BUT ISN'T IT ENTERTAINING?
Another great blast, Burk. I came to the same conclusion a while back.
I now look forward to the March Meet, CHHR and Pomona Nitro Nationals, with far greater anticipation than the Winternationals or Finals.
Oh, I'm still entertained by these events as well, but there is a certain controlled chill about them. Kinda like they threw a yellow caution flag at the whole thing and bunched up the field. Forever.
Terry Spencer
Covina, CA
TRY COMP RACING
I agree, Burk, but come spend some time with the Comp Eliminator guys. It is the closest thing to real racing you’ll find at a NHRA national event. Real Hot rodders are still alive in
Comp. Innovation, diversity, and high RPM racing on gasoline as it should be.
For the first time in years it appears we have a shot at keeping this class going. We have quite a few characters (personalities) whom we need to promote: Brogdon, Stephenson, Aragona, Rampy, etc. All we need is a little exposure from people like yourself. Division 4 has gotten some sponsorship, and Division 1 is in the process of getting some alternate sponsors for the local series as well.
You are always welcome to stop by our pits…..
Peter Hanratty
NO LIMITS EXCEPT THE LAWS OF PHYSICS
Jeff, well put! I too am a nitro geezer (52) and long for the good old days of innovation and breaking records. But the NHRA has evolved and I can understand the things they are doing to make the sport grow and be profitable. NHRA stills beats the pants off of any other form of motorsports. (NASCAR has become a bloated IROC series in disguise!)
It would be great to see the NHRA hold one non-points event a year with no specs or limits...you bring it and you go as fast and as quick as the laws of physics permit! You can bet that event would sell-out every year!
Mike Bowers
Ft. Wayne, IN
FORGET ABOUT THE WAY IS WAS
Surprise, surprise, you've finally realised what modern sport and most of the "fans" are about. About time too as the "good old days" were not as good as our individual or collective memories may recall. In fact, the constant referral to yesterday in your editorials is just plain boring. Maybe you can get some of your other writers to read your latest thought and get them to talk about "now" in a positive light and I might just start reading them again.
Oh, by the way, I am of similar vintage to you and have been going to the drags in Australia since '60s, have been to a number of NHRA events and continue to put my hard earned cash into a Super Gasser and let me tell you the 2004 US Nationals was better than the 1977 just like the
Australian racing has been over a twenty or thirty year span. There are a wide range of reasons for this, so enough of the past and let's get onto the future.
Ian Smith
Australia
MAYBE FORCE & BEARD JELLO WRESTLING
Jeff I couldn't agree more with you on the state of our sport. What next, jello wrestling or something worse? Remember the Force-Beard confrontation? Was it real? Anything to get more butts in the seats?
Dick Nichols
Batavia, NY
