VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER
I enjoyed your column as usual, except for one thing! That comment about racers and the Canadian border. I am Canadian and we really appreciate IHRA coming here to us. We have to deal with the American border & it's not always fun either. In today’s world, the two countries are more entwined than ever (even if you don't realize it). Drag racing needs all the support and fans it can get. If you had to pay the costs of racing here you probably wouldn't be a fan.
Thanks for listening.
Bob Mencel
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
IT TAKES TWO TO BE INTERNATIONAL
Greetings Mr. Burk, in response to your thoughts on the INTERNATIONAL Hot Rod Association returning to Leicester, NY. I would agree entirely that venue was a great place for an event. I will forever hold in my memory Bruce Larson piloting Big Daddy's Top Fueler by our trailer and causing a snowstorm like I had never experienced. The vibration from the fueler took out most every fluorescent light in our trailer as it roared past.
Being a Canadian, which admittedly biases my viewpoint, border crossings have become more problematic not because of the Canadian government or people but in response to the American Office of Homeland Security. It is because of, albeit perhaps necessary, US policy change that I now am going to require a passport to travel to your fine country. Racers or plain tourists are paying the price of increased security concerns. Canadian or US citizens, we all have new challenges travelling between our respective countries. Racing is entertainment business and we (Canada) have a number of venues that can provide a profitable venue in which to stage a world class event. Participation of our American racer friends only enhances this.
There are those who will read your comments and dismiss the idea of traveling to Canadian races as too much trouble. This is unfortunate for all involved.
Doug Townsley
Racer since 1980
Manager, Performance Improvements
Hamilton Ontario
OUT OF PLACE
I agree, 32 alcohol funnies and dragsters! Nitro just eats those cars from the inside out!
Wow, I’m really surprised Mr. I'll-kick-your-azz-anytime-or-anyplace, f-bomb-dropping, rich-inheritance-guy is in trouble with the IRS. He will fit in better in prison than he ever did at any race track! Good riddance. Help me with my spelling Evan... lol
Rick Rzepka
Clinton Township, Michigan
A LESSER AUTO SPORT
I think we all need to put drag racing into perspective. Drag racing is so minute in the grand scale of auto racing. It really doesn't have much to offer prospective sponsors. The TV coverage is questionable; there just isn't any real story line to cover. When you hear you can win millions at other races such as NASCAR and Indy and roughly $50,000, that shows the real picture. You get what you pay for in today’s world. The state of our economy will hurt drag racing because of the cost factor and no return.
Bob Wyman
Visalia, California
SOME SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
On testing why does everyone make it so tough? A simple fix for the fuel testing, just add one more run on Fri & Sat, make it a testing run, owner’s choice. The teams are already there, that will cut down on the bill and add two test sessions. The key here is owner’s choice and test, they can make the run anytime during the day, just show at the line and run. On the fuel just color the testing fuel blue so the owners can run what they can find, after all it’s a test.
Ron Winkel
California
ADD MORE CLASSES TO IHRA
Just wondering how long is it going to take for the IHRA to see they need 10.5 outlaws and drag radial cars at their meets?
Joe Barron
Flat Rock, Michigan
‘I’ STANDS FOR…
Let me see if I have this right - the IHRA has a chance to get more quality Top Fuelers and Funny Cars at their races, and tells them to stay home. Another great creative move by the IHRA! Hey, don't worry about the fans, we can keep watching the same old 'leakers'. Aaron Polburn is an idiot. People keep talking about the NHRA being sold, it's the IHRA that should be sold to someone who actually cares about racing. I went for years to MIR for their race. I didn't go this year.
Thank god Englishtown is next weekend.
Ron Tursovsky
Reading, Pennsylvania