We can all cry NHRA but really what can we do?

[Fueler]

Well what can the most hadcore drag fans do, I know what I can do. Nhra does not care about the fans, and you have to ask yourself do they really need the fans, with all the corporate sponsorships and pocket lining they can run these races with NO FANS IN THE STANDS! Anyone agree?

[Simply Fuelish]

Trust me....they NEED the fans... The corporate sharks that dole out "as little as possible" is not enough to line the parking lot in Glendora. They need the fans BADLY !

Bernstein looks like a clown in this latest fiasco. Ray Allley with all the "Key's t the Kingdom" and now negotiating behind the backs of his members at PRO...

Force is PISSED big time and Coil came unhinged last week. Monster ? Does anybody actually drink that piss ?

Scott Kalitta got boned on the deal too. He was the designated player for bernsteins new gig.

What is he now ? 70 yrs old ? Can somebody be considered an athlete at 70 yrs old ? If so, I dont think I would spend a dime to watch the geriatrics olympics.

[Deano]

The only thing I need from NHRA is a license,Nostalgia racing is my thing.

[Paul_Page_Rulz]

I know one thing, I'll be rooting for whoever is in the opposite lane with that wonderment of plastic surgery and hair color. I can't wait to see how fast he can climb out of that hatch the first time it flambés. Or see him dive off it at 20 or 30 mph like Whit did. See what kind of athlete he is at 65. Hair color can't fix that.

[anotheridiot]

As far as nhra needing the fans, I really dont think they do. Do they care? I doubt it. But the people that need the fans are the track owners that depend on the national event to be able to afford to keep the tracks open the rest of the year for the rest of us. So if you want to boycott the nhra owned tracks, fine but make sure you still support the little guys.

[STAGED]

Ken B is burning some bridges, but he does not care, he got a seat in a car. He wants to show his kid he still has it, beyond competitive, to go behind your fellow PRO members as Pres. shows the kind of person he is.
That sucks if Kalitta was approached for the signage and KB gets it cause Bud is Distributor, but thats Politics for ya

[shcb]

KB needs to stay retired...let some new faces come into this sport..He has done his part to make the sport what it is in the past but I do not like him at this moment...How can you be so arrogant w/the PRO incident> I also heard Jerry Tolliver was in the contention for the FC ride..and he got shafted for the "OLD GUY"....I am not thrilled to see him come back..

I wonder how much the "FOREVER RED" items can get for someone on eBay? :rolleyes: HA!!! NHRA does need the fans and they should treat them like they do...they are the ones who line there pockets....cause they sure do not give anything back as much as they think they do.....ticket prices are high and granted you see an entire day of races if you chose and can go in the pits; but a family almost has to break the bank to enjoy an event even for one day...

They should think of family packages; coupons off the concessions, or something..maybe even student discounts w/student id...Just something.....just help a guy out eh?

OK..SHCB :cool:

[Nativeson]

I don't think I could support a boycott of the NHRA national events. It would probably hurt the track owners more than the NHRA. The PRO organization should be the ones doing the boycotting. There's another game in town called IHRA/Emax, and if the pro teams all announced to be running that series instead, unless the old points format was re-instated, I'm pretty sure you'd see some positive changes take effect. Unfortunately, I don't think that'll happen either.

[Big Time]

NHRA doesnt care about anything but the bottom line. Why do you think outlaw racing has become popoular. Whether it be ProMod or 10.5. They race for more money in one night than Prostock runs for in a whole season. Many racers are looking to this. less travel,more money sounds great. If I remember correctly in Huntsville they had a $100,000 to win fuel race and were stiffed by many big team. Compete stupidity!!!!!! Clat Millican wasn't affraid to take there money. More unsanctioned race one night for lots of money will get someones attention. Mr.Knoll is also getting there attention, Racer friendly atmosphere where they have a great show and care about racers and spectators alike. huh customer service 101........

[lowe65]

NHRA won't listen to or feel any empathy for the fans, but, if you write POWERadehttp://us.powerade.com/contactUs.do and let them know because of NHRA's actions that you, your family, friends, friends of friends, and anyone else that will listen will be urged to boycott their products. When a sponsor starts getting emails concerning a grass roots boycott of their products they will take notice. For POWERade to pay millions of dollars to sponsor NHRA only to find out that sponsorship is driving potential customers away will cause a reaction.:eek: Somebody at NHRA will get smacked upside the head over this fiasco.:mad:

[Rich_1028]

lowe65
has a good point there

[Jackee Allen]

TCompton@NHRA.com

GLight@NHRA.com

[nitrohemi]

I am tired of paying huge $$ for parking, food, cokes, etc.
The racers are racing for peanuts. Jeff Wolf, John Asher say the truth.

Ray Ally will be the joke of 2007. just like last time he tuned a car. Would love to see Dupuy kick his ass after all the BS.

[Ronnie]

I've never had anyone from NHRA come to my house and twist my arm and force me to race or spectate any of their Events.While the costs are high compared to an NFL game a Three hours Nascar borathon and many others I still Believe the cost is worth an entire day of ENTERTAINMENT.Now the only national events I go to are the memhis,INDY andwas going to colombus not anymore too far of a weekend drive.I've been going to INDY for over thirty years and while some will say the old days where the greatest I think its much better now with it now having the pro-mods and a set schedule on what runs when unlike back in the day you never knew when what would run.The IHRA ain't so bad I've been to only one event and that was their summer nationals back when the ran at Edgewater.but the tickets are nearly the same and only have 8 car fuel fields and heck this weekend there wasn't even that many.as far as I can tell except for rainy forcasts or extremly hot weather both these organizations are doing good,so go aheead stay home will give me more room to move aroundand heck with the KIng doing what he's done with the sponsor and know about the championship thing I don't think that PRO is as strong as it once was.

[iceman]

I think you'll find that ticket prices are no where close to the same.....

[Ronnie]

norwalk reserve were 52 dollars and only 8 each of fuel cars and no tad

[iceman]

unusual for IHRA race....ex: Budds Creek reserved Saturday....$45...Sunday $25...just info..truely believe the fields will get larger over time...

[Nitro-fumes]

I didn't like the new points either, still don't know if I do (from a competitors stand point) but I in no way think that it was a master plan to screw the fans. I think it was done to try and entice new fans.

What is unfortunate is that so many people want for this sport to compete with NASCAR but don't want to take the steps to do it. I like the fact that NHRA is trying to add more excitement for the sport, no doubt a direct effect from the excitement of last years Funny Car chase. But now instead of just one category it turns into four! The teams seem to be alright with it, in fact I've heard many drivers say that if they don't run good at the end of the season they don't deserve to win the championship. I'm sure the sentiment changes a little if they lose at the end of the year but consistency is the key to this sport. I think the drivers are the only ones that truly have a leg to stand on in the gripe department, it doesn't hurt sponsors or fans in any way. Fans just want their guy to win, if your guy is the best then he/she will. It doesn't make the competition worse, probably better because now they have no room for error. Sponsors don't involve themselves in sports for the purse money (they don't get it anyways). They involve themselves for the EXPOSURE, look already in media and chat rooms this topic has developed, bet your butt the season has more to come.

I think that it is an expensive spectator sport but increased attendance year after year tells you they're doing something right in Glendora. The majority of naysayers are from the "older generation" and you guys built the sport and we appreciate all you have done and continue to do for it. But it is a fact that the "older generations" resist change and that if it ain't broke don't fix it, but if all things remain the same we would have never broke the 4 second barrier, 300 MPH barrier, this sport has evolved with the times sooooooo much, this is just another change that we will look back on as a monumental accomplishment (no matter how tough it will be on us in the short run).

NHRA focuses on long term results from long term goals and objectives. This decision was most likely not made to make a quick buck and run, but to help build the sport so that us "older generation" drivers have something to pass along to our "younger generation" grand kids.

[larrydavis427]

From a true fan stand point NHRA National event racing is by far the best!! Sure I disagree with the way they run their events but they do more things right than anyone else. I think Tom Compton is doing an excellent job and of course he wants to fill the seats on all Pro race days. I,d bet my last dollar that even with all the rain problems this year NHRA will set another spectator attendance record!!! I do understand that racers and fans have different wants and needs. It,s tough to maintain a balance and keep everyone happy. But If drag racing keeps gaining popularity everyone will benefit.

[Kingnitro]

From my perpective, the best deal $$$ wise is at Houston. A 3 day general admission pass is just $90! And unlike many tracks anymore, the Entire West side grandstands at HRP is general admission. The Most expensive track to attend is hands down Chi-town!

[philly67]

yeah the prices are high for the most part however the thing that pi$$i$ me off is the stupid quilifying in the heat,in the pro classes if you dont get in on fri night there is a 90% chance that you are not in ,they need to do like at st.louis this year and pro classes started at 5:30 or 6:00.not at 2:00 pm with the track at 130+ and as far as the noise restrictions then go to a track where this is not a problem ,as far as the fan's it's all about the almighty $.

[NITROFAN]

yeah the prices are high for the most part however the thing that pi$$i$ me off is the stupid quilifying in the heat,in the pro classes if you dont get in on fri night there is a 90% chance that you are not in ,they need to do like at st.louis this year and pro classes started at 5:30 or 6:00.not at 2:00 pm with the track at 130+ and as far as the noise restrictions then go to a track where this is not a problem ,as far as the fan's it's all about the almighty $.


Only problem with that is they do not race during those hours. Hey I am all for seeing the huge times and speeds. But to qualify at 6pm and 9pm then race Sunday at 11am is pretty foolish.

I have an idea - all racing is done at night. lol

Attn super gas it's first round at 8pm (well that is true anyway LOL)

First round of qualifying at 10pm second at 2am. Never sun on the track, everyone gets to see pretty flames etc etc - lol.

[Peter Kumble]

I don' t know about the national events. The fans are very jaded by nitro. Look at how empty the stands are for the final rounds of any thing but nitro. And what just totally amazes me is how there is NEVER anyone who comes out to spectate at the divisional points meets. It use to be that the old WCS points meets would draw a large crowd, probably because there was nitro there. I understand that the make up of the fan today is not the same as it was 30 years ago and there are many other entertainment options available to them, but I have to wonder how a track owner could afford to run a points meet when they can't sell any tickets to spectators. I frankly don't understand whey people won't come out to see first class sportsman action, but I will bet if there were nitro cars, they would. Perhaps a booked in AAFA show, perhaps the newstalgia TF and FC circuit? Perhaps a match race (heaven forbid that guys like Wyatt R, Dale C, or other IHRA funny cars would get paid to show up).

[Nitro-fumes]

I wonder if the costs have anything to do with cost of living in these specific areas? I know that gas prices are different across the country, so should we all be so foolish to believe that something such as wages (for the local workers), and other operating costs might have a hand in the charge passed on to the consumer.

I wonder if NHRA is the only sport that would do this? Anyone know the price of a baseball ticket in LA as opposed to Seattle?

I think that we are all looking at this topic very ego centrically.

[sld72382]

The price of a ticket for Gainseville is about the same as a price of a ticket for E-town.

As for cost, it's a little higher for fuel because we have to travel 5 hrs to get to the track. When my family was living up in NY, E-town was only aboout 90 minutes away.

Still, I don't balk at the cost as my dad and I only get to the to 1 event a year (not counting the Citrus Nationals at Moroso).