6/6/05

This batch of letters are in response to Jeff Burk's editorial about putting more "racing" in drag racing.

HIGH DEFINITION?

I have been going to drag races for over 40 years (I am 52) from working on them to watching, and I could not agree with you more. Unless I get the very hard to get "FREE" passes for Sears Point (yes, I call it that still since I was there for opening day racing a Funny Car) I would much rather watch it on my new HD 42" TV -- which by the way I thought the upcoming Chicago Race was to be broadcast in HD on ESPN2, I have not heard a word on this for the last couple of weeks from our NHRA boys.

Mike D'Arrio

FROM AN OLD TRACK PROMOTER. . .

Well, Mr. Burk. . .once again you've hit it spot on! Like you, we'll go where the nitro is, but it's getting tougher by the week. Having spent some time on starting lines, both weekly and at early IHRA national events, I can say with certainty that IF people work at it, 2 lane tracks are possible. . .but ya gotta work at it! The right materials have to be present and applied as often as necessary, and I'm not implying Moose Juice or any other liquid compound that's floating around these days. We used good old VHT, full strength in the barrel, but was pretty liberal with Gold Dust when necessary. I'd like to believe that Motion Raceway (in Illinois) provided a fair and equal surface every Saturday night for a lot of years. It's not rocket science. . .it's attention to detail and a strong desire to do the right thing by the competitors spending a ton of $$$ to perform for themselves and the spectators that come to support them. Frankly, I've never thought much of Buster's replacement. . .not to mention Steve's either! I can assure you that either of those folks and this writer would never allow such conditions to last more than 2 pair. . .and y'all can take that to the bank, Burkster!!! Thanks for layin' it out straight.

Ron Evans
Lovington, IL

WHO GETS LANE CHOICE?

I agree with you to a point. I have been going to the NHRA drag races for 29 years now. I, as many fans have, watched the sport evolve over the years into something entirely different than it was back then. But as far as competitive racing goes, each and every team is given 4 chances to make a run good enough to qualify. This is normally 2 runs in each lane. All things given, in my mind it is as fair as making number 1 run number 16. Maybe they should give the lesser qualified of the two lane choice or make number 1 run 2 and so forth. That would shake things up a little wouldn't it? Then you would not see the lesser qualified teams trying so hard that they always smoke the tires in the so called bad lane.

I applaud as you do the job the saftey crews do in preparing the track but you have to admit sometimes its just not possible to make both lanes equal.

Keep up the good work!
Best Regards,

Robbie Gaines
Greenville, SC

NO NASCAR FAN

Love your articles but had to comment. You said that drag racing cannot keep the fans interested for more then 4 hours. Excuse me, have you been to a NA$CAR race the last few years? Now that is boring. We quit going to NA$CAR races because of the cost, over a hundred bucks for a ticket and the incredibly boring races. My wife recently got hooked on the NHRA and went to her first race last November at Pomona. She loves it and makes the comment to folks that with the NHRA if one race sucks there is another race in a minute. With NA$CAR there is only one race.

We used to be big NA$CAR fans. Heck we met on a NA$CAR forum and we used to drive to Martinsville, Virginia from California for a NA$CAR race. Not anymore.

I just hope the NHRA does not follow NA$CAR with the BS rules and especially the hype. It is a huge turn-off for fans and non-fans. When Darrell Russell was killed, the NHRA was on it and the following week there rule changes for safety. When Dale Earnhardt was killed NA$CAR did nothing for almost a year.

Anyways, had to speak my mind. Take care and keep up the good work,

Mike Westfall