Top Alcohol Racers Association

Danny - I suggest you re-read my original post. I am only too aware of why they do it. I did it for ten years or so and have, as I mentioned, the utmost respect for the actual participants. I do understand why they run these cars. I am only responding, I repeat RESPONDING to what I have heard many, many TAD folks loudly bitching, moaning and whining about. You may be having a swell time, and if that's the case I am happy for you. All in all, though, there is very deep dissent within the ranks and I only post my comments in an effort to ask what youse guys see for the resolution and future. I'll note too that most if not all of the responses to my post have been from TAFC folks. Introduce nitro to that class and the unrest will obviously spread. If I were the rules maker I'd probably say "run what ya brung" and let it rip. Minimum weight would probably be about it. Blown Alcohol and Injected Nitro. Why try to index the competitors with different rules for the two different applications. Next thing you know someone will want to add delay boxes and dial-ins and really screw up the class for good. Remember, I'm on your side. I just wonder where it is headed.

 

Can someone say hammer...

 

esp...

At the risk of babbling...

With all due respect, your first post was saying we are B-squad fillers who get no recognition, step children stuck in dirt pit spaces and then you suggest everyone should leave NHRA and switch to IHRA top fuel.

Then I come back and say we (I) race for ourselves, not fame and fortune. We realize we aren't the ones packing the place at National Events. And, I'm glad NHRA lets us compete at them.

Then you say what you really mean't is that it's all screwed up because of AFD vs TAD (and TA/FC racers have muddied up your message). Then you wonder where it's all headed.

I guess you lost me there. Two totaly different messages, I'd say, for two totally different topics of discussion.

Back to part one of your message:

I've never had a "butt in the grandstands" walk up to me and pay my freight, only people with companies who want to be involved with a car that has a chance to race the fine folks we compete against. Most alky sponsors are generous people wanting to be part of the action, and probably hope to see their name on ESPN2 as we go rounds...and to be able to Monday morning quarterback at work with their racing buddies about the racer they are involved with. I'd like to think companies that sponsor us are flooded with new business, but I'd say it's more of a perk for them and us than anything else.

You say you used to race. I've seen people come and go over the years with visions of big things happening to them like sponsors paying their way in the alky ranks and believing that the grandstands were full of their fans. If you're fortunate enough you might find a sponsor that will cover most of your racing costs, but 99% never do. 10 years ago a west coast TA/FC racer sold his beautiful home and traded it for a condo just to be able to make another race or two because he was "That close" to getting a big sponsor. Didn't happen, and now he's gone.

I still say that most will tell you we realize we are racing for ourselves. Just like super gas, super comp, etc. Sure, there is a great following of a core group of fans, but not like NASCAR or WoO. Casual drag race fans have top fuel, die hards have us.

You say there is deep dissent in the ranks. Will all those who have deep dissent please post your name here? Last time I checked, racing a car wasn't mandatory.

I like the lyrics to a Jackson Brown song with regards to people who used to do things like race, play ball, etc. It will apply to me here in the near future if things don't change. It goes like this: "And the veteran's dream of the fight, fast asleep at the traffic light."

Cheers.

 

Eldon P Slick, You, like all that have the same attitude as you, know it is a disease with these two classes. And that is why I care so much about the two TA classes. Because they are so passionate about what "floats their boat". Does everyone have visions of grandure, probably, but will most give up their passion and sell themselves out to race and get the recognition that they deserve. No, and that is what is so good about Top Alcohol racing. It is the coolest fraternity in drag racing, they know their huge 2500.00 check for winning a division is just a bit of icing on their cake.
Randy, you said it best. And this fan thinks all the TA teams "Rock"

Dean Murdoch, SpeedZone Magazine

 

With all that said, by all of us, I say again that I do care greatly for the class. I now offer my advertising/graphic design/editorial services for FREE if there is a way to help your group, TARA, promote and keep TAD/TAFC alive. I cannot help each individual but will gladly pitch-in for the collective. As a matter of fact I was part of an earlier atempt to "organize" TAD a number of years ago at Pomona and designed the logo. Bill Barney was the head of the group - PARA - Professional Alcohol Racers Association. Obviously it didn't work out. My email address is eps938@verizon.net in the event anyone wishes to discuss directly. EPS

 

Randy, Funny you should mention Jackson Brown on a site for Drag Racing. My wife informed me this afternoon that for my birthday she had gotten us 3rd row seats to see Jackson Brown and Bonnie Raite. As ate up as I am with racing (I blame Danny Townsend for this) I hated to tell her that it was a nogo because its the same weekend as Chicago! She still talks to me. Really she does!