I have been a hardcore fan for 47 years and an NHRA member for most of them. This year I have attended Gainesville, Atlanta, Englishtown, and Norwalk. I have ordered tickets for and will attend Reading, Indy, and Charlotte. At a national event I am one of the first to arrive on Thursday (Wednesday for Indy), and I am one of the last to leave when the event is over.
That being said, I will not attend any national events next year if this ruling becomes permanent. I will still attend divisional events, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Classic National Open event at Reading; but the NHRA will not see me at any national events next year.
Judging by your website poll concerning reducing the racing length; one third of the fans that have responded agree with me and won't attend either. Let's see how the NHRA reacts to that very substantial loss of revenue.
William Seabrooks
Bridgeport, Connecticut
"Just Wondering: Is speed the real attraction for drag fans or is it which car gets to the finish line first? Or has the sport just turned into a carnival act where the racing is secondary to the smoke, noise or occasional engine explosion or crash? I’m not saying, I’m just wondering."
C'mon Jeff, where have you been for the last 10 years? Of course it is nothing but a carnival side show. All you'd have to do is look at the promotional spots for the events both in NHRA and NAPCAR to see that all they feature is huge fireballs and crashes to get viewers and cheeks in the seats. I did notice that the NHRA promo spots for the Norwalk event finally excluded the actual footage of Cory Mac "flying" in his broken T/F dragster, and the several F/C fireballs on track.
I've yet to EVER see a promo shot from NHRA that featured a .001 margin of victory finish line shot. The only shot like that ever on TeeVee was the Steve Johnson Pro Stock M/C finish at the U.S. Nationals, and ONLY because it was called wrong by Compuglitch.
Ask a friend who is a casual sports fan to a drag race and see how long it takes for them ask you, "When do the crashes start?"
Wake up and smell the coffee...1/8th mile Pro racing? Hell YES!
Maybe, just maybe, it will bring some fans to the REAL racing, which happens at the FINISH LINE, like bracket racing.
Dave Cook
Indianapolis, Indiana
Mr. Burk, I disagree with you. The length of the track had nothing to do with Mr. Kalitta’s death. I do agree with you that the speeds are a problem. Mr. Kalitta’s death was due to inadequate safety equipment in the cars and a shutdown area that was wholly inadequate. You are correct in saying most tracks aren't capable of handling these cars. There has to be a better method of slowing down these cars as the cars go off the end of the track.
After viewing the video I would guess that the explosion was so violent that Scott may not had brakes. There has to be an engineering company that can design a speed trap at the end of the track that could handle a situation like this. I believe Connie Kalitta will have a voice that the NHRA will have to listen to.
I also believe Tom Compton is a buffoon and cannot believe the guy can keep his job in light of all his personal problems and the deaths of such high profile people. Change must happen.
Kurt Carlson
Jacksonville, Florida
I don't think anyone really has a clue as to what caused the tire failure that killed Eric nor do they have much of a clue what caused John Force's crash either.
Scott's was pretty clear even from the blurry video I have seen. The engine went, trashed the body, chutes failed, and the sand trap being much too small didn't help. The car launched itself up and into the concrete barrier at the back of the pit and into the camera boom. Certainly there ought not to be anything of substantial mass at the end of the sand trap - but then I have no idea what is beyond that sand pit either.
Duane Cooley
Iowa
I'm wondering why there is such a quandary on what to do about the speed topic. I've been going to the races for over 30 yrs, since I was old enough to walk. For the most part, the tracks haven't changed... the cars have. I remember watching Joe Amato and Jeb Allen racing with their 270" dragsters with tiny wings and Lencos.
Likewise, I used to be able to tell what brand, make and model the funny cars resembled. Now it's huge wings, 'cookie cutter' Funny Car bodies, and other aero tricks leading to insane speeds. Hell, we can't even tell one Pro Stock body from the other any more.
Seems to me that aero, clutch and engine evolution is what’s out of control. Why not look at those items instead of track lengths? To me, 1/4 mile is a staple that shouldn't be touched. It's like racing the nitro classes on slcohol and letting Pro Stocks use superchargers. It's just not meant to be that way. I'll bet the drivers won't argue... ask Del Worsham or Ron Capps which car they'd rather drive? I'll bet they answer their Nostalgia cars. A greater challenge and safer racing. What more do you need?
Corey Hill
Center Valley, Pennsylvania