Competition Promotion of Diesel Motorsports

[ob1kobi]

Very nice post David.

 

[jgillott]

Thanks David. Very well said...

 

[MADDOG2]

David, I must say that was one of the finest posts that I have had the privilege of reading here on the TDR, and even though our first meeting was brief it was worth the trip to IRP just to shake you hand. I look forward to seeing you again and running my truck on your dyno.

 

[Timbeaux38]

Personally, I'd like to see all the post pickers TRY to pick that one apart...





Nice post David... .

 

[fest3er]

... and when the rumors of unfair treatment, in tech , and I know for a fact that none of the pro diesel were even teched , was brought to the attention of a senior tech official , I am sure it made it to a level where a phone call would have squelched it . You called and offered money, to others to just show up, these people like me would not normally accept it, and they still haven't gotten a check. ...

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

 

[Twisted Shifter]

What really bothers me is all you DHRA guys crying that all the NHRDA guys do is snipe at you. You guys come in and claim to be saints... . BS ... .



Its not all one sided BOTH sides need to stop and remember what we are ALL trying to do.



DavidTD... ... . Amen



Neal ... . take the chip off your shoulder man. You come in blasting people and then want to talk about how we should all get along??????





I want to challange ALL OF YOU to be the better man/woman Oo.



Stop BLASTING each other ... . If you are pro DHRA then chat with fellow DHRA members and if you are going to say something to a NHRDA member than be polite about it, and the same for NHRDA ... ... .

 

[R-N-R]

Tough Topic

As hard as this is, I for one am glad that it has hit the surface. The underlaying issues have been clogging up otherwise great information and conversation. Civil war in any industry is very distracting and really screws up friendships.



I believe that there are three sides to every story: Yours, Mine, and the Truth. However there are at least five sides to this issue. A Competitor, DHRA Executives, and Promotor/Vendor have layed their cards on the table. The Fans can always be counted on to share their $0. 02.



I hope that the NHRdA also responds with the level of professionalism that has recently been demonstrated.



Bill

 

[CMNS PWR]

I hope that the NHRdA also responds with the level of professionalism that has recently been demonstrated.

Bill

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

 

[Twisted Shifter]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

Now see that what starts this and fuels the fire, if you cant be positive then dont say anythng. Its not a hard thing to do.



Something all of you need to remember ... ... ... these words show ZERO emotion... In your mind its a jab or a poke, but when the guy on the other end reads it he thinks he is being attacked.



STOP IT ..... :-{} ... ... ... ... . Dont make me stop this car .....

 

[ob1kobi]

What really bothers me is all you DHRA guys crying that all the NHRDA guys do is snipe at you. You guys come in and claim to be saints... . BS ... .



Its not all one sided BOTH sides need to stop and remember what we are ALL trying to do.



DavidTD... ... . Amen



Neal ... . take the chip off your shoulder man. You come in blasting people and then want to talk about how we should all get along??????





I want to challange ALL OF YOU to be the better man/woman Oo.



Stop BLASTING each other ... . If you are pro DHRA then chat with fellow DHRA members and if you are going to say something to a NHRDA member than be polite about it, and the same for NHRDA ... ... .

Twisted, nice post except I fail to see how you can say this:

What really bothers me is all you DHRA guys crying that all the NHRDA guys do is snipe at you. You guys come in and claim to be saints... . BS. .

and this:

Stop BLASTING each other ... . If you are pro DHRA then chat with fellow DHRA members and if you are going to say something to a NHRDA member than be polite about it, and the same for NHRDA . .

in the same post. Maybe I am misreading what you meant to say, which is easy to do on here, but it seems that you just did the same thing that your tring to prevent.



?

 

[CMNS PWR]

Now see that what starts this and fuels the fire, if you cant be positive then dont say anythng. Its not a hard thing to do.

Previous actions necessitate that comment. Until an intelligent, well thought out, non-damning post is made, I hold fast to that statement. "Freedom of speech, unless it offends someone. "

 

[Fletcher]

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

 

[ob1kobi]

nice post Fletcher.

 

[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

 

[Rhondasway]

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.

Neal

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.

Many of you are admitted "new" to diesel performance or diesel racing. Years ago, especially with the growth of the internet, racers have tried to compare their achievements with others across the country. This was impossible because there were no rules. There was no way to compare ride for ride, time for time because we had to depend on the achiever to tell us the truth which in many cases did not happen. So how do you fix it? Form a racing organization, write rules, and race. DHRA did that. How many asked if Fletcher's 10. 13 was done with N2O? How many have asked what he weighs? Has anyone gotten a straight answer. And even if you get it, how do you know he is being honest? I'm not calling Bill a liar, I am simply stating that NHRA rules allow any weight and N2O. So in this case any racer can tell you what they want you to know. People ask these questions so they can COMPARE his achievements to their own.



NHRda says they follow NHRA rules. Since NHRA has no diesel class, that means you follow GENERIC NHRA rules. No weight standards, you can run N2O or whatever you want because all they will care about basically is shirt, shoes, long pants, helmet if you run under 14. 0 and cage if you run under 12. 0, and the appropriate license/certification if you are that fast, until they don't want you, then they will pick the rules apart to exclude you. Example, NHRA had a crankshaft rule that would have eliminated ANY solid front axle 4x4 truck from their tracks. Luckily for us, those same NHRA tech inspectors never enforced the rule (in most cases because they didn't know the rules enough to realize their WAS a rule). When DHRA went about writing their rules, every rule from NHRA was looked at and modified to fit OUR style of racing. The crankshaft rule was one of them. NHRA signed off on the rules. When Rhonda was challenged in the NW, I remember all of the banter about WHO fixed it. Let me tell you this. Without the DHRA rule book having increased the height limit to which NHRA agreed to, Rhonda would have either had a long fight to get the rule changed or would have watched the racing from the stands. I don't care what anyone says, NHRA will not just change rules due to a racers complaint. This is just one example of WHY we need our own organization for diesel racing.

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.

 

[Sled Puller]

Well its come full circle- He said/ She said!!!





I think this thread proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, SLED PULLERS are the better sportsmen!!!!

 

[sbentz]

Heck, I guess I might as well jump in.



1. For the record, we were paid to go to the Indy DHRA event, and yes, I did get the check, and thanks! We got paid to go to other events around the country, and try to put on the best show we can for the fans and my sponsors. It's about the marketing, guys, and the racing. Got to have both.



2. We are not a member of the DHRA, DDRA, nor the NHRdA. Why? Dustin and I are members of the NHRA, get the insurance, a nice magazine, (National Dragster) a pin a patch and a decal. Since there is not a reason to gather points in our exibition car, no reason to join anything else. I'm out of room on the car for decals, anyway.



3. We support all and any diesel events, enthusiasts, and fans. My deal is simply a promotional tool to have a bit of fun with, and to see how fast we can go on my limited budget (and intelligence).



4. I find this exchange interesting, as there are some new facts surfacing, and as we all know, in the end, only the facts matter. I have had a few conversations with NHRA, and a few race tracks, and they do not fully understand the entire diesel "deal". They are learning, too, and are watching us all.



5. The Thunder Mountain Truck Fest in Denver at Bandimere Speedway is not sanctioned by anyone, and for a reason. At this time, the track saw no advantage. We have a large attendance, and all and any are welcome. It is a NHRA track, and the tech uses NHRA rules. While we sponsor the event through Cummins Rocky Mountain, I have no direct oversight on the rules, tech, who is there, bracket arrangements, or anything else. I am not a promoter, just the sponsor. We just invite our guests, and have fun.



6. I see reasons for the NHRdA, DHRA, and DDRA. Each is trying to fill a need for their members. Each one serves a different group, or interest, or need. It is no different than the other groups that have put together a "club", or organization to promote a sport, and focus on what they feel is important. So, who is best, and who will win in the end? The one that serves the customer best. Who is the customer? The spectator, and the racers. That is where NHRA is struggling internally. Many of the sportsman racers are feeling left out, and only the pro's are getting attention and assistance. Let me say that last year was a memory I will not forget, running Vegas, Bandimere, and Pomona national Events with the Diesel Dragster. But the stress of a national event is more than I ever thought is would be.



7. OK, the point of this rant? Get out there, race, and support your local track and whatever sanctioning group you feel serves you best. But PROMOTE THE SPORT! Get your fellow diesel owners out there, pulling and dragging.

 

[DavidTD]

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.

Rhonda my comment about comparing rides is a simple function of competition and human nature. Especially when people say World Record run, Worlds fastest, most powerful, or any other statement of pride, human nature takes over and comparisons or challenges begin.



I never said you would cry and surrender because of the crankshaft rule. I also never have read or heard where Eric took credit for the entire deal. All I remember was he said he was flattered they used the DHRA rules to amend the NHRA rules. And what I said in my original post was meant to read as, with a rule precedent already established and approved by NHRA for diesel trucks, no matter who that was for, I am sure that had impact on an official NHRA ruling once there was an issue with the existing rule. I am sure everyone that contacted NHRA about this issue whether influential or not had some level of influence on their decision to change the rule.



I think from what I have read here there are many deep feelings on both sides that most of us (or me anyway) don't know about or need to know. But from a racer standpoint where is it gonna end? How do we fix what is perceived by many as NHRdA vs DHRA based on personal agendas on both sides? Can it happen? Anyone have a suggestion?

 

[DavidTD]

7. OK, the point of this rant? Get out there, race, and support your local track and whatever sanctioning group you feel serves you best. But PROMOTE THE SPORT! Get your fellow diesel owners out there, pulling and dragging.

Perfect. :-laf

 

[fest3er]

[Edit: Oops. I didn't mean to quote Rhonda's whole post!]



Rhonda,



Where in God's name did I come up with 'Fleming'? It's 'Kelly' I should have used (from the last correspondence I had from you, and not knowing your name appears to have changed in the meantime. )



You are correct, and I was wrong to impugn your name and honor and drag you into this quagmire. I misremembered. I humbly apologize. You clearly had your reasons for walking away from the DHRA, and you did so, quietly.



Your interests do seem to be in the competitive side of drag racing (as opposed to the political side), and judging from your lastest accomplishment, you are doing quite well. And the fact that you are treated well speaks well of you and the tracks where you race. But the fact remains that diesels are treated with disdain and disrespect in many places. That is one of the reasons we formed DHRA and the main reason we added sled pulling to our rules.



Anything negative from Eric was borne from the deep frustration of trying and failing, several times, to get some regular organized diesel racing events going out west. To those who have asked why we haven't done anything out west, we tried. And tried. But it's something that just can't be done long-distance.



Last year, we realized that divisional racing just couldn't work, mostly because we were asking far too much of our divisional directors. That's the main reason we dropped divisions this year and switched to member tracks. Just as there are those who want to race their diesels against anyone, there are others who want to drag race against other diesels. And bracket racing is great, and a great equalizer, but there are enough folks who want to race heads-up; hence our Pro-Street Shootout and the rules governing vehicle equippage. In bracket racing, E/T really doesn't matter much, but in heads-up, E/T is everything. If someone has a truck that weighs 4000# and all the others weight 6000#, the 4000# truck will nearly always win, and the others will stop competing, and the race will die. With rules governing weights and equippage, the E/Ts will be kept much closer, the winner really can't be predicted in advance, and the spectators will fun trying to guess who will win.



I'm surprised you couldn't find anyone to build loops. Surely there are sled pulled out there who could have fabricated something. And I'm certain any of the midwest or southeast racers would have fabricated a set of loops for you. But that's water under the bridge, as they say. As to the loops rule change, I thought that change was going to be incorporated in the next year's rules; I didn't think it was supposed to be a mid-season change.



Again, Rhonda, please accept my apologies. I was wrong.



----



To all readers:



Now, related to at least one root of all this brouhaha, we do need to support the diesel community at large. I've added a 'Diesel News Desk' to the DHRA web site (linked from the 'Online Activities' section of the navigation panel). If you have a newsworthy story, email the text and/or pictures. And be sure to include enough information so we can properly credit the writers and photographers. If the story is copyrighted, please obtain permission for us to display it before sending it in.



Neal