NO AIRING DIRTY LAUNDRY

Ya Hoooo for Jeff Burk... It would seem to me, a PRO-spectator with 37+ years of experience, (can't afford to race) that NHRA really should keep it's collective mouth shut on national TV. A PROFESSIONAL?? sanctioning body that would seem to need all of the CORP. sponsorship for their NITRO classes they could get, shouldn't be airing any dirty laundry. Maybe they could air some of their own and leave the racers alone. In the money world of NITRO RACING the only comment to air on national TV should be a "Good try Paul Romine and Carquest..." Leave the woodshed behind the barn.

Done venting.

Mike Kohn
Milwaukee, WI

LET'S FIX THE PROBLEM

The deal with Paul Romine was just an example of people not thinking clearly! Does NHRA thing the team deliberately blows up an expensive engine? Especially 11 times?

I think a better solution to this kind of problem would be to have a top crew chief type guy help the team by examining their engine building methods and the parts they use. They may have been using a bad brand, or bad batch of rods, and not realized it.

This could be a part of the deal where crew chiefs were to help a new team get dialed in. A sort of "think tank"!

Just me two cents worth,

Sincerely,
Richard Burbick

WELL, AT LEAST THEY MENTIONED THE SPONSOR'S NAME

I am SO on your side, Jeff. This is turning money paying major sponsors against drag racing. And maybe someone should tell the top end reporters they won't have a drag race to cover if sponsors don't sponsor cars and events.

Keep up the good work, bud. You're a great read.

Doug Tillotson

WHO DOESN'T LIKE DETROIT?

I will make this short. In the Ian Tocher article titled "Paying the Price for Poor Planning", talking about Milan in Detroit's back yard, he stated that Detroit is a market long coveted by every major sanctioning body. Every major sanctioning body? Where the hell has NHRA been. They have avoided the Detroit metro area for years. The only NHRA track in Michigan is Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Michigan. This used to be an IHRA Track and it could not hold any T/F or Nitro F/C car on the NHRA tour. Mr. Tocher, you are incorrect.

NHRA owns about 5 tracks that hold National events on the tour. I have asked them repeatedly why they won't build a track in the Detroit area. Their standard answer is that they are a non-profit organization. Bullshit. NHRA must view the Detroit area and Michigan for that matter as the bastard, red-headed stepchild. We are aware that they hold 2 National events at both Chicago & Las Vegas. I will step down now from my soap-box.

William Sparks

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

I just read the 8/8 edition of Tocher Talks. He takes issue with three IHRA facilities. Edmonton, I cannot speak for, as I did not attend. For Milan, he is correct on the track surface conditions at least in terms of the Pro categories, but at least they did try to do

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something to improve the circumstances. (The hook was exactly perfect for my Sportsman car, by the way). He mentions that "the pit facilities" were lacking at Milan. What did he find issue with? I was a Sportsman racer, parked off to the side, and I had a great time throughout the weekend, with no complaints.

Tocher has but one specified complaint with Toronto. Of course, he didn't mention how the facility had been inundated with rain both leading up to the event, and during. Hm. Maybe he should've thrown Gainesville into the story, but that would be an NHRA facility, and it would also be something that neither Gainesville nor Toronto had any control over. Aside from the weather, I found Toronto to be great. What's to complain about really?

Some people are not happy with anything that is less than perfect. Seeking out faults is a wonderful source for column material. If every facility had 100% pavement like Englishtown, someone would complain that it was too hot when the sun hit it. Some go to races, compete, and enjoy themselves. What kind of experience you have is up to *you*!

It's just my opinion, but some positive journalism would be just as entertaining and informative. Any optimists out there?

Michael Beard