THANKS, BUT JUST WHY DOESN'T HE HAVE A COMPUTER?

The picture you are showing (the "Off the Track" photo of the sprint car) is one of our local racers at Terre Haute Action Dragstrip. When that (photo) was taken, in the '80s, we didn't own it. But the racer in the picture is still racing. He races sprint cars and drag races, he's around 60 years old and is at that track every week. If he goes one or two, never complains, and is back the next week ready to go. His name is Al Caton and he is the type of person that would and has helped a lot of people. He doesn't have a computer or I would tell him to look at this…he would get a kick out of it.

Just thought I would pass this little information to you.

Myron & Faye Thomas
Track Owner, Terre Haute Action Dragstrip

WHAT DO NEWSPAPERS HAVE AGAINST DRAG RACING?
I am an avid IHRA and Norwalk fan; I live about an hour from Norwalk, My daily newspaper is the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The people at this paper absolutely refuse to print anything about Norwalk. They weekly print results and stories about IRL, NASCAR, CART, British Gran Prix, etc. The person in charge of motorsports is Amy Rosewater.

I have talked to (IHRA Communications Director) Jim Marchyshyn about this; he knows that this is a hopeless cause. It is real sad that the biggest IHRA race of the year gets no newspaper press.

Rich Davis

SUPPOSE THEY RAN DRAG RACING LIKE BASEBALL
About the fact that drag racing isn't considered a major sport, I've often wondered what would happen if NHRA decided it wanted some government help to rebuild IRP. Our economic impact study a few years ago indicated that the facility brought over $136 million a year into the economy, probably more than either the Colts or the Pacers, but I'm sure the city fathers wouldn't consider that.

They built a new fieldhouse for the Pacers, a new ballpark for the AAA Indians, and now the Colts are making noises about the RCA Dome not being big enough.

What's going to happen when a race track says they want a new facility or they're going to move?

God forbid Tony George should ever consider this route with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That place's impact was almost $300 million annually before the F-1 race.

John Potts (formerly with IRP)

BURKHOLDER FIAT IS (ALMOST) ORIGINAL
Just wish to bring you up to date on the Burkholder Fiat that you had on the California Hot Rod Reunion page (in the November issue). It is not a replica, but the original car. Unfortunately, the original body was badly damaged last year in a roll-over and what you see now is a fiberglass copy, but the chassis and a few other bits and pieces are the real thing. Jack also has the original Touring T body (the tub) which he intends to use to build a replica of that version of the car.

Thought I'd let you know.

Ralph

THEY'RE GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Although I never got to meet the man, I felt like I knew Steve Evans, and he was a friend. I remember hearing him announce some national events, and he was the first and greatest spokesman for NHRA. I think he lived and breathed NHRA and I was shocked when he was dropped from the announcing schedule. Possibly something to do with the realignment of TNN?

I will miss Steve and I am sure most all drag racers feel the same.

Richard Burbick

Damn, I think I miss Steve Evans more than Steve Allen.

Niles Smith

I don't remember the year, but I was down at the top end at the Summernationals when Clayton Harris won. I'll never forget him crying like a baby with a big smile on his face.

Rest in peace, C-Man.

"Berserko" Bob Doerr

1/8-MILE DRAGS? YES.
I think you have a great idea. Years ago I'd have vehemently disagreed with you concerning running some 1/8 mile events, but times change. I'd gladly attend the Pontiac Excitement 1/8 Mile Spring Super Duper Matco Nationals presented by Summit Racing at National Trail Raceway. Trails is a perfect candidate for 1/8 mile drags.

Top Fuel, Funny Car. Pro Stock, Pro Modified Eliminators only. I think maybe we'd see some new teams come forth for 1/8 mile drags because of the potentially lower cost due to less parts attrition. Leave the 90-percent nitro rule intact so tune-ups don't really have to change.

Maybe after all these years in the sport your brain isn't really fried after all.

Regards,
Tom Schiltz

Jeff, that's the best damn idea yet. Let's just hope IHRA has the nuts to go for it!

Billy Moffitt
The Bottoms Up Wheelstander Guy

Just read your article on making NHRA more like NASCAR…. While I don't agree with a lot of your thoughts, I do think the 1/8th mile deal would be interesting to say the least. Although, I think the Pro teams would shorten up the wick to optimize their performance for the 1/8 mile. It would be fun to have the NHRA try an 1/8th mile National Event, after all they recognize the 1/8-mile by posting National Records for the same…an besides, sure would be fun to watch a Pro Stocker manual shift 5 times in the 1/8th mile… (hmm, maybe 6.50 or 7.00 gear ratios.)

Robert A. VanAntwerp
Dimondale, Michigan

I think you're right about changing NHRA and adding something new. I like your ideas and it would give them a fresh new approach to getting more fans out to the races. Send them the message, clear your throat and yell it out to them, pull on their ears and scream at the top of your lungs, do it. Tell them I agree, me too. Amen.

Dan Stitt

MORE LIKE NASCAR?
I don't think NHRA has to look at changing the length of the track or any other aspects of how a drag race is run. You talk about how NASCAR runs only their premier class on Sunday's race. I think NHRA has to look at how to get enough cars in its top classes to put on a race like this. There used to be enough top fuelers in the country to put on races with 64 car fields. There was mention of the late Steve Evans' ad for 100 Funny Cars at the track for a special race. In just the last year there have been races where only 15 Top Fuelers showed up for a 16 car field. It sure wasn't because they were all at an invitational or an IHRA points race!

There are promoters putting on million dollar bracket races, and no racetrack fills the stands for a bracket race. Bring back the days of big car counts and maybe the English Leather calendar girl contests. Whatever happened to the "Night of Fire?" You don't even get to see fuel cars run much at night anymore. NHRA ever wonder why Charlotte, Richmond, Bristol, and Daytona all run night races.

Emil Prisco

After reading Burk's Blast, I felt compelled to write my thoughts on this subject.

ONLY AS AN EXAMPLE
I have been working with a few Pro teams the last two and a half years going to every national event. Every once in a while I hear a discussion in the pits of how NHRA should be more like NASCAR. While I believe whole heartedly NHRA needs to be more pro-active in furthering their cause, modeling themselves after NASCAR isn't the answer. My feeling is that if you are always doing what the leaders are doing, all you are going to be doing is still following them. Modeling yourselves after the competition is no way to gain a competitive edge.

Yes, NHRA has a hell of a lot of Professional classes. And yes, new fans have a lot to consume and learn about all the classes, but has NHRA really done a very good job of educating/promoting each class? Not really. Why not use the diversity of drag racing to its benefit? We all remember the influx of new fans NASCAR gained when Jeff Gordan was on fire, but remember the backlash after Jeff won race after race after race? Win streaks like Gordan's are not unusual to drag racing, for example Coughlin and Force this year. But these impressive, yet predictable outcomes are tempered by the fans knowing there are still other categories to be contested at a race.

NASCAR's success is pretty impressive. However, I don't think we should use them as a guideline to raise NHRA to the level of mainstream professional sports, but just as an excellent example that motorsports can compete with other forms of entertainment.

Toby Graham

A SHORT VOLLEY. FIRST THE SERVE…
"...Perhaps Drag Racing should take a page out of the NASCAR manual and concentrate on the premier Pro Classes at their marquee events..."

Yeah! Scr*w those pesky Sportsmen. All they do is take away valuable space from the "real" racers. We all know what this sport is REALLY supposed to be about, right? Big time money gleaned from casual spectators. Small time Sportsmen competitors making perhaps a once in a lifetime appearance at a genuine national event are obviously just a holdover from ancient drag racing days. Let 'em buy a Top Fueler if they want to be a tiny part of the real show. What makes them think there should be any place for them at genuine national events? The very nerve. When every other Stock eliminator car bites off a chunk of guardrail and/or bursts into a ball of flame and hence brings in it's own fair share of casual spectators (and the oh so wonderful profits they generate), then they might be allowed to join back in.

Disclaimer: The above response is strictly my own version of satire. Well, my version of satire and apparently some other folk's visions of "progress."

Take care.
Tom Worthington

THEN THE RETURN…
Tom, Good stuff. Just in case I didn't make myself clear about the sportsmen, let me do so now. What I was trying to say if I didn't make myself clear was that what NHRA needed to do was to develop National Event races for the Sportsman classes that are on a level with current National Events instead of what the divisional races offer currently. Make the sportsmen and their cars stars in their own right. That's what NASCAR has done for their support classes. If you've ever watched the stands at a National Event empty after fuel cars have run you'll know what I'm talking about.

Thanks for reading.
Jeff Burk, Editor

POINT, SET, AND MATCH
NHRA had a national event for Sportsmen. The old SportsNationals. They canned it. I really can't picture them going that route again. Divisional events for the Sportsman are not well attended now. Why would calling them "National Sportsman events" change that? They would still be second fiddle for the casual spectator. I don't think anyone denies that Sportsmen have no widespread appeal for the casual spectator. In fact, I made a big deal about that in my sarcastic response. That wasn't my point. My point was that it ISN'T supposed to be about the casual spectator. It's supposed to be about the sport.

That is, at least in my opinion. Drag racing is meant to be a participation sport, not a spectator sport. And I think it's supposed to be about the participation of non-millionaires participating without sponsorship. If some folks wanna pay good money to come and watch, I have no problem with that. However, this money thing has fed on itself to the point that now it's all about the "show" that has become the thing. Gotta interest a bunch of folks who are just as likely to go see a movie or pay to watch baseball. Heck yes they watch the fuel cars. Wanna really keep 'em in their seats? Blow some more of them up...but don't clean the track afterwards. Ugh.

In the meantime, there are those Sportsmen who look at an NHRA national event as a once in a lifetime (or at least extremely novel) experience. No, maybe the sport doesn't owe them anything...or maybe it does. Separating them from the other classes is an obvious ploy to sweep them under the carpet. Yes, NASCAR has done this with great success. NASCAR is huge. Lots of star recognition. Lots of corporate sponsorships. Skyboxes and cutouts of drivers at the corner store. Lots of sportsmen swept under the carpet. But is that good for drag racing? Not in my book. In fact, it turns my stomach. I don't expect drag racing to be entertaining. I hate seeing it try to manufacture entertainment value at the cost of its soul.

Take care.
Tom Worthington

SHORT AND TO THE POINT
I really liked the Top Fuel motorcycle story. Keep up the good work.

Steve Moore

WELL, AT LEAST WE DON'T LEAVE INK ON YOUR…HANDS
I found it a bit ironic that Chris would mention Better Homes and Gardens in his editorial about the future of magazines. Just November 7th I retired after 40 years and 9 months working in the pressroom where that magazine is printed.

I tend to disagree with Chris on the future of ink on paper and it's for the very reason he used in the analogy about reading Playboy in the bathroom. It's all about user friendly for me. I read almost all my magazines and I also read a lot of books while lying down in bed at night. It just works for me.

The computer is great and I use it a lot, but not for reading. I usually print anything of length off and read it later. I think that it will be many years before we see the demise of the ink on paper.

By the way, when the press run of Better Homes and Gardens was done, we usually printed Penthouse. Quite a contrast.

Thanks for reading.
Al Booton
Carlisle, Iowa

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