A subject for discussion on a winter's day.

[Mike Jones]

I guess the Sportsman racer is there for the taking. IF someone chooses to organize this another way, what would it look like? NHRA rules?
Would there be legal issues using NHRA rulebook type classes in another association? Marketing? Money for the organizer? Is Motorsports worth it? New environmental concerns ALL the time.... Just ramblings on a snowy day here in Ct. Still thinking about Lebrun/ Peters and what Yac said about "getting to it' for those who want to race again.
Mike A114

[Rich Biebel]

They need us and we need them in todays climate

They are in control and always have been. Nothing new there.

The sportsman racers in general have been slowly getting less and less and paying more and more.

Sponsors have abandoned NHRA for reasons everyone knows and its really hurt the sport overall.

What are the alternatives for many racers.....NONE....they know it...


If there was a Sportsman Union they might boycott or strike and set some demands but that's never gonna happen....and they know it.....


You either make up your mind to take it and continue racing with them or do something else...….bracket racing or quit.....

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

at least half the 12 points below are about the benjamins. Stop complaining about the money, who has it, who gets it, who spends it and focus on the fact that we are all fortunate to be able to do this.

Correct All I am is just pointing out how important and valuable sportsmans are to NHRA

[Dave Muller]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

But, does anybody else care to comment on this subject? And yes, I know that Racing isn't the same as it was 10 or 50 years ago.
I have just always believed that we (the Sportsmen) have much more to offer than we have ever been given credit for. I also believe that we have never been presented/marketed correctly by the sanctioning body and I believe that is intentional.

I just have one comment. Everyone seems to assume that splitting NHRA into two, one for pros and one for sportsmen, automatically means running separate events, with no sportsmen running in the national events with the pros.

But there's no reason they can't split the businesses and still hold the races jointly. There are lots of races out there with more than one sanctioning body involved.

[1320racer]

that's another whole conversation, bracket racing. The NHRA's version of bracket racing, weekly points series is also on life support but not big $ gambler races, mainly hosted by independeent promotors which now are contested just about every week throughout the season at tracks all across the country. The premier events are the "Fling" brand of Peter and Kyle and their latest race sold out with 375 entries in 8 minutes. NHRA could never do that no mind pay the $ Peter and Kyle will.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

You either make up your mind to take it and continue racing with them or do something else...….bracket racing or quit.....

Richie, when you're right, you're right. I'm not old enough to do a street rod.
But I'd still like to think that at some point in time the Sportsmen just might be in a position to "rattle the cage".

[Rich Biebel]

Billy my friend there is no way I would do a street rod either and I wish we had some way to turn things around


It's painful being a part of and watching it all the last 10-15 years....


Nothing would make me happier than seeing a Sportsman organization force California to make some changes.....

[Frank Castros]

Billy,
I'm not sure what the entry fee is for a National event, but at last week's Winternationals at Pomona, Stock and Super Stock received two time trials and went into round one at approximately 8:00 that evening.
For the first round runners up their National event experience lacked value.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Billy,
I'm not sure what the entry fee is for a National event, but at last week's Winternationals at Pomona, Stock and Super Stock received two time trials and went into round one at approximately 8:00 that evening.
For the first round runners up their National event experience lacked value.

But it's all worthwhile had they spent the night and run first round at 8:00 or 9:00 the next morning as is typical?

Then with the cold and rain, the schedule is behind and the sportsman racer gets "crapped on again" and have to finish up after the Pro show is complete.

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

But it's all worthwhile had they spent the night and run first round at 8:00 or 9:00 the next morning as is typical?

Then with the cold and rain, the schedule is behind and the sportsman racer gets "crapped on again" and have to finish up after the Pro show is complete.

A lot of guys showed up Thursday (or late Wed) and lost Thursday but in all fairness.. Weather pending moved the show up. With what NHRA had to deal with I think they did a He!! of a job.