FEEDBACK ARTICLE – BILLY GLIDDEN – ANOTHER GENERATION OF GLIDDEN EXCELLENCE

I
have had opportunities to talk with Bill and Shannon when they've shown
up at my local track to test and race previously, and I am so impressed
by what Bill and Shannon have done in the fact that it truly shows what
can be done when you put every ounce of guts and brains into winning at
drag racing. These two have so much desire and determination to succeed
at what they do at the track and back at the shop, that it would be
almost a crime to see them lose a drag race when they come rolling
through the gates to compete.
 
Heck, I even bought a sweatshirt and tried to give em some dough to
help support them so they could continue to race and I was adamant
about it but Shannon said "keep your money". I race myself and those
two show up on a Saturday night and win $1000.00 Nitrous Shootout and
it so inspired me that I won my bracket class that night too! I'll
never forget the charge I got out of that, there's just something
special about Shannon and that Billy Glidden, let me tell you.
 
I hope Billy and Shannon keep racing because they exemplify the hard
work ethic that's what's needed to win at the sport of drag racing. - Steven Blowers
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – WHIT BAZEMORE – WATCHING DRAG RACING FROM THE SIDELINES

RIGHT ON, WHIT!

Now those scoreboards and poles are 320 feet into the shutdown area; a disaster waiting to happen. – Dave Wallace

Whit is dead on with a zero on all counts. I'm in total agreement,
because the NHRA has become a sport where you pay your entry fees, race
and keep your mouth shut if you're gonna talk negatively about NHRA for
the most part. After all, one has to look no further than the rulebook
in recent years to see the changes that have been made. Drag racing is
a privilege? Give me a break. - Steven Blowers

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – BOBBY BENNETT: IS FORD POISED TO TAKE OVER PRO STOCK?

It is my sincere hope that a Pro Stock Ford will shake up the class, it
gets boring to see one brand always win. Good luck to Ford in Pro
Stock. - Jeff Kammes

It would be refreshing to see Fords capable of competing against the current dominant PS teams.

It's no secret that the large corporate backing makes these cars
competitive. In light of the nation’s current economic downturn
(recession) I'm surprised any of the big three will be spending money
on motorsports. However, should one of them emerge triumphant, let it
be the Big Blue Oval. - Duane Landers

 

REMEMBERING PRO COMP: AN ELIMINATOR FOR ANOTHER ERA

Hey
just a young old fart (42) here who remembers the old Pro Comp glory
days. I now live along the gulf coast of Florida and attend the
Snowbird Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park every December.

One of the neatest classes they have at this race is what they call
"Open Outlaw". It's basically a gathering of blown Top Dragsters and
Altereds along with a few lower rung Top Alcohol floppers limited to
14:71 superchargers that run heads-up and no breakout. It's a great fun
competitive class with rules designed to keep the costs down -- you
know, kinda like what Pro Comp used to be. Kind of a come full circle
class.

They ran them at this year’s event for half the payoff of TAD and
filled a 16-car field with no problem. The TAD class was double the
payoff for an eight car field, and four cars showed up. NHRA would
serve themselves well to think about running this class simply under
the name "Pro Comp" again, if they could do it without screwing up the
rules package to make it too expensive. Just a thought. - Don Dunbar
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: VANDERGRIFF: “WE’VE DIVERTED FROM REAL REASON FOR 1,000 FEET”

I agree 100% with Bob Vandergriff about racing 1000 feet. Upgrade
the problem tracks and let’s get back to quarter mile racing! Lets just
hope we have drag racing in 2009 with all this financial woe. It's even
tough on us bracket racers. - Davii Jo Chinault

I think B.V. Jr. is right on target, I have enjoyed watching this sport
since 1969 with my older brother.  I can only afford to attend one
event a year. If that race ends at 1000ft, there is a good chance that
it will be my last. You get used to seeing a full pass for years, and
the reduction sucks the life out of it. Imagine if you will an N.F.L.
football game with an 80yard field. No Thanks! - Mark Kearney

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: VANDERGRIFF: “WE’VE DIVERTED FROM REAL REASON FOR 1,000 FEET”

Thank you Bob Vandergriff. I agree 100% with Vandergriff and his
comments about racing to 1000 feet. I too am sick of hearing everyone
spout the company-line "1000 ft is cheaper on parts". Well I wonder how
cheap it was at Pomona with all the engine explosions. I also don't
like being told that "it's closer racing and the fans can't tell the
difference". I'm sorry but I can tell the difference between 1320 &
1000 feet. I have watched 2 races in person this year and all of them
on T.V. and I can definitely tell the difference, so don't insult my
intelligence. I can only hope more racers & fans will speak out
like Bob Vandergriff. - Jesse Moyer

FEEDBACK ARTICLE  - UP FRONT: FACING A HARSH FUTURE

I’m a sportsman racer and you article is so on its scary.  Most of
us feel this is what happens when you have non racers trying to run
nhra. They for the most part are clueless and it shows. So much of the
fun has been taken away that the excitement I once had when going to a
race has disappeared.  They keep making it more and more difficult to
even enter a national event. - Gary Humrichouse

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: VANDERGRIFF: “WE’VE DIVERTED FROM REAL REASON FOR 1,000 FEET”

Bob is 100% right on. I own a racecar and have also worked for some big
name Funny Cars in the past. The decision of PRO to support 1,000 ft is
wrong. Do your sponsors understand that some of us will not support you
or them if 1000 foot is the new length? I for one will write as many
sponsors of TF & FC and let them know I WILL NOT SUPPORT their
product IF they continue to support the racers that support 1000 ft
racing.

Yes I know it’s less expensive, if you got into racing to make money, then quit. It’s not a money making sport.

If you got into it for the love of the sport and can make some money at
it then you should feel the way I do. Is it safer? Yes! But so is
sitting in your million dollar trailer. If you can’t stand the heat
stay home. Its time we got back to some realistic racing. Do you want
to cut costs, leave the 8-9 semi-trailers at home. Its no wonder the
pits are crowded and cost are through the roof. Force alone takes up a
city block.

Bring one trailer for one car. Make it a rule. Hospitality can be in
one giant tent somewhere away from the pits with large video screens
and food and networking of guests that just may help the sport.

So I guess now, lets shorten the Football field to 70 yards because the
players knees hurt. And we only need to run 3 bases to get a home run.
Oh and we can now use our hands in soccer cause the ball hurts our
head. And the Daytona & Indy 500 are now only 50 miles because 50
is safer then 500. Whats next we just flip 16 coins until we are down
to two. its cheaper and
safer.

Point being: You don't change the fundamental root of the sport. You
change something else. You find another way of improving safety and
limiting costs. - John Farr  

FEEDBACK ARTICLE  - UP FRONT: FACING A HARSH FUTURE

Well said Mr. Asher. I've been a racer in Stock Eliminator for fourteen years.  I
race because I love it.  This year was a challenge with the fuel costs, but I
cut out a few races.  Next year I many have to cut a few more.  But that's ok I
feel fortunate to still be racing.  NHRA is no different then any other company
in America.  Corruption,greed and double digit profits are all they care about. 
How many times will it be said "lay some poeple off so I can get my Christmas
bonus."Unfortunately this is the world we live in right now. Hopefully it gets better.  Keep writing I'm reading. - John G. Gray Jr.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: COMING BACK FROM THE BIG ONE - PART 3

One
thing we learn from any accident is we learn to plan and design a safer
racing car no matter what type of racing.We can replace material things
but not a life. Getting hurt is another thing. Rehab and coming back is
all dependent on the injury itself.Thank the Lord everyday you were
able to recover and race again and let all racing organizations share
information on how to make a better,safer racecar and equipment Also
thanks to all the new surgical technology we have today and the future
research and developements from all fields of technologys.- Frankee Dix