IHRA's Polburn announces 2010 format

[Casper68]

man, I can see a lot of different sides to this one....IHRA needed to do something, I saw first hand that the spec count was WAY down. I think, most was in lack of marketing the product. Reorganizing, repackaging...could be a way to shake things up, but I still dont know that new fans are gonna know about it. Shake it up internally all ya want, if you dont improve from the external view (ie:spectators), then....?
I plan on runnning some IHRA in 2010, but I'll need some help and want some support....from the experience I had visiting an IHRA track this past year, I can see that attracting a big audience will be difficult....

Basically, it frustrates me when I 'pump up' an event, more than the organization running it. I have my 'entourage' show up for the show, and there's 27 people in the stands. I dont mean to vent, but drag racing needs a little spark, and this looks like a good place to strike flint.

[Urraco]

they are toast

[Larry Munk]

Sounds like the old SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY Format. In our area it might work out OK. I know a lot of people who would go to a good 1 day show with Nostalgia Funnycar and some decent sportsman racing. Most Fans only go for a day anyway. I did not get the whole picture on how the sportsman will run but let's give them a shot. Here in Virginia it's what we have to work with anyway. I am curious as to how the Divisionals will be handled, hoping for no big changes there.SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

[Roy Boyd]

glad we don't race ihra what a joke

[tpoh815]

Originally Posted by Lyn Smith

He does not say anything about the Sponsors!!

Can anyone answer or help us out with this important question? Also contingencies.

[Another Friendly Racer]

So IHRA says they are going to focus on the sportsman more and some people are actually upset?! Your fuel cars will still be running down the track, just not as much. I'll hit a couple of these events next year.

[thomas sheehan]

truthfully.... i don't have an opinion on wether I think it's better or worse yet (for sportsman).
BUT... I do have a question.

If there are TWO full sessions of pros on saturday.... what's different about that (from this year)?
The way I see it.... there is no "extra" time for sportsman..... NONE.

Did I miss something?

[Dave Turner]

Originally Posted by thomas sheehan

truthfully.... i don't have an opinion on wether I think it's better or worse yet (for sportsman).
BUT... I do have a question.

If there are TWO full sessions of pros on saturday.... what's different about that (from this year)?
The way I see it.... there is no "extra" time for sportsman..... NONE.

Did I miss something?

Tom, Mr. Polburn provides more detail in his interview with DRM. They envision an uninterrupted sportsman schedule on Saturday until approx. 5:00pm. The "pro show" runs from there. The inevitable time thief will be incoming weather that might move the circus back into our program. Sundays would be similar but with fewer sportsman cars on the property, the nitro guys hit the track in the afternoon.

That's my take anyway.

[MontyC]

IHRA needed to do something. Spectator attendance at MIR was terrible. If they can't get the butts in the seats IHRA will be done. Time will tell if this will work and there may not be much time left. Maybe if the tracks are saving money with this format they can put more money in promoting the races. Years past in Southern Maryland when the Pres Cup was coming to town there were many signs/banners in the area welcoming racers and fans. I didn't see any this year. I would like to see IHRA succeed and I hope they do.

[Carl Juliano]

Originally Posted by racerhead

A Pro Stock racer told me that if IHRA goes in this direction of booked shows the bulk of cars will decamp to ADRL where they can race for real.

Maybe IHRA doesn't care about PS if they are putting all their marbles in the nitro show/family fun aspect. But the more serious fan won't tolerate that...

In the world of drag racing they are separating themselves...not settling for being NHRA wannabes. I don't see this change putting them on the map of motorsports greatness. It's more like on a par with arena truck pulling or something...but maybe it will work for them without hurting the sportsman.

Bruce Deveau

I heard that also Bruce, The Pro Stockers will defect to ADRL, Pro Mods already left, they couldnt get more than 10 Pro Mods at some events. As sportsman racers its better for us, but how long will IHRA last without a legit Professional program?, no qualifying, no real points chase? I thought it was weird when they eliminated Funny Cars from their programs a few years ago. They wont make enough money from "Sportsman events"