I think NHRA will start to look at those events
as a new source of revenue to help keep their bank account
full. They could raise the “fee” but I think
they will change the way they use the Divisional Races.
First, they will want to “co-op” with tracks
that have big and profitable events and if that doesn’t
go over they will likely move Divisional Events to NHRA-owned
properties, even if it means one track will have a couple
Divisional Events. It really means more money for NHRA.
The next thing they will do if the Divisional Event ideas
don’t work is to add more Sports-National Events to
their calendar as they seem to be a hot item right now.
It is a shame the NHRA is willing to change
how they operate and for whom they were founded to serve
in the name of making more money for Pro categories. Hey
I like watching the Nitro cars as much as anyone and I used
to like the Pro Stocks but they are as exciting as watching
paint dry. If it hadn't been for the young new drivers I
would have switched the channel to COPS.
When NHRA needs more money for the Pros they
should start asking themselves and the Pros this question.
“Where is the SHOW?” The nitro cars consist
of a couple owners and about 3 cars make full power runs
each session, the Funny Cars aren’t much better, I
mentioned Pro Stock cars and as far as the Pro-Stock bikes
go…….Thank God for Angelle Savoie and the Harleys!!!
The SHOW needs to be fixed, instead of gouging more money
from Sportsman racers to support Pros.
It should be the other way around, the Pros
should fill the seats, attract TV and then that money can
be used to expand and improve the sportsman racing and local
track programs.
Right now it is all turned around but then,
why is that surprising when the management of NHRA has probably
never raced as a Sportsman and probably never actually raced
a bracket car and hooked up the trailer and all that goes
into it. I would guess they think real racers have semi-trailers,
big awnings and more money than they can. Why else would
they make the decisions they do?
I know some of NHRA and IHRA’s best
Sportsman racers may find this article a little offensive.
I realize that but it is the truth as I see it. Some racers
just don’t care what it costs them to race, what the
payout is and how they are treated. They just want to compete
on a National level and that’s that.
NHRA was founded to help the sport grow, make
it accessible to more people and to promote it as a safe
alternative to street racing. The NHRA was given a special
tax break because of why they were formed. Now it seems
it is all about money because they have simply outgrown
their ability to support some classes they have let get
out of control.
In closing I just want to say I love this
sport and I think the passion of my opinions comes from
the heart. I hope IHRA and NHRA will not turn into “just
another American corporation” that cuts out every
tradition and runs over everyone that helped build it in
an effort to make the Board of Directors more money. That
idea enrages me and I hope it does you too.
See ya at the bracket races in 2005!!!!
Have a GREAT HOLIDAY and God bless you and
your families!!!!
Jok, Barb, Andy and Ryan Nicholson
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Dead-On
[10/8/04]
A
Personal Experience at the ET Finals |
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