MONOPOLY IS NO GOOD
It is indeed a sad time when a man of Don Garlits’ talent is overlooked in fixing the problems with the fuel class. The truth is the NHRA is a West Coast outfit and always will be. Garlits was one of the few people to stand up to the NHRA. I do not think today that Force or Schumacher would boycott a race regardless of how the NHRA treats them.
We need a strong second organization. Mr. Smith buying the NHRA is not the answer, a better choice would be for him to buy the IHRA and make it so appealing that the big names would race with him, just like one tire or fuel supplier, one place to race fuel cars is not good for the fans or owners
Robert Brown
Punta Gorda, Florida
A NEW TOPIC FOR LEWIS BLACK?
Jeff, no doubt that you’re right. However, as a lover of and a participant in, drag racing for over 47 years I am starting to question if nitro is now the root of all evil in drag racing. Starting with speed and safety, moving to cost, not to mention nitrogate, we just might be better off overall making the move to alcohol exclusively. It could have some positive effects on who could afford to drag race at the top level.
Let’s face it, the Top Fuel club has grown very exclusive; way too exclusive for any average guy or group of guys that want to race. We might even start a whole new group of household names like Greer-Black & Prudhomme. What a concept, race teams comprised of enthusiasts who race for the love of the sport. (yeah, yeah, to quote you, business is business; I suspect this would be your comeback).
I like everyone, love Top Fuel. Let’s face it, they are awesome. But so were the dinosaurs. Perhaps without us realizing it they have become extinct before our very eyes. Trust me, give the boys 550CDI on alcohol and they will be going 290 to 300 in no time. Perhaps it is time to remove the needle from our arms. I will be one of the first addicts facing withdrawals, but I will get over it. So will everyone else. Perhaps in the long run we will lead healthier lives.
Earl Helm
Salt Lake City, Utah
DO THE RIGHT THING
Compton's long-term situation MUST have afforded him some time to research the business science of community relations. Any dynamic for-profit must invest in its chosen community or face cold shoulders. In no other sport but ours is that community so tight and invested in measured outcomes which favor the greater good.
Encouraging NHRA to do the right thing: cut the Sportsman/Street-Legal programs loose as their own NPO... will give them their cred, and give a new membership-driven association a shot in the arm. We were prepared as the sale neared closing... Let's resume this direction!
Philip Bradford
Tacoma, Washington
COMMUNIST OR FASCIST?
“We mean it when we say, ‘Go Full Throttle or Go Home.'” Literally! (See article in CompetitionPlus.com) The NHRA forgets to add to its glowing TV ads for its new series sponsor, that it will not allow any new energy drink sponsors to compete in the NHRA events. This strikes me as anti-competitive and bad for business. The article further states that the NHRA has not responded to requests for an official statement. Well, they probably won't until the spin doctors can obfuscate the matter further. It seems the NHRA chooses to remain an esoteric club of the good ol' boys where money talks. They fear and revile anything new or anything that would advance the sport, including new sponsors.
Whoever called the NHRA a communist organization was wrong. I say it's a fascist organization. No Happy Racers Allowed.
Keith Lewis
Carlsbad, New Mexico
NO COMPETITION
Here's my just wondering: With Full Throttle Energy Drink now the title sponsor for the NHRA professional series, what will happen with Kenny Bernstein's and Jerry Toliver's (under Don Schumacher) respective competing energy drink sponsorships? It states in the NHRA rule book currently that basically anyone that has Gatorade or any competing sports drink sponsorship can't play. Is someone going to tell KB or DSR they have to find new sponsorship in time where sponsorship is hard to come by? Will Coke "grandfather" them in? This will be interesting.
Cory Wruck
Minnesota
JOHN’S TOUGH, NO DOUBT
NHRA.com has a "Tribute to John Force" article posted. I know, I know, a lot of people out there don't like JF. I'm tired of listening to him yammer. But think about what this man has accomplished and is still accomplishing. I have a lot of respect for him after his accident in Dallas. He alone worked his way back into a race car. How many of us would have done the physical therapy that this man endured? He's still doing it, several hours per day every day. Yet, despite his desire to get back into racing, his main focus is still the safety of drivers. He has sacrificed for the good of the sport. You don't have to like him, but ya gotta admire a man like that.
Steve Graham
Raleigh, North Carolina