ASHER'S COLUMN on COMP PLUS!!! HOME RUN!!!

[Alan]

Perhaps Larry Morgan should head up PRO.......

 

[PJ]

It really saddens me.

I wish the people running our great sport cared even a tenth as much as we do about it

 

[Shazam]

What really disturbs me is the "cocky" attitude they have, especially Graham Light. He was a racer at one time and should be more in tune with the racers.

The one guy I can remember being fair was Buster Couch. He was strict but always listened to the racers. Maybe we need some more of that "good ole boy" attitude that IHRA seems so successful with.

This stuff is pretty much my life and I worry that it's not going to be here someday. Just shoot me now.

 

[Ugly one]

I now have an NHRA membership card that is in several small pieces being mailed to Glendora TODAY.
I would think that if they received several thousand more they might begin to get it.

 

[BaldyLochs]

Just like David Williams stated above.... all this crap is just sad. Clearly this is not what Wally & Barb dreamed of. Whatever you're level of involvement or participation may be....this is supposed to be FUN. Still, somehow I'm confident we'll all make it through.

 

[Doug in the woods]

I wish I was a fly on the wall in Glendora today in the conference room.
could be an interesting meeting w/ DSR and NHRA
hope Don fills us in on happenings today.
This nitrogate is getting outta control.
What about the sportsmen fuel?
VP only??

 

[Toejam]

You know what's strange about all of this, I go to a TON of races every year so I kinda feel a little guilty in all of this. Fact is I enjoy the hell out of myself when I'm at the track, most of the time. Most of the behind the scenes stuff is unknown to those of us while at the racetrack! I had NO idea about the DSR fine till I came home and watched the telecast. However now that Poor track-prep is becoming a race to race ordeal, I'm starting to weigh options on whether it's worth going to certain races or not! And unless NHRA addresses that preticular issue, I may start cutting back on the number of races I attend every year!

I think most here will agree that the Sport of Drag racing isn't the problem, it's the Corporate hacks within the NHRA who constantly display incompetence that gets our Goats!

 

[FABMAN]

What really disturbs me is the "cocky" attitude they have, especially Graham Light. He was a racer at one time and should be more in tune with the racers.

The one guy I can remember being fair was Buster Couch. He was strict but always listened to the racers. Maybe we need some more of that "good ole boy" attitude that IHRA seems so successful with.

This stuff is pretty much my life and I worry that it's not going to be here someday. Just shoot me now.

Speaking of Buster, my first NHRA national event i raced at was the inaugural race at the Motorplex. He knew that i was new to NHRA and he took the time to come up to me and explain how his procedure was running starting line and lights. I have a picture of my car leaving leaving starting line with him running the tree, i will cherish those moments for ever. Your exactly right Arthur the good ole boys have left that organization at least at the top level.

 

[Alan]

I think most here will agree that the Sport of Drag racing isn't the problem, it's the Corporate hacks within the NHRA who constantly display incompetence that gets our Goats!

Exactly!!! We need to go to the races, to support the teams, buy the shirt that supports our favorite drivers, etc. Yeah, NHRA gets their piece of the pie too. Maybe, just maybe, some positive chnages will occur, that will benefit racers and fans alike, not the corporate jackasses....

 

[Marchboom]

Well, whatever the racers do, they better do it soon while early in the points race. The closer we get to Indy, the less racers will want to stay away from getting those points.

But it appears that racers are not happy, whether they say so or not. A simple refusal to show up at a major race will send the message big time. But that refusal to show up has to include everyone. And it must be accompanied with a demand for some NHRA management to step down. If their request is not met, then the next race is next on the chopping block. Otherwise they are wasting their time. Think the race sponsor might be a little pissed? Think, maybe, the race sponsor might just put a little pressure on the NHRA management?

This issue must be handled NOW as it will only get worst and could hurt attendance (especially at poorly maintained tracks), TV coverage and sponsorships.

This is what happens when a sport becomes a business. It's no longer fun.

 

[stanman]

...I think most here will agree that the Sport of Drag racing isn't the problem, it's the Corporate hacks within the NHRA who constantly display incompetence that gets our Goats!

That right there is a mouthful!!

As I've said countless times, drag racing would survive without the NHRA!

As to address your comments about track prep, Joe...

What makes the Vegas thing even more unnerving is the exact same thing happened a couple years ago. The NHRA "track guru" came in an screwed up the track after the Vegas crew had already laid the ground work. NHRA had to have the Vegas crew come in Saturday night and fix things so that the show on Sunday was back to standards. Side note to that story... a lot of Sportsman guys went red Sunday morning because the starting line was back up to Vegas standards.

 

[Kevin]

It was a great article. Sadly, nothing will change. Just like the racers, I'll continue to attend events. At what point will that change for me? Can't say right now, I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I am tying to think of a T-shirt protesting nitrogate. So far I haven't come up with much.

But we are also talking about quality of the NHRA product.

I have decided to demonstrate poor quality to NHRA, of my attendance as a fan.

Events that I normally would attend for two or three days, I will only attend for one day. If enough people do this to affect the bottom line then the Glengora gang will pay attention.

 

[PJ]

I had to make some cuts to the amount of races I usually attend. I generally go to both ihra and nhra races each year. The decision was made easier with the on/off track issues and I have dropped 2 of the 3 nhra races I usually attend.

 

[FABMAN]

That right there is a mouthful!!

As I've said countless times, drag racing would survive without the NHRA!

As to address your comments about track prep, Joe...

What makes the Vegas thing even more unnerving is the exact same thing happened a couple years ago. The NHRA "track guru" came in an screwed up the track after the Vegas crew had already laid the ground work. NHRA had to have the Vegas crew come in Saturday night and fix things so that the show on Sunday was back to standards. Side note to that story... a lot of Sportsman guys went red Sunday morning because the starting line was back up to Vegas standards.

I WONDER WHY THEY DIDN'T BRING IN THE VEGAS CREW THIS LAST TIME?

 

[d'kid]

I WONDER WHY THEY DIDN'T BRING IN THE VEGAS CREW THIS LAST TIME?

Three letters E.G.O.

d'kid

 

[none]

You know what's strange about all of this, I go to a TON of races every year so I kinda feel a little guilty in all of this. Fact is I enjoy the hell out of myself when I'm at the track, most of the time. Most of the behind the scenes stuff is unknown to those of us while at the racetrack! I had NO idea about the DSR fine till I came home and watched the telecast. However now that Poor track-prep is becoming a race to race ordeal, I'm starting to weigh options on whether it's worth going to certain races or not! And unless NHRA addresses that preticular issue, I may start cutting back on the number of races I attend every year!

I think most here will agree that the Sport of Drag racing isn't the problem, it's the Corporate hacks within the NHRA who constantly display incompetence that gets our Goats!

That pretty much sums up how I feel, I'm going to let the Bristol event serve as the barometer. If on that surface the event is still a smokefest, then I will eliminate a few races from my schedule and cut back days on others. Excellent article by Asher, as he said what needed to be said.

 

[kingcobrafan]

Jon Asher, you are the MAN! If I ever run into you at the races, the beer's on me! Outstanding article! And Brian, my "barometer race" will be Joliet. If the track prep still sucks by then (unbelievable I'm even thinking this), I'll give STRONG thought to pulling the plug on Brainerd (in my back yard) and (gasp)
Indy. I'll just plug in nostalgia events and stuff like fuel bike races. The ball's in your court, Glendora.

 

[Rich]

At NHRA events they dictate ticket policy, NOT the Track owners.

I did not know that. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[d'kid]

I did not know that. Thanks for the clarification.

What that really means is: 'What the Market will Bear'

In other words, if my 3day reserved seat jumps 15-20 dollars this year, I'm not going... simple, bottom line. I'll go a buck and a quarter, but I won't go a buck and a half. and yeah, I drive the 180 mile round trip each day.

d'kid

 

[Doug in the woods]

ANY word from Glendora on the meeting that was to take place today, Thursday?