2/6/2008
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WHO KNEW?
"Did you know that on January 31 the shareholders at HD Partners vote to decide if they will go forward with the purchase of the NHRA’s ‘Professional Assets’? Don’t worry, though, it is just an SEC-mandated deal. There is no chance the deal won’t be approved." – Burk’s Blast
Oops...
Brad Green
Okay, I’ll admit it -- I was wrong, this time, dammit – Jeff Burk
HDP REACTION I
I believe the drag racing community dodged the fatal bullet of the NHRA with the rejection of the sale of the pro racing assets and real estate of the NHRA. We must now take this opportunity to prevent future attempts to dismantle the elite sanctioning body of drag racing. It is imperative that Tom Compton be removed from the NHRA as soon as possible. Compton’s mission is not to grow the NHRA; it is to grow his bank account!
I have no faith in Tom Compton or Dallas Gardner and I believe this move was solely for their own personal financial gain regardless of the rhetoric they have been spewing. With Mr. Parks now gone and the members of the NHRA having little to no say in the management or direction of the NHRA, Compton and the current administration are essentially free to do with the NHRA as they see fit. Instead of taking the sport to the non-existent “next level,” Compton caused much commotion and made a mockery of our NHRA.
If there is so much potential growth, why does the NHRA need to look outside for the financial backing? What does the rejection of the deal by investors say about all this growth potential? Instead of giving away the profits to investors who care nothing about drag racing other than its earning potential, how about giving the members of the NHRA the opportunity to put up any necessary money needed to grow the sport and reap the rewards generated by such growth. After all, the members are those who support, invest in, and participate in the NHRA. Allow these members to invest in and get some voting rights in the decisions made regarding NHRA. I realize there would be obstacles due to the NHRA’s non-profit status, but I am certain these hurdles could be overcome. Furthermore, if the NHRA is this marvelous profit-producing machine; how about lowering entry fees or admission prices to allow more people to attend or compete?
Barring some unforeseen circumstance, it is evident that Bruton Smith and SMI will eventually own all or a portion of the NHRA, but I still have wonder if this is the best direction for the NHRA. What will happen to the sportsman classes and the sportsman racers? I will concede, however, that at least Mr. Smith has been willing to invest his money into drag racing when others have not.
What about us fans and racers who care about the competition and are not so concerned with turning the NHRA into the WWE or worse: NASCAR. What about the racers and low-budget teams spending their own hard-earned money to be competitive through ingenuity and hard work. It is evident we are entering an era of NASCAR-style rule manipulation and boring, identical looking cookie-cutter race cars.
There are many serious issues facing the NHRA and future of drag racing. We need leaders who have the vision and desire to battle the issues that threaten the future of the sport. We don’t need a leader or management team solely interested in making money!
We need a leader who has the ability to address future attacks against the sport by certain environmentalist groups and legislators. The NHRA must take the lead and work with the IHRA, manufacturers, SEMA and other sanctioning bodies to preserve the sport. There are editors and groups who have coined drag racing as an “environmental disaster” and have placed the NHRA and other forms of motorsports on their radar screens. The NHRA and its membership must be proactive in this battle before it’s too late. The Canadian fuel crisis is just the beginning. Believe it.
We also need a leader who recognizes and exploits the grandstand-packing potential of the nostalgia drag racing classes. These classes appeal to a wide age range of drag racing fans. From Baby Boomers who can relieve the glory days of Top Fuel and AA/Funny Cars to the Gen-Xers and younger fans who love the thrill and excitement provided by such classes. We need rules that make for great competition and consider the budget and ever increasing financial demands of the competitors.
The future of drag racing is at a crossroads. Unfortunately, I don’t believe the current NHRA administration has the drive or the vision necessary to promote and prosper the sport.
Michael Krajnik
Appleton, Wisconsin