First Asher Fires one accross the bow! Next Shot (1 Viewer)

[ProNitro Pete]

Jeff Burk delivers one into the stearn............

::: Drag Racing Online ::: Burk's Blast - I want my old NHRA back - 4/24/2008

 

[Alan]

"Wally Parks once told me when talking about the possible sale of the NHRA, “Jeff, don’t worry; the barbarians aren’t at the gate.” He was right; I think they had already been escorted inside."


That is the line of the story, right there. Great work Jeff!

 

[hellfirejim]

This is a good piece of work. What I like is that it is as accurate as Asher's piece. Unfortunately i don't believe it will do any good.

However i just can't seem to give up hope. See what this addiction does to you?????

 

[FABMAN]

"Wally Parks once told me when talking about the possible sale of the NHRA, “Jeff, don’t worry; the barbarians aren’t at the gate.” He was right; I think they had already been escorted inside."

Good quote Jeff, It's been said by me and others the only way to turn around NHRA is action taken by the racers themselves.

 

[Bowtie]

Right though he might be, I don’t think Jon’s call for mass resignation will happen. The reason I feel that way is that I believe that for all intents and purposes, after the death of Wally Parks and because the NHRA is a not-for-profit corporation, Tom Compton and his buddies on the board of directors became the de facto owners of the NHRA! So Tom answers to no one and I don’t think there is anyone who can fire him, short of the unlikely scenario of his buds on the board of directors turning on him.

While this is totally true, I think that if racers/teams stop showing up for the events, they will have no choice but to clean house. I would be very curious to see the attendance numbers for the Houston race that JFR sat out last year. Think of how many people would not bother coming out if DSR and JFR sat out a race or two. Imagine the impact it would have if they sat out Indy, it would crush them! NHRA may have the power to control many things, but no one is forcing the teams to show up, last time I checked it was voluntary to pay the entry fees and race. Racers and PRO have more power than they realize, they just need someone to lead the charge. And before anyone brings in the whole "they have to honor the sponsors and contracts" I am sure that the big name teams have enough pull to say we need to fix this now, and this is how it will be done and it will create forward progress for you, us, and the sport.

Where is William Wallace when you need him?

 

[RAPID]

Another good read that seems to echo the thoughts of a lot of racers and fans.

Rapid

 

[none]

While this is totally true, I think that if racers/teams stop showing up for the events, they will have no choice but to clean house. I would be very curious to see the attendance numbers for the Houston race that JFR sat out last year. Think of how many people would not bother coming out if DSR and JFR sat out a race or two. Imagine the impact it would have if they sat out Indy, it would crush them! NHRA may have the power to control many things, but no one is forcing the teams to show up, last time I checked it was voluntary to pay the entry fees and race. Racers and PRO have more power than they realize, they just need someone to lead the charge. And before anyone brings in the whole "they have to honor the sponsors and contracts" I am sure that the big name teams have enough pull to say we need to fix this now, and this is how it will be done and it will create forward progress for you, us, and the sport.

Where is William Wallace when you need him?

I could not agree with you more. If memory serves me correctly, NHRA owns that track. Get the sponsors on board and let everyone know......there will be minimal(you know there will be some ) PRO class turnout. Give enough advance notice so the fans will know what is going on and will not be caught unaware. Stand firm and let the squirming begin.............

 

[Guppy]

Great article, Compton and his boys running the NHRA is the same as a bunch of drug addicts trying to run a pharmacy.

 

[mike]

Since this is pretty much an NHRA bashing thread, I'll use the forum to vent one of my pet peeves. It's their insistence on calling the various class champions "WORLD champions". NHRA series winners are no more world champions than the victors of the NFL Super Bowl claim to be. It's a ridiculous example of North American arrogance and it's a shame the NHRA has picked it up.

There are legitimate world championships for sports like swimming, track and field, gymnastics, hockey, and basketball. After the all-NBA `dream teams' got clobbered at the last couple of Olympics, the winning team in the NBA playoffs rarely announce themselves as world champions.

It's ludicrous to proclaim yourself NHRA funny car world champion, for example, when 99% of the earth's population has no idea what a funny car is. Here is a good example where the NHRA would be wise to follow NASCAR, which correctly understands their season series has nothing to do with a world championship.

 

[mastertone]

You know, I just mainly read here but I have to say something about the NHRA. I have been attending NHRA races since the 60's. I always had a great time but whay happened at the US Nationals in 2004 really showed how screwed up the NHRA is.

I had attended my first NASCAR race a month prior at The Brickyard 400. Man do they go out of their way to please the fans there. I had a great time.

I attended the US Nationals next. I could not believe it. NO RUNNING WATER! You actually had purchase drinking water. UNBELIEVABLE! I just happened to stumble across Steve Gibbs and ask him about it. He said something to the effect that was IRP's deal not the NHRA.

It was like 92 that day & I must have had at least 7 or 8 bottles of water at $4 each! REAL NICE HOSPITALITY!!

I have been back one time since & there was still no running water that year either(2006).

Needless to say goodbye IRP. You won't get my $$$ again!.

I now look forward to the Brickyard every year because I can even carry my own beer in! And they have mist sprinkers to keep you cool also.

The only track I have been to that is anywhere near as good as the Brickyard is NORWALK. The Baders really know how to treat the fans.

NHRA bought National Trail raceway here in Columbus and that place has just run down to crap. I'll bet the Raders are spinning in their graves over that!

The NHRA better wake up! Hopefully Bruton Smith will someday buy them out & then clean house!

 

[Toejam]

You know, I just mainly read here but I have to say something about the NHRA. I have been attending NHRA races since the 60's. I always had a great time but whay happened at the US Nationals in 2004 really showed how screwed up the NHRA is.

I had attended my first NASCAR race a month prior at The Brickyard 400. Man do they go out of their way to please the fans there. I had a great time.

I attended the US Nationals next. I could not believe it. NO RUNNING WATER! You actually had purchase drinking water. UNBELIEVABLE! I just happened to stumble across Steve Gibbs and ask him about it. He said something to the effect that was IRP's deal not the NHRA.

It was like 92 that day & I must have had at least 7 or 8 bottles of water at $4 each! REAL NICE HOSPITALITY!!

I have been back one time since & there was still no running water that year either(2006).

Needless to say goodbye IRP. You won't get my $$$ again!.

I now look forward to the Brickyard every year because I can even carry my own beer in! And they have mist sprinkers to keep you cool also.

The only track I have been to that is anywhere near as good as the Brickyard is NORWALK. The Baders really know how to treat the fans.

NHRA bought National Trail raceway here in Columbus and that place has just run down to crap. I'll bet the Raders are spinning in their graves over that!

The NHRA better wake up! Hopefully Bruton Smith will someday buy them out & then clean house!

Craig, IRP is NOT a good judge of the tracks out there! Go to Chicago, Norwalk or Bristol. Those tracks know how to take care of fans. As for free water? Good luck...

 

[Alan]

Craig, IRP is NOT a good judge of the tracks out there! Go to Chicago, Norwalk or Bristol. Those tracks know how to take care of fans. As for free water? Good luck...

I have always had a good experience at Sonoma as well, this year will be my 11th straight year. Then again, it is a Bruton track....

 

[Butch]

While this is totally true, I think that if racers/teams stop showing up for the events, they will have no choice but to clean house. I would be very curious to see the attendance numbers for the Houston race that JFR sat out last year. Think of how many people would not bother coming out if DSR and JFR sat out a race or two. Imagine the impact it would have if they sat out Indy, it would crush them! NHRA may have the power to control many things, but no one is forcing the teams to show up, last time I checked it was voluntary to pay the entry fees and race. Racers and PRO have more power than they realize, they just need someone to lead the charge. And before anyone brings in the whole "they have to honor the sponsors and contracts" I am sure that the big name teams have enough pull to say we need to fix this now, and this is how it will be done and it will create forward progress for you, us, and the sport.

Where is William Wallace when you need him?

Rob - if memory serves me right many years ago when PRO was young several people attempted a boycott at E-town on July 4th over payouts and having to run at night as part of a July 4th "show". Guess what it didn't happen - oh by the way some of those responsible for breaking the boycott are still in PRO.

Besides a boycott isn't the answer - since drag racing in reality is putting on a show or providing entertainment. A bad show on purpose would have a stronger impact, followed by serious discussions not lip service. Actions speak louder than words if NHRA was a third world country there would be countless bloody coups taking place.

By the way GREAT work ASHER and BURK but when haven't they written the truth with deep insight? That's why they are both great people.