NHRA cracks down on Street Outlaws participants

[StockersRock]

That letter is a empty, pathetic and stupid threat. If you think for one minute those guys on Street Outlaws give a darn what letters NHRA write or threats they make...well then I've got a bridge I want to discuss with you. Makes NHRA look weak. They should have said nothing but if they felt compelled to comment they should have simply said street racing violates everything we stand for and we want to do everything we can to eliminate this dangerous activity by providing a safe and easily accessible venue for racing. No discussion of penalties, fines or sanctions. They have no authority over what we as racers do away from the track. It's just more politically correct over reach

If by "those guys", you mean the staff of the show, you're absolutely right. But, for those guys racing cars on the show, displaying sactioned drag racing logos, whether it be NHRA, IHRA, etc., they likely have more at stake in risking their eligibility to run for Wally's, Ironman's, Divisional or National E.T. Finals, contigency money, or big dollar bracket racing that may require a valid license from one of the sanctioning bodies. Unless they just really want to be on T.V. I guess if there's good money involved that would make it worth the risk to have your car sitting due to a suspension, then maybe that would be worth it. I do think they have authority over how their brand is represented, even away from the track. Take the logos off the car, then yes, racers can do whatever they want. I think, for once, NHRA actually doesn't look weak, and is standing up for what they represent.

 

[JB3]

That letter is a empty, pathetic and stupid threat. If you think for one minute those guys on Street Outlaws give a darn what letters NHRA write or threats they make...well then I've got a bridge I want to discuss with you. Makes NHRA look weak. They should have said nothing but if they felt compelled to comment they should have simply said street racing violates everything we stand for and we want to do everything we can to eliminate this dangerous activity by providing a safe and easily accessible venue for racing. No discussion of penalties, fines or sanctions. They have no authority over what we as racers do away from the track. It's just more politically correct over reach

What ??? Again, this is specific to a few licensed NHRA drivers and has nothing to do with the show itself. You are 100% correct when you say NHRA has no authority over what their participants and members do on their own time. Do whatever you want. However, if those actions can be deemed to directly violate rules / policies / conditions of being a licensed driver and member in the organization you best be prepared for possible repercussions. What NHRA can (and does) control is who is allowed to participate in their organization. No over reach in the least. Want to blame someone, blame the dopes that agreed to be part of this show and left their NHRA competition numbers on their car.

 

[Jimbo]

The show really does not look like the street racing I remember from back in the 60's

I remember guys showing up with dragsters and funny cars on trailers and yes some of them pulled the chute to stop and all we took some guys word at the end of the run telling who won. We never had any timing lights or anything even close to that. There were large crowds back in those day's and when the police finally closed it down on a Saturday night they easily had over 500 people between racers and people just watching.

Jim Hill
http://www.nostalgicracingdecals.com

 

[Nick Name]

So I guess there were people who thought people were really loosing their cars on Pinks

 

[Muddy]

I personally know or have met some of the participants in this made for TV show. Generally speaking most don't race at the track, go to the track or care if there is a track. I would be surprised if more than 2 or 3 of the show regulars have a competition license and would not be surprised if none do. The only exception is when sanctioned tracks in the region pay them to make an appearance which has happened more than several times.

 

[justafan]

It's so sad what was once the channels that you could go to for the "not crap" (Discovery, TLC, History, A&E), are now the torch bearers of some of the lowest integrity on the air.

Totally agree. It is disturbing that most of the channels that you list once had integrity. The people I work with can't understand that the only things I watch on TV are sports and weather. What passes for entertainment today is truly sad.

 

[TSK]

Street Outlaws draws me to it, much like a light draws in a moth. I know it’s not going to be that good but I can’t help watching it.
Besides the paltry crowd who watches NHRA drag racing on ESPN, how many of the much larger number who watch Street Outlaws actually know what a competition number is and what it represents?
Is the drama fake? Absolutely.
But, there is no doubt most of the cars on the show are bad to the bone.
Hot Rod magazine had an interview with Chief and Shawn last year and asked about the perception of the show being staged. Shawn basically said that while some of the show is fabricated, once the drivers let off the transbrake button it is 100% real.
The racers just need to cover up the competition number and any NHRA sticker and tell NHRA to kiss their behinds.

 

[mick]

would be very interesting to poll regular viewers of this show.
questions including all drag racing sanc. bodies, nascar, local dirt track series, street racing, etc.
.....think it would say a lot where today's younger male's motorsports allegiances are

 

[Horsepower & Heels]

Can't fault NHRA for not wanting to be associated with the illegal side of racing. After all, we crucify them for not doing more every time the news media calls a fatality at an illegal street race "Drag Racing".

My question is what are the possible future implications of this enforcement? Does that mean every racer who is ticketed for racing on public hwys (or whatever the local traffic violation is for unlawful exhibition of speed) could possibly face losing their NHRA license? I'd be more concerned with the legality of how much NHRA can control your private life away from their events.

 

[T.Smith]

Can't fault NHRA for not wanting to be associated with the illegal side of racing. After all, we crucify them for not doing more every time the news media calls a fatality at an illegal street race "Drag Racing".

My question is what are the possible future implications of this enforcement? Does that mean every racer who is ticketed for racing on public hwys (or whatever the local traffic violation is for unlawful exhibition of speed) could possibly face losing their NHRA license? I'd be more concerned with the legality of how much NHRA can control your private life away from their events.

I don't think it's a case of trying to control your private life. NHRA has some house rules that one has to agree to be able to receive a NHRA competition license. If you chose to not follow the rules, you may be thrown out. You can do whatever the hell you want to, just realize there may be consequences because of your actions. Pretty fair if you ask me.

 

[StockersRock]

Can't fault NHRA for not wanting to be associated with the illegal side of racing. After all, we crucify them for not doing more every time the news media calls a fatality at an illegal street race "Drag Racing".

My question is what are the possible future implications of this enforcement? Does that mean every racer who is ticketed for racing on public hwys (or whatever the local traffic violation is for unlawful exhibition of speed) could possibly face losing their NHRA license? I'd be more concerned with the legality of how much NHRA can control your private life away from their events.

I think that's looking too far into it. On the street in your passenger car, you are not representing their brand in a vehicle that they have certified.

 

[Nunz]

Erica the sport is over 60 yrs. old, I don't think that has ever been a problem to this point. It's more about track racers showing up on TV to street race in front of a couple million viewers, with competition numbers and sanctioning body decals on their cars.

 

[Butch]

Ever wounder if the competition # is real. What's to say somebody put a sticker and Competition # on the car as an intimidation factor?

As for the real factor and people believing it's real?
Anyone hear of Professional Wrestling?
How many generations watch this? Go to any high school Wrestling meet, you'll see more blood than any of the clowns on TV.

How's this for a show at any sanctioned track. Get some PS drivers or other fast door guys. Get barrow some similar cars to the outlaws have. Hold a GoodGuy V OUTLAW match race. I bet the promotor would pack the house.

 

[cephus]

I don't think it's a case of trying to control your private life. NHRA has some house rules that one has to agree to be able to receive a NHRA competition license. If you chose to not follow the rules, you may be thrown out. You can do whatever the hell you want to, just realize there may be consequences because of your actions. Pretty fair if you ask me.

KINDA MATTERS WHO U ARE IF U GET PUNISHED

 

[DAN]

How many of you get upset when someone calls Street Racing "Drag Racing" on the local news, or even worse, on a major network?
Now....how many of you are now trying to throw NHRA under the bus for this?
Yep, just as I thought.

Furthermore, NHRA has spent a lot of time trying to educate the public on 'Race the Strip, not the Street' type of initiatives. Should a sports editor for a newspaper or TV channel decide to, they could write a lengthy article about the NHRA's own hypocrisy once they connect the dots. NHRA are solidifying their stance. It's their sandbox.

 

[T.Smith]

KINDA MATTERS WHO U ARE IF U GET PUNISHED

Sorry...not in this case.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

NHRA should be grateful for the exposure. If they don't want it FINE, put a piece of duck tape over the NHRA sticker. I bet Jeg's, Summit, Holly, Hurst, won't complain if their sticker show's on TV.
This is still AMERICA isn't it ?? What you do away from an NHRA sanctioned event is NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS. If a racer can make some $$ with their car, good for them.

 

[Nick Name]

 

[sdwarf36]

"" Whats next for reality TV---shows about bank robbers and drug dealers???[/QUOTE]""
In Alaska.

 

[Muddy]

I had lunch today with several former and current drag racers. Some have competed at the highest levels of nitro or crewed on nitro cars although not recently. Others currently compete in brackets and or top dragster. Two are involved with the street outlaw show on a limited basis and thought and no one with the show would care. Almost to a man they laughed at NHRA writing that letter with it's threats. The general consensus was that it is a less than stellar move on the part of NHRA and they came across poorly and looked very weak