NHRA in the Doo Doo?
Discussion
Because I’m at a loose end today, I’ve been reading some of the NHRA stuff on NitroMater. The key topics seem to revolve around the (seemingly) lack of funding issues that the (pro) NHRA teams seem to be facing as sponsors fall away during tough economic times with many racers/teams either having to sit out the 2009 season or being selective about how many events they attend.
There’s a couple of topics on there that we well worth a read (the Kalitta/Mac Tools & the Perfect Storm threads) but it’s very interesting to read the views of some of the fans and who they blame for the lack of teams (reading some of these, you’d think that it was the right of a fans to see major sponsors supporting 16+ entries in each class)
I then went across to the Entry List for the Pomona Winternationals to see if the perceived negativity is being reflected in actual entries. So, with about 5 weeks to go to the season opener, entries are
TF – 1 (yes, one)
FC – 4
PS – 8
Hmmm…
Now I know that it’s still early days and many of the major players have not yet shown, but typically I would expect to see at least 8-12 on the TF and FC lists and about 20 on the PS list by now. OK, so there’s no Schumacher or Force entries (as yet) and these are bound to eventually show, but to me it looks like the NHRA are in the proverbial..
Any views over here about why this is the case and what they can do to bring it back?
Also, is this likely to happen in Europe?
There’s a couple of topics on there that we well worth a read (the Kalitta/Mac Tools & the Perfect Storm threads) but it’s very interesting to read the views of some of the fans and who they blame for the lack of teams (reading some of these, you’d think that it was the right of a fans to see major sponsors supporting 16+ entries in each class)
I then went across to the Entry List for the Pomona Winternationals to see if the perceived negativity is being reflected in actual entries. So, with about 5 weeks to go to the season opener, entries are
TF – 1 (yes, one)
FC – 4
PS – 8
Hmmm…
Now I know that it’s still early days and many of the major players have not yet shown, but typically I would expect to see at least 8-12 on the TF and FC lists and about 20 on the PS list by now. OK, so there’s no Schumacher or Force entries (as yet) and these are bound to eventually show, but to me it looks like the NHRA are in the proverbial..
Any views over here about why this is the case and what they can do to bring it back?
Also, is this likely to happen in Europe?
I'm not sure what the pattern of entries being submitted is within the pro teams, i.e. whether they leave it to the last minute or not.
It might be a lot of fuss over nothing, we don't really know yet. I imagine the familiar faces will show their hand in the next couple of weeks, bar some who have already stated their major sponsors pulled out at the tail end of 2008.
In Europe, it's much more a hobby thing, and as much as we'd like to think it, drag racing in Europe, doesn't put food on the table. So for many, all this credit crunch chaos may mean shelving their racing endevours.
On the flip side, some go racing as an escape from the real world, and all the nasty stuff that goes with it, so a few will no doubt be on bread and water if it allows them to go racing still.
It might be a lot of fuss over nothing, we don't really know yet. I imagine the familiar faces will show their hand in the next couple of weeks, bar some who have already stated their major sponsors pulled out at the tail end of 2008.
In Europe, it's much more a hobby thing, and as much as we'd like to think it, drag racing in Europe, doesn't put food on the table. So for many, all this credit crunch chaos may mean shelving their racing endevours.
On the flip side, some go racing as an escape from the real world, and all the nasty stuff that goes with it, so a few will no doubt be on bread and water if it allows them to go racing still.
If it does get dire an adjustment will take place, lowering the bar to entry and allowing more people to take part with less money. Whether that is in the NHRA or outside of it is another question, but people always want to race as fast as they can without going too far over budget.
It might mean a return to less complex times where you roll up with a tagalong and have a change of running, but it won't kill the sport.
Or maybe they are all leaving it late because they had too much turkey and when they get back to the office next week the entries will flood in and no one will know that there are economic issues in the States from looking at a dragstrip.
It might mean a return to less complex times where you roll up with a tagalong and have a change of running, but it won't kill the sport.
Or maybe they are all leaving it late because they had too much turkey and when they get back to the office next week the entries will flood in and no one will know that there are economic issues in the States from looking at a dragstrip.
Yes, I must admit that I have been following this on NitroMater over the past few weeks as well. What you haven't mentioned Bowler is that there is a hell of a lot of criticism of the NHRA from many NitroMater users over their seemingly head buried in the sands stance to what is happening to US drag racing. If you go on the NHRA website, there is absolutley no mention of sponsors and teams falling by the wayside. They seem to be totally ignoring the current economic climate and its effect on drag racing.
Doug Kalitta out as well now, so all three of the Kalitta dragsters are parked for 2009, only the funny car has sponsorship.
Also the NHRA has dropped nitro percentage for A/Fuellers to 94%, which is a great idea making all current setups obsolete and costing teams un-necisary money, again. Looks like they're intent on ruining Wally's legacy.
Also the NHRA has dropped nitro percentage for A/Fuellers to 94%, which is a great idea making all current setups obsolete and costing teams un-necisary money, again. Looks like they're intent on ruining Wally's legacy.
Edited by MotorPsycho on Friday 2nd January 20:02
Not that I spend time looking at NHRA entry lists, but typically most of the major teams have entered all of the events for the whole season by now, so it is a little surprising to see so few entries there are for Pomona (and others) with the event only being a few weeks away. As Bob Jarrett says - 10 runners rumoured, enough said. I went to Las Vegas a few (4?) years ago and there were (something like) 40 Nitro runners there, so it just goes to show how times have changed…
Personally I think that the whole NHRA show has shot itself in the foot by allowing multiple car entries from one team. Sure, I fully expect the same old faces to show, but it goes to show that if the major teams (Schumacher/Force/Kalitta) struggle then it can potentially decimate the entry field. Kalitta out, sums it all up…
If you read the threads on NM, then you'll see various views about what has caused all of this. Setting aside the obvious point that sponsors are tightening their belts it seems to me that the NHRA management team aren't exempt from some criticism on this as: 1: (it would seem, based on some views expressed on NM) that the NHRA have hijacked potential team sponsors to support events instead, and; 2: They've apparently alienated some potential team sponsors by setting up (blinkered?) exclusivity deals with certain brands (ie the Full Throttle vs Rockstar vs Monster thing)
I’m a fan of drag racing, which by it’s very nature takes us to the US. So, if the NHRA management (and by this I don’t mean the racers) has lost focus on what the sport is about, then they’ve lost control of the the grass roots and the fans.
Maybe it’s time for a new regime? Maybe it’s time for a re-think about the number of events and what cash it really needs to go racing? Maybe they need to re-think the (IMHO and with the greatest respect to Scott Kalitta, the stupid) whole 1,000ft thing? And, as for the countdown matter, all I can say is, Joke!
On a separate note and despite (as I believe) the NHRA buy air time on ESPN, with only a handful of entries, how long will it be before this sport is dropped?
Personally I think that the whole NHRA show has shot itself in the foot by allowing multiple car entries from one team. Sure, I fully expect the same old faces to show, but it goes to show that if the major teams (Schumacher/Force/Kalitta) struggle then it can potentially decimate the entry field. Kalitta out, sums it all up…
If you read the threads on NM, then you'll see various views about what has caused all of this. Setting aside the obvious point that sponsors are tightening their belts it seems to me that the NHRA management team aren't exempt from some criticism on this as: 1: (it would seem, based on some views expressed on NM) that the NHRA have hijacked potential team sponsors to support events instead, and; 2: They've apparently alienated some potential team sponsors by setting up (blinkered?) exclusivity deals with certain brands (ie the Full Throttle vs Rockstar vs Monster thing)
I’m a fan of drag racing, which by it’s very nature takes us to the US. So, if the NHRA management (and by this I don’t mean the racers) has lost focus on what the sport is about, then they’ve lost control of the the grass roots and the fans.
Maybe it’s time for a new regime? Maybe it’s time for a re-think about the number of events and what cash it really needs to go racing? Maybe they need to re-think the (IMHO and with the greatest respect to Scott Kalitta, the stupid) whole 1,000ft thing? And, as for the countdown matter, all I can say is, Joke!
On a separate note and despite (as I believe) the NHRA buy air time on ESPN, with only a handful of entries, how long will it be before this sport is dropped?
Edited by Bowler on Saturday 3rd January 08:56
Oh how the mighty stumble. Its not good but we don't need to worry, we will always have drag racing in some form or another even if it is on a smaller scale for now. It may also give us more time to get more involved with down under and bring it altogether sort of thing!
http://www.andra.com.au/default.asp
http://www.andra.com.au/default.asp
Edited by feritsbum on Friday 2nd January 23:28
Here is my take.
The fields would be short if it wasnt for multiple car teams and its one less driver on the sidelines.
I've never read any actual proof that Rockstar and Monster left because of NHRA rules. I do however feel NHRA should rethink some of the rules.
I also believe 1000 ft is temporary and gives all national event tracks time to make improvements to there shutdown areas. There should also be a safety standard for all track shutdown put in place.
The US economy is really hurting and everyone from corporations to consumers are cutting back so its going to affect the NHRA.
NHRA management did well in getting Powerade and ESPN but have done nothing since to help the sport.
The fields would be short if it wasnt for multiple car teams and its one less driver on the sidelines.
I've never read any actual proof that Rockstar and Monster left because of NHRA rules. I do however feel NHRA should rethink some of the rules.
I also believe 1000 ft is temporary and gives all national event tracks time to make improvements to there shutdown areas. There should also be a safety standard for all track shutdown put in place.
The US economy is really hurting and everyone from corporations to consumers are cutting back so its going to affect the NHRA.
NHRA management did well in getting Powerade and ESPN but have done nothing since to help the sport.
MotorPsycho said:
productive day at the skunk works then Jon 
Ah, but Adam, Jon must have done a little bit of work before messing around - he has got that lovely turquoise E-Type to pay for, after all! Ha! Oops! Thread hijack in progress. Sorry!
Edited by topnitro on Sunday 4th January 21:25
topnitro said:
MotorPsycho said:
productive day at the skunk works then Jon
Ah, but Adam, Jon must have done a little bit of work before messing around - he has got that lovely turquoise E-Type to pay for, after all! Ha! Oops! Thread hijack in progress. Sorry!
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