I prefer the live shows over the studio albums. In fact, I'd rather listen to a live bootleg, than a studio album. I am not a big fan of all the polished up fake stuff. Overdubs and all that crap. I like it raw and in your face.

Anyway, didn't mean to derail the thread.

Vaughn & Barry,

First, thanks for reading the letter. My intention of the letter was to expound on the things that most fans are upset about, and explain why I (as a fan) am appalled with the current status of the NHRA.

I will admit, going into details would have perhaps been a bit better, but the letter was already long enough without me having to explain things that the normal fan would probably not be upset about.

I would, however, be glad to expound on them since you asked me to.

Lack of planning: Organizationally speaking, the NHRA obviously hasn't done much to continue their growth. I don't see the fan base of the NHRA increasing. The bottom dollar is increasing, but so are the ticket prices. I don't see the NHRA doing anything to facilitate smoother run races, or providing any sort of consistency with track preparation. I think someone said on here that if the NHRA was run like a local business in our community, we'd be out of business after the second day. I couldn't agree more.

What if tomorrow, Starbucks came out with a new business philosophy: we're never changing anything again. No more new drinks, no more new store designs, no more new business philosophies. We may never have a problem with it, but they would tank in a matter of years.

Starbucks has recently brought back their founder as their CEO, Howard Schultz. He recently said this in an article. "And there are a number of things we are going to do. Also we will do more things to better reward our most loyal and best customers. Some 15 percent of our transactions are on the Starbucks card. And we need to look at store design. We haven't done enough here. In the future, you'll see new store design that significantly improves the customer experience. We cannot embrace the status quo. Going back to the future is not enough; we need a new level of differentiation and innovation."

Starbucks is a company with more than $9 billion in revenues, more than $1 billion in operating income and 50 million customers in their stores every week. Why in the world would they be talking about a new level of differentiation and innovation? Because change is needed if you are going to survive.

The NHRA is not doing this. Change is not happening. And status quo drag racing will not have a chance to continually be a success.

I hope I have elaborated enough for you on that point. You see, how long of a letter this would be?

Secondly. Lack of working with others: I have NEVER seen the NHRA do anything at their events to see what we, the common fan thought. How much ownership do we have in the sport? None. (as a fan, anyway). We have a ticket stub, but nothing else. Everyone else (including myself) complains about the NHRA being out of touch with its fans. They have no desire to work with anyone else. They have no desire to hear what you have to say. On numerous occasions in the last five years, they have ignored even what the patriarchs of the sport have said in many cases. When you show me an organization that is through changing, you show me an organization that is through. It's only a matter of time.

The NHRA is great because of its people -- not because of who sits at the top of the ladder making every day to day decision. I don't see the NHRA working with PRO as closely as it needs to. I don't see the NHRA working with local track owners (ie: Bruton Smith would probably have some input to make things better if asked, and I can't think of a better person who understands profits/loss than him), the racers (especially the sportsmen), or the common fan (me & you).

The NHRA has selfishly positioned itself in a place where the ideals or the people who support it the most don't matter. They don't want to work with us...heck, they want nothing to do with us, other than for us to spend the $100-ish dollars on our three day pass,.

They obviously can't do everything that we say (you need stability somewhere), but if I were them, I would be listening to someone. I don't see that happening.

I hope that answered your question, and showed you why I didn't add specifics. This letter would have quickly become a dissertation.

Thanks to everyone else for the positive comments. I know just like you do that we, and the incredible racers (from the bottom to the top) are why this sport is the greatest freaking show on the planet.

Paul,

I don't feel like I have to defend myself, but will hopefully shed some light on my intentions with those three statements.

Lack of leadership: this is not a personal attack on anyone. I didn't mention Graham Light or Tom Compton. I was simply pointing out that, to me, there is an absence of leadership in the NHRA. (Hence, the potential loss of profits).

Cares about it money: please re-read the sentence. I said that to me, it seems like all the NHRA cares about is money (which is why I offered them the information on the cost of losing a customer). I didn't accuse them of only caring about money, I simply said that it seems that way.

Please don't screw this up: I have no explanation for this one. I felt as though a strong closing statement was necessary.

Offering solutions: I thought (if I may say so as humbly as possible) that the cost of losing a customer is very important to the letter. My intention of the letter was for NHRA to see that I matter. That you matter. That we matter. If I have gotten one person to think that, I have done my job with it.

Explanation of vagueness: see above post.

I know many of you could have written it way better than I did...and I am not expecting anything to happen as a result of this. But I couldn't sit idle anymore, and sans showing up at their front door (which isn't going to happen), this is how I could communicate how I feel.

I appreciate everyone's feedback and support. It is much appreciated.

Jeremy,

Your letter capsulizes much of the frustration with current state of the sport. Exasperation!

My own feeling (and I'm no more capable of expressing this frustration in a logical point-by-pont rant) is that current management is "just mailing-it-in". This was especially apparent last year after they anticipated the great good fortune to come from the HD deal.

Original ideas, innovation, risk-taking seem to be lacking.

Maybe the answers will come from the Bader's of the sport. Where's our Humpey Wheeler?

Not lost on me you could substitue US Government in place of NHRA and it would read well.

NHRA is not a true Capitolist Organization.
There would be no shortage of Nito if only one brand wasn't mandated.
The tires might well be better if one brand were not mandated.
You get the picture ?

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THE CORRECT ANSWER TO THE ENERGY CRISIS IS D ALL OF THE ABOVE !

Great letter. It's now the headliner at competition plus site.

Although I am a drag racing fan and not a racer, I frankly don't have many complaints as to rising ticket prices as mentioned in the letter. Tickets to a NHRA Powerade event are a bargain when compared with other sporting events. For example, my brother has had NFL season tickets for more than 20 years. His seats are located on about the 30 yard line of the second deck, four rows back, and he pays $92 per game. And has anyone checked the ticket prices lately for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race? I have a great seat at the NHRA Powerade race I attend each year and it costs me $60 for the Sunday final- and that's for an all day event, not for the three or four hours it takes to play a football game or run a NASCAR race. Moreover, the price of admission to a NHRA drag race includes access to the pits, which costs extra at a NASCAR race (if available at all). There is of course no equivalent to a pit pass in stick and ball sports.

Every sports league and every racing sanctioning body has its own share of problems of one type or another. For instance, NASCAR is the most successful racing organization in the US yet there are a large number of stock car fans who consider Brian France and the NASCAR powers that be the equivalent of the antichrist. The same can said of the leadership for the sanctioning bodies in open wheel and other forms or racing, none of which are immune from critics. While I might not agree with every decision handed down from the offices of Brian France or Tom Compton, I also know that there is little I can say or do to change those decisions. For me, spending time watching drag racing on television or at the track affords me time to escape and get away from the problems of the world for a few hours. Why anyone would want to unnecessarily add further complications to what is essentially a pastime. regardless of how passionate, is beyond me.

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"Even the smallest dog can lift its leg on the tallest building."-- Jim Hightower

This is a VERY ASTUTE observation and worth discussing. Since Brian France implemented the Chase and the COT, he has been public enemy number one on NASCAR boards. Tony George created the IRL because he didn't like CART in the mid 90s. The resulting split in open wheel racing cippled the sport. They have gotten back together now, but Tony George went on TV and said that they need to get open wheel back to where CART was in the 90s. I nearly had a seizure.

The primary criticism on this board of NHRA upper management is that they are not drag racing guys, so therefor could not possibly know what is best for drag racing. Well, both examples I have given above were by "racing guys". Brian France is the 3rd genereation France to run NASCAR, and was groomed for it his whole life. Tony George inherited Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and has held nearly every job you can have at the Speedway, from racer to promoter to popcorn salesman, and was also groomed for it his whole life. In the eyes of most fans, neith France nor George have done what is best for their sport despite being "racing guys".

I certainly don't agree with some of the things done by Compton and his cronies, but compared to the drastic changes other forms of racing, NHRA may not be in as bad shape as sometimes declared on this board.

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I don't have a microwave ... I have a clock that occasionally makes popcorn.

Good observations - Tony George created the IRL to do one thing and one thing only - take control of Indy Car racing the way the France family controls Nascar. Personally, I don't have a problem with it. CART was case of too many chiefs not enough indians and they were running themselves into the ground. George could not let those greedy selfish owners take over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and I 'm very glad he didn't. Indy car racing is alive and well, rumors of it's demise were premature. Tony brought us seven years of F1 and may well get them back again. The 500 is as good as ever AFAIC. The only thing I don't like is that he may bring the IRL back too close to what CART used to be. I have a hunch he's just saying that to placate the CART fans who aren't happy. Sure there will be a few more road/street courses, and I hope they choose them wisely. But today at 4 I 'll be watching the milwaukee mile, and it will be good. I 'll tape the NHRA it's already taped anyway right.

For the original poster,,I 'm not sure I get it. I go to the gators every year and always get my $$ worth. Every penny. $150 for three full days of nitro cars ? I'll pay that no problem. I'm not a racer so perhaps you are and have more things to complain about but your starbucks analogy doesn't cut it.

The NHRA is all there is for nitro racing. They are the ringling bros barnum and bailey circus of drag racing. Sure you can go to the cole bros if you want - have fun there. The nhra doesn't have to change. All they have to do is keep putting 32 nitro burners on the track every year at gainesville for a reasonable price and I will be there. Bottom line,,, as John would say...

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I'm still DamnYankee

"A Friday night run in a Funny Car is just really intense" - Whit Bazemore

Hi to all; this is my first post although i have been "mater" for a while. I live in Canada (where it is still cold) and really remember going to Norwalk a few years ago.It was packed and at the end of the night as we all left the event .......there was Bill Bader and his son at each exit leaning in the window of each vehicle as they left asking "how was it?..did you enjoy yourself today?".......I've been to a lot of races ; but, i"ll never forget that. Thanks,bob

I posted my own open letter on Bobby's
"Nitro Restrictions" post. But I just had
a thought...this might be a great time
to bring out the "Bring Back Top Gas" signs.

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Click here to see what a drag race SHOULD look like!

Your letter made it's way to CompPlus: Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Torco Racing Fuel's Competition Plus.com - A LETTER FROM A DISAPPOINTED FAN

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"I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

Buell's and Hardley's suck!

Great letter.

I know the difficulties about trying to write a letter to them while trying to give detail, without being too long and without going off like I would like to. I've written them a couple of times.

never heard a peep from them but I do commend you for trying. Maybe a mass mailing needs to happen

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Click here for NHRA Points Petition
Tact is for those not witty enough for sarcasm

My sentiments exactly

AMEN!

Rich,

I have a few comments regarding your excellent post that I wanted to point out.

I don't think (honestly) people are feeling jipped at the cost of prices. I feel like I'm getting a good deal when I pay $100-ish dollars for a three day pass to watch a ton of racing. I really feel like I'm getting jipped when I see where that money is going. I don't think the NHRA markets their product well. You mention the NFL and NASCAR -- both of those in the "what is your favorite sport" poll will blow the NHRA out of the water by at least 70 percent. Why is it that when NASCAR people come to the NHRA they are blown away? Why is it that people recognize Kyle Busch, but have no clue who Robert Hight is? Why is it that Hillary Will was on a game show as a drag racer and no one knew who the heck she was? NHRA is not spending their money wisely to market their product.



I don't have all the answers. I don't think Tom Compton or Graham Light are the antichrist. I don't hate them. I just don't think they are doing a good job marketing this sport. It isn't fair to all of the people who tirelessly serve to make the NHRA a better place. It's not fair to the sponsors who fork over millions of dollars, only to be told by fans approval ratings, and just common sense that NASCAR is a much better way to invest your money. I think NHRA owes it to the sponsors, and to the drivers to do a way better job.

I hate it how things have come to money, sponsorship dollars, marketing strategies...but that's what it's at. When IRL is third on the list of the fans most favorite sport; below NASCAR and NHRA...but we hear waaaaay more about her winning her first race than Ashley Force.

SOMEONE IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB!

I am not an NHRA hater. I'm not a Graham or Tom hater. I just see a lot of potential and it's not happening. If this sport is ever going to survive in the ever-changing world, some changes need to be made. Which is why I wrote about Starbucks in my earlier post. You show me an organization that is through changing, and I show you an organization that is through.