Amazing Jon Asher Article (3 Viewers)

[Johnny Ringo]

I attended the Indy Nationals last year (2011) with my wife, who had never attended a drag race. Last time I was there was 1970 driving Snake's FC. We sat in the "Top Eliminator" grandstands at $350 a seat. It did include a few catered meals that must have been left overs from the local Cracker Barrel. We bought a couple of seat cushions that as soon as you sat on them turned into concrete. No disrespect, but watching Garlits racing Gwinn in electric dragsters and a weak wheelstander made me sick! It kinda reminded me of a third rate carnival act.

We very much enjoyed TF, FC and Pro Mod's. When Diane experienced the first FC pass, it pretty near lifted her out of her seat. Her eyes got so big they nearly touched. Gasping for breath she looked at me and said, " I'm glad I didn't know you when you were doing that for a living"! Got a good laugh from that comment.

The races were good, but the sideshows sucked!

 

[PiPPi]

Last time I was there was 1970 driving Snake's FC.

Very cool. So what was the story about the unintentional fire burnout?

Regards
PiPPi
http://HarleyDrags.com

 

[indidad- The Guy- Uncle Steve]

Since nobody commented on this the first time, here you go!

Joe, I can tell you one story from first hand experience.

My oldest daughter, she'll be 27 this year, raced in a Jr. Dragster for several years in the mid-90's. We raced where we could in the area at the time. Milan and Ubly in Michigan, Grand Bend in Ontario, and a couple times at Norwalk.

I bought the car used for around $2000 TK, it came with a flatbed trailer that was just big enough. Keep in mind, it was one of the first LJ Jrs made, chromoly tube and aluminum panels. Only glass was the nose. No titanium or carbon fiber. By the time we painted it, updated SFI, bought a helmet and accessories, I probably spent $4000-$5000, just to get started.

A buddy of mine who also had a kid in a Jr, eventually asked about joining forces. He had an enclosed trailer, I had a generator. He had some tools, I had some tools. We shared travel expenses, bought race fuel and supplies in double quantities for volume discounts, etc.

Bottom line though was the "bottom line". Eventually, the cost of being competitive exceeded the "YTD overtime $ earned" line on my paycheck. We all know for what it cost me to get started might get you a used JR today.

These days, my daughter is still interested in racing. But there's career, family and reality in general to consider. My buddy's "kid" is an engineer at Roush, and recently bought a roller (not sure of maker). He's 23 and will race as long as he's making some money. (Unless there's a woman in his future that says otherwise)

Not sure what percentage of kids initially exposed to Jr Drag Racing in the 1990's have stuck with racing. Jr Todd, Richie Stevens, Erica Enders come to mind. Sure there are more at the Pro level that I'm missing. Also sure there are several in the sportsman ranks.

There are also the one's that raced because dad thought it was cool, and the kid hated it.

Finally, there are two NHRA Pros in my family and I can't speak for them. But I bet despite racing providing them with an income, neither is telling any of their kids to follow in their footsteps.

With that said, I agree that you have a good question.

 

[Rat]

It's a very hard question to answer. All factors, Kids passion, parents passion vs. actual dollars whether it's the family was well off and could afford it, if things changed and money had to be put elsewhere due to keeping the family stable, or if there was never any family money and if sponorship just dried up. For example Erica has not been racing every year due to money yet anyway she made ends meet she did it and stays out competing. Now Richie who knows why he's not driving, could be not finding any seat and/or sponsorship since the DSR stint, but it could also be maybe the NHRA passion is not there. I know he's been playing in the ADRL and is quite good, I have no idea if he has any desire to race NHRA. Really it's all down to the roots that you came from, passion, and the economy and it's hard to really figure out the answer.

 

[George.]

Sounds to me you have already given up on this sport! Your beating a Dead Horse!

Joe,
First, I would like for you to consider that what I post as my opinion. I'm not JC, nor do I think I know everything.
Having said that, I've been in business for myself since I was 21 years old. I made enough mistakes for everyone here, and then some. I see some of the same utterly basic and unacceptable mistakes happening to the NHRA right now, but I also see a blind eye turned toward these mistakes.. That's the frustrating part.
Like other people on these forums, I can tell you that I've learned a little bit from what I've done wrong, but more importantly, I made changes from what I've learned and I'm still here and viable after all of these years..

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That seems to be the most coined phrase of all time, and the NHRA lives by it..

The one piece of advice that I received that helped me "get it" in my business career was this, "if it ain't broke, break it"
If you think you might need to change now to fix something, well, you're probably 5 years too late already..
Business is simply like steering a boat. You can turn the wheel, but the boat doesn't react and turn immediately. So, if you didn't turn the wheel soon enough, you end up like the Titanic. So, don't forget to keep looking into the future and plan changes right now.

That's the problem here, and some of us consider the NHRA as a very cool part of our lives for the past 25 years, so we care deeply about it's future viability. I, like many here, have crazy memories from the track and national event night life that I wouldn't trade for ALL of the tea in China. You should have the opportunity for the same, as well as the next generation. If you think I should just shut up because nobody is listening, well.. maybe you are right.
I can't.
I can only hope that someone from the "powers that be" will put their egos aside, and wake the phuck up before they reach the iceberg. The iceberg is still far off, but it's getting closer with each passing day, and the wheel is still dead straight..

 

[Bill]

"if it ain't broke, break it"

I think NHRA already broke it, years ago.

Drag racing is, or WAS conceived as a SPORT, not a business.

Where is it written that two cars, accelerating side-by-side, should be a vehicle for a "show biz" mindset that is hell-bent on wringing MONEY out of that activity?

I am appalled at what has happened to the SPORT of drag racing, in the interest of seeing how much money can be generated by manipulating the paramaters of what USED to be pure sport, into the $$$-driven circus we have, now.

There was a time (years ago) when "ingenuity in action" was NHRA's hue and cry, and innovation and fresh design were not only welcomed, but were encouraged. Top Eliminator cars were competitive with a variety of powerplants; Lincolns, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, Chevys and Chrysler wedge motors were used with varying degrees of success, and all won national events at one time or another.

Modified Eliminator was hugely popular, partially because of the almost endless variety of cars and powerplants that were tuned into viable, competitive race efforts, giving practically everyone someone to cheer for.

There were virtually NO multi-car teams, big-money sponsorships, TV coverage, T-shirt shooters, delay boxes, 1,000-foot racing, and drag racing was arguably a lot more popular (1,200 entries at the '61 Nationals) with racers AND spectators then, than it is, now.

What we have lost: The soul of drag racing (the SPORT) has been greatly compromised by several things, but at the bottom of it all, is NHRA's lust for money.

That greedy mindset has cost us (the fans and many would-be racers) the opportunities that might have made it possible to spectate, or compete, in a sport that still had a variety of opportunities that no longer exist.

For the fan, the racing has become so regulated, technically, that the microscope that serves as the NHRA tech machine, quashes anything that smacks of innovative design or change. The rules for the Pro categories are so restrictive that even IF you could run a Jim Bucher-type Chevy
motor in a Top Fueler, and be competitive, the NHRA rulebook won't allow it.

Ditto, Fuel Funny Car.

Pro stock has its own set of parameters for legal engine designs, prohibiting such power-enhancing designs as 4-valve combustion chambers (which have been around for over 80 years) and fuel injection (how many years has it been since you could buy a new car with a carburettor on it???)

But, the let the body specialists swoop the aero to the point that they have to write the brand name of the car on the body, or you can't tell what kind of car it is... a real good way to promote fan support for their favorite marque!

Chrysler Hemi-design engines in Ford Funny cars... and even when Ford starts building their own engines, NHRA FORCES them to build an engine that is more like a Chrysler Hemi than anything Ford ever built.

Go figure...

There was a healthy NHRA fan base when they had 3 national events. Why do they need 24? The "points races" back then, ran Pro-category cars, and had something to advertise that brought in spectators in respectable numbers.

Points races are basically a group of ghost towns, now...

To my way of thinking, if NHRA and it's money-grubbing ways, folds like a deck of cards, and drag racing reverts to the M.O. it operated under during the early 1960s, it might be the best thing that ever happened to the SPORT.

It would be populated by people whose involvement in it was due to their love for what they were doing, and not how much money they thought they could make, doing it.

Gone would be the mega-buck sponsorships, the multi-car teams, million dollar crew chiefs, and restrictive rules that stifle competion and innovation.

S.C.C.A. in a straight line...

Then, I woke up...

 

[DrRocket]

Bill, you make some interesting points. I'm not sure you can lay the entire blame for the ways things have developed squarely at the feet of Glendora.

IMHO, to some degree, the "sport" has become a victim of its own success. I also think you can lay the "blame" at the feet of the Fuel and Pro Stock racers themselves for the way things have developed. Take the recently retired Kenny Bernstein for example. He led the way in "professionalizing" the average operation, as did Joe Amato and John Force, but I don't see you calling them out. Glendora isn't holding a gun to anyone's head and forcing them to buy these high buck transporters, tech centers, highly engineered engines or any of that. The racers did all of that to themselves. Hell, I'm even seeing "sportsman" racers running superstocks showing up with semi rigs. Do they NEED them. Maybe, maybe not. But Tom Compton isn't forcing them into it.

No opportunities to compete?? Please. There's plenty of opportunities to go racing at a local level, with very little investment required. Here are my own adventures at Rock Falls. linky linky My investment? Gas to get there and the entry fee. Did I have fun? You bet. I had a ball. And I'm going to do it again this year. (Family issues and a nutty work schedule kept me out of action in 2011. )

Are there problems with "the sport?" Sure, I'm not debating that point. What I'm saying is that you can't just heap the entire blame at Gledora's feet.

Heck, a few years ago, WJ himself said that auto racing at the professional level has become "Engineeing Entertainment."

Your rant kind of comes across to me as a grumpy old dude (And I AM one!) grousing about "The good old days when men were men and the (Insert you own punch line here) KNEW it!!!

 

[Super Mod]

Some very interesting comments from readers in today's Complus (including Fred Simmonds)

Jon is spot on with his analysis and suggestions on how to increase interest in drag racing. It's time for the top management of all drag racing organizations to step up to the new realities of the marketplace, or else go into retirement. - Fred Simmonds

(Simmonds is the former head of GM’s drag racing operations. – Ed.)

 

[Toejam]

Some of you should seriously consider applying for a Marketing job with NHRA! Sounds like they could learn a thing or two from an Expert!

 

[Rat]

Some of you should seriously consider applying for a Marketing job with NHRA! Sounds like they could learn a thing or two from an Expert!

Where are you getting the impression that anyone says they are an expert? Since when did showing an opinion immediately imply that someone is an expert? You need to re-read. This is nothing but marketing complaints and ideas, there's nothing here that says expert.

 

[rollingthunder]

I say bring back the bikini contests !!

 

[mick]

I say bring back the bikini contests !!

they won't let them @ brainerd

 

[George.]

Some of you should seriously consider applying for a Marketing job with NHRA! Sounds like they could learn a thing or two from an Expert!

What you don't get is this...
Most small business people have made our living on their own. No Mommy, no daddy and no safety net. Just the bank, the government, and every other bill in front of the first dime you take home.
Worst case scenerio for any company is to be run by a group of people with nothing personal to lose, nor have ever been exposed to the wolves at their own door. That "real world" exposure to failure that can injure your business and extend personally is the component that makes you keenly aware of the ramifications of ignoring the trends of your customer. Those whom are in tune, suceed.. Those who are not end up like Border Book stores.

I'm no genius, and I am not up on current social network marketing trends, so I look to people who are and listen to them.. I listen and I let them do the job without any ego stepping in.
Point is that things constantly change, and you better have people on hand that can anticipate these changes before it's too late.

The NHRA is a well known group of old, egotistically driven men who have NOTHING personal to risk here. They have pocketed their retirement and have nothing personal to lose. They have happily $hit all over the racers, fans, vendors and owners since I can remember, because they could and you had to take it and shut up.. Just look up some TV history of Robert Devour and the Gliddens sometime. Or currently, watch how they screw with DSR. Unless there is some young blood brought in, and some of these old knuckleheads are shown the door, expect more fall off in the future.
That should explain it...

 

[Rat]

What you don't get is this...
Most small business people have made our living on their own. No Mommy, no daddy and no safety net. Just the bank, the government, and every other bill in front of the first dime you take home.
Worst case scenerio for any company is to be run by a group of people with nothing personal to lose, nor have ever been exposed to the wolves at their own door. That "real world" exposure to failure that can injure your business and extend personally is the component that makes you keenly aware of the ramifications of ignoring the trends of your customer. Those whom are in tune, suceed.. Those who are not end up like Border Book stores.

I'm no genius, and I am not up on current social network marketing trends, so I look to people who are and listen to them.. I listen and I let them do the job without any ego stepping in.
Point is that things constantly change, and you better have people on hand that can anticipate these changes before it's too late.

The NHRA is a well known group of old, egotistically driven men who have NOTHING personal to risk here. They have pocketed their retirement and have nothing personal to lose. They have happily $hit all over the racers, fans, vendors and owners since I can remember, because they could and you had to take it and shut up.. Just look up some TV history of Robert Devour and the Gliddens sometime. Or currently, watch how they screw with DSR. Unless there is some young blood brought in, and some of these old knuckleheads are shown the door, expect more fall off in the future.
That should explain it...

I agree and your 100% on target they have nothing personal to risk is 100% true. I should of known this and posted it years ago, I have a wealth of knowledge in America business, I am not an expert, but the same story always has the same ending. Businesses that go the extra mile to maintain their growth or are never happy with whatever there standing is (even if there # 1) always always always last longer and succeed because they adapt to the current state of the economy, needs, wants, demand. This is why borders went bust, this is why K-Mart is pratically destroyed. I predict that if sat. radio is the next to go if they don't adapt.

When I go to book fairs/signings, I am responsible for every dollar I spent and every one i make. I can't afford a bad investment so I keep both eyes open before I sign anything. Yea, some investments have not been good but it's the intelligence to know when to take a risk and when to back off from a risk; you cant ever go all-in.The NHRA never adapts to continue meeting the needs of the factors that make a difference. We constantly here this fans are important crap, yet it don't matter. They would run the race with 0 fans in the stands, the only issue then would be no $ coming in

For everyone in opposition tell me a time that the NHRA has adapted and tries for continued growth instead of the same old this sport is working, our pay is safe, we can just keep rolling along. Jobs are not on the line and everyone always like to justify that they earn their money because that's what someone in that job position should make. This sport needs to take risks because a risk can become a gain. As I said before If I was the nhra instead of charging 60 bucks on sunday to get in try 1 sunday at 40. What are NHRA's current financials?

1. It should be made public cause it's public information. How are they a not-for-profit. 2. If they need to trim the fat, passing the costs on to fans, teams, sponsors, and not from internal payroll is not the way to go. If the NHRA Brass can show that they earn what they make i'll shut up, but i'm tired of seeing this sport continually go the direct opposite of the path that it needs to take. The economy went to hell in late 2008, NHRA has done absolutely nothing to try and at least keep attendance. Prices have not even stayed the same. They just go up.

 

[DragFan2]

I agree and your 100% on target they have nothing personal to risk is 100% true. I should of known this and posted it years ago, I have a wealth of knowledge in America business, I am not an expert, but the same story always has the same ending. Businesses that go the extra mile to maintain their growth or are never happy with whatever there standing is (even if there # 1) always always always last longer and succeed because they adapt to the current state of the economy, needs, wants, demand. This is why borders went bust, this is why K-Mart is pratically destroyed. I predict that if sat. radio is the next to go if they don't adapt.

When I go to book fairs/signings, I am responsible for every dollar I spent and every one i make. I can't afford a bad investment so I keep both eyes open before I sign anything. Yea, some investments have not been good but it's the intelligence to know when to take a risk and when to back off from a risk; you cant ever go all-in.The NHRA never adapts to continue meeting the needs of the factors that make a difference. We constantly here this fans are important crap, yet it don't matter. They would run the race with 0 fans in the stands, the only issue then would be no $ coming in

For everyone in opposition tell me a time that the NHRA has adapted and tries for continued growth instead of the same old this sport is working, our pay is safe, we can just keep rolling along. Jobs are not on the line and everyone always like to justify that they earn their money because that's what someone in that job position should make. This sport needs to take risks because a risk can become a gain. As I said before If I was the nhra instead of charging 60 bucks on sunday to get in try 1 sunday at 40. What are NHRA's current financials?

1. It should be made public cause it's public information. How are they a not-for-profit. 2. If they need to trim the fat, passing the costs on to fans, teams, sponsors, and not from internal payroll is not the way to go. If the NHRA Brass can show that they earn what they make i'll shut up, but i'm tired of seeing this sport continually go the direct opposite of the path that it needs to take. The economy went to hell in late 2008, NHRA has done absolutely nothing to try and at least keep attendance. Prices have not even stayed the same. They just go up.

Patrick,

Thanks for being so passionate about this sport, and you make some valid points. What I can't figure out is how your book(s) are being published if you have as many grammatical and/or spelling errors as your posts on Nitromater. Do you have a ghost writer? Not being ugly, just wondering.

 

[mick]

.......For everyone in opposition tell me a time that the NHRA has adapted and tries for continued growth instead of the same old this sport is working.......

seriously?
what do you think the countdown is all about? they may not have
been the leader with this deviation,
but they certainly did not change for change's sake.

- 45 min. turnarounds / 90% or less nitro
- 1000' distance
- night qualifying
- jr. dragster program
- kids and veterans ticket incentives
- top eliminator club
- improved 'diaper' and restraint systems
- tower & bleacher suites
- espn contract - sunday broadcasts
- paved pro pits
- amenity improvements

these are not in any particular order, but rite off the top of my head this
short list in the last 20 or so years are great examples of change for
the betterment of the sport..... whether or not successful is debatable.

 

[Rat]

seriously?
what do you think the countdown is all about? they may not have
been the leader with this deviation,
but they certainly did not change for change's sake.

- 45 min. turnarounds / 90% or less nitro
- 1000' distance
- night qualifying
- jr. dragster program
- kids and veterans ticket incentives
- top eliminator club
- improved 'diaper' and restraint systems
- tower & bleacher suites
- espn contract - sunday broadcasts
- paved pro pits
- amenity improvements

these are not in any particular order, but rite off the top of my head this
short list in the last 20 or so years are great examples of change for
the betterment of the sport..... whether or not successful is debatable.

I can say your correct on your facts, but not all of that defines growth and change. Not all of these points have anything to do with what this article and my point is about. The changes have to be directly affecting the revenue and the popularity of the NHRA. None of these grew the sport, ok TV but that is suffering bad and length and repetition is the reason. The NHRA needs to incorporate more night qualifying and night races when curfews can be friendly. Night qualifying is a huge sell and a night race needs to be on the tour again. That's one key element there just missing.

Mike, I don't mean to argue with you, but the nhra needs to growth and stop relying on growth with new strategies pushed to the same market. They need to go behind the car guy.

 

[Rat]

Patrick,

Thanks for being so passionate about this sport, and you make some valid points. What I can't figure out is how your book(s) are being published if you have as many grammatical and/or spelling errors as your posts on Nitromater. Do you have a ghost writer? Not being ugly, just wondering.

I don't go outta my way to proof read on mater. It's a hobby where accuracy should not be judged and a point should be debated.

 

[MM]

I don't go outta my way to proof read on mater. It's a hobby where accuracy should not be judged and a point should be debated.

But at the same time, it is hard to take a post or an opinion seriously when the poster can hardly form a cogent sentence amongst their ramblings.

 

[mick]

I can say your correct on your facts, but not all of that defines growth and change.......

patrick, you are impossible to reason with - all of the items on that list
in one way or another define growth and/or change, and without them could
have or probably would have slowed growth.....
last time i looked they are not starting races with flags.

i know you are looking for some unearthly grandiose light/dark change that
somehow is supposed to sweep drag racing into the future and beyond with
uncontrollable fan appeal......dream on, if it was that easy......

we do agree on night racing..... and on sat. night; that i believe is
possible, somewhere...... and try it at a big race that is already hugely
popular, and just put it over the top......gainesville.