luxexpress
Nitro Member
Terry qualified number three in the first IHRA race BATON ROUGE - Top Fuel Qualifying, Final Order and I am pretty sure he'll be in Rockingham this weekend.
Nitromater
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Amazing the difference a month makes...
- Thread starter Toejam
- Start date
Terry qualified number three in the first IHRA race BATON ROUGE - Top Fuel Qualifying, Final Order and I am pretty sure he'll be in Rockingham this weekend.
I talked to a member of the McMillan team in Gainesville, and they will run 11 NHRA races, but will still run IHRA races as well.
mick
Nitro Member
any extra incentive to haul to races this year?
racers who normally seldom show due to lack of funding
are suddenly towing longer distances and showing this year at events
typically out of their homestate area?
hope i'm wrong - think it's great the fields have been full.
gotta' get the small guys out there sometime - look at the hartleys......
wasn't too many years ago nhra was not very impressed with their
on-track performances, or lack thereof - now this year they've qualified every race i believe.
racers who normally seldom show due to lack of funding
are suddenly towing longer distances and showing this year at events
typically out of their homestate area?
hope i'm wrong - think it's great the fields have been full.
gotta' get the small guys out there sometime - look at the hartleys......
wasn't too many years ago nhra was not very impressed with their
on-track performances, or lack thereof - now this year they've qualified every race i believe.
clwill
Nitro Member
How right you are.
I was NITRO BREATH
Nitro Member
Gotta say that i was not worried about full fields but what the bottom of the qualifying list would bring. Now I think we are seeing racers like hartley etc. coming in to the fields with valid qualifying times and a chance to go rounds. And we are getting some good racing in all rounds. So, I am encouraged about this season and the future. I think our sport has the ability to meet the chalenges of this down economy because of the loyalty of the fans and the urge that drivers will always have to race. And I think we can give NHRA a thumbs up for the job they are doing in putting on a great show in the first part of this season
corvette racer
Nitro Member
So why is it that "part timers" like Haddock, McMillen, Hartley, Cox, etc. can make every race so far, but big names like Herbert, Fuller, Vandergriff, et. al. can't even make one (except BV in Atlanta)? Who's in it for the love of racing, no matter what, and who's in it just for the money?
Terry is in Rockingham this weekend, which will put him over the NHRA "testing" limits. He will go to St Louis next weekend and earn ZERO points and his four "testing" sessions will start over per Graham Light. This will allow for 2 match races later in the season and no more lost NHRA points but also will not allow any more IHRA events.Sorry if I am wrong on this, but with the "testing rules" doesn't the fact that Terry has also been running over at the IHRA eliminate him from getting points toward the Countdown. If so, then the ban really sucks.
That is complete B.S. that NHRA must resort to "extortion" tactics to penalize guys like Terry Haddock for running IHRA.
Hey NHRA! These guys are making it possible for you to have full fields in TF. This is so wrong in so many ways that I can't believe it.
I appreciate the Terry Haddocks of the racing world for what they do for the sport as a whole and they SHOULD NOT be penalized for it by NHRA.
I have resisted getting on the bandwagon of slamming NHRA until now. Its more that I can stand. Its extortion (plain and simple) and they should be ashamed of themselves for it. What a "nutless" thing to do.
I'm sure a certain member here with ties to the organization will chime in and justify it all but this time there is no excuse.
JIMBO
Nitro Member
And I can guarantee that this will never be mentioned on any broadcast and no mic's will be pointed Terry's way.
These were the rules coming into Pomona and everyone knew this would happen if they were to run the IHRA schedule or go over the 4 testing days, so I am not sure why you are shocked now. Right or wrong in your view, but this is in place to prevent the top TF teams from using the IHRA races as test sessions. If the NHRA let Terry get points in St. Louis after going over the 4 testing days policy, then they are setting a precedent which would allow all teams to go over the testing policy allotment of testing days which would go against all the reasons why the policy was put in place. For the record, I have no ties to the organization.
Treeshaker
Nitro Member
I agree totally. NHRA knows that very little information is gathered for a team when running an IHRA event. The track surfaces and times for runs are different enough to create more confusion than help. NHRA is just using this as a way to make teams decide which organization they are going to run. It upsets the NHRA executives a whole bunch when anyone runs both organization. I know from past personal experiences.
I still don't get why penalize the small guy. These are the teams that are allowing then to get full fields so far.
These are the guys that also go around and still do match races. Taking the sport to other places and helping it grow.
Most would not be in the running for the cham...err I mean countdown lotto but while looking for sponsors I would think pointing out that they were 14th in points is better than 27th and all because they were not able to earn points at some races.
On the plus side it appears that once you hit 4 test sessions you miss points at the next race but then start over again. if so at least thats good
These are the guys that also go around and still do match races. Taking the sport to other places and helping it grow.
Most would not be in the running for the cham...err I mean countdown lotto but while looking for sponsors I would think pointing out that they were 14th in points is better than 27th and all because they were not able to earn points at some races.
On the plus side it appears that once you hit 4 test sessions you miss points at the next race but then start over again. if so at least thats good
clwill
Nitro Member
The argument for this rule is that if you allow big budget teams all the testing they want, they'll out-test the small budget teams and have a major advantage. From what they say, all the teams, big and small, are on board. I guess I understand that, and although I think making people test in qualifying at national events is pretty brutal, it can be argued that it evens the field.
But the inclusion of IHRA events in this ban seems like little more than spite from NHRA. As Virgil notes, there isn't much data to be gained, mostly just practice for going rounds. As proof, you've never seen any of NHRA's big budget teams over in the IHRA. Their testing is always on dedicated tracks with an NHRA prep -- and hence the ban.
The first step in losing is when you focus on your opponent and take your eye off what you're doing. By worrying so much about punishing the IHRA, it seems that Glendora is not only being petty, but wasting energy that might be used to make NHRA better.
But the inclusion of IHRA events in this ban seems like little more than spite from NHRA. As Virgil notes, there isn't much data to be gained, mostly just practice for going rounds. As proof, you've never seen any of NHRA's big budget teams over in the IHRA. Their testing is always on dedicated tracks with an NHRA prep -- and hence the ban.
The first step in losing is when you focus on your opponent and take your eye off what you're doing. By worrying so much about punishing the IHRA, it seems that Glendora is not only being petty, but wasting energy that might be used to make NHRA better.
Oh how much truth can you fit into 19 simples words.
Paul I agree the Policy towards IHRA racers competing in NHRA sucks, but I doubt Terry McMullin is competing for pts. in NHRA anyway! I think his sponsor's just looking for some added exposure via the extra races. IHRA is their Priority I'm willing to bet!
FABMAN
Nitro Member
Lets not be to hard on Topeka, back when the track opened and was raced in the fall it was the best track on the circuit and it sold out every year. I think it should be brought back to the fall and it would fit well for teams travel.
MM
Nitro Member
I actually can understand them wanting to put the squeeze on ihra. I'm not saying I agree but if drivers only have set amount of cash, they are doing what they beleive will help keep more of them racing nhra. Now yes we can argue if it works or not. But the idea behind it I get. The nfl doesn't allow it teams to go play in the cfl on its bye week. So I get that, don't like it but at least I get it.
The testing ban taking away max opportunities to match race and such is what really irks me. I think Wilkerson had such a great year last year in part due to the at least 4 match races he did that helped raise the needed money to compete at the level he was able to.
The testing ban taking away max opportunities to match race and such is what really irks me. I think Wilkerson had such a great year last year in part due to the at least 4 match races he did that helped raise the needed money to compete at the level he was able to.
