With all the cut backs the goverment is making the big 3 do. I think alot of the big teams will be forced to make big cuts also. Speaking of FORCE. Oh John might have to go back to running one or two cars. Not 3 & 4. Whats your thought on this. I'd like to hear. Has anyone heard anything else about this?:sad::confused::(

hey I need imput here. Come on I need to know. ha ha ha

Certainly the manufacturers will have to spend their advertising dollars more wisely. But much of the research and developement is done in the aftermarket now, so I don't think the teams will lose much in the way of tech and parts support. Everything is pretty much costom built for a specific purpose. The cars may sport a GM or Ford or Chrysler badge, but very little is actually manufactured by Detroit auto makers.

GM Performance Parts and their counterparts at the other companies may be the ones who really feel the brunt of any cutbacks, since they're customer base consists of people like us, and the weekend drag racers, the racers who aren't in the same league as Force and Pedrigon, Warren Johnson etc etc.

The top three classes then of the NHRA probably won't be affected as much as everyone else who runs in the lower classifications.

Ford has DIRECTLY paid for 90% of Force's facility and almost everything inside. They even paid for the machine centers that the team uses to machine the blocks, heads and who knows what else. We're taking millions here and that's just one team. And, I'll say a very good team who's earned every bit of it. The result of the current economic situation will probably be similar to "back in the day" when the auto makers announced NO MORE RACING, but ran the teams out the "back door" with people like Holman-Moody, etc. A bigger issue is the affect that this same economy has or will have on the fans. If there's no butts in the seats, due to travel costs, lack of investment in sponsors on their daily drivers, etc., it will be a tough time on the promoters and after market suppliers.

well according to the local romur mill John has been looking for a reason to retire and let his daughter drive while he manages the team now might be the right time and excuse.

Ford has DIRECTLY paid for 90% of Force's facility and almost everything inside. They even paid for the machine centers that the team uses to machine the blocks, heads and who knows what else. We're taking millions here and that's just one team. And, I'll say a very good team who's earned every bit of it.

If they already "paid for ", then its done... I think the problem will be future money for "advertising", good old sponsorship. I love NHRA, but I don't think the draw is anywhere near NASCAR, etc... If Ford (et al) only have a limited advertising budget, I could see NHRA sponsorships being curtailed before NASCAR and alot of TV/print ads... IMO, its not like the "win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" of the past...

I wonder how teams like Warren and Kurt Johnson will do IF sponsorship were eliminated...

The result of the current economic situation will probably be similar to "back in the day" when the auto makers announced NO MORE RACING, but ran the teams out the "back door" with people like Holman-Moody, etc.

I don't see it as such... "back in the day", didn't GM, etc pull out of racing to avoid the Gov't breaking GM apart as a monopoly (wasn't "banning" racing was done to appease the Gov't)??? Its not like these teams (Pro classes) are using much, if any "Big 3" developed hardware any longer, so there's not much stuff to come out the "back door"... Its now about the sponsorship dollar...

A bigger issue is the affect that this same economy has or will have on the fans. If there's no butts in the seats, due to travel costs, lack of investment in sponsors on their daily drivers, etc., it will be a tough time on the promoters and after market suppliers.

I didn't really think of this until this post, but I hope this isn't the death knoll for the NHRA...

I love the NHRA, and the events I have been to were pretty packed, but IF companies (Autolite, O'Reilly's, Checker, AAA, Summit, etc) start pulling sponsorship $$$, or even Coke/Full Throttle, then it could get ugly...

Warren and Kurt have already lost their GM and Delco deals and are looking for sponsorship. In the last week, 3 more fuel teams have been parked also.

Warren and Kurt have already lost their GM and Delco deals and are looking for sponsorship. In the last week, 3 more fuel teams have been parked also.

Wow,who are the fuel teams that are parked?

RB2b, Melanie Troxle, The Cat Team with Rod Fuller closed up shop, and JR Todd (lucas)and Grubnic (Kalitta) have been parked until funding or limited schedule. Snap on left Herbert, Monster, Rock Star gone too.

My roomate worked for a top fuel team this year that lost their sponsorship due to contract being up. He's now having to look for another job.

Thanks,Whats RB2b?

RB2B Motorsports, they are the team owners for Melanie.

sounds like n.h.r.a.
might have to,
care about the little guy racer now..
he!! it's been years since thats happened

sounds like n.h.r.a.
might have to,
care about the little guy racer now..
he!! it's been years since thats happened

Still won't happen. They think there bread and butter is the big televised events and they are only profitable because of the "PRO" classes. They don't care about the little tracks with there Fri/Sat night "weekend racers". They only notice the one BIG once a month check not the hundred little weekly ones.

As for the PRO teams. With all of the sponsors involved and the manufactures having little input in the R&D at those levels, I don't see them and the "big 3 bailout" having much effect. But the economy is effecting everyone and I can see many other sponsors pulling out or cutting back there funding as contracts run out..

Still won't happen. They think there bread and butter is the big televised events and they are only profitable because of the "PRO" classes. They don't care about the little tracks with there Fri/Sat night "weekend racers". They only notice the one BIG once a month check not the hundred little weekly ones.

As for the PRO teams. With all of the sponsors involved and the manufactures having little input in the R&D at those levels, I don't see them and the "big 3 bailout" having much effect. But the economy is effecting everyone and I can see many other sponsors pulling out or cutting back there funding as contracts run out..

Some thoughts on this post and the responses.

It has not been "Win on Sunday sell on Monday" for years. People are not buying front wheel drive eco sidewinders and Sport UTEs based on a Ford /GM / Mopar logo on some custom made one of a kind race car.

Racing will have to rethink itself (both Nascar and NHRA) because the huge $$$$$ the manufacturers dump into the teams in exchange for having a logo on the above mentioned one of a kind race car is gonn a stop.

The manufacturers are not doing development on anything that goes into fuel dragsters and fuel comp Funny cars so that kind of parts development will not slow. The manufacturers are providing the $$$$ for the fancy equipment like the machine tools and flow benches and dynos. Once those fancy tools wear out or become obsolete the development of better race parts will slow down but that is not gonna happen opvernight.

Things like GM Perf Parts operation might go bye bye. Get your 502 now guys. In point of fact however most of this stuff is available over the counter at places like Summit and in some cases there are GM logos / part numbers on parts designed and made at places like Edelbrock. That stuff will remain as will products from places like Brodix and Trick Flow and such. Taking GM or Ford or Mopar out of the racing sponsorship equation is not going to effect parts availability in the least for the pro teams. The little guy sportsman racer is going to be faced with potentially more expensive stuff when the Big 3 disappear as turn key crate engine suppliers however.

NHRA and for that matter NASCAR may have to rethink the fan whos butt is in the stands because the big PRO team shows will indeed slow down. The slowdown will not be because of lack of parts or machine tools but rather because the $$$$$$ that pay the salaries of guys like Force and Austin Coil and others will dry up. That might not be so bad for the sportsman guys although guys like Force and Coil and will miss their salaries for sure.

Sportsman oriented racing is the roots of NHRA and it might not be so bad to see more emphasis on the small weekend racer. I for one am tired of the TV coverage of only Fuel cars and Pro Street and Funy Cars. They are cool to see in person (once in awhile and fopr a short while) but who can really relate to the cars on any kind of personal "I could own / build one of those myself" level ? The answer is that nobody can relate to the huge investments that go into these PRO cars! Fewer of the PRO level cars might put more Sportsman racers in front of the fans and that in turn might up the level of grass roots interest in racing.

Then we have the NASCAR PRO teams. Same issue there.... mega buck one of a kind custom race cars with possibly a windshield or even possibly a genuine OEM logo from the "manufacturer" !!!! Nascar has alot more to lose because there is no real "sportsman" alternative to the mega buck cars with the exception I guess of last years megabuck pro car that is now in the hands of this years sportsman racer. NHRA has lots of cars in the potential race "field" because there are still thousands of old Chevelles and GTOs and what not out there in the hinterland. NASCAR does not have that luxury. NASCAR is SOOOOOO in bed with the big bucks teams who build cars from a pile of raw steel they will be hard placed to find a way back to their roots.

sounds like n.h.r.a.
might have to,
care about the little guy racer now..
he!! it's been years since thats happened

:yes: I hope!!! They have priced me out of Super Gas racing :mad:

Thats SAD too hear. I really like it the way it was. If I watch 4 races a yr. I'm doing good. Before I NEVER missed a race. Nothing for any thing. Now who cares