Photo by Ian Tocher
7/10/03

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

irst, a disclaimer: I'm a Canadian living in the United States, so in no way am I opposed to cross-border visits by any race sanctioning body. But when I read a report suggesting the IHRA has discussed adding two more races in western Canada to complement its recently completed inaugural event in Edmonton, Alberta, I had to wonder what's going on.

This year, IHRA scheduled three of its 12 national events in Canada, which I think is a generous ratio for Canadian drag racing fans -- especially since I suspect their impact on most of the sponsors of U.S.-based racers will fall well below the 25-percent mark. And while I agree with the general thinking of creating a western swing for IHRA racers --similar to the Denver-Seattle-Sonoma tour that NHRA racers will soon embark on -- I don't see why that swing should go through the Canadian Rockies. I question the value of adding even more dates north of the border before expanding IHRA's reach in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Now, I don't blame track operators up there for trying to bring an IHRA national event to their venues. For many strips it would provide their only taste of nitro all year, they'd see star drivers and cars, Canadian fans have proven themselves eager for the product, and overall the IHRA puts on a damn good show. Who wouldn't want that?

But should the IHRA go just because it's wanted? Sure, that's a necessary consideration, but there's got to be more to measure a successful event by than friendly fans, decent beer, and sanctioning fees. Isn't realizing the greatest benefit to the greatest number of IHRA members even more important?

Unless more U.S. dates are in the works -- and assuming all current events remain in the schedule -- adding two more Canadian races would mean more than a third of IHRA's national events would be contested in Canada. That's great for Canadian racers and sponsors, but I'd wager the vast majority of IHRA members call the U.S. "home" and carry lettering from U.S.-based companies on the sides of their racecars. How many of those companies even have a presence in Canada?

If expansion is in the cards, wouldn't it make more sense for IHRA to build its presence in the western United States? Apparently there's already a five-year commitment in place for the Edmonton race, so there's going to be a long trip and a border crossing in most pro and many sportsman teams' futures anyway. Perhaps making a stop or two along the way in new mid-western markets or somewhere in the Pacific Northwest could be worked out. This might also promote the creation of new IHRA pro class teams in the western states, particularly in the Pro Stock arena. The way it is now, it still seems doubtful anyone out there will initiate a new mountain-motor program based on Edmonton being the only race that's easy to reach.

I realize most Canucks (and probably the decision-makers in Norwalk, Ohio) won't agree with my position, but the fact remains that U.S.-based companies fuel major-league drag racing and they have to be considered when changes or additions to the schedule are being considered. And I want to emphasize I'm not at all discouraging Canadian participation in IHRA racing. In fact, I greatly admire the efforts that Canadian track operators and racers make, particularly as they face the additional burden of the Canadian dollar's purchasing power (I know, I know, it's been getting better, but it still lags far behind those Yankee greenbacks). I just can't help but think that unless Mexico is next on the list, there's already enough International in IHRA.

Race safe,