FROM MANUFACTURER #3
Mr. Nicholson,
Hello, I recently read your article titled "Contingent
Upon What?" and have a few questions for you.
Our company, The Aluminum Trailer Company is a new contingency
sponsor with the IHRA and we would like to better understand
the racers mindset during the racing season. As we see it
the racers are typically required to use the contingency
sponsors products (for those products they wish to qualify
for contingency money), show proof of ownership and have
the decals displayed on the racecar.
Not being actual racers ourselves we were confused with
your article as to the "throwing on decals" before
the finals. Wouldn't the decals be put on the car at the
beginning of the season and remain on the car during the
entire season? Would there be a reason why racers would
put decals on and off of the cars during each event? We
found this a bit confusing and were hoping you could clarify
this further so we can understand what is taking place at
these events. I thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Rich Schnippel
The Aluminum Trailer Company
FROM RACER #7
Way to go, Jok! What IHRA did was unbelievable. If the product
rep ask him to put it on then how in the world can they
penalize him for following an IHRA sponsors wishes! I would
be interested in hearing the sponsors thoughts on this.
. .all of them. As long as their decal appears in the winners
circle photo, what more would they care about? Maybe the
sponsors need to take it upon themselves to send this racer
his $7000 and show the IHRA they do not approve of these
kinds of tactics!
And to think I was proud to be an IHRA member because they
were for the sportsman racer. . .apparently not.
Tom Drake
FROM RACER #8
We have talked about this before. From the companies who
never contact you when they owe you money to those who won't
pay because of who knows what even after you jump through
all of their hoops. Look at Indy div 3 points race winner
Jamie Fenner: not a decal on the car. I wonder what money
he got?
Now here is something that really (ticks) me off about
the whole decal thing. Why isn't there a specific minimum
size everyone should have to meet? Not all of these cars
have the room for 100 decals that are 4" x 10"
or larger. And with the different angles decals are cut
at, how can someone expect you not to overlap them on top
of it? Yeah ok. Like my car has the room NOT to overlap
a corner here and there. Sponsor decals are one thing. But
this is nuts. Unless you are giving me product, a decal
should be 3.5" tall and 7" long. PERIOD. I won't
single anyone out, but some companies are trying to get
too much advertising for FREE with their contingency decals
in my opinion. Ok enough on that rant.
I believe Karen Raffa started the "sticker police"
with IHRA because a lot of people were slapping decals on
and not having the series sponsor decals on the cars back
when it was a snap on deal. In 1996 when my dad went to
his first Final at Brainerd, I swear we added about 30 decals
to the car between first round and the finals. Not one person
said a damn thing other than Congrats and you missed a decal
but we will try to get you paid for it. I do distinctly
remember pulling off a decal after a problem on Thursday
with one manufacturer. He was there to help push the car
for the finals and he paid us too. Till this day, that gentleman
still goes out of his way to do what he can when he sees
us. I wish more reps were like this guy.
I agree with you, though. Whatever decal is on the car,
it should get submitted regardless of if someone can see
the product or not. If the manufacturer decides to ask for
proof, then WE SHOULD PROVIDE IT! It's that simple.
Anatol (Tony) Denysenko
MoneyMaker Racing
Lyons, IL
IHRA and NHRA national record holder
I/FIA 5302 and 3302 1986 Mercury Capri
To read the Contigency Letters
from May 24th, click here.
