Is IHRA Going Under?

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by HR9121

Ed, you misunderstood what I am saying. I'm saying if I do win a race it would be nice to at least win enough to cover my cost for the weekend.

You are correct. $400.00 won't pay for your diesel and race entry many weekends.

[treekiller]

In my humble opinion one thing that hurts also is where most tracks are located. I live in New Orleans and the three tracks around here are in the middle of nowhere especially no problem. State Capitol is somewhat close to Baton Rouge and they can get a decent spectator turnout from time to time. Neighbors and noise complaints have problems for years in drag racing but when you have to put tracks so far out its tough to draw spectators even when big markets are only 40-60 miles away. Someone w vision and deep pockets needs to build an indoor dragstrip. Never any rainouts and you could have a race every day of the week.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

You are correct. $400.00 won't pay for your diesel and race entry many weekends.

The last pro am that I won paid $1200.00 purse and I had $700 contingency. That was last year.. Cost me about $800 for entry, race gas and fuel for the truck.

[jim reynolds]

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

Try explaining to a first-time spectator how a driver left the starting line first and got to the finish line first ended up losing the race.

In the '80s Roxboro Dragway ALWAYS close to 80 super stockers whenever they had the combos and the stands were mostly full. On Easter, it was standing room only and we were handicap racing! The spectators ALL knew about handicap because they were taught about it's particulars-great announcers took care of that! Also, I never see flyers anymore at the local parts stores...it's not rocket science!

[jim reynolds]

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

Thank's Jim Wahl for your efforts of getting the facts.

Jim Reynolds goes farther back than I do in IHRA,but I say he would or will agree with me when I say IHRA has NEVER got back to where it was before Billy Meyer crashed it,there has been a bunch of good people worked hard to try to get it back there,IMO only ones that got close were Jim Ruth,his health ended that and Bill Bader, I believe both had IHRA close to the Larry Carrier days.
I think another thing that has hurt is splitting it into divisions, I believe it would be stronger without the divisions,go for quality rather than quantity.
I think the track operator takes all the financial hit if a race doesn't have a good turn out,from what I understand IHRA gets their money if no one shows up,if you want to get racers and operators to get on board,racers need a chance to win more than they lose for the time off work or win more than it cost them to get there and back and the operator needs a partner that is willing to share the financial burden,why would I have a race that cost me over 10K to put on for a organization and I would be the one that loses if doesn't go well and they don't risk anything???
I love IHRA,in KY we had 4-6 races within 2-4 hours, last few years closest thing to me is 7-8 hours away and if I won one day I would about break even for the weekend,even a hillbilly can do that math,not that I expect to ever make money,but at least like to feel like it is somewhat worthwhile.
Mike Taylor 3601

Right on brother, they definitely hurt themselves splitting it into divisions! I told my friend Larry Coppock, when they did that they were probably shooting themselves in the foot. AND this playoff bulls#it just hurt it badly! I gave it a chance and will still support it and them because I grew up with IHRA and love them to death...even if Robert Leonard and Robert Kinton did tear me down almost every other week...lol!!! I would also like to thank Jim Wahl for caring and his effort on this...we're all brothers and sisters in this! I pray IHRA makes it

[larrylomascolo]

I remember back in 2005,The I.H.R.A. had 15 national events,they ran class eliminators also,a format the same as N.H.R.A.,,the contingency money was outstanding,for example Dan Fletcher won Super Stock at the AC Delco Can Nats at cayuga ,ont,canada,his end of contingency for that event was $10,000.00,now if they all paid ,dont no,but case being ,.I.H.R.A .was a solid entity ,what the f happed to that deal ,something destroyed it, All info is in the contingency sec on the site,

[Dan Lattimore]

Originally Posted by jim reynolds

In the '80s Roxboro Dragway ALWAYS close to 80 super stockers whenever they had the combos and the stands were mostly full. On Easter, it was standing room only and we were handicap racing! The spectators ALL knew about handicap because they were taught about it's particulars-great announcers took care of that! Also, I never see flyers anymore at the local parts stores...it's not rocket science!

Jim-----People don't believe me when I tell them that . When they had those races there you were treated like royalty. Rosining the track like Ronny Sox was booked in. The amount of spectators was unbelievable and knowledgeable about what was going on. I remember Sonny Shipmon paying me in cash fives tens and twenties from a wad that would choke a horse. Said he had a great turnout thanked me for coming and then had a big black dude that barely fit in my truck escort me out. Can't believe it's come to this.

[Dan Fahey]

Interesting distinction...
I like it when the races are identified as National or Divisional.
ProAm just does not cut it. NitroJam is just as confusing.
Like dating a girl inviting her over to see your Cyclone Fence
I know IHRA is trying to be different.
Think the Specators say HUH?
Who wants to see Amatures?

Also like the distinction Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall Nationals.
Wide World of Sports always made these exciting!
Would add a Canadian/USA Nationals, Rocky Nationals, Appalachain Nationals, Southern Nationals, East Coast Nationals...and so on!

They all should be distinctive and "Sponsored by" but do not use the Sponsor as the Top Billing!
It tells the Spectators and racers a lot with a few words.

IMHO What we have now is not working!

Dan

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by HR9121

Ed, you misunderstood what I am saying. I'm saying if I do win a race it would be nice to at least win enough to cover my cost for the weekend.

I understand........ive never won any contingency money so I wouldn't know lol.....

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Dan Lattimore

Jim-----People don't believe me when I tell them that . When they had those races there you were treated like royalty. Rosining the track like Ronny Sox was booked in. The amount of spectators was unbelievable and knowledgeable about what was going on. I remember Sonny Shipmon paying me in cash fives tens and twenties from a wad that would choke a horse. Said he had a great turnout thanked me for coming and then had a big black dude that barely fit in my truck escort me out. Can't believe it's come to this.

Had many very enjoyable weekends attending IHRA races with Carol and Tom Rix, made many friends along the way. Thanks for the anecdote with Sonny, I can picture him peeling the bills, a very nice guy. In IHRA Div 5 there were always low car counts, for some reason folks seemed to rather spend 3 or 4 days at an NHRA Division race than attend an IHRA event. I forget his last name, but the young IHRA starter Bill always did his best to have the track in excellent shape.