2/8/2007
Cold winter nights and I got to thinking. . .
Just the thought of thinking starts to worry me, know what I mean? I know some of you don’t have to “force yourself” to go out during the winter months. In Iowa, especially this month, it is tough. This morning it is 5 degrees below zero and with the wind the chill factor is –23 degrees Fahrenheit! The bad news is that today is the warmest it is supposed to be for three or four days. If you haven’t experienced this “feeling” you owe it to yourself someday. Okay, maybe not.
Now that I am done looking at the thermometer outside the office window. . .I was thinking, Is the NHRA becoming a kinder, friendlier sanctioning body?
Seems that way to me on the surface at least. They have changed their attitude completely on how they approach track owners who are not NHRA sanctioned. They arrange a deal where the racers without NHRA licenses and chassis certifications (where required) can still compete at the new NHRA track as long as they have applied for a NHRA license. No test runs will be required if you are already licensed for that vehicle with the “other sanctioning body.” That is being a lot friendlier than have been in the past. Chassis certification can get a 90-day extension if you had a prior chassis certification. This is great, as you will have time to find a place to get your NHRA chassis tag while still being able to compete. Sounds like a really friendly group now in charge, right?
I can pretty much agree with that assessment, but there are still some things that drive me nuts about how NHRA does things and how it could be so much better, at least in my opinion. Here is a little list of the GOOD STUFF and the DRIVES ME CRAZY STUFF, in no particular order.
The GOOD STUFF:
- NHRA offers local racers and tracks a series of special programs that are unmatched by the other sanctioning body. “King of the Track,” “National Dragster Challenge” (Winner’s get a WALLY), and O’Reilly’s Jr. Dragster Program.
- The NHRA membership provides additional medical expense coverage for accidents at the track. (If your family members go to the races with you I recommend getting them an Associate Membership. They get the additional insurance coverage but without having another National Dragster come to the house.)
- NHRA has the largest Sportsman race series, the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. It attracts 400 to 600 cars per event. If you want to run at the divisional or national level their events are organized and huge.
- The NHRA sanctions the most drag strips in the U.S. This gives them power when they negotiate event insurance packages for their member tracks and their own tracks. I know I seem to go on and on about event insurance in different columns, but REMEMBER THIS: When drag racing becomes too expensive to insure or becomes uninsurable, drag racing is over and done. There is not a landowner or track operator that will open up without liability insurance to protect themselves, their family and the racers. Keeping racing insured, in my opinion, is the MOST IMPORTANT THING THE NHRA DOES!
- Last but not least are the ET Finals for each division in NHRA. These events are to reward the local racers who support their local track by providing them an opportunity to attend a national event-type race. There is a part of these I have grown to dislike, but that is covered later. Overall the idea of an ET Finals race for local racers is a noble idea. It entices racers to stay at home to race so they can attend a BIG RACE with good prize money at the end of the year.
