 THE
IDES OF MARCH
It's once again time for Lenny's annual Ides of March column! Oh, don't
bother to consult the files. There isn't a continuing theme to the annual
opus (or is that opi?).I just call it the Ides of March 'cause I can!
Or to put it another way, I missed deadline again and I'm just trying
to fill up some cyber-space. They flunk people out of journalism school
for such practices, but that's another issue.
On to the real stuff! I recently conducted an e-mail interview with
Nitro Bill Chapman, one of, if not THE, prime movers at the newly formed
American Drag Racing Association. You know, interviewing racers can
be a different sort of experience. Most drag racers are perfectly content
to work on the hot rod, make a lap down the track, and maybe work on
the car some more! Nothing wrong with that scenario at all. Given the
chance to expound on what it is they are up to, most will go into an
immediate Chuck Norris persona. Men of few words, in other words.
That's kind of how the formal interview part of my time with Nitro
Bill went. Later, on the phone and in real time real-speak, Mr. Chapman
had some interesting views on the state of Nostalgia drag racing, the
people currently on the scene, and how the new ADRA would impact all
of the above. Herewith follows the e-mail transcript of our little Q&A
session. We offer it for your info and entertainment
Q: What with the Goodguys group firmly established at the head of the
nostalgia movement, the obvious question is why? As in why start another
organization based on nostalgia drag racing?
A: Goodguys is a show-car promotion company that is primarily West
Coast. Every region of America drag races and the need for more events
in more locations was needed.
Q: Considering you are now in direct competition with the Goodguys,
have you had any interaction, good or bad, with them since forming the
ADRA?
A: Yes.
Q: Give us a quick profile of some of the key personnel on the ADRA
staff.
A: For a complete list of it's key personnel, check out our website
at www.adraracing.com.
Q: Looking at your schedule of events, the phrase, "far-flung" seems
to apply. What makes you optimistic about your chances for success in,
say, Lena, Mississippi?
A: First, we are not just a West Coast deal. Second, the racers/fans,
track location and my crew.
Q: The Banning, California dates, on the other hand, look like a good
situation for the ADRA. Tell us a bit more about Banning.
A: Banning will be a premier facility in Southern California when
completed, and the ADRA supports their location. For more about the
track log onto www.drag-city.com
Q: Most folks think of Top Fuel, Fuel Altered, and Blown Gassers when
they think of nostalgia darg racing. It looks like you have a lot of
classes. Do you believe there are enough cars out there to fill those
classes?
A: In the Pro classes - YES!
Q: The posted payouts for your Pro classes look pretty good. But as
the saying goes, "Show me the money!" What can you say about the financial
foundation of the organization?
A: Why don't you just whip out your financial records for me to
look at? We could play whose balance is larger, yours or mine? We are
a corporation with investors, sponsors and dates - 14 to be exact.
Q: We've heard rumors of a big dollar Top Fuel race at Milan, Michigan.
Fact or fiction?
A: FACT!
Q: Regarding your first event at Fallon, Nevada…the big news is the
doubling of the Top Fuel purse, contingent on 32 cars answering the
opening bell. One shot deal or will you do the same at other events?
A: Depends - Milan is even larger.
Q: Concerning your TV package - your first four races will be in the
record books before the first show airs. What's the story?
A: We have thirteen weeks in the third quarter of 2001 that starts
July 1st. (Sunday @ 5 PM EST) We tape, edit, and air.
Q: Are there any other details concerning the TV package you can share
at this time?
A: Just that our TV package will be like nothing else that is now
on TV!
Q: At year's end, what will it take for you to pronounce ADRA's initial
year a success? Conversely, what would spell failure, from your point
of view?
A: I can already do that. Our 2001 season is already successful
- we've raised the bar for the racers in purse, events and television.
Other race promoters would not have raised their purses, added 16-car
fields or racer liaison had we not been here. We say that makes us successful,
no matter the gates, no matter the inevitable purveyors of doom. WE
AREN'T GOING AWAY!!
So there you have it, straight from the source. Anyone who has the
wherewithal to form a startup, regardless of the field of endeavor gets
our applause. And the ADRA presence is, in fact, already changing the
face of nostalgia drag racing. Good luck guys, we at DRO hope the ADRA
is around for many more Ides of March!
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