Nitro Restrictions

[Ma Green]

Just remembered something.....the racers had already been told they could use whatever nitro they wanted to test on Monday....just not at National events. I think NHRA kind of forgot about that. In addition, if a group of racers gets together and privately rents a track to test, there's not much NHRA can do about it.

Plus, some teams are still dealing with the new 90% deal, and the added weight in F/C....and now they are going to throw in a different tire....and NOT let them test?!?!? Hmmmm....

 

[Paul]

If you think about it, creating a new xHRA (name to be determined) is a one time shot to get significant main stream press exposure that could really help launch a new organization. Not necessarily a good example because it failed, but look how much press coverage was given to the XFL when it first started.

An xHRA would have a significant advantage over the XFL however because its likely that a majority of the current stars would come to the new organization, something the XFL didn't have at all.

I can't believe that there are too many current NHRA sanctioned tracks that are that happy about how things are going, so I think a critical mass of tracks would also likely switch over.

Its a significant opportunity due to NHRA's continual poor performance, I hope somebody is considering going after it.

Paul T.

 

[.]

NHRA has got to be the laughing stock of racing orginizations. What a bunch of incompetent tools. Tom Compton, Graham Light and whatever other idiots there running the show need to be given a boot to the ass immediately. VP has also been shown to be a joke. The only one involved in this nitro fiasco that knows what they're doing is Don Schumacher!

 

[.]

NHRA has got to be the laughing stock of racing orginizations. What a bunch of incompetent tools.

And yet, many people sit next to their pc every sunday to hear round by round coverage and ***** if espn2 is 4 minutes late to show their coverage.

Yep, laughing stock.

When everyone quits going (owners, drivers, sponsors and fans alike) things will change. Until then, its the only game in town.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

What a comedy of errors. Its hard to find any other successful organization that both initiates and tolerates this many totally avoidable mistakes. The unfortunate structure of this one (no shareholders to force changes in management) means that this ship can keep going on with idiots at the helm until it crashes and burns. . . .
Paul T.

Paul,
It's almost as if the "Top Dog" could go out and get drunk as a skunk then crash his rental car into someone's house with no fear of consequence? This organization is set up with zero accountability and 100% security. I'll partially blame "PRO" for not taking steps to collect or compile enough strength in numbers to demand accountability from their sanctioning body. Now they will all suffer as a result.

Buzzz said it best: "Monkeys & Footballs"

It's the perfect time for someone to step up and start from Ground Zero a sanctioning body that would not only compete with the NHRA but that would outclass them in every way by optimizing returns for everybody. Without giant payrolls to administration, payouts to racers could be increased, operations, in general could be streamlined and a profit could be made for all. Best of all the rule book could contain the best of every other organization's strong points without the inherent weaknesses we have suffered for years. From the outside looking in, this is easily a win-win for all to just start the Xhra as Paul T. has suggested. It's time Mr. Smith! Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? We're behind you.

 

[NHRAMike]

It's is a nice idea to start up a new xHRA, but there are alot of things that need to fall into place. For example, how many tracks are going to change affiliation from NHRA to xHRA? How many tracks around the country are capable of seating 40,000 people, AND have a pit area large enough to accomodate all the tractors and trailers from the pro teams alone, not to mention all the sportsman racers if some of the major tracks don't change affiliation? Of course there are the noise restrictions if a smaller track is going to host a national event. Then there are probably insurance issues that'd have to be dealt with. I'm guessing that the smaller tracks aren't as smooth as the national event tracks either, so operators are going to have to invest even more money to make the tracks ready to run an 8000 hp dragster down the strip. In the end wouldn't it just be easier to force Compton, Clifford, and Light out the door, and bring in some people who actually give a sh!t about drag racing and not how much money the organization can bring in from "official" partners of the NHRA?

 

[clwill]

In the end wouldn't it just be easier to force Compton, Clifford, and Light out the door, and bring in some people who actually give a sh!t about drag racing?

Probably not. The problem is that, as I understand it, the majority of the shares of NHRA are owned by those very people. Doubt they would vote themselves out of a job.

Not sure who owns all the shares -- where did Wally's shares go, for example -- but the shareholders are the only ones with the power to force a change.

 

[Alan]

I still don't get the Monday testing thing, especially if the track supplies the staff, and Don can supply nitro for testing. Is VP throwing a fit because they can't supply the fuel, so racers have to suffer?

I know some people question what Bruton would do if he bought the NHRA, but at this point, I have to dream that he might be the best option for the future. If he ran NHRA like his facilities are ran, I think things would be good.

 

[Just Paul]

Just remembered something.....the racers had already been told they could use whatever nitro they wanted to test on Monday....just not at National events. I think NHRA kind of forgot about that. In addition, if a group of racers gets together and privately rents a track to test, there's not much NHRA can do about it.

Plus, some teams are still dealing with the new 90% deal, and the added weight in F/C....and now they are going to throw in a different tire....and NOT let them test?!?!? Hmmmm....

I agree 100%.

I planned my vacation in Chicago around testing Monday so I could stay an extra day longer, which I have always done.

I think getting VP out of the house is crucial. I can't Imagine getting a phone call from Wade Gray wanting to buy something from me. I've talked to him in person before, a couple of times, and I don't think I'd sell him my used bath tub water let alone nitro methane.

 

[stanman]

... How many tracks around the country are capable of seating 40,000 people, AND have a pit area large enough to accomodate all the tractors and trailers from the pro teams alone, not to mention all the sportsman racers if some of the major tracks don't change affiliation? ...

Mike,

All but 7 of the 24 NHRA national events are run on tracks owned by someone other than NHRA. So the idea that the tracks would have a problem switching any affiliation is a moot point.

It is not a substantial advantage to be an NHRA sanctioned tracked. Insurance companies provide a different rate for sanctioned tracks based on the idea the the sanctioned tracks are operated at certain level of safety and standards in accordance with NHRA regulations.

Other than that, the only advantages have to do with a small amount of financial support for NHRA sportsman programs.

The biggest advantage to the tracks is a consistent set of rules for sportsman racing. It could be a real mess if you had every track in the country making their own rules. But if a new xHRA was started it would mean the end of NHRA and who would step in and fill that void. Maybe a new birth of something like Wally Parks started would come to life!?!?

 

[stanman]

... After the monies have been returned, perhaps Compton and Light can find different organization to fleece.

just a thought.

It can't happen the way the Board and management is currently structured. Unless a majority of the Board finally gets fed up with what is happening there will never be any changes. And the Board hasn't shown any inclination to take any action against any management for several years.

Compton and Light are basically lifetime appointments the way things are now.

 

[ProNitro Pete]

 

[__]

Is VP throwing a fit because they can't supply the fuel, so racers have to suffer?

After reading the letter and quotes from a VP employee on Bobby's site, I'd say yes, they are having a fit. That was one of the most unprofessional, ill-conceived, poorly written letters I've ever seen. This whole thing is crazy.

New F/C chassis and rules with minimal testing. New tire with no testing that I can find. Now the teams can't test? I still believe in my heart that the loss of Darrell Russell could've been prevented if the NHRA management was listening to what Joe Amato and many of the other teams were saying long before the St Louis race.

I love drag racing but I cannot stand losing any more racers because some arrogant managers can't admit when they've made a mistake. We should all be praying for the racers' safety this year. To an outsider/fan, this whole deal seems to be driven by hubris and is to the detriment of the racers.

 

[none]

BTW... I'm anxious to see how Alan is going to spin this into "we don't know the whole story." LMAO

Greg,

The problem isn't that you don't know the whole story. The problem is that you won't acknowledge that there might be more to the story than you know.

Just because NHRA hasn't issued a press release explaining all the things they are currently doing, doesn't mean that they are doing nothing. But you hate NHRA and you have decided to slam them at every turn and I am tired of arguing with you. I will pass on to Graham that as the Northern California Top Comp Champion you demand to be kept informed on all that is happening in the nitro world.

As always this is my opinion, I am NOT the NHRA spokesman, but I am sticking up for a company that I work for.

Alan

 

[.]

You know what would really make me laugh, if everyone except Schumacher ran out of nitro all because of the ineptness of VP and NHRA. Schumacher's 4 funny cars could run each other (2 rds) and the two top fuel cars could run each other (1 rd). It's amazing to me that a team owner that has 6 nitro cars has tons of fuel but the official supplier can't can't their hands on any. Yet NHRA doesn't want any racer or team owner to be a fuel supplier. The only only one doing things right is a team owner; Schumacher!

 

[Paul]

The only only one doing things right is a team owner; Schumacher!

I agree Brent, in general not just Don S. but even just looking from a business standpoint the only people in this entire operation that you can admire because they have consistently shown that they can wisely run successful and at least somewhat profitable operations are the team owners.

From the big teams down to most of the single car teams that work their rears off while juggling their limited resources very carefully to allow them to survive, the team owners are the only ones that have proven that they have their poop together, even while weighted down with an organization that pulls them backwards.

Its time for the brains in the operation, the team owners, to either force substantial changes in how the NHRA is run or let it go down the drain and break away to start a new operation. I like the latter, it would give drag racing a real boost of exposure in the media and a new fresh start that would get a lot of current fans and potential new fans excited and talking about drag racing. Sometimes it takes a big change like this to get to the next level.

Paul T.

 

[none]

Its time for the brains in the operation, the team owners, to either force substantial changes in how the NHRA is run or let it go down the drain and break away to start a new operation. I like the latter, it would give drag racing a real boost of exposure in the media and a new fresh start that would get a lot of current fans and potential new fans excited and talking about drag racing. Sometimes it takes a big change like this to get to the next level.

Paul T.

Paul,

That's what CART thought,

Something to think about. If you are in charge and you have an issue, the Sponsor wants one thing. The team owner wants something else, and the best thing for the fans in the stands is niether of those.

Who get's their way? That is an almost daily decision if you are in charge of a company like NHRA.

Alan

 

[MaC]

Jeez, Reinhart...you let logic and reality play a role. Shame, shame. (VBG)

MaC

 

[Kevin]

Paul,

That's what CART thought,


Alan

To be accurate, the IRL was sort of an an offshoot of CART, formed by Tony Geroge. How long has IHRA co-existed with NHRA (they don't go head to head but they peddle basically the same product)?

 

[Paul]

That's what CART thought,

Alan

Alan, that's a good point that the last big attempt at a motorsports spin off was ultimately a failure.

However I think this is a pretty different situation. CART wanted to dramatically change the format of the competition, away from oval tracks to basically "F1 lite".

Nobody is complaining about the format of the competition here (well, some about the countdown), its just the basic way the organization is being managed and run and the kind of decisions that are coming down from the mountain to the team owners who are being treated like peons rather than being treated as highly valued partners.

I hate to use a dirty word, but NASCAR figured this out a long time ago, you need to treat the team owners as highly valued business partners and help them make their operations succeed and prosper. NHRA seems to have this backwards.

Paul T.