Where’s the deterrent? Nine times out of 10, if a racer Comp down to Super Street has something happen that causes a major oil down, they are done for the weekend any way, and probably a few races. So HOW, I ask, is a $250 fine going to deter them any more than not being able to race? I would think this rule is aimed at major oil downs. Well, a major oil down is more than likely going to sideline a team.
I think this policy can be a lot more practical by adjusting the penalty structure. I think for racers Comp down, the first oil down needs to be a freebie, with penalties on the second. What that tells a racer is – hey you had a problem, and you had better have it fixed the next time you come to the line. That’s a VALID deterrent.
The problems that cause oil downs in these sportsman categories are for the most part, accidental. Can you imagine how much of a kick in the gut it’s going to be for a racer that runs a diaper and/or belly pan that has a rod come out the block, which probably has him sidelined for the next few races and eating sandwiches for lunch for a while, to get a $250 fine on top of it all. It might just lead to a FOR SALE sign and one less racer in that class. Well, that’s not good business for NHRA. They’ll lose a lot more in lost entry fees and crew passes than they’ll gain in oil down revenue. And the cold hard truth is a $1,000 fine wasn’t going to prevent that, it’s just like Forrest Gump said “it happens”…you know the rest.
The message boards have already lit up over going to another sanctioning body, boycotting and the like. The most realistic course of action needs to be to push for the first infraction fine to be dropped. Email NHRA and your division directors to make this happen.
Oil downs cause problems for everyone, and NHRA’s penalties in the fuel and alcohol ranks have curbed the amount of oil downs in those classes. I think it’s apples and oranges to compare the racers in those ranks to the racers/machines Comp to Super Street. I’m all for anything that will help prevent oil downs, for both time and safety, but I’m not for a fine that will do little to prevent anything.
Changing gears, our racer promotion program at the Houston Raceway Park Division 4 event was a success. On Saturday we had nearly 1,300 spectators with no other promotion than internet and word of mouth. The track was very pleased and plans to couple it with radio promotion next year.
Well, now that you are on the tire, go forth and spread the good word. Feel free to comment on one of my websites InsideTopAlcohol.com, InsideCompRacing.com or InsideFastBrackets.com.
