What I'm getting at is a streamlined approach to racing, in an effort to maximize profits as much as possible. I still have a great time at the races, win or lose. And I don't consider myself a professional--although I do depend somewhat on making a little money with racing (and I can't really afford for racing to lose money). I think I could do well financially with no help--but I wouldn't be traveling the way I do (I'd have the Vega at Sand Mountain Dragway, Baileyton, Fulton, and North Alabama every week. I might win 30 times a year--but no one outside of those places would know about it!). The product help and other support that I'm fortunate enough to receive for running the big events make it possible for me to continue competing at that level.
That got a little longer than I'd intended--but you got me to thinking! Again, great column--I enjoy reading & keep up the good work!
Luke Bogaki
STARTING LINE JEOPARDY
I recently saw a similar incident at the AHDRA finals in Las Vegas. A top fuel motorcycle went down the track after the starter had made the shut down gesture. The bottom line is that safety is compromised and safety is the starter’s primary job. If the sanctioning body is soft on this, the sport is jeopardized.
Larry Coleman
Chico, CA
GETTING COMPENSATION
Response to letter by Mark Herndon: Simple mathematics show that $20,000 fine is small potatoes compared to the amount of money denied the Kalitta team for the championship, contingencies, and revenues for future sponsorships, plus bragging rights, as a result of "that" dog-and-pony show which occurred on the starting line Saturday night.
NHRA should be watching their backs...many folks will be going to other drag race shows, if these types of situations keep on happening!
Rik Chidester
Poulsbo, WA
WHO RULES THE STARTING LINE?
Burkster, you and I know for a fact that Rick Stewart does not hold an ounce of what Buster Couch was made of, much less the ability to control the situation that took place at Pomona! It’s the starter’s track no matter what! Don’t get me wrong, I like Alan and Tony but they need to comply with what the starter says. That’s that the END!!!!
Radical Rich Tivitt
The Mouth of Motorsports
St. Louis, MO
WHAT A SHOW!
What’s next -- "Crew chief slams Starter with folding chair, gets time out"? Again, the "cheap" side of the WWF/NHRA rears its ugly head and costs us lots of fan support! And the many hard to come by sponsors of other T/F cars (some of which are ready to bail) may have been thinking "boy, what a waste of money and team effort just to watch a double standard affect our chance of a championship!”
Boy that A.J. showed them who runs the show!
Donald Glenn Lancaster
Vancouver, WA
NOD, NOD, WINK, WINK
It doesn't surprise me one iota that NHRA would overlook such a blatant infraction as that committed by the Schumacher crew. The rule book states quite clearly that any team who causes fluids to be deposited on the track surface will be disqualified from competition. Well, of course, NHRA will give the old wink and a nod to their star teams and competitors. They're the ones who put butts in the stands after all.
Mike Gamache
Montreal, Canada
