2/22/05

MARTIN FORGOT. . .

You forgot Ronnie Hood. He did win first Indy Pro Mod.

Thanks,

Tommy Mauney

A TRUTH SEEKER

I totally agree that the distribution of prize money could ultimately decrease the number of Pro Mod cars. The problem does not stop there, the same can be said for high dollar bracket racing and, heck, nearly every class of racing from Pro through Sportsman.

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While I feel that I can win every event I enter, I am also smart enough to know that I will win only a percentage of the time. Knowing that, I tend to look more closely at R/U, Semi, and 1/4 final money when I determine which races I attend.

Sure, having a 10K to win race gets attention, but if the 1/4 finalists only get 100.00 I will not even consider attending. I'm sure there are many other racers out there just like me.

I wonder just how many cars would show up for a race that paid out say 3,000 win, 2,500 r/u, 1,500 semi and 1,000 1/4? Add in some decent round money, say 100 per round starting 3rd round loser and I can guarantee you I'd be there!

Keep up the good work! I'm so glad to know that there are a few voices out there that speak the truth, whether it be complimentary to the NHRA/IHRA or not. I do not want PR....I want truth!

John Steffen

A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE

For me, [Burk's] article has sparked a fair amount of thought on the ethics side of this issue. I'll be brief here, but this topic is bigger than many want to address. Money, avarice and fear-driven egos are slowly suffocating the soul of the sport. I say this without pointing an accusing finger at any one person or group because I do not think there is a conspiracy nor any malice intended. Hubris in the ranks of the NHRA, yes. What your article points out is the yearning for our roots, our history if you will, that was predicated on participation by all, and elitist tendencies were not tolerated.

I think TV over-exposure has contributed to the hubris and elitism and thus the shrinking of the soul of drag racing. Your call for local promoters to step up and treat the little-guy racer (and fan) with respect will go miles in sparking a renaissance for all that long for the days when it was about the shared experience of innovation, ideas and craftsmanship meeting the cold hard world of the race track. I think drag racing has to be experienced first hand. Not on a TV screen. But so much energy is focused on the tube presence, that little is left for local events. Even the touring pros don't race locally anymore. The divide is widening.

So, it is not just trickle down the money to all racers that will save us. It is more of a mindset focused on all participants that will be the driving force in keeping the historic flame alive in the soul of drag racing. We need a few leaders to follow. Goodguys is one. The Pro Mod "Cavalcade of Stars" are all a part of this. We are all in this together. May TV hubris not spoil it.

Regards,

Brett Porter
Seattle