 125 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members Fred I will second that , Amen

07-23-2008, 08:32 AM	#7
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1,487 Liked 1,630 Times in 378 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members It's pretty obvious what happened here. The committee intended to allow winners of CONTESTED classes in to the final eliminations. However, NHRA decided that they could not enforce the rule as it was written, most likely because of what we hear so very often on this board "It's not MY fault NOBODY ELSE races in MY class". So NHRA decided you either qualify on time or you don't. So those who whine about not being able to SINGLE for a class win are responsible for NO class winners bumping in. REMEMBER, the committee is NOT solely responsible for the rules, or if/how they are changed. NHRA has the FINAL SAY. So, those of you who have been on here trashing committee members owe them an apology, that is provided you are good enough to admit your error. And after this fiasco, if no one wants to represent YOU to NHRA, for free, on their own time, and listen to you bitch, you have only yourselves to blame. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

07-23-2008, 09:46 AM	#8
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members Well said Alan. Not that it should be this rule but....SRAC is voluntary, unpaid and at this point known to not make rules only "advise".

07-23-2008, 10:21 AM	#9
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members So NHRA has gone full circle over the years. Starting with, you must win class to even race the eliminator to, winning class doesn't necessarily mean anything. The fact Jim Wahl is not or may never be entered into Indy is irrelevant. The point is this is a grevious error on the part of NHRA against 40+ years of tradition brought about by those with their own agenda. And the fact SRAC menbers are volunteers has no merit about what has or will be said for or against them. You step into such a role, you should expect no less. As our elected representatives, they owe it to us to report the minutes of the meeting so it can be publicly seen as to what transpired. As I have said before, personal agenda's have should have no weight in any issue. Reading these post's filled with personal slam's makes it apparent this is not the case. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

07-23-2008, 10:39 AM	#10
Bill Koski Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 213 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dear SRAC Members Asking for an explanation is slamming somebody? I've seen one derogatory statement about a committee member. How times change, in the mid 90's when I was looking at running a stocker I was advised to run the body I have now rather then what I had in mind by an NHRA official because my choice would not be very competitive and the other class had noone in it then. At the time you did not even have to run the index to win class though you did not get on the ladder. Since then singles not only have to run the index but are required to run .50 under to win class. DISCRIMINATION??????? Trying to discriminate against a certain segment generally has unintended consequences!