ASHER'S COLUMN on COMP PLUS!!! HOME RUN!!!

#16 04-23-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.C. Mayes

NHRA currently has no motivation to please it's customers and membership, because they know they are the only major venue in the drag racing business. Sad, but true.

They're not.....especially if they are not careful..........I hear a knock at the door..................

#17 04-23-2008, 07:58 PM

In some markets, they are the only major auto racing event, period. Denver for instance. NASCAR-Busch track in Colorado Springs closed, Champ Car is not running the Denver Grand Prix. Unless you count the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the AMA indoor Supercross series and USHRA Monster Jam tour.... Bandimere Speedway (which by the way, Thank God is owned and run by one of the classiest families in the world!) is your only place for "major" motorsports in the large area between north of Phoenix, west to Vegas, east to Topeka and north to Canada.

#18 04-23-2008, 08:22 PM

Hey Chris...how ya doing?!?!

I was talking about the comment about major "Drag Racing" venue....that's what I was refering to.

(and the knock at the door)

#19 04-23-2008, 08:51 PM

If it was such a controlled monopoly as everybody says, the man in charge could act however he wanted with no consequences whatsoever. I'd even bet he could get drunk, drive into somebody's house without as much as a slap on the hand?
It could happen!

See what I mean?

#20 04-23-2008, 09:12 PM

BRAVO...Jon, BRAVO

#21 04-23-2008, 09:30 PM

I think PRO should be restricted to female racers only.. (and then ONLY IF THEY WANT) because Bernstein and the rest of the Pro Board has No Balls!

#22 04-23-2008, 09:36 PM

Wow, that was a great read!!

The part about Kenny B. gave me goosebumps, would've loved to seen that.

Like the old saying goes....."loose Lips, Sink Ships".
I hope DSR's primary's stay strong through this.

The humiliation and personal embarrassment would kill me.
I hate it when that happens.

#23 04-23-2008, 11:13 PM

Article is Very interesting. My only observation about the low car count in Sportsman is: 160 S/C Cars not allowed to compete at a track that has More than Enough Room to accomodate that many rigs.

Same thing is going to happen a L.V.2 No Stock or S/S competition, so there goes the 160 or more cars in the overall car count.

Still, a very interesting article. Makes you wonder if Indy will be a 2 lane race this year. It was a left lane track last year.

#24 04-23-2008, 11:36 PM

Right On Jon!! Thank you for giving voice to what a lot of us feel needs to be addressed.

Rapid

#25 04-23-2008, 11:50 PM

Who would have thought that Wally would be turning over this soon after he got there?

#26 04-23-2008, 11:56 PM

Mr Asher, Thank you for publishing the words we all want heard by every person at NHRA. I can only hope that NHRA doesn't give you a record fine or try to take revenge for speaking the truth. I will be interested to see how NHRA responds to this article, if ever.

#27 04-24-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Think of the public relations home run that could have been achieved had NHRA visited the base commander across the street (literally) at Nellis Air Force Base two weeks in advance of the event offering active duty personnel and their dependents free admission on Friday.

Nice idea. But why blame the NHRA that something like this didn't happen? Last I heard LVMS is owned by Bruton Smith, not the NHRA.

#28 04-24-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Smith

Nice idea. But why blame the NHRA that something like this didn't happen? Last I heard LVMS is owned by Bruton Smith, not the NHRA.

When NHRA comes to the track for an event, they take control of everything, it's like they own the track.

#29 04-24-2008, 01:54 AM

Mr. Asher, sir, you are right....as always. Thank you for eloquently expressing the thoughts and ideas of so many of us.

It's NHRA's circus during a national event, kids. A host track takes care of toilets, trash, track-owned concessions, and spectator parking....for the most part. There are other areas that I won't bore you with. But...NHRA sets the event schedule, ticket prices, parks the racers, "preps" the track, conducts the racing, determines the event budget, and on and on. If you have a bad experience at any NHRA national event, there is a 90% chance that the reason would fall on NHRA's shoulders, not the host track.

It pains me that NHRA has devolved to this point. I have very dear and close friends that are directly affected by NHRA's ignorance and arrogance. The events that have transpired over the course of the last 10 or so years really have me questioning my sustained and future participation with the organization. Here's an incomplete list in no particular order...

Sportsman racing reduction at national events

"Quality" of the television package

Attitude

Exclusive supplier agreements for critical items (fuel, tires)

Stunting the evolution of the Top Fuel Dragster

Rev Limiters in nitro racing (these only belong in sportsman classes)

CIC (Competition Index Control)

Pro Stock Truck

POWERade

Attitude

The death of Darrell Russell (and subsequent failures)

Tires

Track condition

Rick Stewart

HD Partners

Eric Medlen

Las Vegas 1 2008

Nitrogate

85%

Anything less than 99.99% in A/FD

No AF/FC (injected nitro funny car in TAFC)

The Countdown

Lack of proper promotion and development of the Lucas series

Increasing weight minimums in professional categories

OK...get my point? While most of those items only affect the quality of the "big show" their effects bleed into the overall success of each and every track and participant. We, racers, simply cannot continue to be willing volunteers to this constant abuse. From a fan's point of view, how is any of this year's racing been entertaining or a good value for the money spent?

Support your local track. Urge them to switch to IHRA sanction and do so for the long run (not year-to-year as too many have done). Thumb your noses at anything NHRA has to offer. And, maybe someday the stars of the sport will finally say enough is enough and refuse to participate in NHRA's game.

#30 04-24-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Wilt

In some markets, they are the only major auto racing event, period. Denver for instance. NASCAR-Busch track in Colorado Springs closed, Champ Car is not running the Denver Grand Prix. Unless you count the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the AMA indoor Supercross series and USHRA Monster Jam tour.... Bandimere Speedway (which by the way, Thank God is owned and run by one of the classiest families in the world!) is your only place for "major" motorsports in the large area between north of Phoenix, west to Vegas, east to Topeka and north to Canada.

Here, here Chris. Mr Asher, hit the nail squarely on the head.

S/F
D