Three Board members up for reelection were unanimously returned to office, including Connie Kalitta, Doug Herbert and Don Schumacher.  There had been some talk that Kenny Bernstein would step down as president, but he’s apparently been convinced to stay on board.  His leadership will be needed, as numerous issues are facing the group prior to the start of the 2008 season.  For example, NHRA has already informed the competitors that hospitality space in the pits will increase in cost by a considerable amount.  There will also be an increase in costs for racer souvenir trailer space from $1,500 to $2,500 per race, but Bernstein vows “to push back on these and other issues.”  Among those other issues are an increase in both the costs of food for catered hospitality areas as well as for trash removal.

In the face of these increases the competitors were less than pleased to be told that there would be no purse increase for 2008.  It has been several years since the last purse increase, and while the costs of competing continue to skyrocket, racer income levels haven’t come close to keeping pace.

The PRO Board of Directors listened intently as president Kenny Bernstein addressed the group. From the right, John Force, Doug Hebert, V. Gaines, Bill Miller, Tim Wilkerson, Warren Johnson, Mark Pawuk and Don Schumacher.

Three Board members up for reelection were unanimously returned to office, including Connie Kalitta, Doug Herbert and Don Schumacher.  There had been some talk that Kenny Bernstein would step down as president, but he’s apparently been convinced to stay on board.  His leadership will be needed, as numerous issues are facing the group prior to the start of the 2008 season.  For example, NHRA has already informed the competitors that hospitality space in the pits will increase in cost by a considerable amount.  There will also be an increase in costs for racer souvenir trailer space from $1,500 to $2,500 per race, but Bernstein vows “to push back on these and other issues.”  Among those other issues are an increase in both the costs of food for catered hospitality areas as well as for trash removal.

In the face of these increases the competitors were less than pleased to be told that there would be no purse increase for 2008.  It has been several years since the last purse increase, and while the costs of competing continue to skyrocket, racer income levels haven’t come close to keeping pace.

Following a closed Board meeting Bernstein fielded questions from the open membership, with approximately 40 teams (including the Board) present in Don Schumacher’s Army hospitality area on Friday morning.
Here is some of what he said in answer to the member’s queries:

“If you qualify for the Countdown (next year) any ‘free’ (oildowns) you might have in the bank will be wiped out.  Everyone gets one free oildown in the Countdown, but there’s no carryover.  You lose any that you haven’t used to that point.  The thought process behind it, and we have discussed it with (NHRA) was that they wanted everyone to start even, so no one would have an advantage.  We argued with them that because teams have built up a supply (of ‘free’ oildowns) they should be entitled to those.  They fulfilled their obligation the entire year (by not oiling the track), and that one’s still up in the air, but it has been discussed.”

Don Schumacher then addressed group regarding oildowns.  “It was in writing (from NHRA) at the beginning of the year (as to how they were going to handle oildowns).  The last thing they want to see happening is this championship being decided by an oildown penalty.  We’ll see what they come up with, and maybe look at some way of eliminating any points deduction during these (cut-down to four) steps.  Who knows what they’ll do.  These are decisions NHRA makes.  We can make suggestions to them, but that doesn’t mean they’ll listen to us.  The last thing we would want to see happen is the championship, in any of these classes, decided by an oildown (penalty).”

Bernstein continued, responding to a question regarding Schumacher’s disqualification during the Technicoat Shootout in Las Vegas for failing to stop at the scales.  “I understand there were two opportunities to (go to the scales), and that didn’t happen.  I don’t know why, and I don’t care.  The fact is we all know you’re supposed to stop at the scales.  They sometimes wave us by, and I know that some of the scales have a light by them that’s red or green.  I to this day have never seen that, but that’s fine, but I know that they’ll wave you or don’t wave you (by).  To me, and whoever’s on your team, should make damn sure whether they want to weigh you or not.  That’s what we do.  We make sure they’re waving us through, or they want us to weigh.  You just don’t go by.  I think it’s pretty well understood that some of the time you’re going to weigh, and sometimes they’ll wave you by.  I don’t know if there’s an issue here, so I’ll let Don talk about it because he was involved, and I wasn’t.”

Schumacher took the microphone and stated his case.  “Understand that I’m just giving you hearsay because I wasn’t in the tow vehicle, so I really can’t say what went on (down there).   The car did not go across the scales.  I don’t know if somebody waved them past the scales, or they didn’t see it.  I can’t even speak to that honestly.  I do feel that there needs to be notification given to us that you must go across the scales after every round.  This was a special race.  We didn’t better our qualifying time.  I just think it should be plainly black and white, and it should be written (into the rules) that way.  I don’t know that it is written that way – unless you’re waved by.  I agree with that position.  I just have a lot of issues as to whether or not they were told to go across the scales because this person said this, and that person said that.  I know, and my teams know, that you must go across the scales if you win a round unless you are told or visually waved off the scales.”

Bernstein then said that the group would try to work on NHRA to get them to lower the fines for oildowns, which are severe enough to have a negative impact on some teams.  He also addressed the issue of night qualifying sessions, which at some tracks are difficult because of poor lighting situations.  He also said that the group was well aware of the fact that at some events attendance during the night session was markedly down over the afternoon session, so therefore, track operators who demanded a night session for attendance reasons didn’t have as strong an argument in their favor as they might once have had.  However, with that said he acknowledged that at races like the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway the night session has been and continues to be a spectator magnet.

In closing he said, “We’ve got a lot of issues in front of us.  They’re strong and they’re big, and we’ve got a new era coming (with the pending sale of NHRA). We’re working on things, and we’re going to continue working on the things that we think are in the best interests of this group.  When you talk to the Board you’re talking to the choir.  Everything that’s been brought up here today we’re aware of, and we’re working on those things and will continue to do so.  Will we get everything done, and satisfy everyone?  Probably not.  We can’t take care of everybody, and we can’t make everybody happy.  Please understand that we’re trying as hard as we can.”

Bernstein then said, “We’re glad to have John Force back, too,” which elicited a round of applause from the membership.