Competition Promotion of Diesel Motorsports

[GIT-R-DONE]

Who out there is doing the best of promoting the diesel motorsports? Is it the people like DHRA, NHRDA, vendors, individuals, web-sites ? Lets hear who out there is doing their best to insure that the craze of diesels, is heading in the right direction.

 

[Dl5treez]

Not sure if you're asking for personal opinions or factual references, but I'll give my personal opinion anyway.



For drag racing, if everything he says is true, my vote goes to Greg Hogue. That's not a dig on Greg, but the 'net can turn facts upsides & backways worse than that old campfire telephone game. I also think the IHRA would be a better fit for diesels in the arena of big-time sanctioning bodies. Just a more friendly, neighborly type of feel with them versus the NHRA. But I'm a member so maybe that's just bias talking.



I never followed sled pulling except for what I saw on TNN back in the day of the ATPA and NTPA truck & tractor pulling. I don't know enough about all the organizations to comment on that.



I think Dave & Loretta Mitchell and everyone at Enterprise Engine Performance, and their friends & sponsors who do the charity pulls are making a wonderful gesture.



As far as NHRDA versus DHRA, which is what I think you're subtlely hinting at I look at it with a couple points my daddy gave me way back, expounded on slightly to make more topical sense:

• 
  Just because something is the first or only game in town doesn't mean it contains the best ideas or intentions.
  
  
  
  Never tell independent NW residents how to do something... they'll just do it their own way, even if it's wrong, just for spite. :-laf (I'm one so I can say that. )
  
  
  
  Not everyone who tries something new and possibly does so "against the grain" is a renegade loose cannon.
  
  
  
  Never put complete blind faith & loyalty into a company who has both a CEO and a CIO on the payroll yet whose corporate office is a dude's house. Besides, without a COO they're a ship without a captain.

Ok now that everyone is alienated I'll go away.



Dan-

 

[RacinDuallie]

How weird is that!! A moderator dropping BOMBS!!

 

[ob1kobi]

Not trying to stir anything up, but neither the NHRDA or DHRA was first, the DDRA has been here for a while already. Don't know when they actually started, but I know they were here before either of the other two diesel drag racing orginazitions.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Now here I come. I don't think either promoted things as we know it. DHRA has tried to "organize" things, but the individual 6 or 7 years ago that just built the trucks and ran where ever the chance arose, are the ones that have promoted it. I think the promotion and organization are two different things. When a diesel ran against' a gasser and beat him, is when you heard,"that's a diesel"? NASCAR did not promote auto racing. They promoted themselves and brought the cars with it. It's the same way now.



Now who can disagree with that?



. . C' Y'all

 

[ob1kobi]

very good point Preston.



Ted

 

[DHRA]

Okay, here we go. Let's talk about some things:

In 2000 I got the drag racing bug in April when Joe Dailey and I hit Muncie Dragway. I became a fanatic, plain and simple. So, by 2001 Steve St. Laurent and I started driving hither and yon to hit "Big Rig" this and Big Rig that races where diesels had a place to go. In 2001 I was contacted by Joe Seaman and told about the Diesel Drag Racing Association (started in 1986). Steve and I met the DDRA gang and started running points with them. By 2002, we quickly realized that the tracks thought of the big rig guys as a novelty and purses were announced and not paid, and we got treated poorly everywhere we went. Steve and I were asked by DDRA to help establish a light duty diesel class. Well, long story short-Steve and I decided that the diesel pickups could be seen in a better light and started putting thoughts together for the creation of Diesel Hot Rod Association, Inc.

In the meantime, life on the TDR was great. We were all learning at such a rapid rate and constantly putting up posts with our new times. Eric Howard, Nowel Thomas, Doug Smith, Garmon, Dunbar and a quite a few others were constantly urging each other to go quicker-faster. TDR was a place that we could all talk about what we were doing. Thunder in Muncie was in it's infancy and my motorsports career, unbeknownst to me, was just getting started.

As a few of us gathered to form DHRA, we were (and still are somewhat) clueless to the motorsports world, organizing drag racing, etc. It's been WAY harder than I think any of us expected. My wife, bless her, is so understanding as to have a husband that not only sinks every dime he has into a truck, but now sinks more than what he has into some organization that sounds more like a pipe dream than a job. I roped Neal Murphy (fest3er) into this by asking him to help and he eventually gave up everything to assist. Now, you have two guys that are learning how to organize drag racing so that the majority are happy, 4 volunteer directors of whom we owe our existence to, that also don't know much about the sport other than being racers; and a lot of people asking questions. Neal and I never have thought we couldn't do this, and we have made some big-time mistakes. But we are learning and making the necessary changes as we go.

Things got real weird in 2002. My TDR life changed, where I was just one of the guys talking about my truck, to losing a very good friend-Bill Kondolay, because of a choice I made with a sponsorship. People on here stopped seeing me as Stack'd-n-Jack'd and started seeing me as Eric the ?????(I'm sure you each have something to fill in there). Now, I hate this website-everytime I post it seems I'm on the defensive and another person tells me they hate me. I admit I have fell victim to ego, stubborness, and things I perceived as attacks against what I have worked hard at. I'm a redassed hard-headed ex-military guy that gets stressed out and says things I shouldn't. I'm trying to change that, but it's hard.

Then I see the post Dan has above, buddy, that is some bold **** to write when the truth is that Neal and I have depleted our retirement accounts and our bank accounts keeping this going. We both are in financial strife. My wife I'm sure is tired of me not bringing home any paychecks for the last three years! We have been blessed and fortunate. All the volunteers, the participants who believe in DHRA and the potential, financial support from the sponsors everything. Thanks to everyone!

There is a lot more to say, but I wouldn't even read a post this long. I do want to say this: I'm sorry to everyone on here that I have offended in any shape or form-seriously. We are all diesel brothers (and sisters) and my mouth moves much quicker than my brain sometimes.

And, we are doing incredibly well. IRP was a huge hit, we have 75 events total this year and we continue to grow. The stability of rules and classes will get better as we "try" to keep up with what the pullers and racers want. We want to be the members organization so please from now on-call me or write me. We are growing, but only with YOUR help! If you don't want to talk to me-please contact Dan Fite my "XO" of this ship, and he'll help and listen. This is hard as hell for me to open up like this- so be gentle. Thanks.

 

[HeavyHauler]

I think anyone that says that the DHRA isn't promoting diesel motorsports is a complete moron. Did you not go to IRP? I haven't heard a count yet, but there were hundreds/thousands of diesel trucks there but the kicker is - there were lots of regular cars there too! Now that's promoting a sport when you get folks in there that don't even have anything to do with a diesel pickup.



That is one of the biggest diesel events in the nation and it wouldn't be possible without the DHRA and the guys that run it.



Good grief - Eric even had ESPN2 and Spike TV there filming! If that isn't promotion I don't know what is. That right there shows that the DHRA is doing a tremendous amount of work to promote diesel motorsports. I wonder what ESPN2 or Spike would have done 5-10 years ago if Eric had called them up and asked them to come and film a "diesel pickup event" for exposure on national television! They would have probably laughed in his face and said no thanks!



The sport is growing and it's because of these organizations that are good enough to put on events and then the people that come and support them make it that much better.



You guys need to put your childish/immature/egotistical feelings aside and look at the big picture.



Eric - I for one appreciate your sincere post and read every word of it.



Oh my god I can't believe I just posted in the Competition Banter forum. :-laf

 

[Amish Elegance]

Amen brother E ... .

Enough of the :-{}





Especially from a MODERATOR!



Lets get to racin',pullin, and everything else these engines are awesome at! (no matter who you're doin it with)

The rest just ends up a peeing contest that ends in the toilet.







Pop goes the TDR cherry.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

I guess the post is not to distinguish between the DHRA and NHRDA , it is more of the responsibility that I feel some people should take in the promotion of the sport.



Case in point, at IRP, the people I got the chance to talk to all were on a professional level. There were many people such as Peter @ South Bend that took his time explaining to me about his product. Word of mouth is probably the best advertiser in this case.



Haisley's were another that showed both their professionalism and knowledge about his work. I really enjoyed listening to him as he had a " I am the only one that will do this job as "I" want to make sure its done right" attitude.



Maddog was another person I met at IRP that I enjoyed talking to. Although both his trucks were down and not present, he was also on a professional level that was impressive. Now here is a guy that has had magazine covers and articles of him and his truck, and has promoted himself and diesel motorsports in a good way. But what is next?



These are only a few people that I could write about, but I am more interested in knowing how to get this out to the masses.





I will give one more example that has to deal with a more local situation. The DHRA has an event ( sled pull ) coming up next week at Stoneboro. I have heard nothing on the radio or newspaper about the event. Spreading the word to those people that I know are interested in going, but if I would not have mentioned it to them, they would not be going. To me, things like this need to be promoted more in the area before an event. Maybe money is an issue, or maybe its lack of initiative. I dont know, but I feel there needs to be more events and promoted as such, not just for the couple major events of the year.



Another example is COMP. Now I know we dont see eye to eye on some things, and I am sure that his intentions are good. Not showing up at a major event to me is wrong. It does not promote the sport at all. Here is a man that has the fastest truck ( for now ) and doesn't show up. Maybe there were actually other commitments or the owner wouldn't let him come out to play. If that was the case then, its out of his control. But along with having the fastest truck, isn't there a responsibility that also comes with that?



I do like the fact that he is willing to race for charitable organizations and the like, that in itself is showing a responsibility.





See where I am going with this?

 

[Dl5treez]

So am I finally Public Enemy #1? Or is there still a ways to go for that moniker?



The statements I made about the DHRA, particularly the comment about the CEO/CIO stuff, is a running joke I have with Fest... . sorry nobody else got it. Eric if it offended you, well, I dunno what to tell you. It wasn't malicious, just ribbing. Ask your pulling director what that means--he seems to do it a lot.



Look at it this way. This thread got you to write one of the best posts I've ever read from you. Awesome! We're still all diesel fiends at heart, please don't feel like you're hated. This is the "Banter" forum after all.



Maybe it takes a childish/immature/egotistical dick like me to post the thoughts of many & get crucified for it in order for all the BS that goes on behind the scenes, all the bad-talking, etc to come out in the open & get talked about. Hate me if you want to---somebody's gotta be the villan.



As far as a moderator speaking their mind causing hate & discontent, I don't see the problem as long as the moderator doesn't use their "power" to suppress opposing voices. That I will never do. However, the subsequent hate mail is rather entertaining.

 

[DHRA]

See what I mean, sorry Dan-didn't know about the inside joke and once again my mouth had the better reaction time. :-laf

Sometimes I take crap too serious I guess. Like your post-I was worried that some folks out there that may have a clouded image of DHRA would read that and think that it was gospel. I mean we work so damn hard at this that I really want everyone to like it.



Back on subject- As I go to PRI, SEMA, various tracks, agriculture trade shows, etc. I hear a lot about Richard Madsen's . mpeg that was passed around corporately and even made it's way to Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn! I was talking to a DuPont motorsports rep and he even asked about it! Then, as the driver of the Scheid dragster, I get asked ALOT if this is the car that ran 7's in Pomona. :-laf I say yea, we had a bad day- Just kidding, so in my travels of recent the racers that stick out for promotions are Scott Bentz and Richard Madsen. Oh yea, and I always hear about that guy with a buddy that has a Ford that runs 10's. ???

 

[Amish Elegance]

Those who aren't as athletic may not get your running jokes.



No worries... Judging by the posts around here Comp still holds the PE#1 title.



Ever see your name on TP? You're fine then.

 

[msperos]

Good post Eric... there are times I wish both sanctioning bodies would stop cutting each other down and just attack Comp couldn't resist but if both organizations would work towards the common goal of making this sport grow. .

 

[Dl5treez]

See what I mean, sorry Dan-didn't know about the inside joke and once again my mouth had the better reaction time. :-laf

So what you're saying is if the rail had a flap-activated throttle you'd knock the tree down every time? :-laf

Sometimes I take crap too serious I guess. Like your post-I was worried that some folks out there that may have a clouded image of DHRA would read that and think that it was gospel.

Dude, if anybody ever takes something I say as gospel, we're all in trouble...

I mean we work so damn hard at this that I really want everyone to like it.

Keep it up, but remember you'll never get everyone to like it, and don't kill yourself trying. Just keep hoping for the best, expecting the worst, and skimming off the top to pad the Swiss account in case you ever have to bail. :-laf



(Hope that doesn't start something..... )

 

[RacinDuallie]

Ever see your name on TP?

:-laf :-laf !!!! I can arrange that though... . :-laf

 

[Turbo Thom]

Damn Eric... ... ..... Your post is like finding an old canon ball and then finding out it had a marshmellow inside. WOW. I can't believe it. I guess if anybody has given you a hard time, I did. That was taken care of at Muncie last year. Now, if Gene can just post that little tear he got in his eye on the net, I want to see it.



Most all post I see I don't feel are that bad. But I will say the post from Gene to Comp are always negative. I have never seen one positive thing he has ever said. Some folks get on Eric the same way. It really is not leading to any good or promotion of anything.



Also, I have been called a lot of things but MORON, ain't one of them. Now I can add that to my list.



Eric, your post was a very deep and honest one. I wish y'all the best and hope you rival NHRA in time to come. We will do what we can down here in Georgia to help you.



C' Y'all



. . Preston. .

 

[Sled Puller]

I will give one more example that has to deal with a more local situation. The DHRA has an event ( sled pull ) coming up next week at Stoneboro. I have heard nothing on the radio or newspaper about the event. Spreading the word to those people that I know are interested in going, but if I would not have mentioned it to them, they would not be going. To me, things like this need to be promoted more in the area before an event. Maybe money is an issue, or maybe its lack of initiative. I dont know, but I feel there needs to be more events and promoted as such, not just for the couple major events of the year. ?

Hey now!! Lets not forget you live in the sticks!! A VFD is running the pull, DHRA is sanctioning the Diesel classes. We have had a running display ad in Farm and Dairy, Farm World. Thats where the masses go to find 6 state pulls.



The VFD has ads on 4 radio stations right now, they call it the "Thunderpull" (They came up with it, not DHRA. )

Plus ads in the Area Shopper, Tri County news, full color flyers posted around etc, etc.



And yes, there obviously is a limit to money that can be spent on advertising.







The internet and TDR has probably done more to promote "Diesel" than any of us. (Diesel owners)

Without TDR, the competitors would never have met each other.

I know I never would have seen that old picture of Dave Mitchell with the turnout stacks billowing clouds of smoke, would never have met the GLTDR, the west coasters, etc.



And I truly believe, the more orginizations running Diesel competitions, the better. I don't know of anyone that thinks there should be just one, or two.



It has been a large volume of individual efforts, that have got us where we are now. And maybe the normal Diesel guy won't like the attention all of us have brought onto them?

 

[R-N-R]

I don't think that having more than one organization is a bad thing, but I think one united group is better. Not too long ago, oh right about before Comp arrived, the NW crowd were building the NHRDA and advertising it in a positive manner. I remember having a lot of respect for them building an organization with bashing any others. I wish I could still make that statement.



What irratates me the most is the constant "NHRA loves" me more than you and your worthless organization crap that goes back and forth between the organizations.



Let's see now, ... if I tear down 2 organizations so that mine is the only one left ... naw, he ain't that damn bright.



btw, I am not a member of either club, and I would sincerely like to see them both succeed beyond their wildest dreams. There are people in both organizations who are working their tails off. They deserve better than to have these kind of distractions.

 

[Rhondasway]

Who out there is doing the best of promoting the diesel motorsports?

Me.

(insert big here)