A subject for discussion on a winter's day.

[1320racer]

Nobody craps on me. Please show me how the NHRA is crapping on me or you for that matter. I pay my entry fee and they provide me with a parking spot, tech/safety inspection in an attempt to keep all honest and safe, a race track that has been inspected and prepared, staff to keep the event organized and moving and finally and most important, a chance to win a Wally and prize money. Bonus is if I attend all my divisions events and accumulate more round wins than my competitors, I get a big Wally, a gold card and more $. So tell me again how the NHRA is crapping on me.

[Dave Turner]

Originally Posted by Tim H

Was there not a "Classracer "event held a few years ago ? where was it contested and might there ever be another one ?

Tim, the event(s) you refer to is the “Northern Class Nationals” that Michael Beard, partner Anthony Walton, and a supporting cast held at National Trails in 2014/15. Participation was far below expectation, given the central location and purse. Mr. Beard & company won’t repeat the effort. My short run in this fraternity has brought me to the conclusion that, despite all the apparent disgust with the NHRA, the majority of our community are not likely to run out of reasons why alternative hosts are second rate.

[B Parker]

I didn't really expect you to get it. That's why your happy racing the way you do. Good for you. Not a dig against you. But as you can see by reading most of the posts over the last several years most aren't happy with the way we get treated. The easy answer would be to quit. But as most drug addicts know it's not that easy. BP

[1320racer]

I didn't really expect you to tell me how the NHRA is crapping on me because you can't. All I see is a bunch of old men over the last several years here who aren't happy largely because they are no longer competitive because of $ or eroded skills complaining. My advice is take the easy out and quit, no one is forcing you to show up!

Again, As I said in my opening comments..."Motorsports is on life support. Enjoy what time it and you have left and stop complaining."

[B Parker]

Ed, You apparently didn't read my whole post. There were several examples how they have been screwing racers and sponsors. I have never seen you in a stocker nor super stocker. So I'm not sure you really can understand this. Not sure why you brought up age but it has nothing to do with how NHRA has treated their paying customers. I could write several pages but I'll give you just a few examples. If you get it great. if you don't. I don't really care. In 1999 I won the Virginia Nationals in Stock. I ended up with 12 thousand and that big wally that means so much to you. Win that race today 10 years later and at a cost of another 100 to enter and you will be lucky to get 6 thousand. A few years back when they started to lower entrance levels in the sportsman categories at National Events. We were told by their reps they wanted us to support the divisional races. This year at the Gator's racers with a grade of 6 didn't have a chance to get in. Tec you apparently have not been to a National Event. There is no tec!!! Prepped track. Again you don't race stock. Nor could you be watching at many of the Nationals. Track prep can be really good one round and turn to crap in another one. I've watched several stockers go down the track in one lane blowing the tires away. Sometimes the crew will stop and try to fix it and other times they just keep on running them. Your from NJ. Did you go to E-Town Nationals a couple of years ago. The traction was so bad Barton stopped his car on the track and got out. Do you know any of the sponsors that used to support racing. I do. NHRA and their greed chased them and many more away. I could keep on going on but no thanks especially with you. And taking advise from you. Really Ed you would be one of the last persons on earth I would take advice from. One thing we have in common is that we both love to race. And yes we are lucky to still be doing this but I as a paying customer expect more and don't mind being vocal about it at any age. So to end this back and forth I will agree that we disagree. If your at a race this year and I'm there come by and we can continue this conversation. Barry

[Tony Fagnilli]

The NHRA treats me just fine. I love going to their races. Are there some things that they might be able to do better, for sure. But, as long as they're around, I'll be racing with them.

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

I wonder if class at the "Little Gators" is a feeler gauge towards that split?

I don’t really care if the class run offs are at a National or a points meet. I like running class. I actually see that as a positive step. I would hate to see all class runoffs go away from the nationals, but if they added more class optional races at points meets, I think that would be a plus. I would pay to run class. Especially if that helped pay for the Class eliminations and maybe even a tech inspector to tear down a person or two.

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Yes I'm old, older than some here not as old as others. What I'm not is living in the past longing for the good old days of the NHRA. The good old days are right now! I live in the present, adapt to change and play the game. I'm having a great time racing with my son. I don't care about fans, clearly don't care about payouts what I care about is WINNING that is the reason why we do this.

Nothing wrong with this statement and yes there are some that want things the way they were. However, I believe the context of the conversation is really about the performance classes that are more diffficult to administer and certainly add different nuances to the game then the non performance classes, it is easier and cheaper for NHRA to hold the non performance classes so the bean counters prefer that.

They are not trying to squeeze out the bracket classes 1320, so of course you feel good.

1320, no question that you should be proud of what you and your son have accomplished, but I don’t think it fits in the conversation. When you start entering stock or superstock, it might feel a bit different.

I love NHRA racing and will continue to support things that can make it better, it is just a shame that they don’t look for solutions that include us very often. I do see the D2 Director, making a consistent effort to support us, and that is a bright spot. I am sure there are more doing the same. It does not seem that the upper level execs have the view of what the performance classes are and why the people that race in them are motivated in a different way than many non performance class racers are. It does not make either type of racer wrong at all, it is just a difference that NHRA execs don’t seem to understand. Now that lack of understanding is hurting the pro program as well as the sportsman program,

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by B Parker

In 1999 I won the Virginia Nationals in Stock.

20 years ago, I'm not surprised. Old guy living in the past who hasn't won in 2 decades and we're back to the $, nuff said.

Barry, FYI, I've had multiple opportunies to purchase a new COPO, one day I'll be in the stock lanes. I ain't skeered!

Originally Posted by Tony Fagnilli

The NHRA treats me just fine. I love going to their races. Are there some things that they might be able to do better, for sure. But, as long as they're around, I'll be racing with them.

like me, this old guy is having a great time racing with the NHRA.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Nobody craps on me.

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Ya know Ed, looking at the picture of you and your son, your wife must be a really good looking woman!