NHRA & the Big Island

[Ed Douglas]

On Thursday, Jan 26th, Mike Rice, the new NHRA Pacific Division Director, visited the Big Island and did a track inspection of the Hilo Dragstrip. He was in Hawaii to visit Maui and Kauai to do track inspections and certify chassis. I asked him to come to the Big Island and he graciously did so.

I spent the day with him and we discussed the the NHRA and its programs. After completing the inspection of the Hilo Dragstrip, I had a chance to sit down and talk to him about the Big Island and the NHRA. Mike pointed out clearly that the NHRA would like to have the Big Island back as a NHRA track. He went on further to say that due to the current IHRA sanction, the NHRA would not share the track with the IHRA due to legal liability reasons, as was mentioned before.

Mike informed me that the NHRA has increased its membership substantially and has added new tracks and facilities each month. New racing and bracket programs have been developed and are being implemented this year. Mike gave me the 2006 Track Operators Manual to study and familiarize myself about the programs. He went on to say that he and NHRA Vice President Graham Light are committed to the Hawaii racers and regret that due to the legal reasons had to pull out of the Big Island.

While there are several national racing organizations that the HMRA - Hawaii Motorsports Racers Association can use and have been approached, I came away from meeting Mike that the best racing program for the Big Island is to go with the NHRA. We have set two goals for the HMRA.

First Goal; We are going to get our own equipment first, as I mentioned last month this is really the only way to go. We show up with our own Christmas Tree, computers, lights, wiring harness, equipment, sweepers, sprayers, run the race, when we are done, take it all home. This way there will be no hassles or arguments with anyone or any group - we use our own equipment.

Second Goal: Return of NHRA Drag Racing to the Big Island. We are patient and will continue to pursue this goal. We asked to apply for and pay a deposit for a sanction, Mike related that it was not needed and that he would inform us of the proper time to file for the sanction.

How long will this take, don't know. When the HMRA does hold events, we will do our best to put on the best drag races on the Big Island.

If anyone has questions or would like to talk to me more about the NHRA, please contact me on my cell phone at 895-1676, or via email at : himotor@verizon.net

Aloha and take care....
Ed Douglas
President
HMRA - Hawaii Motorsports Racers Association

[Bigisle87]

aloha, ed. just wanted to say thanks for putting out the effort to get an NHRA sanction for the big island. i know of some of the problems that have happened in the past, but that is not the reason for the post.

to get things clear for some who may not understand, i have a few questions.

1)because of legalities, it seems NHRA will NOT share a track that is currently sanctioned by the IHRA, is this correct?

2) because there is no way that they will share sanctioning for this same facility, basically there will be no NHRA drag races put on by the HMRA, or for that fact, any other club or organization on the big island UNTIL the IHRA pulls out of this facility, right?

3) if this is not going to happen with the NHRA, how feasible is it for the HMRA to approach the IHRA to go under them, and under possibly a different series of races, perhaps? i know the BIAC and BIHRA share the track under the IHRA sanction. why wouldnt you be able to, providing you dont need to depend on them for equipment, (like you said, you would provide your own)..

if you could elaborate, im sure theres more than a few sets of eyes watching this effort of yours, and would also like to know.

thanks!

[Ed Douglas]

Aloha Bigisle 87

Thanks for making you comments, it is good. Let's take a look at all of this;

First: The NHRA will not share a track with the IHRA due to legal concerns, I spoke with the HMRA's attorney on this matter last year, and he related that it is correct. If a crash or incident should occur at a facility sanctioned by the IHRA that is also sanctioned by the NHRA, the NHRA will be named in the lawsuit as well. By the same token, if it is an NHRA sanctioned track that would also be sanctioned by the IHRA and an incident happened there, the IHRA will be in the lawsuit as well. This is just how our legal system goes. Thus as long as the track is IHRA sanctioned, no NHRA sanctioning.

Second: This is the most important, I have not been idle since I had a parting of ways with the BIAC last year, that is in the past and I will not bother bringing it up any further. I took two trips to the mainland just on this matter. I spoke with several national drag racing organizations about sanctioning, I have taken a hard look at getting my own IHRA sanction.

I spoke with several national racing publications editorial staff who I got to know over the years, such as "Drag Racer" and "National Speed Sport News" they all related that they felt the NHRA was the premier drag racing organization and the best way to go.

What it really came down to me and those who have support the HMRA was what was best for the racers and fans, what was the best organization for drag racing.......

We feel it is the NHRA.

You are correct in saying that there will be no NHRA racing until the IHRA pulls out of Hawaii. This issue will really be decided by the racers and the fans themselves, they are the ones who will ultimately decide what organization will be here on the Big Island.

I am patient, the decision to go forward and seek the NHRA as the sanctioning body was not done lightly, it was done after talking to a lot of folks here on the Big Island who want to see the return of the NHRA, hours and hours of research and comparing facts and information.

If the IHRA does pull out of Hawaii, and the NHRA does come back, there is no objection by the HMRA to any other organization getting their own NHRA sanction. I believe that with the people who support the HMRA's efforts we can put on a superb and exciting drag racing series. That means there will be three drag racing series going on, more than enough drag racing for everyone.

When will this all happen? I don't know, as I mentioned I am patient and will continued to strive for the two goals I have set; [1] Getting our own equipment and [2] Getting the NHRA back on the Big Island.

While on the subject of racing, I am also working to get another site to hold off-road racing such as the "Ke Koa Hao - Iron Warrior" Series. I have decided not to use the stock car oval due to a variety of reasons which have arisen about the usage of the oval track. More on this later.

Take care
Ed Douglas
President
Hawaii Motorsports Racers Association - HMRA
Phone: 895-1676
Email: himotor@verizon.net

[Bigisle87]

Aloha Ed,

again, i'd like to be one of the many who have already thanked you for your continued effort to look out for the racers in the community, and to give them the another opportunity to come in and race their cars (which really,is all most of us racers want in the first place)
you made all your points very clear in your response to my questions, and im sure many will be able to appreciate what you've strived for so far. i hope that things all go through soon, and you'll be able to go on promoting quality venues for local racers to go to. i've been to quite a few of your drag racing related events, and must say that they are usually very organized and run in a timely fashion (something you and your crew should be proud of).
thanks again, and many of us look forward to hearing more on this situation when information becomes available.

[Ed Douglas]

Aloha BigIsle87

Thanks again, I have a long road ahead of me and I appreciate the support I have been getting. I remain focus on my two goals, Equipment and the NHRA. I will keep everyone posted as things happen.

I will also be starting a newsletter that will be in the Big Island auto parts stores shortly, not everyone uses the internet so I want to be sure that I reach as many as I can.

Again, thanks......
Ed Douglas
President
HMRA - Hawaii Motorsports Racers Association
Phone: 895-1676
Email: himotor@verizon.net

[mountain man]

Aloha Ed,

With your quality of shows that you put on, you should have no problem getting the support you need. I'm behind you 100%, I'm willing to help you out.

Aloha,

[Ed Douglas]

Mountain Man

Thanks, I have received a lot of calls and emails of support, apparently there is a lot of folks who want to see the return of the NHRA to the Big Island.

Time will tell where this all goes. We have a sponsor who will do the wiring harness that will be trailer mounted for the timing system so that it can be removed at the end of the races.

Also we have decided that a LED Christmas Tree will be obtained. The NHRA tech staff has been super helpful on some tips for the portable timing and wiring system, which we have learned is quite common for many of the mainland tracks.

Please keep up the comments and suggestions coming, anyone can call or email me at any time......

Aloha
Ed Douglas
President
HMRA - Hawaii Motorsports Racers Association
PHONE: 895-1676
Email: himotor@verizon.net