Maple Grove- IHRA

[Ponyhntr]

So their press release from November 13fh stating all IHrA classes will run the 1/8 th mile is incorrect?

That is referring the National Events ONLY. Everything else is staying the same as it has been.

 

[ironpony]

Not a good situation for racers trying to acquire/retain corporate sponsorship. Having been an NHRA member most of my life, as well as being a racer and national events spectator, I was blown away by how lavish NHRA headquarters in Glendora was when I visited it in the early nineties. NHRA appeared to be run like a high-end investment firm, with a lot of highly compensated board members, not a non-profit membership/racer driven organization for the long term survival of Drag Racing. Maybe they should have been investing profits in buying more of the tracks they depend on and they might not be backed into a corner these days. Instead they sold that fancy complex and Atlanta just to survive COVID, luckily most of us look forward to years of races in new markets. It's just a crying shame that when things were profitable years ago , they didn't invest in their future survival better , save for a rainy day, we call it. Now they have lost so many important markets for sponsor exposure. BTW; Phil Burgess, Alan R, Steve Gibbs and Bob Frey are some of the employees that really seemed to value a members input.

Then they lose their non profit status and get to pay taxes, they would of been bankrupt a long time ago.

 

[Rocket Man]

I think they may be worried that if the other group continues to gain momentum (like a boulder rolling downhill that it is)
their future may not be as bright as they thought.

 

[winr]

See post 157.
Alan

Allan, just give up, pretty soon they will be down to High school and peewee teams sharing same field.... now that I think of it...its closer comparison to NHRA/IHRA sharing the same track

 

[ch streetcars]

Then they lose their non profit status and get to pay taxes, they would of been bankrupt a long time ago.

Definition of a Non-Profit organization; Must re-invest excess profits for the Mission of the organization. Hospitals, United Way, Churches. are able to hold assets (tracks for example) if it benefits the goals set by the organization. I think NHRA 's mission of preserving Drag Racing would be more secure if they had sole ownership of more of the tracks they race at, and markets for drag racing they developed over the years. A successful business owner that rents their building from the owner is subjected to being kicked out on the whim of the owner.

 

[Rocket Man]

Sounds just like what Darrell is doing. Maybe he DOES have a clue.

 

[Nunz]

Definition of a Non-Profit organization; Must re-invest excess profits for the Mission of the organization. Hospitals, United Way, Churches. are able to hold assets (tracks for example) if it benefits the goals set by the organization. I think NHRA 's mission of preserving Drag Racing would be more secure if they had sole ownership of more of the tracks they race at, and markets for drag racing they developed over the years. A successful business owner that rents their building from the owner is subjected to being kicked out on the whim of the owner.

I'm no accountant, but I believe NHRA is a Not For Profit, which is different from Non-Profit.

 

[ch streetcars]

I'm no accountant, but I believe NHRA is a Not For Profit, which is different from Non-Profit.

Fact remains- NHRA probably thought they were secure with the Maple Grove track, but just like the high school guy with the cute girlfriend; when the rich guy came courting , they both lost their date ! NHRA was vulnerable partly because they are a renter, not the owner, of most tracks, A fancy corporate office was a priority, as well as high salaries for board members. I wish them all the success in the future, learn from past mistakes, and especially make sure the track owners feel like they are being treated fairly.

 

[Rocket Man]

I couldn't agree more. Both orgs could benefit from the "competition". Really it's more places for people to race and make some money. IHRA's 50K for the nitro classes is strong. Win a couple or three of those and you've made some good money (maybe pay for fuel and travel.

 

[mick]

Fact remains- NHRA probably thought they were secure with the Maple Grove track, but just like the high school guy with the cute girlfriend; when the rich guy came courting , they both lost their date ! NHRA was vulnerable partly because they are a renter, not the owner, of most tracks, A fancy corporate office was a priority, as well as high salaries for board members. I wish them all the success in the future, learn from past mistakes, and especially make sure the track owners feel like they are being treated fairly.

couldn't have said it better. the money was right to sell, but what could have prevented it?

 

[Mike]

If everything is for sale at the right price: I once heard a story about Winston Churchill and a lady at a party: "Sir Winston Churchill supposedly asked Lady Astor whether she would sleep with him for five million pounds. She said she supposed she would. Then he asked whether she would sleep with him for only five pounds. She answered,"What do you think I am?" His response was, "We've already established that; we're merely haggling over price."

 

[mick]

ihra might want to take a closer look at racing distance for certain sportsman classes at tracks that allow it.
super classes and STK/SS compete at both ends of strip. i think the 1/8 distance for these classes is a stretch.
IMO the racing in these classes plays out much better @ 1320'

 

[My Name]

ihra might want to take a closer look at racing distance for certain sportsman classes at tracks that allow it.
super classes and STK/SS compete at both ends of strip. i think the 1/8 distance for these classes is a stretch.
IMO the racing in these classes plaanimalys out much better @ 1320'

I concur! If the track was safe to have Alcohol cars running 280 mph in the ¼ mile, letm all eat!
Nitro, I do understand , 340 mph+ has to be a different animal . 1000' or 660' is safer.

Anyone here been 300+ mph in the ¼??? I really don't know. I'm new.

I've only been 180+ mph in a dragster ¼ mile so take my opinion as what it's worth.

 

[mick]

anybody know if MG was offered to nhra before the actual sale to ihra took place?
what other nat. event tracks might be in the same situation? i would think most,
including the rock, which has it's oval right across the street that might be for sale too?

 

[Rocket Man]

don't know but I would think not

 

[Axman]

anybody know if MG was offered to nhra before the actual sale to ihra took place?
what other nat. event tracks might be in the same situation? i would think most,
including the rock, which has it's oval right across the street that might be for sale too?

Not sure if NHRA could buy. Not sure if they have the capital

 

[mick]

capital aside, and they may not have been in a position to buy, but were they asked prior to selling to ihra?
i think they were, but have no way of proving it.

 

[ironpony]

NHRA runs on donations needed yearly
IHRA runs on profits from a business with 10 years already funded

 

[Nunz]

IHRA just announced the purchase of the Memphis track.

 

[J. S.]

IHRA just announced the purchase of the Memphis track.

I'm surprised there would be anything left of that track for IHRA to buy. It's been quite a few years since the last NHRA national event there.