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HOW ABOUT A NOSTALGIA CLASS, IHRA?

I find it very interesting reading the letters about the outrage about NHRA's cessation of Pro Mod. For whatever reason, which is not the point right now, there is obviously a groundswell of desire to see "old" cars go fast. Nostalgia racing is becoming a major deal and presents an opportunity for IHRA to capitalize upon. Going to fuel floppers in an 8-car show is tremendous, but still, I contend more seats could be filled by a legitimate Nostalgia class.

We have to understand that the drag race audience is composed of "hard cores" and "the-yet-to-be-baptized" who may or may not come. The essence of capturing this group is variety, noise, chills and thrills. . .not an endless parade of the same thing. I am not saying that this is the case with IHRA, but as far as NHRA goes. . .well. . .it speaks for itself.

There are enough of the Nostalgia fuelers both rail and FC out there who I suspect would love to be part of the "show" on an on-going basis. . .and you'd best believe that there are folks out there thtat would pay just to see these guys run.

Perhaps an 8-car field composed of both FED's and FC's running head-to-head? Remember Pro Comp from years gone by? I'm not sure IHRA would get a full tour from all the same nostalgia racers, but there's enough of them out there in any geographic region to fill a show at any venue. I'm a nostalgia racer and, believe me, when the old floppers pull to the line, the fan reaction is simply fabulous. What I wouldn't give to see the English, Frakes and Funk Top Gas dual engine FED make a full-bore lap!

But I digress. . . . This is what drag racing is all about. . .variety, thrills and chills! Not some silly geriatric cacklefest. I think IHRA is a is a first class organization that is stepping up. Why just step up when the whole garbanza (sic) is ready for the taking? I firmly believe an 8-car fuel Nostalgia show would put more butts in seats, and not at a great deal of cost either.

Phil Nedham
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

STILL TALKIN' PRO MOD

I agree, it is not good to see the end of PM in NHRA. But I felt the end was set when there became two sets of rules (IHRA and the NHRA/ADRL). And it may never had a chance unless there had been a personality (a new John Force) to carry it; something to force Glendora to give it its due.

My guess (and I am a drag racer, thus I cannot speak as one of the "uneducated NHRA fans") is that people just saw it as a low six-second ET, not a mid to upper four-second ET and was not near as noisy/awe- inspiring. The average fan does not understand the technical competence required to run a 2700 lb car in the low six's (the average fan does not care, nor should they care about how hard it is; they are just out to be entertained, just like they were going to a rock concert instead of a symphony concert). Nor can they see (unless they get into the pits, and walking to the back is not what most do; in fact even us competitors use a golf cart or a scooter) how complex and how hard the crews work between rounds (again, not much compared to the total teardown of a fuel car). Unfortunately, some of these guys now have nowhere to race since they do not care for IHRA (it is not perfect, but at least they try and do want PM) other than the ADRL and that series cannot support big sponsor money.

And the diehard doorslammer fans were Pro Stock oriented; most of them do not think much of the "power adder" brigade.

And other than the above, you are absolutely correct in that most pros absolutely do not want more classes; they want to consolidate to one class (lots of professional jealousy). I have heard more than once that the powers that be in Glendora do not even consider Pro Stock a Professional Class, and that the fuel burner leaders make sure Glendora keeps that attitude. The attitude difference between NHRA and IHRA in the pro pits is incredible. I am tolerated in a few NHRA pits (and this is by people I have known for 10 years), welcomed with a handshake and a smile in the IHRA pits.

Enough ramblings about the downside: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

William D. (Dee) Kruse
TD/ET 4030