INNOVATION IS THE KEY

I hope you do not mind my e-mails but you bring my thoughts out when I read your article and have solved a puzzle that is plaguing our sport and auto racing in general. Is NITRO itself the draw to our sport? I think for the time being it is, but I reflected on my own experiences and have come to some conclusions.

The Goodguys nostalgia events are thriving with new cars and huge audiences ever growing, year after year. I asked myself why, why do I enjoy those races, what is the draw for me? And why at NHRA events do the stands virtually empty after the fuel classes? Is it the speeds we go to see? Will the 85% rule or lower effect the fuel classes because of the decrease in speed? What fans, nearly all, want to see is good heads up racing and cars, different cars, cars that stand out and cause the wheels in our head to spin and fantasize, reflections on a car we might have owned in the past that resembles the ones we are watching, and innovation, maybe a weird two motor contraption that flies down the 1320 with grace and an impinging hell all at the same time.

Our sport is ridding itself (in the fuel classes) of that innovation that got us where we are today. IRL the same way, basically kit cars that are all the same. NASCAR, the exact same, all cars are the same, and now fuel cars whether it is top fuel or funny car, they are all basically the same. We need to focus on this problem, create differences, allow innovation, bring out the T.V. Tommy Ivo's or the "BIG DADDY" in all the fuel classes and the fan base will expand! At this pace where will we go?

Even at Bonneville the shapes, designs, sizes, etc. are all different, yet are safe (as safe as our sport can guarantee) and fit under the guidelines of the sanctioning body. PS trucks were cool for a bit because they were different, Pro Mod is hot because they are different and each car has a character of it's own.

We need to create rules that allow innovation and different approaches to the same body of rules. Change is good and maybe we can look at our past and our present nostalgia or Pro Mod classes and learn why the fans are so hooked. After all without the fans there would be no NHRA and without innovation there would be no drag racing.

Ken Becker
Palmyra, PA

LET'S AUDIT THAT EXPENSE ACCOUNT, HAWTHORNE

I really liked the articles on the (Street FX) car, and related as to how you found it and hauled it home, but this latest installment makes me wonder. Put in what the dyno time and parts would cost to Average Joe. It's a great article and could remain great. Look forward to next article.

Silvestre Cervantes

WHERE IS MAC MARKETING?

Thank you for your "Just Wondering" series, your comments continue to be loaded with insight and are on the money.

Just wondering...since NHRA has elected not to do up the 50th properly with bigger fields, prize $$ etc. where is Mac Tools? This sponsor is all over the event like they invented it in the '50s, and could have done a major service to the sport by upping their level of participation.

On the Nitro over/under of 53, definitely under. The total will be 45. It would have reached 55 or so with the proper motivation by the outfit and event sponsor.

Keep up the great work.

Lorne Brady
North Bay, Ontario

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN?

Now we're making sense! Funny Car and Pro Stock both got started on the match race circuit and specialty events and I believe that NHRA has been taking advantage of Pro Mod for too long, now. Recognition is great, but they need to be a regular pro eliminator to succeed with getting sponsorship dollars. Hopefully, the fan and track response to this will finally force both sanctioning bodies to recognize what they have.

Tom Slick (Muller)