Latest on the IHRA A/FC situation

Ho Ho Ho Guys, What A Joke This Class Has Become.
Happy Holidays, Nothing Like Good News Before The
Big Holiday Coming Up.

 

I would seem to me that the NHRA is not a huge supporter of the Alcohol class either. Cutting back to limited national event appearances, pitiful payouts at the divisional races and second billing to promods is not enough for us to warrant the 10 to 20k you have to spend to get the screw combination up to speed. It appears to me that the real viable option is Pro Mod, races everywhere and great fan appeal. I have to admit a few weeks ago we entertained the idea of NHRA racing but decided against it. We are fortunate enough to own an funny car and a pro mod at this point in time so we can sit on the fence for a few more weeks, but if a deal is not done for the IHRA by Jan 15th we have no choice to get the promod ready for the 07 season. I love alcohol funny car racing but this is extremely unnerving and also very unprofessional.

 

sad news

i am going to miss all the great people over there,racers,track officials,and fans.another good class ruined !!
merry christmas
tom pickett

 

bull

I' ve been around this sport for over 20 years. I, ve watched top fuel go from being something great to something horrible and now we are watching something great all over again. It took Bobby Jr, Ostrander and his apprentice, Litten, Romine, Foley, and the best out there right now in Clay Millican to bring the class back. What are we going to do, run to NHRA. Our team went their last here, the pay is not the greatest, and unless you deposit an extra 30,000 you dont stand a chance. IHRA screwed us and by IHRA I mean Scooter. If Bader was still around this crap wouldn't happen cause he really wanted us there. I was 14 years old when I saw him wake my brother up just to say hi because he thought we looked like we just needed to hear someone say hi. I dont advertise for no one. no one will pay me enough don't run to NHRA yet, save the 20,000 on a screw charger and lets show the east coast that alcohol funny cars are still the meanest hotrods around. Contact Earthshakin Entertainment. If not you one other choice! Make Rob put his name on the line. Bring back Jimmy Rector and Mark Thomas can help him out and let Scooter and the rest of them at IHRA know what kept Ihra floating when nothing else would. quit showing respect to the promods, because they are why we are loosing. Anyone who will pay 150,000 just to race for 500 is a dumb person, you can take it hatefull but it is fact. go buy a big rig and put your big block chevy in it because you guys are why we are loosing are money. JUST REMEMBER MARK, ROB AND JIMMY WE WERE HERE WHEN YOU NEEDED US NOW HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey Will, I know you are NOT a fan of IHRA AFC, I can "feel" it in every post you make. I have talked with several people in"in the know" that tell me we DO have a class, at least for next year. If you know something I don't, PLEASE PM me or call me. I would hate to see you spreading unsubstantiated rumors just to get more people changing to the "dark side"! Hope to hear from you SOON. I will make a couple of calls later this AM also, Thanks Tim

 

Will it was a pleasure meeting you and your car owner at our booth at the PRI show. It is a shame nothing has happened in the last few weeks for next year and the AFC cars in IHRA, but as you can see in our other posting it was not going to happen. None of these post should be about IHRA versus NHRA crapping on akly, but if you have a car you need some place to run it and that will be NHRA. It was a no brainer for us 9 races withing 3 hours of driving. And by the way our new screw blower arrived yesterday. Like I posted before " lets start getting ready for next year "

John Anderika
1117 TAFC

Ps. I guess the saying now goes "NHRA AND DAMM PROUD OF IT"

 

Nappy ?

With all due respect Nappy, I don't know who you are.
I don't know what Earthshaking Entertainment is. I second your opinion about the IHRA funny car but I can not see why you called me out - to put my name on the line?
I have sponsors that want T.V coverage not match races so what are you calling me out to do?
If you were there when I needed you then who are you? Why do you hide behind this Nappy?
If your are still involved in racing then you would know that Jimmy doesn't race anymore. He doesn't own a car. He is a paid crew chief with the #2 Pro Mod in IHRA. Mark has an international sponsor that will also need T.V coverage to warrent the money they are spending.
I love drag racing, funny car racing to be exact. I spend 80% of my time doing so. regretably 10% with my wife and 10% sleeping and eating. Sponsors tend to pay for my addiction therefore we are forced to run where it would most benifiet them.
Erickson Tie Downs & Tow Straps home base is in Canada - IHRA racing is in Canada + T.V coverage = 6 + years of sponorship backing.
NHRA + T.V coverage = Continued sponsorship support!
If IHRA runs alcohol funny car I will be there. If they do not when the season starts for alcohol funny car in NHRA you guessed it - I'll be there.

 

versus

This should not be an NHRA vs. IHRA fight. WE ALL race together, no matter which sanctioning body we race under. I understand the sponsor/money deal you are arguing about, and I feel for the IHRA guys. It sucks to have to spend a ton of money to race NHRA and change a bunch of stuff to just be competetive. I admit, I enjoy watching the Pro Mods run, but I am a die hard funny car guy and always will be. Lets just hope IHRA comes up with a solution and we are all happy.Not that NHRA is better, just the numbers are a little better due to what is allowed to run compared to IHRA rules.

 

not to be rude

I wasn't being mean I just think that if you brought the man of the past (Rector), the man of the present(Thomas) and the man of the future(YOU Rob) and just tried a united approach maybe they would listen more. You are a nice guy, I've talked to you and Thomas in the staging lanes concerning my clutch approach and you two were both very helpful. I remember your misfortune on the way to Rockingham I believe when a road accident caused you to miss a national. We have talked I just dont believe people would notice the things I say if I was to use my name. Either way I will see you at Rockingham or Richmond, hopefully the Rock.

 

In response to the "National Enquirer" article started here (meaty title and no backbone to it") Will obviously got His information from what he considers reliable sources , but I would recommend those who can wait for more Credible Announcements to do so. Jumping up and down and ranting at this time does create conversation for the message board but it will also create unnecessary tension. Nappy , Unknown to you and most others Rob and Mark were on a PRO racers board for event issues , safety and general event and operational beefs for the last 5-7 races this year and was kept informed of the IHRA position and other racers positions of all the classes. The results have not yet come to the surface and the management involved were steadfast in their commitments and did advise they would keep the parties informed . That has not happened as of yet , and In some opinions it may never happen that they come back to us , but time will tell .

 

Your right Nappy, I would think that all the BIG BOYS deserve respect and should not have to wait this long. Maybe the BIG BOYS should stand united and all get together and sit down with the IHRA and ask them whats up. I still think the IHRA will pull it all together in the last minute, they are the future of drag racing.
P/S We are standing in the sidelines with Al Billes as our new Alcohol Funny Car crew chief. I hope that there is a class for next year because as we all know, Al Billes is one of the best engine tunners around and loves to surprise everyone with his magic. Lets wait and see what happens???????

 

I wanted to tell you more Will, but I am sworn to let the proper people make the big announcement when the "i's are dotted and the "t's" are crossed!

 

Lets hope this deal goes through and the class can run at least another season . If Ihra really wanted the class around I think that they would have shopped around for a sponsor themselves and not left it up to the racers .

 

You are just not getting it ! They don't care about our opinions or promises they have shareholders and people they are accountable to, so far you , me and any of "the BIG BOYS" have not made that list. When the Announcement is made you will still have plenty of time to get off the sidelines in wait and promote your package of wares and the "Al" factor as you see it .

 

Interesting Year

Well IF and I believe they will have a class for the AFC in 07, looks like we already have the makings of a very interesting year. Should be fun for the racers and the fans. Hey Lee are you guys going to test in Valdosta, GA this year???

 

Hi Will

Hi Will

Having followed your columns on AFC and IHRA, I can honestly say you do your utmost to promote both IHRA and NHRA AFC.

People don't seem to realize that others have opinions and idea's and that they are allowed to express them.

I didn't see anything that you wrote that put down IHRA and would like to thank you for your enthusiasm for both sanctioning bodies and their classes.

Cricket

 

Les, thank you for your input. Oh we get it and we are hoping that they can save this class. We would like nothing better than to come off the sidelines and put our Al factor to work.