Competition Promotion of Diesel Motorsports

[tall1]

Mr. Hogue,



First, you don't know "for a fact" that the exhibition dragsters were not teched because you were not there to witness the inspection or the lack there-of.



Second, perhaps you should call Mr. Bentz and verify whether or not his check has arrived, then amend your post above to so indicate. His check was ready Sunday afternoon, but he and Dustin left early, and there was a delay in sending his check because I did not have his mailing address. As soon as he gave it to me, I sent the check. Mr. Shelley was paid on Sunday before he left. I am not aware of any other exhibition dragsters in attendance that weekend. Therefore, all exhibition dragsters have been paid.



Third, I believe most exhibition dragsters are paid to attend events.



In truth, this is really none of your business. It is DHRA's business and the business of the owners/operators of the exhibiting dragsters. I'm only responding here in an attempt to ameliorate the damage your lies and unfounded and baseless statements have wrought.



Face it. Your mind is made up, and you are out to tear down and destroy the only sanctioning body that gives fans, vendors, manufacturers and owners and operators of diesel-powered vehicles the respect and dignity they deserve at motorsports events.



This post really is not directed to you, as I know you will ignore it, as you have ignored every other factual post in the past; I can only surmise you do so because the facts contained in such posts tend to confuse and confound you. Rather, I expect that more open-minded readers will read it, do a little more research, and make their own decisions.





Twisted Shifter,



Apparently we have failed to adequately communicate what 'DHRA member track' means. It means that the track has agreed to run a points series using the DHRA rule book. It means that the series is the track's to run and promote, just like all the other points series they run. It is a total departure from last year, in which a DHRA director teched the trucks, arranged sponsorships if possible, and ran the races. DHRA membership is not required to compete in the Diesel Power! Drag Racing Series.



We are doing all we can to promote diesel motorsports: regular articles in Diesel Power magazine, diesel-specific shows on various cable channels, attendance at SEMA and PRI and other trade shows and gatherings, member tracks spread around the country, a points- and purse-paying sled pulling series in the Midwest, the nationwide points- and purse-paying Pro-Street Shootout series, and the flagship Diesel Nationals at IRP. Domingo Jiminez, an erstwhile PSS racer from your neck of the woods in Fla. , attended and raced at IRP. He immediately realized he needs a *lot* more air and fuel, still had a blast, and promised to bring all his diesel friends next year. *That's* the kind of dieselhead spirit that will grow the industry!





Mr. Dunbar,



I, too, am tired of the constant bickering and sniping. Contrary to what some have posted, it is not 'back and forth'; it is, rather, one-way sniping: against DHRA. I am quite content to let other diesel motorsports organizations grow and flourish. I don't want to have a monopoly handed to me; should DHRA end up being a diesel monopoly, it will be because Eric and I and our employees, members, sponsors, advertisers, fans and friends will have succeeded in building it by hand. I promised I would stop reading and posting on fora such as TDR, ADM, TDP, and TDG, but I cannot just sit by whilst a few loudmouths with a bullhorn and a soapbox relentlessly impugn my honor and dignity. Eric and I equally determine the direction DHRA takes; we are equally responsible for its successes and its failures.



Eric McBride is not the DHRA, and the DHRA is not Eric McBride. When Greg Hogue, Rhonda Fleming, Bill Fletcher and others denigrate the DHRA because of their personal beeves with Mr. McBride, they are denigrating everyone who has worked to build DHRA and diesel motorsports: Nowell Thomas, yourself, Steve St. Laurent, Doug Smith, myself, Bill Gotthelf, David Lott, Dennis Perry, Dan Fite, Dan Scheid, Gene Mohney, Clint Cannon, Scott Bentz, Richard Madsen, Joe Hellman, and a host of volunteers (paid and unpaid), vendors, suppliers and advertisers. Ms. Fleming and Mr. Fletcher were co-directors of our Division 6; when they realized the position required more of them than they could provide, we had to accept their resignations. Why they became so vehemently anti-McBride, I don't know. Why they work so hard to tear down the business Eric and I have worked so hard to build, I haven't a clue. And why Mr. Fletcher isn't participating in the Pro-Street Shootout series is a question only he can answer. It can't be monetary, as he would certainly win every race.



I have stayed on the sidelines, largely ignoring the bickering, libel and slander because I've been swamped trying to keep up with all the DHRA tasks that fell on me by default (meaning that there was no one else to do them and they had to be done). Now that we are re-organizing and my workload is being reduced, I will have more time to read these fora and correct the misperceptions and erroneous information that seems to be flooding the internet these days.



I am truly saddened that so many avid dieselheads would spend so much time tearing down a young business. Imagine what they could accomplish if they directed all that time into building a better diesel-based organization, if they expended all that effort into promoting and growing the diesel motorsports industry from all sides: manufacturing, distribution, sales, marketing, sponsoring, racers, pullers, media and fans. Without all those components, and more, working together, diesel motorsports will never be more than some guys with pickups belching opaque soot while racing each other on public streets, creating public hazards and nuisances.



Sometimes I wonder why I post tomes such as this. But, I quickly remember that I can only do my best and hope it's enough.



Neal

Neil, with the persuasive malicious statements you make, that's unfairly stated and lead people to think the names listed are attaching evryone, that's not ture, The only conflicts going on are between the one’s who have chosen to word spar and it takes two. There are several negative comments, ditzing ronda,greg and fltcher.



As an example, Ive never heard or seen fltcher say anything about Perry until perry started dizting him in the Kentucky’s race thread. I noticed it was allowed to continue until fltcher replied then it was shut down by stLarance. Both are favored in your note. I guess if you can’t stand the heat you should go in to the kitchen.



After reading a few of your responses I noticed you quickly try to mark yourself as a victim??

 

[Fletcher]

That me be so, Fletcher, but the peach is so sweet and the juice of angles. Our peaches are very much on the effeminate side, and that's the way we like it. If you ever eat one Georgia peach, you will never go back to that corner of America you live in. Now tell me about the goeduck.



. . Preston. .

Ok,Ok,Ok, if your Peaches are known as the Juices of Angles, I guess our Geoducks are known for their duel usages, a Correctional readiness device :--) or a meaty fish flavored morsel used in various chowder stews…



This weekend's tidal forecast indicates a minus tide@ 3:30 am. I'll get up and go harvest a few of them for you guys. Remember, Wear your safety glasses before opening the container or you'll squirt your eye out.

 

[msperos]

You think harvesting them type of oysters is dangerous come on up where the air is thin and harvest them Rocky mountain oysters. They'll squirt your eye out :-laf

 

[Amish Elegance]

Geoduck

I had no idea they were this celebrated... . LOL.



http://www.evergreen.edu/athletics/geoduck.htm





Mascot and everything, bet he gets all the ladies. Handsome fellow to say the least.

Scroll down, that is an interesting looking creature. Very um, interesting. I can honestly say I've never seen one before. Geoduck. Yet somehow it looks familiar... . Oh well. :-laf



Had to post a link to something with a name like that. I'll leave out the one for rocky mtn oysters though.

 

[Fletcher]

I had no idea they were this celebrated... . LOL.



http://www.evergreen.edu/athletics/geoduck.htm





Mascot and everything, bet he gets all the ladies. Handsome fellow to say the least.

Scroll down, that is an interesting looking creature. Very um, interesting. I can honestly say I've never seen one before. Geoduck. Yet somehow it looks familiar... . Oh well. :-laf



Had to post a link to something with a name like that. I'll leave out the one for rocky mtn oysters though.

Thank you for adding that link. I was surprised how many didn't know what a Goeduck was. About a year ago, a friend of mine was mutilated then dragged out to sea after accidentally encountering a Goeduck and her cubs on the beach.





….

 

[Rhondasway]

You think harvesting them type of oysters is dangerous come on up where the air is thin and harvest them Rocky mountain oysters. They'll squirt your eye out :-laf

LMAO!! :-laf :-laf

A good rope and a sharp knife go along way toward a tasty breakfast on the ranch...

 

[Fishin Guide]

Thank you for adding that link. I was surprised how many didn’t know what a Goeduck was. About a year ago, a friend of mine was mutilated then dragged out to sea after accidentally encountering a Goeduck and her cubs on the beach.





….

Please Fletcher,



you and I know that was only partially true. If they were not harassing the six gill, everything would have been fine.



Dave

 

[Dl5treez]

Please Fletcher,



you and I know that was only partially true. If they were not harassing the six gill, everything would have been fine.



Dave

Six gill..... caught one of those once, about 12 miles out from Sekiu... . 66 pulls on a Double Deep Six, thought it was a barn door..... NOPE! Was pretty gentle though--dad took the hook out with his bare hands.



Sorry, off topic.

 

[Jetpilot]

Well after reading all the posts I have come the conclusion of what is missing here folks is the reason people race to begin with. "Having fun" is the name of the game and the reason we choose to race. Why all the name calling and accusations? I believe that everyone that races promotes the sport!



Doug

 

[DavidTD]

Well after reading all the posts I have come the conclusion of what is missing here folks is the reason people race to begin with. "Having fun" is the name of the game and the reason we choose to race. Why all the name calling and accusations? I believe that everyone that races promotes the sport!



Doug

I agree Doug. Think it will ever again be like it was back in Atlanta 2002 when we were all (every diesel racer there) was trying to figure out how to get that last tenth off your time? Man it was fun back then.

 

[Jetpilot]

David,



That was fun! Heck I don't have any idea who the guy was but some spectator let me pull a MAP sensor out of his truck when mine went bad..... The ATS folks were helping with their scanner Jeff and you guys helping wrench everyone there was supporting me! I also appreciate your couch and hospitality. Besides that trophie is still a source of pride for me. Now that was FUN!

 

[DavidTD]

So are you coming down this year to play again?

 

[Jff24Gordn]

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. .....

Dont forget who else still has time slips stached around somehwere from Muncie in 2000.

 

[COMP461]

maybe people should reread this thread

 

[DHRA]

Why, this is the past, we got it off our chests, we moved on a long time ago my friend.

 

[COMP461]

Well, I can add to each of these dissertations. A part of my career (daily duties) they consists of fun activities like coaching, guiding, planning, vision, collecting objective information ”the facts” etc. , and performing these wonderful acquired traits while exhibiting my polished soft skills

Now, since testimony is inviting me to elaborate, I will.



Just like the inside jokes mentioned above, my signature credits (Org Diesel Drag/ Sanctioned) was just to have fun (I’m not taking Prozac, yet) My reasoning was because of all the name dropping “Trigger words” used to associate one’s group w/ the NHRA. The phrase “Alternate sanctioning body” was a marketing effort to lead people in to this artificial inference of association. Remember a year ago, when Mcfly insinuated this? it was intended to show affiliation to divert (stop momentum) interest accumulated from earlier posts regarding possible migration over to the NHRA (COMP’S POST)



All " Alternate sanctioning body" means is that a club has chosen to create their own rules, instead of following existing rules and they have to conclude a paper exercise submitting a rule book and providing proof of insurance. It doesn’t mean you’re a partner and hold the monopoly of Diesel racing.



Since the NHRDA does race at NHRA tracks, following their rules, we're insured under the NHRA. So technically we can call ourselves a sanctioning/member org?



We’re really networked up here as well, and kept informed of persistent efforts by a certain individual complaining about this as a matter of fact. When COMP was starting to gain visibility, the same meddler was calling the NHRA complaining about his truck's validity citing reasons why the truck shouldn’t be allowed to race (all the behind the scene stuff all you guys are unaware of).



How many knew that I was once affiliated w/ the DHRA ?? No one!!!! So, check this out: one of their ECEO’s says I was, one of them says I wasn’t…

I have never mentioned this publicly, and now have received the green light to do so. A few years ago, RR was PM’d and solicited to help Mcfly branch out. Since RR and I frequented the same racetracks, she told me about the “Pitch” a week later, I was asked if I could help out. The direction we received was vague, so I asked for a vision statement thinking I could implement from it. McFly didn’t have one, but we were given tracks to contact where there were supposed to be races already scheduled. We contacted the tracks and found that they had never heard of the DHRA. .

As a part of this venture we were to solicit advertisement sales for flyers etc. from the Diesel shops at our own expense. As we undertook this, they went off on us. We learned that the vendors had previously given funds but never received their advertising. We were to send membership fees to him and pay for the trophies out of our pockets. Hats, shirts, required stickers never materialized. In addition, most potential sponsors from the diesel community already disrespected the DHRA and it's founding father and laughed at the idea of being affiliated.



I decided to quit due to the all of the deception and the lack of leadership direction, and RR had to step down for personal reasons that I do not know the details of. We went on and got back into racing. As my truck became faster, I received a bunch of negative comments from McFly and Part Time regarding my truck's success. They obviously wanted my attention and have gotten it :-laf



Last year , Mcfly contacted Randy’s Off Road, expressing interest w/ Randy’s Annual N. W. Nationals race. Randy told Mcfly, "maybe next year. " Mcfly told Randy that he would squash his event the following year (i. e. take it over) if the DHRA weren’t allowed in… So we decided to form our own Org. and it’s doing well (don't mess w/ the goeduck harvesters or we'll squirt your eye out) :-laf



As for the Crank height change, ready for the facts…By the way, once again it’s all documented 4/09/04 RR has a tech problem at Mission. 4/13/04 Kondolays are aware of this and contact the NHRA and plant the seed (Thanks to the Kondolays) 4/15/04 working w/ the NHRA tech director, I’m requested to send down 4x4 along w/ 2wd crank measurements. 4/23/04 RR posts her tech problems (ref; TDR COMP FORUM) 4/26/04 approx 9:00 am PACIFIC TIME Eric contacts the NHRA (via phone) however, is told that they’re already on it……



“Facts and data will set you free”



Please note: everything mentioned above is substantiated by documentation I have a wonderful sense of humor but, I can’t stand somebody throwing rocks then sniffling went it comes time to catch them. Remember, before we stand up becoming hero’s because of one person’s story line, if your that interested, try calling the person to better understand the situation…I’m not intending on tarring any organization apart, I just think the leadership lacks integrity. yeeehawwww, I love you all

facts will set you free

 

[COMP461]

Doc is not the reason I’m not out racing ,far from it . The reason it’s a cross between my being a lieutenant on a DOD fire department , my own business ventures , and my involvement in a competition eliminator engine R&D program for G. M. PERFORMANCE PARTS .



Doc has provided the funds for me to complete one of the two engine programs , in the next few weeks , the pistons will be back from the coaters Wednesday the more advanced program is still a few months away from completion , this engine should be the most advanced Cummins drag racing power plant yet built. Having more in common with a Pro Stock engine then a diesel



I could have been at either of the two races if good old uncle Sam had not chosen that week to play games . That’s all I can say about that . The plan was to put Mat Thomas of S&T water jet in the seat as driver , for that weekend , Mat runs Pro Mod , and is an accomplished wheelman . but after all the late nights and with out any seat time , it was decided to go with safety first. The new motor was so close to being completed , and the rush to put a reblocked motor back in the truck would have taken up valuable time and resources that could be applied to the new program. I am no longer satisfied with a 8 second truck but have pulled out the stops to run in the 7 second range. This is very possible , and will be accomplished as soon as possible, but this takes testing and track time .



At one time I only looked at this ride as something to get me by , until the next comp ride came along . Since then diesels have become my passion , and I have turned down a very competitive comp ride to stay with this project. I have had aspirations to run Pro Stock , and still hold a Pro Lic. But that is not as satisfying to me as the diesel deal.



I am confident that my future plains will be in a diesel. I have also turned down a offer to build a diesel dragster , one I like trucks , and two I told Scott I didn’t want to step on their toes . The math suggests the dragster could easily run in the 6 second range , but this would be a totally different deal, and involve a DURAMAX . I am sure that a Chevy is the future of diesel motorsports for me , as former deals are now waking up to diesel drag racing and they are looking for a old friend .

my explanation for indy

 

[COMP461]

Its is looking like the truth I have been hearing so much about is starting to come out , I am the time of person that doesn’t set by and grumble and gossiping . I tell it like it is from the mountain top. Some times this is a little disturbing to people that don’t know my energy level. I have raced for quite a while .

My good friend and comp teammate Charlie Stewart best puts it when we all wake up at the track in the motor home every race weekend “ guess what we get to do to day? ,,,,,,we get to drag race” this is the American dream to go out and build to a stable set of rules and give it you best shot at being the Hero.



I have only tried to bring this grand sport to the rest of the people, that have never experienced it to the Level I have been so privileged to race . I saw the confusion and inconsistency of what was there , and the perceived improprieties ,I saw a vision of what it could be .

It is said if you have the ability to act , and step in the gap and bring leadership , you have the duty to do so. This was said by one of our founding fathers.

I believe that Wally Parks was that kind of man ,,,,,, when he envisioned NHRA , and set about to make it happen. Wally was a selfless man of great integrity. This is what is needed now , not people that are promoting this as a means of employment.

I was around when the sports compact deal was going down, and even drove a race in the car that eventually won five nation events in a row the first year of NHRA sports compact. The reason it was a little rocky at first when NHRA stepped in , was this group was use to total extreme chaos at their races , like wet tee shirt contest on the starting line , but they forgot the shirts. This was not conducive to big money sponsorship deals, and before you get down on big money racing , look at DHRA Pro Street now , to be competitive , you will have to spend $60 to $70 thousand dollars , and that before travel money. NHRA is about money , but NHRA is the background needed to bring in the lucrative sponsors . NHRA is a stable place where you can build a race car or truck and expect the rules to be calm , not like the talked about among current Pro Street racer , of lowering the minimum weight . to some that carried a lot of weight its seems like a easy solution , but ask Jeff Garman what happen when you run . 001 faster then 10. 00 , this will not be a problem , if done right , but there are people currently building Pro Street Trucks / Super stock trucks need to know the ramifications of that time slip



Neal you mention a few people in you dissertation , you might ask them first , because some of this are just as disturbed by the actions of the leadership of you organization. One of them is the reason you will never run the Cummins fest in Denver. The current leadership of this organization will not see the hand writing that is on the wall before them, and a lot of people are defending them because of the need to have a organization to race in , if you choose to ride it to the ground ,instead of getting some one in the more respected , go right ahead , but the time now is to think of others and ………resign



You can also quite trying to call Doc. And telling him what a bad , bad boy I’m being , because we preempted you calls from other that know the truth one of them a senior official at NHRA

my vision of what it could be

 

[COMP461]

I have to assume that 'Rhonda Fleming" is me, but that is not my last name. Frankly I don't recall spending much time "denigrating" the DHRA (let alone "tear it down"), as I really don't care what they do, and I think you're wrong to throw a bunch of recognizable names out there to make it seem as if we've somehow attacked those individuals. If you didn't see me write it or hear me say it specifically , it didn't come from me.

When I resigned from the director's position (for personal family reasons that I have not shared), I received a pretty nasty letter from Eric. I was surprised by this, as he'd seemed like a pretty nice guy. Instead of showing some gratitude for what we'd done, he seemed more concerned with my not wearing the director's shirt during a race. Apparently wearing the DHRA hat all day (including during photos that went on the track's web site), bringing together a race complete with sponsors, trophies, solid attendance, passing out tons of flyers (at my expense), and getting the announcers to really talk us up weren't enough for him.

Fletcher's right on the money for the reasons he quit, it's all true, but for Eric to treat me so poorly was uprofessional and inexcusable.

Even after I'd resigned my position, I kept my membership intending to follow the Northwest race series. During that time, my truck got quick enough that the DHRA rules required me to have driveline loops even though the NHRA tracks we were running at did not. I could not find or get anyone to make driveline loops, and therefore did not pursue the races I'd been fully prepared to travel for. If I had gone to even one more race, I'd have gotten the trophy for the division. So, after the season is over, I find out that the DHRA had changed its driveline loop requirement and not notified its members.

I was fed up with the whole thing, and the final straw was when I started seeing "girlie" type ads and pics representing the DHRA. This is a whole other can of worms, but I had previously asked about having a picture of my truck on the web site or used in advertising, to which I was told I'd have to win an event. Seems to me that a very popular, extremely high-visibility diesel that is racing at various tracks 4 days out of 7 every week, from spring to fall, (and kicking some serious *** not just amongst other diesels), would be a pretty good advertisement. Instead this organization prefered to limit itself by showing that they don't take women seriously as competitors, only as hood ornaments.

I wrote a letter to the organization about my views and stating that I would not be renewing my membership, to which I got what can be summed up as 'hate mail' from Eric. This was particularly ironic, as several of his own administrators sent me personal messages saying they were in complete agreement with me on the subject.

Does that help clear up why I'm not too fond of him and the organization? Keep in mind that even with those factors, I never went in the open about it, but instead chose to just walk away. When Eric comes on here and posts that he's sorry for offending anyone and just doesn't get why folks don't embrace him, I for one feel he's completely insincere.





David we have not met and I've heard you're a pretty good guy, but for the idea that nobody could compare "ride for ride", I guess I just don't see the validity. Why should a driver have to prove their weight and such? Is that so a slower truck could use the excuse, "Yeah, but his truck is lighter than mine!"? Who cares? It seems to be used as a platform to try and figure out who has more horsepower, especially when a top competitor won't get on the dyno.

Isn't the fact that a truck is legal and licensed to drive on state highways, plus pass tech at the track, enough? If the idea is to level the playing field, that's what bracket racing is for, which already exists. As far as the fastest truck out there, why penalize guys like Comp and Fletcher for having them? That whole "Yeah, but... " thing don't fly. Put up or shut up.

In this competitive world, you don't just give away your secrets to other competitors. If they can't go as fast, let them figure it out. Questioning "drug use" is lame as well. There a plenty of spectators at our diesel races who aren't friends with Mr. Fletcher, who are free to check his truck out in the staging lanes. They should do so and report back to the mother ship. :-laf

Also, if you think I was going to cry and surrender because of the crankshaft rule, you're wrong. I do believe it was a team effort involving several individuals, but for Eric to take credit for the whole thing is ludicrous. I will bet you a dollar that the Kondolays have deeper (stronger, more serious) connections with NHRA than he does. Try to keep in mind as well that Eric Lowe (NHRA tech director) has a Duramax and is actually pro-diesel to a certain degree.

I'll tell you that I am treated extremely well at all NHRA tracks I attend, and that has nothing to do with any diesel group affiliation. It has only to do with being a serious racer who attends regularly, puts on a great show for the spectators, respects and is respected by other serious racers, and promotes diesels in a positive, friendly, professional manner.

Thank you, that is all for now.

more of the truth

 

[Turbo Thom]

Is there a problem with weight limits now? When will this bantering end. Oh yeah, we got it figured out for sure, now. The Farm Truck Racing League.



Heads up, pro 500 tree, 1 turbo, no spray, all diesel, 6000 lbs, beyond that, any mod you want to go with. That's what we're doing in Georgia next year. And Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolina's. This is gonna be a good year.



. . Preston, the promising pragmatist... ... ... ... ... . Bill?