National event chaos?

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by fredjohnston

So you and others were at PRI for several days. Did you or anyone else casually bring these items up at the for discussion with NHRA?

We talked to ONE tech guy, about other issues.

NHRA was conspicuously absent, as far as upper management goes. No one from tech management was there. We saw 3-4 marketing people, and that's it. We stopped by the booth, or at least passed by and looked for people, about 6-8 times.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Was under the impression that there was a SRAC meeting at PRI...would expect something semi-official to be forthcoming.

Having so many great conversations with NHRA tech people over the years it's hard to swallow that NHRA is headed this direction. The very NHRA people we regularly interface with represents the 'true' NHRA, not the corporate carpetbaggers who migrate through headquarters with visions of increasing their compensation packages.

I saw Mike Crutchfield on Friday and Saturday, but he and I were both busy with other people and other deals. We had to leave early on Saturday, so I did not get back by to see him.

Jeff Tueton of course said he could not attend.

So I don't know about any SRAC meeting.

The Division 3 banquet is usually held at some point around the PRI Show, but I saw none of the usual Division 3 people, and I normally see Travis Miller, as well as various track owners and track personnel, but I did not see any of them.


As far as it goes, I am not really surprised to see this. What we have is pretty much management by short term bottom line, as viewed from the position of accountants and marketing people who have no idea about how the business actually works. It's very common these days. Sadly, unless something dramatic happens, I would expect to see a series of mid to upper level management and marketing people wander through, each making short sighted decisions intended to have an effect on the short term bottom line, collecting their "I saved the company $XXX" bonus, a generous severance package, and going their merry way. They neither know nor care about the racers or how NHRA could and should work.

[Bruce Noland]

Kind'a late to this party. It seems like the new nhra plan is to cut expenses. So, some of these rumors may be true. Cut a day out of stacking and that will save money on labor and insurance. Then, if they cut a day from stacking they would have a cluster trying to get all the racers parked and teched in one day. So they skip tech. That saves money as well. I've also heard they are going to use local "hires" for parking in 2017.
nhra did not exhibit at SEMA and had a local crew at PRI which does not look good. But the big guys still enjoy going into the fancy steakhouses and living large when they can. I have been busy with several other projects and haven't had time to keep up with racing but I would add that folks should keep an eye on nhra's tax returns. And look for excessive borrowing against nhra properties. nhra cannot sell these properties outright but they can suck them dry with loans, while living large and paying the big salaries right to the very end. And then leave a gutted organization in the trash heap when they run for the hills. The tracks would then have to be sold to satisfy the huge debts. And nothing guarantees that they will remain as drag strips. Bad Poop coming guys.

[Jim Parsons]

I would suggest with NHRA’s new reduced - tech inspections policy they consider accepting safety belts for the whole calendar year and not just on the given month, like they do with SNELL helmet certification. I.e. if manufactured in June then allow two years + 6 months > December that year. A few times in the past if my belts expired in the middle of season I have forget until receiving a friendly reminded during tech inspection that they are getting close. Would be a little inconvenient in staging lanes during a random tech inspection if found they have expired.
In the now famous words of Hillary “What difference does it make anyway?” a few months in a belts life that is!
Jim Parsons
F/S 5305

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Jim Parsons

I would suggest with NHRA’s new reduced - tech inspections policy they consider accepting safety belts for the whole calendar year and not just on the given month, like they do with SNELL helmet certification. I.e. if manufactured in June then allow two years + 6 months > December that year. A few times in the past if my belts expired in the middle of season I have forget until receiving a friendly reminded during tech inspection that they are getting close. Would be a little inconvenient in staging lanes during a random tech inspection if found they have expired.
In the now famous words of Hillary “What difference does it make anyway?” a few months in a belts life that is!
Jim Parsons
F/S 5305

In the SCCA belts are good for five years...and if you've ever attended a road race you know the stress they are subject to.

[Mike Crutchfield]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I saw Mike Crutchfield on Friday and Saturday, but he and I were both busy with other people and other deals. We had to leave early on Saturday, so I did not get back by to see him.

Jeff Tueton of course said he could not attend.

So I don't know about any SRAC meeting.

The Division 3 banquet is usually held at some point around the PRI Show, but I saw none of the usual Division 3 people, and I normally see Travis Miller, as well as various track owners and track personnel, but I did not see any of them.


As far as it goes, I am not really surprised to see this. What we have is pretty much management by short term bottom line, as viewed from the position of accountants and marketing people who have no idea about how the business actually works. It's very common these days. Sadly, unless something dramatic happens, I would expect to see a series of mid to upper level management and marketing people wander through, each making short sighted decisions intended to have an effect on the short term bottom line, collecting their "I saved the company $XXX" bonus, a generous severance package, and going their merry way. They neither know nor care about the racers or how NHRA could and should work.

Since I was mentioned in this tread I felt I should tell you what I know. It is still very unclear of the process NHRA will use for NHRA tech at the National events at this time. Our SRAC meeting has been postponed until after the first of the year due to schedule conflicts within NHRA. Unofficially!!! it appears that no pre-race traditional style tech will be performed but there will be tech by spot checking in staging lanes and at the scales. Again this is Unofficial since a press release has not yet been placed. If this is the path that is taken then there probably will be one less day for a National event. I have not had any conversation with anyone about how stacking will be effected. If I had to guess I would say the stacking will be effected also. As far as parking goes, All I know is that some people that has normally done the Sportsman parking will not be there next year. We have not been told how it will effect the parking process or who will do it.Until we have a SRAC meeting, its in writing or a press release is placed I would say all of this is still up in the air.
If you have any commits or concerns I would suggest you contact your division SRAC member so they might add it to there list for the meeting.
Hope this helps

Mike Crutchfield
D2 SRAC member

[Dyno]

Is there a listing of who the SRAC reps are for each division? Thanks,
Dyno

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Dyno

Is there a listing of who the SRAC reps are for each division? Thanks,
Dyno

Here you go....

http://www.nhraracer.com/content/gen...028&zoneid=175

[Rick Bailey]

My question will be in regards to stacking. And lets use LRP as the example. !

With no stacking, Its going to be like Indians circling the wagon train, the wagon train being LRP and of course us racers , the Indians !

A **** load of racers will be circling the track until 0 hour when they open the gates .....or parking in the streets and the law shows up !

Seems like a messy deal to be !!!

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Rick Bailey

My question will be in regards to stacking. And lets use LRP as the example. !

With no stacking, Its going to be like Indians circling the wagon train, the wagon train being LRP and of course us racers , the Indians !

A **** load of racers will be circling the track until 0 hour when they open the gates .....or parking in the streets and the law shows up !

Seems like a messy deal to be !!!

This deal sounds like a complete lack of respect for the racer (customer) by the Association. So many changes without thought of the consequences for the racers. I think I'd crap my pants if either of the HRA's changes being made actually benefited the racer! Jim

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