The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

I'M BACK! That's right, folks. After putting the Jeep back together and doing a lot of reading on various websites, I have just one question for all of you: Where is this sport going?! I have read sooo many different and exciting ideas about how to improve the sport, but who will lead us to this promised land? The NMRO? Not! The MRA? I wonder? From what I have read, the MRA seems to be heading in its own direction and away from what I thought and felt was its true calling, the representation of the racer. If I have a problem with or suggestion about Class 3 then who do I talk to? Something else I found very interesting is the absence of some very high profile names from the rep list. Why is this? What would happen if the MRA suggests rule changes or an increase in payout? Would there be some type of strike or is this just a paper tiger? In my opinion, the last thing the sport needs right now is another sanctioning body. It needs LEADERSHIP and UNITY!!!!! Being from the Northeast, I have been fortunate to have Mike Zibella promoting races for the past few years. Every year it is the same thing: good tracks, decent money, no racers. In 2005, the NMRO had a points race at the Chatham fairgrounds and there were only 3 (yes 3) more Class 3 entries than normal. Ask Mike how he did at that race financially. Fast Mud Promotions had their lowest Class 3 turnout ever at the second race in 2007. Again good track, more money than NMRO, and no racers. One word can sum all this up and that is Stagnation! No hobby, sport or business will survive in an era of $3.50 plus for diesel fuel and 5 times that for racing gas without growth. While this column may sound like a pessimistic rant, it comes from my passion for this sport and my concern that the sport of mud racing will never outgrow its boutique status in the world of motorsports. To those who can effect change, I have one final word and that is that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. The NHRA made that choice in 1982 and look where their Pro Stock class is today. I would like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends and to all of our servicemen and women keeping this country great. That's all for now.