Competitor Feedback on New Sportsman Format
| POSTED: 2008-11-18 12:04:00 |  EMAIL TO A FRIEND |
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The announcement of the new Sportsman "Tournament of Champions" national championship format has started to be reviewed by IHRA sportsman competitors in North America over the weekend.
Never in recent history has one announcement generated so much positive feedback from sportsman competitors. Normally, e-mails come pouring in when competitors don't like a particular change. The Tournament Of Champions announcement has proven to be different. Below are some of the e-mails that I received during the awards banquet weekend. As expected, there have been several competitors that were not in favor of the new system whom I spoke with at the awards banquet. In no way am I stating that this system is universally accepted, but an overwhelming number of competitors have welcomed the change. In the spirit of full disclosure, I will be updating this feedback section with both positive and negative e-mails as they come in. No negative e-mails to report regarding the Tournament Of Champions format at this point. The only editing that has been done to the e-mails was removing any discussion not specifically on the Tournament Of Champions format and any personal contact information.
If you have not yet reviewed the Tournament Of Champions national championship format, you can find it here http://www.nitrojam.com/article/3619.html
Please continue to send all feedback to speaco@ihra.com and let me know what you think and why.
Skooter PeacoVice PresidentIHRA Competitor Feedback - 11/24/08 Update
Excellent program! I really look forward to this opportunity in 2009!
Take care,
Lance Norman
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To chase the national points, prior to this change, one would have to be wealthy, not married (or have a spouse that loves drag racing too), and have a great deal of flexibility with their employer. If one did not have all of these in their favor, something would have to give. I have the flexibility at work but I don't have the wealth, nor the wife who wants to go to the races for three or four days. Add to that a new baby girl, and chasing the national points is not even a remote possibility. With this new format I plan to run the Division 1 schedule. If I am fortunate enough to earn a spot in the world championship race, I would definitely make that trip. I am certain that critics of the new format will say, "you're not a true world champion if you finish 3rd in your division, then go to Rockingham and win one race." On the contrary, I would suggest that now everyone has relatively the same opportunity to compete for the world championship regardless of ability to travel or geographic location. So in effect, you are competing against far more racers to win this world championship, making it all the more legitimate. Under the old system, the few people in each class who were able to chase the points were essentially competing against the same other few year after year. This new format will put the best racers of the year up against each other, instead of just having the few racers in each class who can travel everywhere battle it out. And I love the idea of one race to decide it all. If you want to be World Champion you'll have to do it with the pressure on, just like most every other sport (another topic for another day). I have also heard critics say that this does not give anyone any incentive to travel to a National Event. They are missing the boat. No one was traveling to them anyway. In these times there is no way to get racers to travel unless you pay for them to do so, which is obviously not an option. The new format will increase racer participation overall, maybe not at the National Events, but overall sportsman participation will increase. More sportsman participation is essential for the continued viability of drag racing, and as such we should all be thankful for the Tournament of Champions. Thanks,Gino Fagnilli------ I'm not a IHRA member but I bracket race when I have time at NHRA tracks in Georgia and I just read what you will be doing for the sportsman racers in 2009 and I think this puts you (IHRA) way ahead of NHRA for all your members . this shows that someone can count 2000 racers competeing is better than 48----- I believe this is possibly one of the dumbest decisions anyone could possibly make. If you win 1 race,you qualify for rockingham and if you win rockingham your a world champion. That honestly doesn't show a REAL champion off 1 race.What if someone in 1 class goes out there and dominates,and then that person gets real sick and cant make it to rockingham,then there screwed out of a world championship.You see where im coming from? Of if someone dominates and then they go to rockingham and they lose,well there done. Rockingham cant base a true world champion off of 1 race.You'll end up losing a lot of people.Might want to think about your decisionMichael Paschal-----I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I'M INFAVOR OF THE NEW POINTS SYSTEM. I ALSO FEEL THE TOURNAMENT AT THE END OF THE SEASON SHOULD BE ALL 33 SPOTS FILLED BY CARS THAT DID WELL AT RACES. I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE OPEN SPOTS DEW TO A RACER WINNING MORE THAN ONE NATIONAL AND MAYBE FINISHING THIRD IN A DIVISON OR BETTER.IT WOULD BE NICE IF RUNNER UP AT A NATIONAL WOULD BE PUT IF WINNER WAS ALREADY IN.I ALSO FEEL THE LADDER IN TOP SPORTSMAN AND DRAGSTER BE DONE BY ET NOT REACTION TIME.WHAT IF QUALIFIED CARS GET IN AND SHOW UP AT ROCKINGHAM AND CAN NOT RUN UNDER THE 7 80 OR 7.90 IN TOP?BOB PHILLIPS #190 TOP SPOATSMAN AND #190 SS/GT-----As a past World Champion under the old points system, I have an appreciation for what it takes to earn the title, particularly on a shoestring budget. While I'll miss the season-long chase aspect of the national level points, I think you've put together a solid program. Can't beat a "free entry" $10K to win 5-round race, either! One question: Are the Divisional Champion and R/U awards the same as previous years, or has that money basically been 'rolled over' into the Tournament of Champions (and thus the reason for giving Division Champions the first round bye)? And one comment: I think it would be fair to require attendance at a minimum of four (4) Pro-Am events (total...i.e. In *or* Out of Division) in order to be eligible for the Tournament of Champions. Particularly where double-headers are available, that's only a commitment of two weekends in addition to a National or Sportsman National event win. I think that would address the concerns of "someone winning a World Championship by only going to one race plus the shootout".Michael Beard 9176 Stock 376 Super Stock----- I applaud you for your proactive changes to the national points system. After reading your letter I believe you have a solid plan. The only fault I see at the moment would be the Patriot's scenario you outlined, or what happened in NHRA Funny Car this year. If a racer won 5 nationals, won his division, and won the All-star event only to red-light or have mechanical difficulties in the TOC race, would be very unfortunate. This will certainly fuel the argument that the true champion is not recognized. I don't know that I want my entire season defined by one set of eliminations, especially in an E.T. or index style of racing.I think Steve Earwood's concerns on Competitionplus.com are valid as well.I do however see a enormous opportunity for the IHRA to promote each national tournament as an even greater deal for the sportsman racers. IHRA has prided itself with catering to sportsman racers and here is a real opportunity to boost the promotion and prestige of winning a national tournament. I would replace that trophy with a trophy people really covet. This would also combat the above argument as these events wouldn't quite be the TOC but very meaningful on there own.Best of luck,T.J. SchipplingQuick Rod 395J
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I am a T/S competitor in Division 9. I have been running in the class for 3 years, so by no means am I a old timer in IHRA, but I can say I have always been impressed by the way IHRA has adapted to the changing times. I have read about the TOC format and think it looks like a very good change for the sportsman racer. No one can predict the future, but I appreciate IHRA for trying to stay proactive with forward thinking when it comes to not only sportsman racing but drag racing in general. Thanks to IHRA for providing us racers a great avenue to race and compete.Jay Zimmerman T/S Div. 9First Wave of Competitor e-mails.......
First I want to say that I feel the changes made are totally necessary. As long as I have the money to run my car (I work for GM and job loss is a real threat) I plan on trying to support IHRA as much as possible in 2009. Under the new system, I would have qualified in two ways in 2008. I won a national event and I finished 3rd in division points. I understand I would have had only one entry into Rockingham and that is fine. I agree with that. Rusty Sampsel-----HI I HAVE READ THE NEW FORMAT. LIKE OTHER RACERS I DON'T HAVE ANY BETTER IDEAS. BESIDES PAYING US TRAVEL MONEY [ JUST KIDDING] ONE QUESTION I HAVE IS WHY NOT USE E.T. FOR TOP SPORTSMAN AND TOP DRAGSTER LADDER AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE AT ROCKINGHAMTHANK YOU RUSSELL LEACH TD 1268 -----Skooter, THANK YOU. I am so glad that someone is looking out for the little guys in the sport that I have loved for 36 years. I was recently at the World Finals (as a spectator only, my new car is not done yet) with my good friend Tom Gould, and a lot of our "bench racing" was about the future of our sport given the current status of our nations economy. Most "Sportsmen racers" would love to be able to compete for a World Championship but 99% of them cannot do so because they just don't have the kind of money needed for such a venture. Now with your new program everyone has that ability. And for all of those Doubting Thomas's out there all they have to do is look at my success in 2005. We went to Mooresville with a car that only ran 2 tenths under the index. Six rounds later I stood in the Winners Circle with my Iron Man. Monty Jo is still pissed at me.(LOL). It can happen to anyone. Thanks for having the BALLS to break away from tradition and do something nice for the people who I feel are the backbone of our sport. SPORTSMEN I hope to meet you at an event in 2009, so I can shake your hand and thank you in person. Yours in racing, Mike Mike Galuk JOE COOL RACINGM/SA 1980 Malibu (Almost done) ----- I just read about the new sportsman format and applaud your efforts to help the sportsman racers. Being from NJ makes it difficult to be competitive in IHRA points so I have never chased IHRA points. You can bet under this new format that you will see my two NJ stockers at as many events as we can get to in 2009. Thanks again for thinking of us, James YoungJYR MotorsportsParsippany, NJ ----- You were looking for feedback, so here is mine: I personally was not a big fan of the old points structure. As it used to stand, "you MUST attend 4 in division events to qualify for any season ending points championship or award program" (as per the rulebook). From there, it was the same as NHRA, best 3 of 5 nationals, and 5 of 8 divisionals. But, how many of us actually have the money to maximize our chances by attending 13 races, let alone hit the minimum 8?Granted, I'd like to be able to one day say that I was world champ, but unless I win a couple of those national events, that's a losing proposition from a money standpoint, unless I live in North Carolina ("Yippee, look at me...I'm the IHRA world champ, and in the end after you subtract my winnings it only cost me about 10 grand to be able to say that!") Now granted, none of us are doing this for the money, but at some point you have to say enough is enough (unless you're independently wealthy, which unfortunately, I am not).
So, from that standpoint, I like the change. But, that said, I'm not really fond of the "win and you're in" philosophy. How about reduce the number of races that you can claim points at? Rather than best 3 of 5 and 5 of 8, how about best 1 of 3 and 3 of 5? With some double and triple events like last year, most racers wouldn't need to travel but more than two or three times (I could have gone to Pittsburgh and Skyview, 12 hours of total round trip road time, and had 1 national and 3 divisional races to my credit).
If IHRA is really enamored with the run-off at the end of the year idea, have all the division winners go to Rockingham and run off for the championship (I personally don't think that the driver that finished 2nd in their respective division should be able to be world champ, so I would not include them in the runoff). The other problem I have with the Rockingham runoff is the travel cost associated with it. For a lot of racers, it would cost more for them to travel to Rockingham than to meet their best 1 of 3 and 3 of 5 race quota (my trip to Rockingham would be 24 hours round trip, or double the total time for me to hit all of my required races in Pittsburgh and Skyview). This change is supposed to be about saving money, right? Though, I'm sure everyone that was in the title hunt would find their way there, one way or the other.
So, I applaud IHRA for making a change, but I'm not sure this is the change I would have made. Thank you for your time, and more importantly for your efforts in trying to keep sportsman racing affordable for the masses. Sincerely,Jason Oldfield Rochester, NY S/R & H/R 1838----- As a long time competitor and probably one who has traveled a bit more than some. A GREAT FORMAT The travel cost and the time away from work is certainly a burden and IHRA should be commended for thinking of the SPORTSMAN RACER. Looking forward to the 2009 season with great anticipation.Regards: Dick Kincaid B/FIA 3421 ----- My name is Donna Morris. I don't know if you remember us or not but myself, my husband and about 8 other family members used to travel the circuit heavily competing for the points and the divisional and National championships. The economy and the races being so far away from Kentucky has pretty well grounded us. We like the format that IHRA has implementing and we have one suggestion. We all feel at each National event there should 'always' be an entry for the Race for the World Champion. We understand that if a racer has won a previous National event and wins their 2nd that position remains 'open'. We feel that with the past history and the skill level of some racers there maybe several openings. Yes, we agree that it would possibly take away from the 33 entrants and in some opinions make it less rounds to win. If this structure is to allow many 'other' racers to be able to participate we feel that at the end of the National event if the winner has a previous entry then the runner up should fill that slot or the semi-finalist or quaterfinalist. This would give many others an option to qualify and keep the concept of 'anyone' can possibly make the Race for the Championship. Most of the traveling prosportsman racers will win more than one National event or a divsional Championship due to their skill level. For instance Craig Marshall in SS if he wins 2, Anthony wins 2 in SS, Richardson wins 2, Fletcher win 2, there are 4 spots left that a racer could have the chance to move into. It would make it more tempting to go to the Nationals knowing you may have another way of making the field. Also, so many racers feel they don't have a chance against one of the prosportsman racers that the more entries in that 33 car field the more competitive chances of someone defeating one of them. We would hate to see a 33 field race with a possible 12 National event winners turn into only 6 National event entries. We are not in anyway critical of the format you have implemented. It's great for racers like the Morris's. We maybe able to make a National or 2 this year if the gas prices cooperate. We just all feel that all 33 slots should be filled by someone and it's great you aren't allowing double entries. We also feel if the 'winner of one Division' is an entrant then they win a National the #4 Divisional points winner should be allowed to fill one of the 33 spots. This idea would spark more interest with more racers. We aren't being negative or pushy just trying to make a suggestion. We feel it opens it up even more. Thanks for your time and patience with my ramblings. Let us know what you think. Donna MorrisTC MorrisMatt Morris ----- Thanks to all who have worked on this new format. Something had to be done as travel expenses did effect me this past season. New ideas will take the Ihra to new levels.
Thanks Rex Underwood-----Overall I like the sounds of the new system. Would give me a shot where in the old system had no shot at all. Being just retired ( January 1st, 2008 ) and now on a fixed income I'm having to take a long hard look on how far from home I'll be able to travel in 2009. Being from the Lansing Mi. area the trip to Pittsburg last year is out of the question this year. I missed Milan and Martin last year so only left me with Grand Bend is why I went to Pittsburg. 3-day event was also another reason. I know if you make Rockingham one slip and its over is an issue, but overall is the best way to go. Chris Heminger-----I’m sure you get lots of letters for changes people don’t like, so I thought I would write a nice one. I like the points system change. As a former Stock Top Tep in the 1990s, I again now have the hope to attend the banquet and be on stage. Our daycare expense and high gas prices cut badly into the racing budget, and we have stayed close to home and only attended 7 races last year. I’m looking forward to the 2009 racing schedule, and will plan my vacation days. Sincerely,Stacie J. Ridings Stock 2028 -----First of all I would like to applaud you and your staff’s efforts to make a change in the sportsman points program.Having chased the points the last 2 years I definitely agree that it was time for a change. I must admit that I do run on both sides of the fence (IHRA & NHRA) on a very limited budget.The 2 races in 1 weekend or even the 3 races in 1 weekend(Pittsburgh 2008) really makes it easier for me to have the opportunity to chase the points, when I go to the NHRA points meets or marathons that I like to refer to those as I quickly look forward to getting back to the IHRA races.I look forward to participating in the new format and plan to attend as many of the national/divisional races that my budget will allow me to make.Thanks again for having the best interest of the sportsman racers in mindSuper Stock 3028 (10)Stock 3012 Ron Richards-----Hats off for thinking outside the box and moving the sportsmen program forward to the 21st century!!! I have not competed in an IHRA event due to track location but this 2009 I will attend the divisional in Bryon and the national in Tulsa. I am doing this in direct response for what you are doing for the sport. I have been a card carrying member and license holder for stock and superstock for the past three just to show my support of IHRA and the past programs they have developed i.e. two races one tow, the descriptive write up’s and color pictures in the magazines. You have nailed some key points for me when you mention the cost of travel and being geographically challenged. We try to make two divisional and one national a year and fill in the balance with bracket races and national open events. Living in Omaha, Nebraska the picture looks like this 30 minutes to our local 1/8 mile track Glenwood, Iowa for testing and one national open, 3 hours to Topeka for a divisional and sometimes national 3 hours to Kearney, Nebraska for testing and a national open3 hours to Kansas City, Mo. For a national open3 hours to Thunder Valley, South Dakota bracket racing5 hours to Cedar Falls, Iowa5 hours to Eddyville, Iowa5 hours to Cordova, Ill for a divisional event6 hours to Earlville, Iowa for a divisional event7 hours to Bryon, Ill8 hours to St. Louis, Mo. National only8 hours to Denver, Co. national only10 hrs to Brainerd, Mn. National only As you can see for my budget a 3 hr drive to the dragstrip I save up and go once a month. Being from Des Moines, Iowa we can go home see family on Friday and then blaze out to make the 5 hour trips twice a summer. Finally, we spend once a year and go for the gusto and make an 8 hour plus vacation trip typically to Denver or Brainerd. I don’t think I can talk my wife into site seeing downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma or trail walking in Byron, Illinois but she does understand what drag racing means to my and if I want to cash in some honey do’s I’m sure I could make the trip. Lord willing and barring any major parts breakage I look forward to sending you personally the results from my first IHRA events for this upcoming 2009 season. Thank you once again,Frank Allen 1969 Camaro AA/S ----- I love it! Wes Tarkington -----My name is Richard Preiser, I ran Hot Rod/Quick Rod for the past 5 years. I was going to run NHRA divisionals this coming year because I decided to change my HotRod car into a superstocker, therfore was not going to travel with just one car. After reading the letter regarding the new points structure... long story short...I will be running IHRA next year with one car until my other car is done( then 2 cars @ IHRA). Thank you and everyone involved @ IHRA, I will support this change 100%. Even though I live in the heart of Div1 NHRA, IHRA has made it the better choice for me.Richard Preiser quick Rod 161 Superstock 161------I just read the "open letter". You my friend are a class act. I appreciate your open & honest communication. I applaud you and everyone at IHRA for your CONTINUOUS and UNWAVERING support of the "little guy". You recognize that they (we) are what it's all about.I too like to watch some of these professional sportsman racers win and win and win. Under your new program, they can continue to do that. The difference is that now the average racer (like me) can actually compete for a world championship. Personally I fall into the category of not being able to afford the old points sytem. Your car counts will do nothing but INCREASE. Good work.Ted Barnes Hot Rod-----great idea,i like this system alot.Jim Rankin hot Rod #1632-----I applaud your innovation! We are fortunate enough to be able to travel alot. However the economy is affecting us all, and the lower car counts were of concern to many of the racers.This was a bold move, and I truly believe this will be a great opportunity for many racers. I'm sure you're getting a lot of input on this--and I do appreciate the feedback you've provided when I've emailed you before. I wish IHRA the best with this endeavor and we'll see you in the spring! Leanne Fredrich
TS 5167-----I support your World Championship changes . Sounds like a good idea. It should help the racers from all areas believe they have a shot at the championship. It may also help attendance at divisionals by taking the #2 & #3 guys. I also saw you were concerned with National Event entries. I discussed this with you before but in 2008 for the northeast racers MIR and Epping were scheduled on top of NHRA divisional races. I attended both those events in 2007 but neither in 2008. With the cost of travel this year it just did not make sense to travel 7 hours when there was a race 2 hours away. Hopefully the 2009 schedule will be more racer friendly. I also complained to you about the rescheduling of the Skyview race. When the race was rescheduled later to not conflict, I was one of the 30-40 racers that attended. It was a real shame to see such a small car count after he did all that work to a nice 1/8th mile track. Jerry Thomas140T T/D Q/R-----I think its a great idea! As a little guy on a budget and always rooting for the underdog I've have always hoped that one day I could run IHRA at the National level in one form or another and have an actual chance of winning a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP against all the hitter's with great big FAT wallets, multiple CARS & Sponsors ! I'm so jealous... my Daddy isn't rich! Lol If ever get the chance to drive/own a S/SS car or possibly start running HR 10.90 with the firebird. Thanks for your time, Steve Doornbosch-----I am a sportsman racer from the New England areaI do attend the national event every year at New England and have a great timeI do feel we need both Ihra and Nhra to move our sport fowrardIt is tough times for racers and I have to say you have done a great thing for us racersPlease dont let the negative people on the forums take away from what you have doneThis must have taken a lot of thought to come up with this plan and thank you for the effortGod bless you for you efforts and I look forward to next year mark callanan stock # 1027-----hope you don't fall over and hurt yourself when you see this, I think you have a great idea.surprised to hear that from one of your top-ten complainers?really, I think it sounds interesting, very practical and realistic. the previous system required a pretty huge commitment which obviously was getting further out of reach for the typical sportsman racer. it's definitely worth trying, last season was painful to watch. low car counts and short fields were torture to watch week after week, knowing it was an unreasonable expense to even try traveling. hope it works. i know i will make an honest effort with this format. Sam Christian (i finally bought a dragster, gonna give TD a shot.)-----i think this will work our really well. count me in! dj raiserSSCT/AA#174-----I've just recently gotten back into racing since about 15 years ago. Therefore I'm not "up to snuff" like the regulars, but I truly think this is a great idea.As a businessman for almost 30 years, this makes all the sense in the world to me. I think you guys are doing what's best for both IHRA and the racer. Keep up the good work, Doyle EvansSS # 967S # 9005 -----I just wanted to comment that I love the new proposed points format. For the first time, I'm going to run all of the IHRA Div. 5 events in hopes to qualify for the World Finals. The new format has even sparked interest in my dad to hit the track again next season. Thank you for being such a racer-oriented organization. Clint Blezien#5327 Super Stock / GA -----Mr. Peaco I write this on my dad’s and my behalf dean mesenbring and adam mesenbring: I have to say with the rumors I was hearing I was anxious for something to be said on what was really happening. This format is fair dad had a gold card last year and still only managed to go to one national. You are 100% correct it’s hard to chase all over when we live in Minnesota we have traveled as much as possible and if we have to go to a couple long divisionals so be it. There 2 races in 2 days you can’t go wrong, while my dad and I will always support nhra and ihra because if there is a race within distance were going we don’t care about what sanction it is. It was a good change, and a fair one, people need to be open minded. I for sure will go to all the points races I can claim. It gives my dad and I real shot without having to drive 17 to 20 hours to national events, and that’s the only thing ever holding us back from chasing.. Sincerely, Adam Mesenbring-----All I can say about the Tournament of Champions Program is.....Fantastic!I sat here at lunch and read your letter thoroughly. You seemed to cover all of my questions in the letter and I support IHRA's decision to put this Program in place for 2009. Be it known that I'm not saying this to gain a "Yes Sir" mentality. This program seems to be well thought out in every aspect that I can think of or have questions about. And, for the critics, well this is a free country and that is their freedom. Of course if you have the money to travel then I could see why this Program would not be to their liking.Finally, as we have talked before, now that we have Dad settled in assisted living housing, we will be able to get back to IHRA racing in 2009. I had my doubts a few days ago if Sportsman racing was going to be around in 2009 or 2010. My thinking was to go back to strictly bracket racing and let that be it. Now, there is hope that getting back to IHRA racing in 2009 will be more exciting, more structured and more secure for the Sportsman racer.As always, Thank you for your caring and concern for the Sportsman racer.Take Care and have a Great Holiday Season!!! Dennis Roberts
ROBERTS' FAMILY MOTORSPORTS
#3004 H/Pure Stock 1980 Malibu Wag
