UNFAIR ADVANTAGES?
I enjoyed your articles on the "delay box buttons" very much. I agree with you 100% on your ideas and what NHRA should do to police the sport more carefully. I do not race Stock, Super Stock or Comp but do have friends that do. All local people and very good racers. But they do it the honest way, no trick buttons.
The other point I enjoyed was how the "professional sportsmen" have so many shots at winning a race, collecting money and almost "preying" on the local hobbyist racers when they come into town. This is very much how GM approached the NHRA Sport Compact series. Big GM with all the money and resources gave people either full rides or partial and began to flood and dominate the sport compact scene professional classes, and even some sportsmen ones too. GM has poured so much time and development that they have driven away the local hobbyist racing out of their garage or little shop. Unlike mainstream NHRA where its brackets and the guys have a chance, heads up sport compact racers are just being blown away! So if you know a GM car is in your class and they run .50 or better FASTER than you the hobbyist, why show up? Why even try to qualify? This seems to be a very big dilemma in NHRA sport compact. Look at the results, how many pro cars showed up? How many GM cars qualified #1 or won? What’s their history like??
NHRA S/C has begun to lose steam in the professional categories and car count has dwindled. People have moved on and some have just parked their car. Why? Because someone came to town with MULTIPLE chances to win and unlimited budgets and time. What’s this do? Pushes the grass roots racers away and shuns the local guy. How many guys do you think would show up for Pro Stock if they knew they would even be .30 slower then #1? Not too many.
Anyhow, figured I would show some of the same thing from our side of the fence. We ran heads up all-motor for a while about five years ago until we became uncompetitive and slow due to being just a little guy. Now we found a home in NHRA Quick 16, which is a qualified field but you are allowed to
use as much as .50 break out ALL day. So if you qualify with a 10.50, you can run as fast as 10.00 ANY round. Interesting huh? Unfortunately a lot of other little guys and people who found themselves uncompetitive have joined the field and it also keeps getting faster and faster. But it seems to be the hottest class in NHRA S/C series.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thanks for your time.
Scott Pocaro
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES?
I knew E-Town was in trouble when the local fire marshal required all racers and campers to obtain a permit to use a grill at the NHRA Super nationals this year. You know that's just harassment...
It's amazing how new home owners and politics can destroy a prosperous business built through hard work and dedication. And they call this destructive political process - progress!
Jorge Meister
New York
AH, YES, WE REMEMBER THE FEELING
What can I say? I was at the race in Georgia this weekend and it blew me away. I am new to the drag racing scene and I am enjoying it all. The first time that I felt the cars go down the track it took my breath away. What I have to say is I am a fan to stay. I love it!!, love it!!! love it!!!!
Cathie Knight
Gatesville, NC
