NOPI Drag by NHRA Confirmed

[BLK JDM]

Well as discussed on many other forums yesterday it has been disclosed at SEMA that the NOPI will be running/handling all the NHRA sport compact races next season. Read on this is a quote from www.NHRAImport.com:

At the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NHRA announced that beginning in 2008, the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body will combine forces with NOPI Motorsports to sanction sport compact drag racing events at NOPI events. The new sport compact race series will be called NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA.

“This is a logical step for sport compact drag racing,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. “Bringing together NHRA and its 50-plus years of experience in conducting competitive drag racing events, and NOPI’s lifestyle activities and events, results in one series that can meet the needs of all the fans, sponsors and the entire racing community.”


As part of the sanctioning agreement, NOPI drag racing events held at NHRA member tracks will be conducted under NHRA rules. Competition and technical matters onsite at these events will be overseen by NHRA representatives. NHRA will declare a winner at those events and keep points towards NOPI championships in each category. At NOPI Drag Racing Series events held at non-NHRA member tracks, NHRA will not sanction nor will points be accumulated towards championships.


NOPI Motorsports and NHRA will develop classes to ensure that all cars that competed in the NHRA Xplod Drag Racing Series in 2007 will have a place to race in the NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA in 2008.


“NHRA’s mission is to preserve and promote the sport of drag racing,” said Darcy. “Working with NOPI Motorsports on sports compact racing is intended to further that mission.”


“This is an exciting time for NOPI Motorsports and the whole NOPI family,” said Mike Meyers, president, NOPI Motorsports. “We have worked extremely hard over the years to develop a strong racing series for our racers, fans and sponsors. This partnership with NHRA is going to allow us to have the best racing series ever imagined. I’m personally excited to be part of racing history, which is exactly what’s happening with the NOPI Motorsports and NHRA partnership.”


The 2008 schedule for the NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA will be announced at a later date.


Founded in 1966, NOPI (Number One Parts, Incorporated) is one of the country’s leading parts distributors in the $2.3 billion market for sport-compact automobile accessories. The NDRA is the hottest and most innovative sport-compact drag racing series in the U.S. today. The country’s top drag racers come together for 10 races each year and compete for more than $2.5 million and a $140,000 in yearend prize money. At each NDRA event, sport compact fans can spend the entire day and most of the evening at the track enjoying incredible drag racing action, car shows, swimsuit competitions, burnout contests and concerts with some of hottest names in entertainment.

[SPOOLIN]

yeah right like anyone on here gives a FFFUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK.

[BLK JDM]

There's plenty of people who care but just don't post. They read threads for information. I didn't post this up for your know it all ass. YOU ALREADY KNOW. I posted this up for the many people that come on this site to find out info.

If you're gonna rant at least rant about how good it is or how much it sux!!

[SPOOLIN]

Dude im just f u c k i n g around calm down. ok, theres 1% here that actually cares. I think its "ok" but in another way, NHRA SAID "F U C K YOU" to all of us.

[Bballjamal]

Something else for Nopi to **** up

[BLK JDM]

Dude im just f u c k i n g around calm down. ok, theres 1% here that actually cares. I think its "ok" but in another way, NHRA SAID "F U C K YOU" to all of us.

I definitely agree w/ you on that one!! Once Wally died NHRA got rid of all their "debts." It's sad that NHRA doesn't see growth or industry in sport compacts.

I hope NOPI doesn't do as it does now and have all the favoritism BS that it shows in it's drifting and some of it racing. I hope that there will be a big growth in some of the classes. NHRA doesn't have classes for RWD cars w/ aftermarket trans like AAP's Supras and Mahdavi's Supra or even Dave's Supra. But NDRA has classes for that but they also allow all those damn domestics to run. But Sport Compacts can't run at any NHRA Outlaw events. It's just all messed up until the figure out the rules.

[4dmin]

nice about time... now we can have NOPI at our event w/o any issues -

[B18c1Turboed]

O well thats the way the cookies crumble.... I guess all we can do is adapt ot the new races... I think everyone is jumping the gun. there are NO rules, no schedules no anything. this might benfit everyone, it might not.But until it comes out who will know!!!!


All i know is Nopi can race in Commerce now, so they better not make any excuses for not coming to atlanta now!!!

[4dmin]

O well thats the way the cookies crumble.... I guess all we can do is adapt ot the new races... I think everyone is jumping the gun. there are NO rules, no schedules no anything. this might benfit everyone, it might not.But until it comes out who will know!!!!


All i know is Nopi can race in Commerce now, so they better not make any excuses for not coming to atlanta now!!!

^ no doubt

[BLK JDM]

O well thats the way the cookies crumble.... I guess all we can do is adapt ot the new races... I think everyone is jumping the gun. there are NO rules, no schedules no anything. this might benfit everyone, it might not.But until it comes out who will know!!!!


All i know is Nopi can race in Commerce now, so they better not make any excuses for not coming to atlanta now!!!

Now that they're linked w/ NHRA I guarantee you they'll have more excuses than ever now. We should see races at Commerce, Valdosta, Rockingham, Bristol, Moroso, and Virginia. I almost certain that they won't have races at half these tracks next season. We'll see the same excuses like last year about these tracks not being able to facilitate the crowd and Pro's trucks and rigs. That's supposedly why they don't have races at Steele, Reynolds, or Montgomery.

I can see most of next season being up North and out West. NOPI has been trying to push further out West for the last 2 seasons. Look at the 1st 2 races of last season, AZ and TX. Like Glen said NDRA has no loyalty to the South-we've done nothing for them. NDRA and NOPI are separate entities so just b/c us local guys made NOPI what they were back in the day, we didn't do sh i t to make NDRA!! Then they'll add drifting to every event so the drag racers will have evem less of an audience than ever.

I really do hope that NHRA being linked w/ NDRA will make things better for us as racers and spectators but we've all seen NOPIs history. It's hard to give NDRA a break when they've never had the standards of the NHRA. Remember the NDRA will be running/conducting the events. All the NHRA is doing is putting their name on it to make it look better sanctioned. I bet you they'll be a big difference in the races held at the NHRA tracks w/ their officials teching, sanctioning and timing the event compared to the NDRA techs, sanctions, and timing. Mark my words!!! I really hope I'll be taking all that I wrote back next season but deep down inside I don't think so!!!

[B18c1Turboed]

I see it like this, there are only a few people in ATL that would and do race any type of sancation event. And i know none of them raced eighter Nhra or Ndra this year. So basically are opinions dont matter one bit.

We can cry and whine and ***** about it, but what is done is done.. theres no changing it. And not to be a smart ass with you jerel, how many race did you go to this year that where nhra or ndra? See we all want to ***** about it,but we dont even support the races that where there.

[BLK JDM]

I see it like this, there are only a few people in ATL that would and do race any type of sancation event. And i know none of them raced eighter Nhra or Ndra this year. So basically are opinions dont matter one bit.

We can cry and whine and ***** about it, but what is done is done.. theres no changing it. And not to be a smart ass with you jerel, how many race did you go to this year that where nhra or ndra? See we all want to ***** about it,but we dont even support the races that where there.

You're right I didn't go to any race this season. No one else's car was finished nor did anyone just want to go to be a spectator. I'd go and spectate but none of my friends want to just spectate. I don't blame them when they have projects at home needing to get finished. I'm not the type of person to go out of state by myself for a race. I'd go if others went but it's no fun sitting in the stands by yourself. I was supposed to go to any of the races that AAP drove to and didn't fly out to. But at the beginning of the season they hired another tech(Johnny) who decided to go w/ them to the races. It would have been too many people in the truck/trailer. 3 racers/owners, truck driver, tech(johnny), and chassis builder/engineer(Dave Zintara of Dave Zintara Race Cars), oh and sometimes the wives/gfs went.

Plus I've done my time of NDRA loyalty. I've gone to a full season of races w/ NO PAY!! Yes, I didn't have to pay gas, entry fee(that doesn't count b/c racers get a couple tickets anyway for crew), or lodgeing(that doesn't count either b/c we slept in the trailer in sleeping bags w/ no heat, water, or bathrooms) but I was gone 3-5 days at a time w/ no pay. I could have been making money or jacking off but the point is NOPI got my time as a participant, and a lot of times when we got to the track early we'd help the NDRA setup. I doubt many people would do that!!

[B18c1Turboed]

Well like i said what is done is done!!! There no changing the fact now, so i guess we all better be ready to support it,becasue if we dont then there wont be any sanction events for imports anymore.

Sure theres BOTI, Import face off, import showdown and so forth,but they arent on the same level as Ndra or NHRA.. i hope it all works out, i know myself and Peter and Greg where planning to race alot more next year.

**** Peter is even making his car where its legal in the NHRA races.So hopefully it will all work out for the better,but no matter where the races are ill still probly go to a few of them..

[DUBSf22c]

All i know is Nopi can race in Commerce now, so they better not make any excuses for not coming to atlanta now!!!

good bit of praying

[SL65AMG]

does this mean that the races are gonna be ****ed up now???

[SPOOLIN]

i dont want to see drifting at a drag event, when you go to a powerade event, YOU DONT SEE ANYTHING BUT DRAG RACING, LEAVE IT THAT WAY for ANY CAR TYPE. They have to keep SFWD in this "new" body...its the hottest class out there in sportsman. NHRA hasnt even come to commerce yet...they better in 08 have something, its a nice facility and i think its location would encourage a lot of the typical guys to go there. we'll see in december, thats usually when all of this stuff is announced during PRI.

[BLK JDM]

i dont want to see drifting at a drag event, when you go to a powerade event, YOU DONT SEE ANYTHING BUT DRAG RACING, LEAVE IT THAT WAY for ANY CAR TYPE. They have to keep SFWD in this "new" body...its the hottest class out there in sportsman. NHRA hasnt even come to commerce yet...they better in 08 have something, its a nice facility and i think its location would encourage a lot of the typical guys to go there. we'll see in december, thats usually when all of this stuff is announced during PRI.

You took the words right out of my mouth. EXACTLY HOW I FEEL!!

[SL65AMG]

i dont want to see drifting at a drag event, when you go to a powerade event, YOU DONT SEE ANYTHING BUT DRAG RACING, LEAVE IT THAT WAY for ANY CAR TYPE. They have to keep SFWD in this "new" body...its the hottest class out there in sportsman. NHRA hasnt even come to commerce yet...they better in 08 have something, its a nice facility and i think its location would encourage a lot of the typical guys to go there. we'll see in december, thats usually when all of this stuff is announced during PRI.

yeah they have....

[BLK JDM]

The NHRA Sport Compact Series has never come to Commerce!! He didn't mean the Pro-Mods or NHRA Powerade series w/ the Funny Cars and Pro Stocks.

[Vteckidd]

I see it like this, there are only a few people in ATL that would and do race any type of sancation event. And i know none of them raced eighter Nhra or Ndra this year. So basically are opinions dont matter one bit.

We can cry and whine and ***** about it, but what is done is done.. theres no changing it.

+1 thats how i fell. Everyone bitches but i know NO ONE locally ran a SINGLE Race this year besides IS and IFO.

Now i agree, it hard to run events when they are nowhere near your backyard, i mean who wants to be a amateur racer and drive 8 hours, food, gas, lodging . It s really only geared towards people with a budget to go race IMO.

If they have local events they will get local support, but that means the locals need to BE THERE and be RUNNING or its all for nothing.

The reason for having drifting at drag racing events (and it wasnt always like that this year with nopi) is you book 1 venue for 1 price and have 2 events IE cheaper

you are already drawing a crowd for the drag racing, the potential to gain more fans for the new sport is there.

[B18c1Turboed]

Even tough i HATE Drifting!!! I think its helping the sport some. I mean alot of people are into drifting and that brings a BIGGER crowd,Even if there there to support just drifting and not racing they are still supporting the sport and at the end of the day thats all that matters!!!

I think it would be smarter for NDRA not too hold the show while the racing is going on tough, that way they will fill the stands up so more.. If they did away with half the stuff they got going on at the races, u would see alot more people in the stands. Look at Powerade series they are alwasy slamed packed full of people, they dont have no bikini contest there!

[B18c1Turboed]

NHRA RESPONSE
WHAT A WEEK! Now this will be my only post for a while to clarify some questions. Please do not IM me or email me on questions, because as of now things are in process and questions will be answered very soon--keep posted.


Please dont speculate - 99.9% of the info on here is incorrect.

NHRA is NOT getting out of Sport Compact. We saw that something had to change and something drastic was needed. There is only one series with one championship - NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA. We have talked to NOPI every year at the end of the year to discuss ways to make sport compact racing "better". This year we saw some common ground and think that this will be just what the sport needs to keep growing. As some have SPECULATED, this has nothing to do with the passing of Wally Parks, the sale of NHRA PRO RACING to HD partners. What this has to do with is NHRA and NOPI have the same of goal of wanting Sport Compact Drag Racing to be the future and be as sucessful as possible and we both think this is the best way for that to happen.

Sony Xplod is still in the works - they need to process this just like all the racers and other sponsors of the Series. They were excited about the possibilities for the Series to grow.

Wally's will not be awarded at the NOPi Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA events.

Schedule will be announced ASAP. This deal will bring a lot of changes with the schedule. NOPI will put together the schedule and release it ASAP.

They are open to run any tracks they want. However, if they return to NON-NHRA tracks (MIR or Epping, NH as examples) NHRA will not sanction or award championship points at any non-NHRA events. Number of events or locations will be announced ASAP.

NHRA will create and enforce the rules, period. There is not question about this. With that said we will make sure that cars that ran in the NHRA and NDRA Series' last year will fit into the mix. Classes will be run under the NOPI class titles (may have some changes to the classes), but all cars that ran NHRA last year will have a class to fit their cars. NHRA will run all onsite racing (on track). Will will have NHRA staff at the race running the on track racing and the teching of cars. NHRA will train NDRA tech staff and make sure they are all SFI certified. NHRA Race director will have final say on all on track racing. Rules are being revised and will be released ASAP.

NOPI will control all at the event except the on track elements--including TV, promoting, marketing, sponsors, etc. For all questions regarding the Series other than tech - please contact NOPI. Michael or Mark or Glenn will be happy to answer what they can--But please give us all a week or two to get things settled.

As for staff - we are not sure where things are going to shake out. When i get the info on who to contact for tech questions I will post it. I know most are already working on 2008. We will make a decision and get back to you ASAP.

I hope this answers most of the speculation. Very few people knew about this and it came down very quick. PLEASE do not take what any racer/sponsor/"e-racer" says on here as any part of fact.

Will be making many releases in the near future and when we do I will try to come on and clarify.

Thank you all for your support of the Series and we are all on to bigger and better things in the Sport Compact Racing community. Gary Raasch - NHRA

[josh green]

They are open to run any tracks they want. However, if they return to NON-NHRA tracks (MIR or Epping, NH as examples) NHRA will not sanction or award championship points at any non-NHRA events. Number of events or locations will be announced ASAP.

So how does this help NDRA in any way? Do you honestly think that any of the bigger guys that "spectators" wanted to see would come to that contributes absolutely nothing towards the points for the finals. I know if I was Tony for Felix, Courtney, etc... I would see a NDRA race as just extra wear and tear on the car for no benefit. The only reason to show up would be for the love of drag racing, which is fine. I personally wouldnt drive across the country to race a race for some money, something catastrophic happen and there be a points/money race 2 weeks away. But as we have seen with CFT, these guys are so ballin they basically have a whole setup just chilling in the trailer to put in and continue racing. But someone like myself wouldnt have the spare **** to do that. But all we have to do is stick it out for 5 years or less and drifting will have 1/2 the hype it does now. Kids will get tired of buying tie rod ends, alignments, and totaling cars.

[SPOOLIN]

everyone is pissed about the "Wally" Awards going bye bye.

[josh green]

everyone is pissed about the "Wally" Awards going bye bye.

I guess SC racing isnt "worthy."

[Lusos]

I really wish they would have stayed seperate, and if possible, I would have liked to see the NHRA compact series grow more than the NDRA series.

I say this simply for the fact that, while NOPI has the cool shows and amazing sponsor coverage, the NHRA seems to act in a more traditional sanctioned racing style. I enjoy the thumping subwoofers and undercarriage and all, but a drag event should be a drag event with some show cars, not the other way around.

Either way, Import Showdown FTW!

[SPOOLIN]

NHRA events had show cars and bikinis just like NDRA does. NDRA pay outs are WAY more than NHRA, and i do believe that entry is generally less for NDRA than NHRA and you get that free person or 2 in.

[SpeedDreamz]

This is only gonna be good for sport compact racing. Now the dedicated racers only have 1 series to worry about. I just hope they have more races close to the southeast(where they are based).

[Jordanmd88]

Damn it This means my Pro-turbo 4 honda needs a new cage, and a smaller turbo F*** NHRA

[B18c1Turboed]

Damn it This means my Pro-turbo 4 honda needs a new cage, and a smaller turbo F*** NHRA

I wouldnt do anything, until the rules come out!!!

[WalkS]

But all we have to do is stick it out for 5 years or less and drifting will have 1/2 the hype it does now. Kids will get tired of buying tie rod ends, alignments, and totaling cars.

Amen bro! +1!

[SPOOLIN]

they should have everything taken care of by PRI in december.

[japan4racing]

not confirmed but here is unofficial **** from h-t straight from mike meyers:

Scheduling info as of now:

Definately would like to go to these tracks:
ENGLISHTOWN (possiblle DRAG/DRIFT combo event)
VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK
ATCO
VEGAS (possiblle DRAG/DRIFT combo event)

Will consider these tracks that we've been to before:
MOROSO
ATLANTA (Commerce)
ST LOUIS (possiblle DRAG/DRIFT combo event)
DALLAS

Would like to find out more about these tracks:
ROCKY MTN RACEWAYS, UT (possiblle DRAG/DRIFT combo event)
GAINESVILLE, FL
INDY, IN
DENVER, CO
POMONA, CA
SONOMA, CA
CHICAGO, IL

i would love to be able to go see some more import events besides import showdown at reynolds. hell i may even be tempted try to compete after the build is done.

[SPOOLIN]

i wonder if they will think about bristol too.

[Jordanmd88]

I wouldnt do anything, until the rules come out!!!

Ya I was just looking at last years rules and my inducer is way too large on the turbo and I doubt they will let me run one that large ..

NHRA has base cage guidelines NDRA had a 6pt requirement and that was about it, as long as the welds weren't ****ty.

You think they will let me keep my Xtrac transmisson.. *sequential gearbox* I'm probably going to get :idb: LOL look for a 10K honda trans on Honda-tech lol

[BLK JDM]

Ya I was just looking at last years rules and my inducer is way too large on the turbo and I doubt they will let me run one that large ..

NHRA has base cage guidelines NDRA had a 6pt requirement and that was about it, as long as the welds weren't ****ty.

You think they will let me keep my Xtrac transmisson.. *sequential gearbox* I'm probably going to get :idb: LOL look for a 10K honda trans on Honda-tech lol

Mike Laskey's building a Pro civic w/ a S2000 motor and an Xtrac!! I wouldn't put it up for sale just as yet. I doubt they'll not let you run, Mike's a big name in drag racing and I'll bet you they'll find a class for him or adjust some rules.

[josh green]

I would hope that NHRA enforces all the same rules as last year and possibly some new ones. Putting a cage in a car is for YOUR own safety, not to inconvenience you. I certainly hope they keep all the sfwd rules.

[93H22ACX]

i'm a spectator.... anything is good for me

[sr98219]

I seriously doubt they'll go back to Bristol. The cops up there are ****s and they asked Nopi not to return.

[SPOOLIN]

F U C K the police, they can just DEAL.