11/3/2008
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Re-evaluating the cash outlay
Like a lot of fans, I travel a long way at considerable expense to attend a national event. If nitro fields are significantly reduced, I have to seriously consider whether to bother attending. Perhaps we are spoiled, but I see national events struggling to get 16-car nitro fields...
I get the feeling that the sanctioning bodies may well let their loyal fan attendance fall for lack of action. Certainly I feel NHRA does NOT care about the fan except for the extraction of dollars.
Brian Thurber
British Columbia
Some prices rise a bit
To answer (Burk’s) question, "Will NHRA national event tracks raise their ticket prices in 2009?", I just received my order form to renew my seats for the ‘09 Gatornationals and my Sunday reserved spectator side seat is $65.00(same as last year). They did raise the general admission price for Saturday $2.00 from $56 to $58, and the handling fee to reorder tickets from $7.00 to $9.00. All other prices are the same as in 2008.
I have attended every Gatornationals since 1974, but have decided to skip the 2009 event. The racing has become stale, almost boring, and I do not think they will have full 16 car fields in several of the pro series.
I will take my money and go to The Twelve Hours of Sebring instead.
Rod Dago
South Florida
Yes, Nitro Harleys for IHRA!
Burk, I love your nitro Harley idea! They are wild! IHRA hasn't been the same without them. If Nitro Funny Car is going away, this would truly help. Hey; even if Nitro FC stays, Nitro Harleys would really add to the show! Thanks for an idea I have contacted IHRA on a time or two before. Maybe if they read your column they'll listen.
Bob Mencel
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
Nearly Nitro Coupe
Nitro at a Super Chevy event?
Surely you don't mean the "Nitro Coupes" do you?
They sure sound like alcohol cars to me. When's the last time a nitro car brought the revs up to launch? If they're using nitro, it's maybe 20 percent, and at that percentage they shouldn't even bother. Granted, I haven't been to an SCS in 6 years, so if they have started booking in nostalgia funnies or dragsters let me know.
Scott Frymoyer
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania