Tom Compton (2 Viewers)

[sfbmissym]

Tom Compton is to drag racing what OJ Simpson is to football.

::: Drag Racing Online ::: Columns - Agent 1320 - 9/20/2007
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[Tom]

Tom Compton is to drag racing what OJ Simpson is to football.

::: Drag Racing Online ::: Columns - Agent 1320 - 9/20/2007
$$$$$$$$$$$

Geez, that money would be better spent trying to find a BETTER network to televise the races...

 

[turbo ken]

Geez, that money would be better spent trying to find a BETTER network to televise the races...

Or dare I say they create a non pay per view channel for dragracing, for when there is a national event you can see everything from the slowest stocker to the quickest top fueler live all weekend, and when there is no live racing replay the old races, and the diamond p video series. We all can dream can't we? and yes Tom "al" Compton, and Graham "dim" Light are to dragracing as O.J. Simpson is to football!

 

[Jim]

This is NOT an arms length transaction......

....where is the board of directors? Where is the transparency?

Given the (apparent) structure of the stock grants, it will almost guarantee the eventual "flip/sale" of the NHRA Pro assets. You can bet your life that the price within five years will more accurately reflect the true market value of the assets being given away right now.

PS: I have no problem with the Salary (per se) but I'd like to see bonus and other goodies be more performance related.

Old southern expression seems to fit here: "When you deal with S***, the more you stir it, the worse it smells."

Where's Jim Jannard when we need him<'sorta G>? Wish he'd buy NHRA.
Or, at least, put together a group that would be interested in the long-term improvement of the sport.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Re: This is NOT an arms length transaction......

....I have no problem with the Salary (per se) but I'd like to see bonus and other goodies be more performance related.

Bingo!
Within most any corporate structure in the private sector (especially within non-profit organizations) the average CEO/Chairman is expected to bring revenues to such new heights that his/her exorbitant salaries are a mere portion of that increased capital. This organization is leaching off of me and a myriad of other obsessed racers who haven't another sanctioning body to race within to it's potential detriment. Some of the CEOs principal functions is to oil the machine, (make it run smoothly-especially the interaction between employees and customers) increase the customer base, (in this case increased value should be realized by the paying customers and increase the sponsorship opportunities) increase the public appeal (where patrons, customers and sponsors alike are willing to do/pay more to remain associated with them) and increase the revenue base many fold over his/her salary so the organization continues to grow/profit/benefit all.
It's easy to see where NASCAR has achieved all of these justifying the exorbitant salaries/payouts/sponsorship costs.
I'm having a very tough time seeing the NHRAs increased values-in fact, these areas may be suffering more than ever amid the CEOs increased pay?
It confuses me and makes me fear for their future without some radical changes.

 

[d'kid]

Very well put Bobby.

 

[vegasnitro]

Wow ... I am no Tom Compton fan, but comparing him to OJ is borderline slanderous. Tom Compton hasn't been found guilty of murdering anyone in a civil suit then resorted to sneaky business practices such as underground memoribilia sales to continue to live high on the hog whilst leaving the victims of his crime out in the cold. Nor has Tom Compton broke into anyone's hotel room in Vegas with a bunch of thugs with guns to steal that memoribilia back ostensibly to sell on the black market in some other way.

With all of that being said, Compton is definitely part of the problem, not the solution. I have held my tongue on the HDP sale until now, but let me say that the HDP folks are not the geniuses everyone thinks they are if they buy the NHRA and allow Compton to remain in control.

 

[afx421]

Geez, that money would be better spent trying to find a BETTER network to televise the races...

great post and an even better avatar!

 

[sfbmissym]

You don't think he's getting away with murder by what he's doing? He's sure seems to be killing the sport....

 

[vegasnitro]

You don't think he's getting away with murder by what he's doing? He's sure seems to be killing the sport....

Incompetence, sure.

Murder, no.

He is not killing the sport, the NHRA is no better or worse off than when he took over, with the possible exception of bringing in Powerade when Winston bailed. There are more sponsors willing to do business with NHRA now than when the sport ran on tobacco money. But he should still have realized more growth since Powewrade came in in '02 or '03, something that would be in at least proportional to his increases in salary.

Again, I reiterate, the HDP takeover will be status quo if they leave Compton in charge. Kinda like meet the new boss, same as the old boss. I am not for entirely reinventing the wheel, the NHRA and it's people do many things well, but the top of the organization is stagnant and needs new blood. I would like to see HDP come in, and after a transitional period of say 6 months, bring in fresh blood and ideas. I nominate Chris Blair .....

 

[Jim]

Incompetence, sure.

Again, I reiterate, the HDP takeover will be status quo if they leave Compton in charge. Kinda like meet the new boss, same as the old boss. I am not for entirely reinventing the wheel, the NHRA and it's people do many things well, but the top of the organization is stagnant and needs new blood. I would like to see HDP come in, and after a transitional period of say 6 months, bring in fresh blood and ideas. I nominate Chris Blair .....

Call me cynical.

Tom (and the other insiders) would not be the first management group given lovely contracts and severance deals in order to help make the deal.
Whether they ever spend a day at the helm is immaterial. They'll have their parachute and HDP will have NHRA at a very sweet price.
This has been my complaint from day one. Getting NHRA for a cheap price doesn't ensure that all stakeholders (especially the non-profit entity) are being treated fairly - AND - makes it likely these guys will "flip-it" A.S.A.P.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

I still believe the possibility exists that they are a front for Bruton Smith who wants to transform the NHRA into a more progressive organization? It could happen?

 

[hellfirejim]

Bobby I almost agree but a little differently. I see Bruton Smith as the person who made it logical for HD to do the deal because in the future he will buy it from them at a nice profit. Remember these are money guys not racers....

Now look at Bruton. After he builds his Charolotte track how many will he own?? Combined with his buying power he can own NHRA when ever he wants and I do think that it will happen.

One of the by products will be good by to the current management team. And yes they will have their golden parachutes. Why else do you think they gave away the house instead of sell to Bruton Smith directly???

Something I learned a long time ago. When you want the truth, Follow the MONEY. Alot of it here and it smells....
jim

 

[headporter]

Why are you talking about Nothing.

Tom and Clan and HDP who cares..

There is NOTHING you or me or anyone else typing away can do a thing about all the BS YOU DREAM UP. Tom Staying on with HDP is a no brainer.. it makes things more seamless for HDP. Remember they are NOT drag racing people. so they have little clue how the details of everyday opperations are run.

So WHO do you think it going to take over in a Micro Second and step in the day of the MAYBE TAKEOVER.. Stop counting Eggs before they are Laid. Unless you think you got what it takes YOURSELF to run NHRA or the Maybe Never Going to Happen HDP takeover. Then you should put your mouths and fingers in HDP office today.

All this talk is for nothing at this time. And there is no word yet on what is going on in HDP offices or Bruton Smiths office or my office or the Popes office.

Wally parks had a Big vision way back. The guy is old and smart or there would be NO NHRA. some one has to run something. is Tom the guy.. Yup sure is for now.. is he smart.. maybe yes maybe no.. But he is who he is for the time being. He must have some kinda Business brains to keep the NHRA machine running at the Various race tracks around the country. It just don't happen by itself. What does he actually do on a day to day basis ? Go ask him if your a Member you have a right to know. But good luck getting an answer.

Whatever the case is for all of this New upcoming HDP is in the future or not in the future.. It might not even happen. The biggest thing EVERY ONE seams pissed off about it. A not getting proper TV coverage. And this does NOT even include just what time it's ON the Tube. Ok so it's delayed for an hour or some times more.. is it stupid YES.. do that to F1 and Brenie E. will call you in the morning and say YOUR FIRED. it's Live and it's on time. but then again so it the F1 Race on time to the Tee.

NHRA is not smart enough to figure out if the Sportmans cars run into the time set that the PROS RUN they turn the strip over to the PROS and run them so MR and MRS Money dude can see his CORP LOGO run down the race track before he goes to BED. If I was MR big putting money in a car and they waited to run the final till TUES or WED in bum F. Penn Because they FORGOT to turn OFF sportmans cars well I guess you get what you want. Think if the cost of the Pro teams spent to stay there for the rest of the time all because of TOM or Graham Cracker Head not saying wow folks it's going to RAIN lets run the Pros to finish the show for the FANS and run the 1200 to win comp guys later or not at all. Do I like sportmans car yes 100% I do. But the BIG picture is TV.. Average JOE drinking his Keystone Burp Beer is watching NITRO cars and maybe some prostock cars.

So is there fixable things to be done to improve all of drag racing. YES. will every one like it. NO Can we get more sportmans cars involved YES. Can we get more Pro cars involved NOT if there is NO PAY increase for Wins. And even that in itself means Little.. The PRO racers are NOT racing to make 50k to WIN a race.. they Race to COLLECT more Sponser money to buy more parts to race harder to win more races to gt more TV time to get more Sponsers $$$$$$$$$$

EOS

 

[stanman]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

The only reason NHRA was not for sale to Bruton Smith is because Tom Compton and others in the NHRA management office did not have a place in the Bruton Smith NHRA! As soon as Compton and his flock found a buyer that would keep them on with a golden lining they could sell it fast enough.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Why are you talking about Nothing.

Tom and Clan and HDP who cares..

I care!
Do I detect a condescending tone?

 

[Jim]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

The only reason NHRA was not for sale to Bruton Smith is because Tom Compton and others in the NHRA management office did not have a place in the Bruton Smith NHRA! As soon as Compton and his flock found a buyer that would keep them on with a golden lining they could sell it fast enough.

Yes, but my point is: As a non-profit - It is not THEIR'S to sell.
If they are representing stalking horses for anyone who might want to (eventually) purchase NHRA (i.e. Brunton/HDP) then, they are breaching their fiduciary duty to the non-profit.

 

[nick name]

There's something a lot of you have not considered so far.

What if Bruton's highest offer had been only a small percentage of the HDP offer and what if he wanted nothing to do with any sportsman cars or programs?

Just because Bruton has billions doesn't mean he's going to (in his mind) throw money around by overpaying.

I'm not anti-Bruton in any way, and in fact I really admire his insistence on quality.

I'll just leave it at that, but please understand it's not entirely a rhetorical question.

 

[Brian]

Here's the problem I have with Compton's salary package. If a fuel racer would have run the table this year and won every event, they would have collected $955,000 in purse not including contingency and bonus money. Averaged out over the term of the contract, Compton would have made more. That my friends, just isn't right!

 

[vegasnitro]

Why are you talking about Nothing.

Tom and Clan and HDP who cares..

So in your estimation, we should not acknowledge, discuss or care about the possible sale/future of the NHRA on an NHRA discussion board? RRIIIIGGGHHHTTT.

Hey I got an idea, let's all just bury our heads in the sand because nothing we say matters anyway. Yeah, that's the ticket. Hell, we may as well stop voting and give the governement all of our money and let someone else make all of our decisions for us. All of this logical discourse is really becoming burdensome anyways. You know what happens when your head is in the sand? Your ass is in the air!

No one is more cynical then me in general terms, and all I am saying is I am ok with Compton overseeing a transitional period, I am not OK with Compton staying in charge for more money.

There are people out there who can do it better than Compton (Chris Blair). And once the NHRA is no longer a privately held not-for-profit organization ... his arse is grass and he knows it so he is trying to make hay while the sun is shining.