How do you get (N) racers over to the (I) side

[Wade Mahaffey]

What would it take to get the NHRA sportsman racers to support the IHRA more? Try to be serious with your answers, because they could bring about change for the positive. I do know that there are many racers that support both bodies. And there are some that just can't seem to do it. I understand the rules enforcement issues, and some difference in class structure. I know the difference in the race tracks themselves, but from the starting line to the finish line the racing seems the same (other than 1/4 vs. 1/8). Then there's the money.......but if you loose first or second round....you came away with more....cause the entry was less (thats 75% of the competitors for each race). I would bet that there are a few things that (I) does, that (N) folks would like to see on there side.

I'm just wondering what a NHRA sportsman racer would have to see, to think to themselves....hey, I think I'm gonna try some of that IHRA stuff!

Remember folks, you never know who might see some of your good ideas! I know....you said it once, and you'll say it again. My thing is keep saying it...till the right people hear it!

Wade Mahaffey

[Ed Wright]

Some honest answers would be interesting.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

What would it take to get the NHRA sportsman racers to support the IHRA more? Try to be serious with your answers, because they could bring about change for the positive. I do know that there are many racers that support both bodies. And there are some that just can't seem to do it. I understand the rules enforcement issues, and some difference in class structure. I know the difference in the race tracks themselves, but from the starting line to the finish line the racing seems the same (other than 1/4 vs. 1/8). Then there's the money.......but if you loose first or second round....you came away with more....cause the entry was less (thats 75% of the competitors for each race). I would bet that there are a few things that (I) does, that (N) folks would like to see on there side.

I'm just wondering what a NHRA sportsman racer would have to see, to think to themselves....hey, I think I'm gonna try some of that IHRA stuff!

Remember folks, you never know who might see some of your good ideas! I know....you said it once, and you'll say it again. My thing is keep saying it...till the right people hear it!

Wade Mahaffey

Wade, as someone who is going to dip my toes into the IHRA waters for the first time this year, I wonder some of the same things that you do. Previously we had always been "happy enough" with our NHRA experience to not look elsewhere. However right now I believe that IHRA has more of the sportsman racers' interest at heart than NHRA. They have separated the factory cars, having double points races is great, etc. Some of the negatives I see are way too many classes (i mean really, a fwd conversion cavalier stocker?), 1/8 mile points races completely disinterest some people, and historically lower car counts discourage some as well. What few rule variations there are I don't really think are of any consequence, but the roller rocker issue may deter a few. That and the "it's not NHRA", and its not quite as big of a stage are issues for some.

I'll be heading to the Nitro Jam in Baton Rouge in a few weeks, I'll make sure to post my impressions after I "cross over to the dark side".

[Chuck Norton]

Having a track closer than 475 miles away would be a start. To reach Tucson, I literally drive within five or ten miles of four NHRA tracks.

[vic guilmino]

run class at nationals
pay money for class
when nhra runs class more racer come to that race

[art leong]

Originally Posted by vic guilmino

run class at nationals
pay money for class
when nhra runs class more racer come to that race

X2 It's time to pick up what nhra doesn't want.

[Wade Mahaffey]

This thread is taking shape now! Everyone please add your thoughts. The worst thing that could happen, is that you get more places to race.....and the class does'nt die!

Wade Mahaffey

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by vic guilmino

run class at nationals
pay money for class
when nhra runs class more racer come to that race

excellent idea. With the car counts it shouldn't be impossible to do.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

This thread is taking shape now! Everyone please add your thoughts. The worst thing that could happen, is that you get more places to race.....and the class does'nt die!

Wade Mahaffey

Wade my problem is. To many 1/8 mile races.
My car doesn't seem to do good in the 1/8 mile. It runs quick enough, but I'm shifting into high just short of the finish. It revs super fast in the top of second so I can't just run it out. So I can't watch the competition chasing me down.
I'm the slowest SS class, so I'll always get the spot.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by vic guilmino

run class at nationals
pay money for class
when nhra runs class more racer come to that race

If only 9 S/S cars show up like in Palm Beach how can you justify class runs? How can you get sponsors to pay you when no one cares enough to show up at a race? Its the old story of what came first....The egg or the chicken. When IHRA did run class at all of the National events and have class win money (a good pay out) and really good eliminator win money (I was there since the early 70's) the NHRA cars still did not bother to come. There were close races such as MIR (Budds Creek) in the early 90's where I remember seeing only 12 stockers (and some races even less) show up at the National event and how much closer can you be to Div.1 and Div 2? IHRA was going to drop stock all together back then. Maybe they should have and this wouldnt even be a topic for discussion? If your not going to support it then why should IHRA and the sponsors even bother supporting you? Thats my perspective. You know as well as I do that there are a "Gazillion" stock and S/S cars in NJ., Penn., and surrounding areas yet most wont travel any farther than between exit 4 and exit 8 on the NJ turnpike with a side trip to Maple Grove once or twice a year. Wade I hope this isnt to negative but something a lot of racers should look at. Look in your mirrors and figure out why there is no class runs, and even the few tech people IHRA has left are starting to wave the white flag and find something else to do.