Maple Grove- IHRA (13 Viewers)

[Litefoot]

I know IHRA mandated the 1/8 mile, possibly for safety, but from the looks of their track collection, many used to be 1/4 mile. So any idea why 1/8 was chosen over 1000 ft?

Back half of 1/4 mile race puts a lot more parts in trash bin, stress on parts wear increases with MPH pushing more air resistance

 

[tb]

I don't understand something. The IHRA's bottom line is making money, the same as any other sanctioning body. You can't own and run a track that operates in the hole and I believe it will, if it's IHRA-exclusive. So why would they object to a different sanctioning body holding a national event at a time that doesn't interfere with their own? Billy Meyer owns the Texas Motorplex but for years, back in the late 80s and early 90s, they held NHRA....and IHRA....and AHRA....events there and I don't recall anyone having a problem with it.

No they did not, Billy owned the IHRA when he held IHRA races then, I think one of the issues is Insurance coverage

 

[stitcherbob]

One Man’s Music Is Another Man’s Noise

Originally published in the April 1981 issue of Hot Rod magazine

www.hotrod.com

 

[ch streetcars]

Most of us would rather watch 1/4 mile fuel cars than 1,000 ft, but it was the racer's decision to shorten the distance. I would rather IHRA race 1,000 ft. fuel cars than 1/8 mile , but again the racers that pay the bills seem to be opting for the shorter distance, I will try to support and attend both. I can't remember any NHRA board members reaching into their personal money to expand our sport , or keep teams in business either, but maybe it happened.

 

[glofria]

I know IHRA mandated the 1/8 mile, possibly for safety, but from the looks of their track collection, many used to be 1/4 mile. So any idea why 1/8 was chosen over 1000 ft?

To be clear, the tracks will not be shortened. Only the distance of the timed runs for certain classes during certain events. And if the choice to run the full 1/4 is made sometime in the future is made, the IHRA will still have that option if enough of the stakeholders choose it that way.

BTW, sand drags (which is still popular here in the So Cal, AZ and I think So. Nev.) only run for a 100 yards. One of the big names in that type of racing Chris Minor, the son of the late Larry Minor (RIP).

 

[J]

660' of grandstands. With the huge number (?) of spectators some people say will be attending these IHRA races, how many spectators will have to sit in grandstands that are past the finish line?

I don't mind another sanctioning body in our sport, I just hate 1/8th mile racing. Gee, what's next, 1/16th mile racing?

In that same mindset, how about the Indy 100, Daytona 100, etc.

Its like watch slot car races,done in sec or 2,to rushed to watch like 4 wide

 

[Marchboom]

Back half of 1/4 mile race puts a lot more parts in trash bin, stress on parts wear increases with MPH pushing more air resistance

That may be true but the NHRA should be making rules that prevent this carnage. Reduce nitro percentage, reduce blower overdrive, decrease intake valve diameter, decrease cam lift and/or duration, etc, etc. But do not reduce the track length. Spectators will get tired of 1/8 mile, 3 second nitro races. I, for one, will never attend an 1/8 mile race.

 

[Mike]

John, yep, lets start having the teams spend more money on a combination that in due time will blow just like current one

 

[Chili]

Back half of 1/4 mile race puts a lot more parts in trash bin, stress on parts wear increases with MPH pushing more air resistance

Very true but will IHRA still have oil downs and crashes? Of course because the racers will push their equipment harder to 660’ than they currently can at 1000’. I believe if they ran 330’ they would push them hard enough to blow stuff up at the 300’ mark.

 

[Chili]

I have been quietly watching the development of the IHRA and everything that Darryl Cuttell and his team are doing. I feel I must comment on the purchase of Maple Grove. It’s been almost nine years since the famed Old Bridge Township Raceway Park aka E-Town closed. Now another icon, Maple Grove, is no longer with the NHRA. I fear the worst not only for Maple Grove but all the tracks Darryl Cuttel and IHRA are purchasing. Permit me to explain that yes Darryl Cuttel owns Darana Hybrid but its annual revenue is 100 Million dollars, how much is left after paying operating costs, expenses, and taxes? Where and how much money is there to support all the different organizations he is dipping into not only IHRA but offshore powerboat racing, stock car racing, tractor pulling, and other emerging motorsports platforms. Then he appoints Leah Martin as President who has no drag racing experience and who’s claim to fame is leading non-profits! Next year NHRA will be celebrating 75 years having been run by one board/group that has evolved over time. Darryl Cuttell is the eight owner of IHRA in only 55 years! IHRA has a history of imploding and rebirth. I’m afraid if IHRA implodes under Darryl Cuttell ownership that we will lose several iconic tracks to housing developers. I pray I'm wrong.

Darryl seems to have good intentions with all of his transactions. If he had aligned himself in some way with NHRA we would be calling him a big asset. Of course we’re all kind of skeptical when an outsider comes in and makes waves. Most of us have our doubts because in most cases it usually doesn’t last.

I’ll use Joe and Cathy Maynard as an example. He jumped in about 5 years ago and it sounded like he was going to be around for a long time. Flash forward and while he still involved in NHRA, but it has become less and less the last few years.

In 5 years Darryl could decide to invest in midget wrestling or underwater basketball weaving. What looks like a great idea now might not in the future. As a race fan I just hate to see us lose tracks to close down no matter what organization owns them. At least Darryl is able to bring back two tracks and maybe he ends up buying Topeka too.

 

[Rajunz]

I don’t know that I would call it IHRA knee pads Paul, I think it’s just glass half full people who want to see someone pouring their heart, soul, and a ton of their cash into something succeed. And I for one, know quite a few low budget guys who can’t play in NHRAs sandbox who are super excited to have a place to play. NHRA will always be the superior professional drag racing league, and I don’t think IHRA is trying to take that away. They are giving an alternative for the guys that don’t have the funds to play with the big money guys. That’s why it’s 1/8 mile, it’s what the racers wanted. From a fan perspective NHRA is the superior product, but from the racers perspective IHRA is something they have always dreamed of. As a racer, would you rather go play with the corporate suits who could care less if you are there or not, or a place where the owner feeds you and your team every night and shows you how appreciated you are? So it’s not knee pads, it’s people who can look past themselves and what they care about, and want to see, and see what is being done for others, and support that!

You know what. I loved this response until you got to the "corporate suits" part.

 

[Mike]

John, yep, lets start having the teams spend more money on a combination that in due time will blow just like current one

"We've tried nothing and we're all out of ideas." -Ned Flanders parents

 

[Jim]

Of course we’re all kind of skeptical when an outsider comes in and makes waves. Most of us have our doubts because in most cases it usually doesn’t last.

Remember Sheilh Khalid bi Hamad Al Thani?

​

 

[Litefoot]

That may be true but the NHRA should be making rules that prevent this carnage. Reduce nitro percentage, reduce blower overdrive, decrease intake valve diameter, decrease cam lift and/or duration, etc, etc. But do not reduce the track length. Spectators will get tired of 1/8 mile, 3 second nitro races. I, for one, will never attend an 1/8 mile race.

I am totally a 1/4 mile fan, was explaining what happens at half track with added speed and wind resistance that puts a much bigger load on parts wear at half track to full pull 1/4 mile

 

[Litefoot]

Very true but will IHRA still have oil downs and crashes? Of course because the racers will push their equipment harder to 660’ than they currently can at 1000’. I believe if they ran 330’ they would push them hard enough to blow stuff up at the 300’ mark.

Was just stating why some lower funded teams would consider 1/8 mile, I will always be 1/4 fan

 

[Xploder98]

Remember Sheilh Khalid bi Hamad Al Thani?

​

For what it's worth, he's still been investing in drag racing in the years since the Al-Anabi Top Fuel team. He currently funds and runs two track championships per year with the Qatar Racing Club: the Qatar Drag Race Championship and the Arabian Drag Racing League. They make for nice winter viewing during the American offseason, along with the NHRA-sanctioned Bahrain Drag Racing Championship.

Also, he's used the Al-Anabi Performance brand to sponsor several drivers in NHRA Pro Mod this season, including Mike Stavrinos, Justin Bond, Khalid al Balooshi, Jordan Lazic, Mike Castellana and the new champion, JR Gray.

 

[Rajunz]

That guy is a clown.

"Click Bat Jack" is a complete "Clownshow"!

 

[stitcherbob]

1/4 mile and one mag....slow them down enough so the announcers run out of things to talk over the cars....

 

[none]

I don't understand something. The IHRA's bottom line is making money, the same as any other sanctioning body. You can't own and run a track that operates in the hole and I believe it will, if it's IHRA-exclusive. So why would they object to a different sanctioning body holding a national event at a time that doesn't interfere with their own? Billy Meyer owns the Texas Motorplex but for years, back in the late 80s and early 90s, they held NHRA....and IHRA....and AHRA....events there and I don't recall anyone having a problem with it.

I don't believe that is true. If I'm wrong, please educate me.
The Motorplex was an NHRA track when it opened.
Billy bought IHRA in 1988 and the track switched. Eddie Hill ran the first 4.99 during that time.
But I don't remember/believe that they ran both sanctions other than when Billy owned IHRA.

Alan

 

[yoda]

Very true but will IHRA still have oil downs and crashes? Of course because the racers will push their equipment harder to 660’ than they currently can at 1000’. I believe if they ran 330’ they would push them hard enough to blow stuff up at the 300’ mark.

I recall a pretty well known alcohol driver that became an even more well known nitro crew chief once told me over dinner that nobody that wants to win tunes for 1320 feet; the plan was to tune for 1319 feet and hope. So you're correct- the ones that plan on taking home Darryl's checks will be the teams that tune for 659 feet. Or 329 feet, as long as there is a check behind it.