FEEDBACK FRIDAY – BOBBY BENNETT: PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING
FEEDBACK ARTICLE – BOBBY BENNETT: PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING
With my son, "Fast Jack" Beckman, poised to become 2009 Fuel Funny Car
Champion I can only hope and pray that GOOD WISE MEN make the correct
business decisions.
NHRA has provided the stage.
Don Schumacher and Rodger & Karen Comstock have handed Jack the script.
I will be in the front row of the audience.
May the PLAY go on. - Bob Beckman
FEEDBACK ARTICLE – BOBBY BENNETT: PLEASE, SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING
With my son, "Fast Jack" Beckman, poised to become 2009 Fuel Funny Car Champion I can only hope and pray that GOOD WISE MEN make the correct business decisions.
NHRA has provided the stage.
Don Schumacher and Rodger & Karen Comstock have handed Jack the script.
I will be in the front row of the audience.
May the PLAY go on. - Bob Beckman
Let's see, the entire world is in a financial crisis, race teams are dropping like flies and NHRA's answer is to raise prices to the racers and sponsors and not cut ticket prices to spectators. Gee, that's smart! Heaven forbid they should have to cut any of their precious over-inflated salaries. - Pat "Ma" Green
I really think that the NHRA is going to go under with the way they do the racers. After all with no racers you have no show for the fans to watch. I go to two events a year and it looks like with everything going on that the fields will not even be close to full. I will not be making the trip if the fields are not full. Maybe the racers should look at the IHRA. - Danny Steven
I stopped racing with NHRA back in 1995 because of the way they treat sportsman racers, even though I stopped racing with them I have maintained my membership.
My membership renewal is due this March, if they are stupid enough to increase the cost at this time I think I'll just pass on them.
Like a liberal government who thinks increasing taxes is a way to increase revenue. NHRA thinks increasing the cost of membership is a way to increase membership...Like Larry Morgan said "Can't fix Stupid" - Dave Covey
We all know that the economy is going to play major roles in the pro ranks. But, don't forget that the "SPORT" is healthy, and its strength is and always will be the real racers, the sportsman guys. Maybe this will give the match race and local quick 8 / 16 shows real energy like things use to bee in the 80's. - Brian Riggs
Thanks for this great piece. I as a fan of drag racing have felt that the NHRA has forgotten about what they started out to do. You are 100% correct, if the powers that are the NHRA don't "do something" and quickly as you stated there will be no sport to enjoy. The management in the organization over the last few years has made some really poor decisions. I hope that you forwarded this great article on the ALL of the NHRA's management and sponsors, so that they may (and hopefully) see the damage that they are causing buy their actions before it's too late to recover. - Gary Winkler
It doesn’t seem if the NHRA is even acknowledged the loss of teams. Will they be able to fill some of the classes? The sportsman racer advisory committee is a JOKE. No help there for alcohol classes. It seems all NHRA wants to do is collect money and you’re on your own. They won't address the issues with A/Fuel and blown cars as far as the chilling of fuel goes. They did lower the percentage to 94 but talked to no one before doing it. Why do you have an advisory committee if they don't talk to them? - Geno Tumbarello
1-02-2009
At
the risk of sounding terribly negative, Mr. Bennett has a tremendous
amount of understanding when it comes to being familiar with NHRA's
mode of operation.
So what's the beef? You along with many of your constituents know full
well how the NHRA operates, and has operated over the past few years,
and it is only now that you are sending out an alarm that something
needs to be done? As a race team manager, and long time fan, I am
deeply troubled by the direction the sport is headed. I along with
thousands of other fans are concerned, you are concerned, the sportsman
sponsors are concerned, the professional teams are concerned, the
drivers are concerned. Guess what organization is whistling in the
graveyard?
When Mr. Bennett and all of his fellow journalists who currently cover
the "NHRA beat" decide to conduct a concerted media investigation
regarding the foibles of the current NHRA Administration, and why Mr.
Bennett's sensible suggestions aren't being considered, only then will
things begin to change. You will all be at the risk of losing your
media credentials when that happens, but if you are truly interested in
standing up for the sport and putting at risk your paycheck, only then
will things begin to change. You have the power of the pen and
keyboard at your disposal and know who to direct our concerns at. So
what are you waiting for?
What's holding you back...fear? -- Dave Gutierrez-GBR Racing - Detroit, MI
EDITOR’S RESPONSE –
Mr. Gutierrez:
We read your comments with interest, but in all fairness we must point
out that while we, as well as a few other members of the media, would
like to think we have a pretty good understanding of how the NHRA
operates, their management council operates in a virtual media vacuum.
In other words, generally speaking, what takes place behind their
closed doors during a Board of Directors meeting usually stays there.
We only see the results of their decision-making after the fact. As to
how they come to the conclusions that result in those decisions is
usually, but not always, beyond our knowledge.
Sorry, but we’ve been sending out “alarm messages” about some of the
things NHRA has done for years in both reportage articles and
editorials. While those efforts have often generated a positive
response from our readers, the racer and sponsorship communities, the
NHRA management team knows full well that we are powerless to bring
about any meaningful changes, or any changes whatsoever, for that
matter, so they are free to ignore anything and everything we and
others write about. Only a massive letter writing campaign to this and
other online or on-paper publications as well as to the various NHRA
Board members individually might be able to force some changes, but
even that’s doubtful. The NHRA management group literally has to
answer to no one but themselves. “Membership” in NHRA is a gross
misnomer, for no “member” has any rights whatsoever when it comes to
the operation of the organization, and anyone who thinks otherwise is
being incredibly naïve.
It doesn’t take a “concerted media investigation” to uncover the
“foibles of the current NHRA administration” because the errors in
judgment and missed opportunities are out there in plain sight for all
to see. All we can do is report and/or editorialize on what we see
taking place or not taking place. The rest – the huge outcry of
protest, or even shouting from the rooftops about the “right moves” –
is up to you. – Ed.
Spot on with your suggestions, costs must come down, but who's going to
sacrifice? Personally, I'd rather see fields of thirty-two 5.50 - 6.00
second cars. Yeah, like that's going to happen again.
Eighteen races? Don't drop Route 66. That's *MY* hometown race. Anyone else want to see their race go?
Maybe if we do drop to 12 these teams will launch match race circuits? Wouldn't that be nice?
More time between rounds? Due to complexities crew members are
specialists, hence they will have to double duty. Just like the old
days.
The crisscrossing can be minimized, across the south in the spring, the
north in the summer, and down the west coast to finish in Pomona.
Hospitality rigs are a huge cost, real estate hogs, and often sit
empty. If sponsors want to reduce costs they can be much wiser with
this.
Leave the US Nationals alone, that has to continue to stand as the Big Go.
You left out the NHRA membership price. Boy have they mushroomed that
in recent years. At some point the average member will drop off.
I agree that something has to happen. Let's hope the money crunch
chain reaction eventually has a beneficial effect for the teams and
fans. That's the heart and blood. The sanctioning body may coordinate
and sponsors bring money, but the racers and fans started this whole
sport and sustained it for years. - Bill Anderson
I agree very much with your bullet points at the end of a fine article.
I have asking about the "friendlier schedule" for a couple of years and no one at NHRA has ever written back.
But there is a very big point you didn't bullet at the end. Open up the
sponsorship qualifications. Get rid of the "exclusivity". Allow teams
to pursue whomever they need to for funding. We need more corporate
involvement, not less. There should be Bud, Miller, and Coors. Hell,
even Heinekin! There should be UPS, DHL, FedEx; all kinds of sport
drinks (and yes, let the liquour companies in big). Nothing should be
off limits. Just keep it clean and decent and fun.
Also, I love the idea of one day qualifying for the pros (3 runs, EVERY
ONE COUNTS in a cumulative average ET for placing); and please, please,
please, STOP saying you can't slow them down with mechanical
restrictions because it hurts the manufacturers! Go to one magneto or
one fuel pump, less compression or blower speed. The guys know how to
slow it down. Get them back to 300 mph and quarter mile racing. The
manufacturers spent plenty of dough to build the wild parts; now they
can spend less to re-tool and bring the sport back to sanity levels,
allowing more teams to participate. I'm sick of short fields and long
oil downs. - Lee Hunsaker
I agree 110% with Bobby. I am skipping Gatornationals this year because
of what is going on in the world. I can only imagine the short fields
NHRA will have at national events. Imagine this. Short fields, then
they will cut back on the 4 runs to qualify as their attempt to save
teams money but not lower the price of admission.
NHRA management has no clue. - Dave Schopp
Why not split the nation into two sections, like east and west and run
a twelve race schedule in each division, take the top eight points
earners in each division, make a final race for the championship. That
would help with travel and racing expenses. - Leslie Edmo
I agree as a fan I didn’t make a single race last season. Maybe next year? - Robert Shilling
I couldn't agree more. The gang at Glendora are all about what they can
have as individuals, there is no sense of fair play, understanding or
a team spirit. Simply put; they are out for themselves regardless of
the consequences.
What a shame Wally left them in charge. We may have to forget them;
move to another association (or create one) and begin the rebuilding
process now. Thanks for a great and well deserved article. - Bob Mencel
8
I enjoyed your article with regards to the current climate in the world
of NHRA Drag Racing. I myself have wondered for a long time why the
schedule is as complicated as it is. Why go from Phoenix to
Gainesville, then to Houston and back to Vegas before going to Atlanta?
I mean what the hell? It is simple. Run the southern part of the tour
in the early spring and the northern part in the summer when
temperatures are a little more manageable. I think the racing will be
better, the tracks a little tighter, (not as much one lane racing,
nobody likes to see that). I would also like to see them do away with
their asinine grade point system. If you have a car capable of passing
tech for whatever class you are running and that you can AFFORD to
compete, then by god get out there and have fun. Some people don't get
to race at a national meet because they don't have a certain grade
point. Well, who cares?! Just think some little nobody guy steps out
and knocks a heavy hitter out of the championship. Oh boy cry me a
river. That is the breaks of racing. And like I have heard so many
times before, a blind squirrel will find an acorn every once in awhile.
Fields will be smaller at many races this year, but nobody seems to
worry about that too much. The economic crunch does not affect just the
"pros", it also hits the little guy just as hard. Wake up NHRA, your
time is coming. Do you want to end up like the IHRA? Eight-car fields?
1000 foot racing? I guess that is it for me. Thanks for giving me the
opportunity and space for me rant. - Jeff Thompson
I have to agree with the NHRA not being in touch with the whole racing
experience. I have been to many national events and see the same show
every time. So now I just record it and fast forward through the
commercials.
I've said in many blogs that the throttle stop has to leave. What is
more boring than watching 150 Super Comp dragsters run on the stop. If
everyone will remember, the schedule used to be Stock, Super Stock then
the super classes.
After Super Stock the stands would empty until Comp came into the
lanes. The fans had a long break to check out the other happenings at
the track. Now the schedule has changed to Stock, Super Gas, Super
Stock, and then Super Comp. Look at the stands at a national event when
Super Comp comes to the line. I hate it and I refuse to watch a car
that idles for three seconds in a race on the stop. Make it a bracket
race so the driver has to dial it in. Just another way NHRA is clueless
with running a national event. - Lamar Crosby
I could not agree more on your take of next season. I have watched both
T/F and F/C teams park their cars. If NHRA does not make it easier on
the teams in a financial way, we are going to lose more and that will
make the situation even worse.
I, for one, am not going to NHRA events with less than a full nitro
field and I have been to over 40 events in the last 10 or 12 years.
Your suggestions are good, but I am sure the teams themselves could
come up with more ideas. I think the best thing you could is to keep
letting everyone know your thoughts. I wonder if the majority of fans
have any idea how many parked teams there actually are. Perhaps a list
should be published.
I have written enough, so I will close by saying "Keep up the good work". - Steve Lightfoot
NHRA is not and hasn't been in the real racing world for some years;
there were a number of events this past year which didn't have full
fields. Their treatment of the sportsman racers leaves MUCH to be
desired....that's why IHRA and the ADRL are growing...they adjust for
the times (economy) and the needs of the racers. - Greg Fedak
Thank you for this story. It hurts me right in the heart that NHRA or
the teams don’t talk more open of this big and really dangerous problem
we have. Please do something now for otherwise we would not have any
NHRA Drag Racing soon. They will kill themselves with all the stuff
that do or don’t do. Please save the sport I love so much. - Anders Ahl, Sweden
Bennett’s article was right on the money. It seems like a easy fix
until you realize the powers that be wish everything to remain the
same. Just like everything that is going on in our financial world
today the big companies are only interested in making their money and
don't care about the racers or their sponsors. UPS is a perfect
example, if they no longer want to sponsor a race team (which is their
choice) then the NHRA should show them the door. - Merl Holt
I agree with you as far as the NHRA forcing sponsors out. Yes, they
need to take a long hard look at the number of competitive teams that
have lost their sponsors already. Some are because of the poor economy
and some are because of NHRA just out and out running them out because
of sponsor conflicts. I have been a loyal spectator for almost forty
years. I remember the thirty- two car Top Fuel and Funny Car fields
they used to have; now they are having a hard time filling a sixteen
car field. If they decide to cut them to eight, I think I will be
saving my money so I can find something else to enjoy. It's time NHRA
sees the writing on the wall. I want the "Good Old Days" back! - Dennis Lippert
I think the self correcting has already started by the fans. There has
been a slow to start but a tide that is gathering steam and that is
switching away from the NHRA and into the smaller venues. I can think
of two right now that are growing at a remarkable rate -- Nostalgia
racing and the ADRL. These are a good example of what is taking place
as people are fed up with decisions out of California.
Another point is people are starting to go back to the local and regional tracks for local series to run.
The world has economic issues and everyone sees this and does what they
can. One can only hope that it will eventually happen at NHRA but if
it does will it be too late? - Jim Burke
Well thought out and written along with being extremely timely. The
changes from when I was active (1959 through 1972) are mind boggling.
The technology, the safety, and unfortunately the money. Seems as
though it's all about the money any more. Sad! - Fred Fischbach
Amen brother. I wish you would have said on Divisional level that the
mighty NHRA should lower their rate of $14,500 plus the purse which is
about $40K and if you have over 300 cars the NHRA charges the track and
extra $15 per car. Bruton Smith doesn't have a Divisional race at
Bristol and why? Likely it’s because these races DO NOT BRING
SPECTATORS.
I don't know why every track owner I've talked with said these races
don't make money but nobody speaks up! I'm not bashing the NHRA because
they are the best show in town, but in these times I feel that every
local track will probably see a decrease in their Test & Tune
numbers since I talk quite a few track owners and and everybody said
year said their numbers where down. You take a small track and if test
and tune, and brackets are down 10 to 15% that is huge while trying to
pay the bank off and have money left to do improvements.
I just don't see it happening and I hope I'm wrong because if not then
a whole bunch of tracks could be going out of business. - Tim Bodrey, Silver Dollar Dragway
Bobby, for a "young" guy you are right on the money! Our corporate
leadership at NHRA has not had to live with the realities that have
effected and will continue to affect the great majority of drag
racers. Things like all night workfests to get your car ready for the
track, spending money for race parts that you were supposed to pay
bills with, towing through the night to get to the track early enough
to get extra time runs at a big race, etc. We could sure use an
executive staff that understands first hand, and is sympathetic to the
sacrifices that racers endure to "enjoy" the sport of drag racing.
Keep up the good work. Someone is bound to pay attention sooner or
later. - Ollie Volpe
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