Would you ever be interested in taking another management position with a sanctioning body, whether IHRA, NHRA, or something else?
Bader: I would consider it ….
Obviously, with its headquarters here IHRA is a big part of Norwalk and you still own a piece of it, but do you have time to pay attention to what they’re doing on that side of things?
Bader: Well, I still have all my IHRA shirts and hats. I have lot of love. That was so much a part of my life; I still own 25 percent of the company and I want to see it do well, emotionally and selfishly. They have treated me very honorly. I get a record every month if I want it, they answer my questions and don’t hold anything back. They are very open and very good people to deal with. Clearly, they are a corporation and want to draw that bottom line and return on the investments of the stockholders of Live Nation, of which IHRA is part of, and as a stockholder, I want a return on investment, whatever it may be.
What do you think of a rumor that John Force might be interested in buying shares of IHRA?
Bader: I’ll be honest with you, I don’t believe that. John is very honest and open with NHRA. They have provided him a way to make a very good living and they have provided him the avenue and marketplace for him to become who he is today.
At one time John asked me about buying in IHRA in ’98 and at that time I didn’t have any interest in selling any part of it.
What is your opinion of the potential sale of NHRA to HD Partners? Did it take you by surprise?
Bader: I had no inclination that it was going to take place, so yeah, it took me by surprise. I received a call from Tom (Compton) at NHRA to give us all a heads-up and for us to respect the confidentiality of the talks, just so we weren’t surprised when the announcement came.
How much notice did you get?
Bader: Oh, like the day before. Just before it happened. Same thing I did with IHRA and Clear Channel, I called up all the tracks and sponsors that morning or just hours before. I mounted the whole campaign, so they knew it from me.
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What’s your initial impression of HD Partners?
Bader: I don’t know these people or what their intentions are. I listen to what Tom and Graham (Light) had to say about it and their involvement and what it would mean. We are optimistic that it is a positive move and will add resources for NHRA that NHRA didn’t have before.
What do you think of NHRA’s new Countdown to the Championship?
Bader: I think the countdown was a stroke of genius; I loved it immediately. Why? I’m sitting at home, John Public and I can see the ESPN show they have talking about winter playoffs and baseball kind of drags on over the year, but when the playoffs come, everyone cranks it up.
Drag racing didn’t have a time like that; all we had was a points race at the end of the year in Pomona. Now, with this countdown we’re all wondering who will make it and who won’t. Force was out of contention and now he’s back in. I think it was a very smart move. I’m putting on my marketer and promoter hat now and think I have a hook to take to the media now. Rather than have it set in stone halfway through the year, someone with the points lead could actually lose. I think the broadcasters and all the news publications get into it more.
