If an advocate could be found - what would you say?

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

However, I get what you are saying here but you'd be crazy to think that the contingency sponsors and NHRA don't have some kind of contract that NHRA benefits from.

NHRA definitely has a hand in the contingency cookie jar, which has driven away companies that would otherwise participate. There are several companies that run independent contingency programs for this reason. I am sure (yes, Ed, I'm assuming; not fact) that other companies have just thrown up their hands and walked away from the idea.

I'm still baffled that you're upset about losing 5th round and 'only' getting 5th round loser money. "If the quotas were higher, I would have lost at 8 cars and still received 5th round loser money!"

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

Pretty clear I don't do it for the money..do any of us (other than the few full time sportsman)?

I don't and my friends don't and that's my point. Sure it would be nice to race for more $, everyone wants more $ but the fact is we don't race for $ and unless you win or runner up most everyone is leaving the event with less in their wallet then they had days earlier when they paid to enter.

I specifically looked on DRC to prove my point.... **Epping 235 cars.**

I didn't check but I was there and we won It was the last race in D1 and no surprise the car count was lower. Many aren't going to travel to the last race if they are not in the running to finish in the top 10.

I'm definitely not a boycott'er... and I don't push my opinions on other people. But I do talk to a lot of racers with the same feelings as me, that still show up to all 6 divisionals. So your point is made that I couldn't get 100 racers to boycott, but I could absolutely get you 100 racers (probably more) that are currently unhappy about the same things and think NHRA screws the sportsman.. is that a fair compromise?

I don't know how many are unhappy, it never comes up in conversation with my friends and competitors. It's not the reason I travel hundreds of miles and pay my $ and it's not their's either. But I'll say again to those that are unhappy, quit and start being happy, life is too short. I'm having a great time doing this with my son. Don't know how much longer he's going to want to do this. I take it one season at a time. Hell don't know how much longer I'll be here, none of us do.

I see you're from NJ, try moving to Long Island and tell me you still want to go to 6 divisionals...ha

I would still go to all the divisionals and a few out of division as we did this past season, competing at Silver Dollar in Reynolds, Georgia and Rockingham Dragway, NC. BTW, I work in NYC, live in north jersey and all the D1 divisional races are 3-7 hours from my house.

At least our chat is getting shorter with each thread lol...

seems to be.

[SS/1230]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

NHRA definitely has a hand in the contingency cookie jar, which has driven away companies that would otherwise participate. There are several companies that run independent contingency programs for this reason. I am sure (yes, Ed, I'm assuming; not fact) that other companies have just thrown up their hands and walked away from the idea.

I'm still baffled that you're upset about losing 5th round and 'only' getting 5th round loser money. "If the quotas were higher, I would have lost at 8 cars and still received 5th round loser money!"

If you make it to the Semi in a 6 round race its 5th round loss money... not semi finalist. If you make it to the semi in a 7 round race its 6th round/Semi money (more $)... by creating smaller fields the payout is less, only thing that remains the same in winner and R/U.. its NHRA's version of nickle and dime'ing.

I wasn't upset... its the principle of making the quota 65 cars just so they can pay us less money. Yet when fields are smaller, the payouts are less and the entry remains the same.
*The max in SS is 80 cars, so it would never be an 8 round race at a National.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

I wasn't upset... its the principle of making the quota 65 cars just so they can pay us less money.

again, that's your assumption, not a fact.

[SS/1230]

BTW, I work in NYC, live in north jersey and all the D1 divisional races are 3-7 hours from my house.[/QUOTE]

I meant towing... Working is one thing, you have to go to work, and I doubt you take your rig to the city everyday.. It normally takes me 3 hours with the trailer just to get to the Verrazzano Bridge from Oceanside (29 Miles).. lol Used to take me almost 4 hours to get to Englishtown on a Thursday.. and that was only 65 miles.. so I feel your pain, but in a different way.

[SS/1230]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

again, that's your assumption, not a fact.

Well doesn't seem like it... I won the 2014 Summernationals at E-town in SS and it was an 80 car field. every year following it was 65 cars until the track closed. And the year I won it started at 65, but D-1 begged to up the quota and they changed it the last week because racers were complaining they couldnt get in. Keystones too... doesn't seem like a fluke to me... that's all I'm trying to say.

No way to prove its a fact, NHRA would never admit to doing that.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

I meant towing... Working is one thing, you have to go to work, and I doubt you take your rig to the city everyday.. It normally takes me 3 hours with the trailer just to get to the Verrazzano Bridge from Oceanside (29 Miles).. lol Used to take me almost 4 hours to get to Englishtown on a Thursday.. and that was only 65 miles.. so I feel your pain, but in a different way.

I have taken my trailer to Kennedy airport in years past so I could leave right from work. I'm a racer and will do what has to be done.

I don't need an advocate, I can speak for myself.

That said, lets talk about what we do like about NHRA Sportsman Racing.

For me, my comparison is to bracket racing...

1. I like the professional vibe
2. I like the quality of the cars
3. I like that an official is actually looking over/teching every car, at least for the minimum safety requirements
4. I like that the daily program is typically done around dinner time.
5. I like that we aren't racing every week
6. I like that we are competing for a Wally, the most coveted award in the NHRA from day one
7. I like that we are racing in a points series for a championship
8. I like that my son enjoys class racing.
9. I like winning

That said, what could they do better?
1. track prep
2. consistent rollout at every track and use the same tree at every event
3. parking

[FED 387]

Well we have had over 150 posts concerning the original post. There have been many excellent posts. Many of the repliers are content with the way the current NHRA racing is going, a few feel that some tweaking is in order while others think a wholesale overhaul of the current structure is needed. As we have seen a few racers are quite passionate in their position and have stated that they are quite upset that others cannot understand their position on the subject. That's fine but it brings us back to the original point of this question which I understand is" a major sponsor is seeking information on how/if to "possibly" seek changes that would benefit the larger majority of racers in Stock and Super Stock"

I think the discussion has deviated from the original posters intent and either needs to be put to bed or try to stick to the original question.

For the record I have been a NHRA/IHRA member since the late 1960's. I have been both a driver and a car owner. I have competed/been involved in Stock/Super Stock/Modified Eliminator/Competition Eliminator classes. I agree many changes have been made, changes could be made and changes that need to be made. Quit the petty bickering and for those who keep expressing their personal opinion "I get it" I maybe do or don't agree 100% with you but I have listened to you and as I said its time to take a breath and let it rest for a minute.

MY 2 CENTS !!!
FED 387

[SS/1230]

Originally Posted by FED 387

Well we have had 150 posts concerning the original post. There have been many excellent posts. Many of the repliers are content with the way the current NHRA racing is going, a few feel that some tweaking is in order while others think a wholesale overhaul of the current structure is needed. As we have seen a few racers are quite passionate in their position and have stated that they are quite upset that others cannot understand their position on the subject. That's fine but it brings us back to the original point of this question which I understand is" a major sponsor is seeking information on how/if to "possibly" seek changes that would benefit the larger majority of racers in Stock and Super Stock"

I think the discussion has deviated from the original posters intent and either needs to be put to bed or try to stick to the original question.

For the record I have been a NHRA/IHRA member since the late 1960's. I have been both a driver and a car owner. I have competed/been involved in Stock/Super Stock/Modified Eliminator/Competition Eliminator classes. I agree many changes have been made, changes could be made and changes that need to be made. Quit the petty bickering and for those who keep expressing their personal opinion "I get it" I maybe do or don't agree 100% with you but I have listened to you and as I said its time to take a breath and let it rest for a minute.

MY 2 CENTS !!!
FED 387

That's the great thing about chat threads....anyone can pretty much chat on a topic, and you can choose whether or not if you want to read them.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by SS/1230

That's the great thing about chat threads....anyone can pretty much chat on a topic, and you can choose whether or not if you want to read them.

I agree! No one's opinion is worth less or should be silenced because others don't agree.

Stop by and say hello this season, JA Jr. knows me.