The other thing I noticed in the article, and this I feel they will change. They announced that the ONLY way one could enter a National event from now on was to do it through www.NHRA.com. I guess the racers without the Internet are no longer needed at their events, right? I have a very good friend that NEVER spends any time on the computer and didn't even know about this announcement. He enters every S/Gas race he can get to and has supported NHRA for years and puts up with the four and five grading point races he must attend every year to be able to enter a few National events each year. He was not a happy camper. He planned a major vacation for next year to include a points meet one weekend and a National event in Las Vegas the next weekend with a lot of "Vegas Casino" time in between. S/Gas will not be held at the 2004 Vegas National event. He was not thrilled to hear that, to say the least.

I understand NHRA has a "parking space problem" at their National Events, mainly due to lack of infrastructure improvement for parking sportsman rigs. Sportsman parking pretty much sucks wherever you go. I went to Topeka and Brainerd this year and even though I got there Wednesday the parking spots were terrible and things were just too crowded. NHRA is reducing the amount of entries at National Events and I think it is a good idea. At least the parking issue should be better and time trials will be easier to schedule. Kudos

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to NHRA for finally doing something. Now for the downside; what about the racers who haul around two cars and one of their classes is deleted at that event? I think you will not see less of these big-time sportsman teams but even more of them. Now they will need to carry three cars for three classes so they can always run at least two classes.

How about this idea? I know NHRA has huge events and it takes hundreds of people to manage tech, inspection, track prep, equipment, safety, etc. Why not keep the sportsman classes at 64 cars per event? If a National event is in Division 5, for example, the racers who want to attend send in their names and a lottery is used to fill 48 spots. The other 16 places are for Gold and Silver Card holders and defending champions. Everyone MUST pre-enter and if the field is not full some additional names are drawn. This would really ease the parking problem and cut down on NHRA's employee requirements. Just an idea I had that might help National events become three-day events and compact the show into something worth watching. It would also allow for more local participation at National events within the division and reduce the "professionalism" beginning to take over the Sportsman classes.

If nothing else, the NHRA decision should give a shot in the arm to IHRA National Events. Anyone can enter them, you do not have to send in your money a month in advance and you can get to the track Friday and get some time trials. You are not required to attend several regional points races just for the "right" to go to a National event and all the classes, including Hot Rod (10.90) run at every event. Am I saying IHRA has all the answers? NO! What they do have is a down-home friendliness to their events that NHRA has gotten away from in the name of Corporate Racing. To each his own I guess.

-Stay tuned for part II of "Dead-On" Changes Are Coming in about 2 weeks.

nicholson@dragracingonline.com