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I agree with most of the ideas you convey in paragraph 11. False claims will be dealt with severely in 2002. Up to and including loss of all claims for that event. The same applies to those racers who "slap decals" on their cars during the later rounds of competition. NHRA is currently working on a system where a racer can pre-register for contingency. The system will also provide for updating a racers profile at every event. NHRA encourages companies to pay on-site. Uncontested, verified claims must be paid within 45 days. I encourage any racer who encounters a slow pay situation to let Rita or I know as soon as possible. Some corporate structures just don't allow for instant payouts. It is hard for anyone to prove why a company may be slow in paying. Fining a company (or racer) is the absolute last thing I want to do. Companies who try to beat the system really cut their own throats. The bad ink they generate can usually never be overcome. In the end, NHRA either won't allow them back into the program until they pay the racers or, their business drops off to the point where they just disappear. I strongly disagree with your view that there isn't much support from NHRA in helping a racer collect their earned contingency awards. When a racer calls either Rita or myself concerning an unpaid, legitimate claim, the sponsor has two choices, pay-up or leave the program! I do agree with your view that Karen Raffa works very hard for the racers and sponsors. She and I talk frequently and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her. She is a great lady! I don't view your article as "whining". You do bring up some very good points. The vast majority of sponsors are doing the right thing. 90% of the sponsors pay within 60 days. This is reality. Some corporate structures don't allow for quick (under 30 day) payments. Bottom line is, were we to require companies to pay instantly, we would lose a fair number of sponsors. In the end, this would hurt racers. The best real world solution to this problem is for racers to stay on top of their awards. Let me know when there are problems. Most racers would rather complain about a problem than address it. It's human nature. Should you attend a NHRA National Event, stop by the Sponsor Trailer and introduce yourself. I spend more time at the races in and around the Sponsor Trailer than I do at home. Sincerely, Scott Forthmann IT'S EVEN WORSE FOR ET RACERS Just finished reading (Jok's) editorial about contingencies. To use a phrase, "Dead On". Another facet of this is the lack of contingency support for the biggest group of racers, the ET guys. If you look at the posting for a divisional ET Finals win as opposed to a divisional or national event it's pretty slim. As you are aware, a national event win could be worth $8,000-$12,000 or more, a divisional $4,000 to $7,000. An ET championship might garner $1,000-$2,000. Now I realize the Summit deal is worth $3500 and another $5000 if you win, but it just strikes me odd that the racers who BUY product from these manufacturers get the least back from them or no posting at all. I think NHRA should make their contingency sponsors post at the ET Finals as well as divisional and national levels. An ET Finals win is worth 200, runner-up is $100 times 4 classes is $1200 per division times 7 divisions is$8400. This money would go farther in terms of customer good will than the others would, I believe. I am not familiar with IHRA's program but I imagine it is similar. I did, however, receive some information from Dennis Tarkington about some things IHRA is doing for their ET program, so they are headed in the right direction. Thanks for listening!! Jay Gilman |
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