[433lemans]

Somethings happening...maybe not so good?

[SRGN]

https://www.dragzine.com/event-cover...ee-departures/

[mgarblik]

I always root for the underdog. But at almost 70 years old, this isn't my first rodeo. For anyone who happened to be at the PRI show this past year, the IHRA presence and their "grand plan" was clearly way, way over ambitious. They were sponsoring every type of motorsport in existence. 2 wheels, 4 wheels, on dirt, on asphalt, in circles, on a drag strip, on water, you name it. Over and over I heard the new ownership had "unlimited money and could buy and sell the NHRA 100 times over". Well, as it turns out, their is a limit to every fortune, just ask General Motors. I hope they can regroup, consolidate, and concentrate on their core objective, which should be drag racing. Make that work first, then expand to conquer the world if they want. Advice from one old geezer. I want them to succeed.

[ponjohn]

Scaled too fast.

[Mike Davis]

I can tell you first hand that the IHRA is not dead. Mostly a restructure movement. Too many internet warriors posting what they think is going on but don't have a clue. Direction forward is to get the drag series on stable ground. Past people in charge that were let go/ fired had a vested interest in the boat series and dedicated most resources toward that series.
Mr. Cuttell is passionate about the sport.
Trying to get local county departments in gear to approve site plans, permits etc on the timeline of IHRA has not been easy.

It is not a money issue more of a project managing issue.

Secondly people complain there was not a series to run in and demanded high payouts. Daryl gave them that but said people failed to show up to race.
Everyone wants to go racing until it's time to go racing. I put 15-20k a year on a motorhome to support the hobby. I have also worked for the IHRA in a contractual position since December 2025.

Internet streaming has killed the spectator attendance at the track.

[mgarblik]

I am glad they have abandoned the boat racing, at least for now. The giant hydroplane they had at PRI made a huge visual presentation. But it wasn't a legal unlimited hydroplane, or part of the APBA, (American Power Boat Association) Their display boat was part of some niche racing series they were creating or trying to reform. I follow unlimited hydroplane racing and have been to the Madison Regatta several times. It's a niche sport. Extremely cool to watch but nothing like drag racing in scope or potential ROI in my opinion. I could just feel the money draining down a giant black hole while spending time talking to the guys manning the booth at PRI. Hopefully, they will get things straightened out and be a serious challenge to the NHRA as planned. Again, I am a cheerleader for the IHRA. Competition is always good.