U.S. "Sportsman" racers

[Barry B]

I've just been reading the story on NHRA.com about Bob Newberry selling up all his gear and becoming a crew chief on the team and it got me thinking. A lot of the TAD/TAFC teams over there have major sponsorship packages with some major UC corporates. Newberry had an 'oil baron' (Valvoline) paying his way for years. So many of the alcohol guys travel around with operations that are nothing short of phenomenal,immaculate tractor trailer rigs, inventories of parts etc. etc. etc. So.. why do you suppose these guys are classed as 'sportsman' racers?

[Time Machine]

In a sporting context they would be amateur but that word has a lot of negative connotations in general use. Remember, all Olympic athletes are amateur in status.

[NitroWars]

Time Machine said:

In a sporting context they would be amateur but that word has a lot of negative connotations in general use. Remember, all Olympic athletes are amateur in status.

Not "are" but "were"... Same as Rugby Union players.

Barry, NHRA treat them as Pro and Sportsman classes, what the racers are does not correspond with what designation the class is labelled.

Edited by NitroWars on Monday 19th November 17:34

[Nitrohaulic]

We've got "sportsman" racers who race for a living and racers in "professional" classes who do it for anything but a living.

One difference is sportsman racers pay entry fees. Pros do not.

[Barry B]

Nitrohaulic said:

One difference is sportsman racers pay entry fees. Pros do not.

Blimey ,I never knew that.. I often wondered what the entry fees were for the big pro teams for 23 races a year.. now I know ! Thanks.