So there's a good chance if you're into the modern racing scene especially grudge/street racing - you're probably familiar with all the buzz around the NHRA's bout with participants in the Discovery Channel's Street Outlaws series.
On February 13th, the NHRA sent out letters to racers featured on the Street Outlaws show who also possess NHRA racing licenses. These letters essentially threaten to revoke these licenses due to their involvement in promoting illegal street racing. The same letters were received by all who have participated.
See the letter below:
The NHRA has received massive backlash from the racing community over their choice of action. Many of those who have received the letter have scoffed at it and basically issued a "Do your worst" to the NHRA. Others feel under pressure in a tough spot wanting to keep their licenses and ability to race at NHRA sanctioned tracks.
It's important to remember the NHRA's core mission. The NHRA was founded by racers who predominantly raced on the streets and recognized a need to work together to promote official tracks being established and maintained for a safe fun place to race. Thus the NHRA was born and many tracks came about. Over the years the NHRA has evolved into the primary authority when it comes to drag racing all around the country with a huge number of NHRA sanctioned tracks.
The backlash over the NHRA's shot at Street Outlaws comes with many people saying the NHRA is overstepping its boundaries and authority. It has been pointed out that the NHRA's Mello Yello racing series featured on ESPN is pulling in barely a fraction of the ratings that Discovery's Street Outlaws series has been generating.
One thing to keep in mind as well is that in recent years there has been a huge spike in popularity for grudge, no prep, or "run what you brung!" styles of racing which often end up involving racing on the streets as well as racing on a track.
Is it possible that people are just getting bored with the often predictable styles of racing that the NHRA promotes? People are enjoying the thrill and unpredictable nature that come with grudge/no-prep/street racing. The NHRA does have a market in any of these and thus as their fan base grows the NHRA's shrinks.
So, as many have raised the question - is it about money? Is the NHRA bitter that they are losing not only money but also the "control" they've had over much of the drag racing community over the years?
Thom Taylor, over at HotRod.com, wrote about a call they had to Geno Effler, the head of PR for the NHRA, to get some feedback about the whole situation. Geno laughed when asked if it was about the poor ratings of their show vs Street Outlaws and said it just boiled down to the fact they felt that Street Outlaws was reflecting poorly on them and their mission about being against street racing.
It's also important to keep in mind that on Street Outlaws - while the racing action is set up to look like illegal street racing, it is common knowledge even among all the fans that it is staged. The racing itself is very real. However the show receives permits to use the sections of road/highway that is being used for racing. Off camera they do also have tech inspections for vehicles and on-site medical/fire staff in case of emergencies.
So granted there is no actual street racing going on - however the NHRA maintains that the way the show is presented in the end still promotes street racing. It's easy to see their point from that end as when the show is aired it is presented as illegal street racing.
Many fans and recipients of the letters believe the NHRA is stepping out of bounds with these actions. Racers have stated that they aren't going to let the NHRA tell them what they can and can't do when they aren't at an NHRA sanctioned track.
Either way it's safe to say that from the reactions of fans and many of
the participants in Street Outlaws that the show isn't going anywhere.
Many are calling the NHRA's bluff and even if they do follow through and
revoke licenses - many have claimed they simply don't care.
It's highly unlikely this battle is over yet and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
What is your opinion? Is the NHRA overstepping their boundaries? Has Street Outlaws gone too far in their promotion of street racing? Tell us what you think!
