NATIONAL SPORTSMAN ORGANIZATION NEEDED

I have had the same experiences as far as getting paid from contingency sponsors. In 1988, I won S/G at the NHRA Summernationals at E-town and lost over $1000 for various reasons and waited up to 6 months for payments. My partner won S/ST at the same race this year in May and also has had trouble getting paid from some of the same companies you named including, Manley, that's located in our state. It is ridiculous the way this program is run but it is normal practices for many companies in and out of racing and it's a poor way to do business. All you can do is be persistent.

One poor example was my friend had C&A Rings in his motor, decal on the car all verified and yet they "inadvertently" left S/St out of the contingency program while paying every other category. We called them, wrote them, and they said our hands are tied but we'll send you a t-shirt, coffee mug and shop apron. Nice company. Well I build many motors including that one and C&A Rings won't be used again here.

A national organization of sportsman racers independent of the sanctioning bodies is the only answer to these problems. We tell them what we want or we don't enter their races. Then they will listen and take steps to remedy problems. As it is now there are so many people at the gate, NHRA can do anything they want and the racers just keep putting up with it and coming back for more. Payouts versus entries is another story all together.

Well, now I'm rambling on so I'll just say take care and sign off,

Rich Biebel
S/C 1479

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Read (Jok's) article and laughed because the same companies owe me from Bowling Green SG ru. When finals are few a racer counts on that money. Manley says if rods are over 2 yrs they won't pay. Guess if that's all the longer they last, I'll switch brands. If they don't pay doesn't the sanctioning body collect posted money for the year? Not sure but that's what I understand.

Enjoy the web site. Keep up the good work.

Carl Root
S/G 36

FROM THE MANUFACTURER'S PERSPECTIVE

I read your column in regards to the contingency program. It is easy for racers to see their perspective and not look at the manufacturer's perspective.

I would like to ask you to include this information in your online publication.

I must first explain that during the 2000 season we were most definitely behind in our contingency program. I hope that you can understand the situation. During February of 2000 we broke ground on a new facility. During July the builder passes away, leaving J.W. Performance with the responsibility of completing the building. This requires that we pull our office resources to contract sub contractors and etc... to complete the project. As unfortunate as it may have been the contingency and other programs suffered. We sent several letters apologizing for this matter.

During the 2001 season things have improved significantly, but need to improve more. Our goal is to get the payment to the racers within 90 days. There are some situations that require support and proof of purchase. If a racer was at an event where he could not receive a decal, we do pay the racer providing a current photo of the car is sent with the decal(s) on the car. However, decals are available at the Adventure Team or J.W. Performance trailer at NHRA and IHRA national events. We also send 500 decals to each sanction body during January of each year. If they run out of decals they contact us.

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