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06.30.00 1:30pm Although I was in my vehicle until 12:30 today and unable to call into the Bill Good Show on CKNW, I did attempt from then until the close of the segment at 1pm. I want to go on record and thank Mr. Good for not only seeing it our way, and giving it time on his program, but for a short editorial that explained the sad situation in the most articulate terms I have ever heard or read. Unfortunately I was unable to get through as but one 'drag racer' did in the entire 40 minutes allotted. A 64 year old drag racer who made us sound very good indeed. Thanks to that caller, whoever he is. As bad as this situation still is, I did notice CKNW did not use the term 'drag racing' on any newscasts after 11pm...when the Good show started. If you have complained to the local media or not, a quick email thanking Bill Good is in order. He is one of the top media personalities in not only Vancouver, but the entire country. He's the kind of person we need to see it our way. Just a simple thank you goes a long way with these people. EMAIL AND THANK BILL GOOD.
On another related note, I sincerely hope someone from BCCCA contacts 'the official daily paper of MRP' The Province (Read complete story HERE) to let them know, in no uncertain terms, that their use of the term 'drag racing' in today's paper regarding this tragic affair is not appreciated. Unfortunately the other local paper is owned by the same company, so threatening to pull their ads would do no good at all.
Finally, I put out a public plea from drag racers of the Lower Mainland to our friend, and longtime drag racer Terry McHardy to somehow inform the Vancouver Police Media Relations Officer Anne Drennan to not use the term 'drag racing' when she confronts the media on these occasions. Named Vancouver 'Officer of the Year' in 1998, McHardy utilizes the sport of drag racing to approach children of all ages with his wonderful 'Say NO To Drugs' program. Help us on this one Terry... please!
11:15am Despite the station's 11am lead news story describing a search for the 'drag racers' who killed a pedestrian two nights ago, I have been informed that on the Bill Good program today at approx. 12:20pm the issue of drag racing and street racing will be brought up. Now this segment usually only lasts ten minutes, but if you can tune and/or call in please do. The AM number on the dial is 980 or they have webcast at http://www.cknw.com.
1:00am Well, we must be doing something right as yesterday this site saw a hit count of...ready? 51,663. Thank you. Funny how, when I get a bit radical, the hit count goes through the roof. Are you guys that hard up for entertainment? LP
06.29.00
FLASH TRASH UPDATE: 11:30pm While flipping channels I tuned into CKVU's 11:30 news and was shocked to see the absoutely UNBELIEVEABLE text across screen that read DRAG RACER KILLS PEDESTRIAN... it's back to war troops. Call 604-872-6397 or email comments.van@globaltv.ca and tell them what you think of them. DON'T HOLD BACK...GET UGLY!! USE WORDS YOUR MOMMA WARNED YOU NEVER TO. IT'S ALL THESE IDIOTS UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!
Larry; If you realy want to flip out go to http://www.tvforbc.com/video/video_news.html
and listen to the BCTV News report on the hit and run accident. They
go even one step further and blame Mission Raceways.
Response from this webmaster:
I missed the news tonight, but did view the online video.
Not exactly sure if BCTV is 'blaming' MRP for this though, as they state something along the lines of "they try this when they leave the track" not to be the least bit untrue. Let's face it, street racing, especially among the well-to-do, Vancouver crowd is as popular now, maybe even more so, than it was in the 60s, and there is nothing anyone will ever be able to do to curb it. Street racers are like street hookers. They have always been there and no matter what anyone does they always will be. During some periods of time there are more than others. We are currently at the high point of such a period.
I street raced at one time and to this day 'play' at the occasional street light, though nowhere near to the extent of three digit speeds. I don't know of ONE single 'drag racer' who still occasionally does or has not ever done exactly the same thing.
I have made the statement here before that the promotion of 'street legal' drag racing has done more to glamorize illegal 'street' racing than anything we have seen in decades. As bad as it is, I stick to that statement. Take the recent Toronto-based A&E program reviewed here a few months ago as the perfect example. In this case reality hurts as I know full well how many local 'street legal' racers ply their trade on the real streets of the Lower Mainland more than ever since the origins of 'street legal' racing a few years ago. No, not all of them do this, but more than just a few do.
Anyone who argues that illegal street racing is not bigger now than before the origins of 'street legal' drag racing is a fool who does not know what the hell actually goes on from Richmond to Chilliwack every damn weekend it doesn't rain. I have spoken to them many times. I have been invited out with them (And always refused) Hell, I have been offered video of local drag racing 'officials' street racing. To deny it is to have your head in the sand. It isn't who's quickest at the strip that matters in 'street legal', it's who kicks ass on a Friday night at any one of a half dozen regular spots, and I'm talking ten second cars here, not just the Boxter and Bimmer Bozos in tonight's newscast. Why the hell do so many of them constantly argue how 'really' streetable their cars are? It ain't about goin for groceries bucko. Thankfully most of the really fast cars do NOT street race as they have become SO fast, street racing is no longer a viable option.
I look at the BCTV piece as just another sensational top story of one particular slow news night on drag racers and street racers from a media outlet that has always used blood and gore more than any other in the constant ratings battle with their competition. It obviously works as the 'Tony' 6pm show is the top rated news program in the entire country. Blood, like sex sells. Harsh but true.
At least they used the term 'street' racing and not 'drag' racing, and that's about all the REAL drag racers can hope and try for. LP
Update
2:00 pm They are now calling it just 'racing'. Cool, it worked,
but that's no reason to stop calling or writing.
HELP!!! DO THIS...Just DO IT! The leading news station in Vancouver
is CKNW. Today they keep broadcasting 'drag racing' on their reports
of a street racing fatality last night. The news tip number is 604-331-2832,
email is nwnews@cknw.com. FLOOD
these jerks...DO IT!!!! I called and SCREAMED today and emailed too.
So now it's your turn. Believe me it's REALLY fun doing this. Probably
won't make a difference, but what the hell, you get to call some news
idiot every name in the book. Even more fun
is to listen to the station awhile (980am) determine a 'suitable'
sponsor, call them, pretend to place a massive order then ask something
like; "Oh, by the way, do you advertise on CKNW?" When they
say they do, hit 'em where it hurts and immediately cancel that order!
Feel free to tell them why. You will have done nothing illegal, and
besides having a blast (In a Bart Simpson kinda way), maybe helped
the cause of drag racers everywhere. If anyone does this please
send me details. No I won't post your identity.
Thanks to the many who responded to the above request regarding 'street racing' in the media. At least one major media outlet got the message...for now. I believe the only way we will defeat these devils is to keep up the pressure. I promise, from now on, to report this kind of thing so the hidden HH army can go on the immediate offensive. We will never again sit back and let the 'mainstream media' trash us.
Speaking of Media, the recent announcement of NHRA on ESPN is just another yawner for us Canadians, who, thanks to our government are not allowed to view such foreign propaganda. Put in the same vain as child porn, American sports networks are strictly verboten north of the 49th. Amazing that in the 21st century our dictator in Ottowagrad can still lay this crap on us and we obey like a pack of Lemmings...Then again Glendora could not get a weekly show out of it anyway...Then then again again it would probably be the same old NHRA television garbage anyway.
Our photo coverage of the Mission Federal-Mogul is now basically complete, as I don't know if I have the gumption to scan a bunch of hi rez images, but we'll see. I believe it to be the biggest photo coverage of any one single drag race in the history of the sport. With approx. 250 images now available for your viewing. I felt HH sorta owed it to the many people who do not have decent access to the videos we have been producing lately. As for the lack of decent captions, I'm afraid I slacked off due to the long hours and didn't even attempt to get any sheets until Sunday evening. Trying to name everyone along with numbers would have been much easier with more info, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
Have received a bunch of neat email and attachments lately, I hope to post them soon. The customer video stuff? Well, I hope to begin tomorrow or Saturday. Speaking of which is the big Junior event at Mission. I will try my best to go out and do what I can to support the kids as we all know they don't get anywhere near the support from web sites and magazines like they should.
later: LP
2:00 pm Saturday and Sunday postinsg of more
Mission FMDRS Photos are now HERE.
06.28.00 5:30 First of many Mission FMDRS Photos are now HERE.
06.27.00 6:00 Well I began today at 7am capturing photos for the MRP FM coverage. It's now 11 hours later and have had the latest of about a dozen crashes today. I have nearly 200 images done, and sort of expected a crash during this final capture session. Later tonight I hope to almost complete this project, as i still have to compress, place, caption and upload.
Received a request from Ron Farmer that Mission Raceway is seeking sponsors in an effort to bring Pro Stocks to the NHRA National Open July 22/23. You can telephone the track at 604-826-6315 if interested and he assures me any message will be passed immediately to him. He did offer his home phone, but I refuse to post personal numbers on the web.
A number of people on the weekend said "see you at Woodburn". Sorry to disappoint, but I probably will not be able to make it. A missed opportunity today could have produced nearly enough cash to pay for the trip, but the word came too late for me to act on it. If some late payments come in, my truck gets fixed....again...as I have to drive myself to this one, a possible Monday project there can be accomplished, and/or a sponsor or two come forward...well, we'll see.
Then there is the HH99 dilemma. If I could actually get some time to complete it I know the sales are still there, but it would take at least a week to complete...if the software problem doesn't end it maybe for good. I know it'll get better, but life around here sucks right now. LP
06.26.00 I took the day off....so bite me.
06.25.00 9:00 Mission FMDRS Sunday results HERE. Maybe it was because I spent most of the day either shooting cars or relaxing in the shade, but this Sunday at Mission Raceway Park was one for the books. Under a gorgeous blue sky (a rarity in these parts lately) this reporter enjoyed the best single day of drag racing this facility has seen all year. Everyone had a smile on and appeared to be having a good time. While we have all the 'official' results on the event homepage, have managed to solve at least the photo problem for the moment, so since we shot with that kind of coverage in mind today, rest assured you won't require a hispeed hookup to view what we will soon offer. In the meantime congrats to all the winners, and kudos to the newly crowned burnout king of the northwest, our very own Glen Braid who not once, but twice came up beside the huffed big block Chevelle of Chris Martin and showed 'em how a small block Canadian piece can boil the hides. First we have the first 'round' that saw Martin all crossed up at about 100ft, with Braid continuing on for a couple of hundred more.
Then an hour or so later they switched lanes, Martin again got crossed up and the little Canso boiled 'em for over 500ft, coming to a stop at the 1000 ft mark, well past the beer garden crowd who gave him the biggest cheer of the weekend!
Later Braid was quoted as saying he was 'considering' going to the
end of the quarter mile, but decided to save something for next time
a challenger comes forward...hehehehehehehehe!
06.24.00 10:30 Mission FMDRS Saturday results HERE. Obviously a very long day...again. Last car went down the track a few minutes before 9pm. So it's off to bed and back out at 7am tomorrow. Hopefully we will get home at a decent hour to be able to bring you more than just the basic results. We do have some absoutely spectacular video that will most likely be presented in still photo form as the video software problem mentioned yesterday may take some time to sort out. From the alochol ranks to wheelstanding Stockers and Super Stockers along with the best field of Top Comp ever (we actually had 'bumping' going on in the last session today) including a totally awesome field of blown door cars unlike anything ever seen at this facility, HH will do it to ya...
I don't know if it's just that I am tired, but so many of my conversations with people today revolved around complete and total negativity. From Jr. Dragster parents getting pissed at each other, to the same old bracket racer rants at these races, parking problems, BCCCA infighting crap, how this racer hates that racer, how somebody doesn't like somebody else's spouse, to this team or that driver gets special treatment...pick your bitch and I heard it today. Gawd this 'sport' makes for a positive family atmosphere.........
06.23.00 Mission FMDRS Friday results HERE. 11:00pm After spending an hour downloading a few dozen killer photos the system crashed. Sorry maybe tomorrow, but am once again I am fighting a severe system corruption problem, that causes crashes about every ten minutes. It will require an complete clean system re-install (a full days work for me) to MAYBE cure. Not a good situation. Together with this and the fact our racer video productions are not cost effective for us, and being so far behind on so much, I am once again considering getting out of this gig. I can handle about of being broke, overworked, and behind on stuff to a point, but throw in more computer problems and I'm about ready to say F it. LP
06.21.00 UPDATE
From one of my California racer sources come this, which I believe
to be about as 'insider' as somebody like me can get:
Graham Light is still the Vice President of Competition and now is solely responsible for National events and Pro categories.
Ned Walliser is leaving NHRA effective following the U.S. Nationals. He is moving back to Indy to be closer to his family, spend less days on the road and take over as VP for Sport Service.
Gene Bergstrom was released on Tuesday, June 20. However, the press release announcing his replacement was written on Friday, June 16.
BREAKING NEWS
It's being posted on Header
Flames that Ned Walliser (Director of National Event Planning
and former Div. 7 DD), Graham Light (Senior Vice President-Racing
Operations and former Edmonton racer, among other things) and Gene
Bergstrom (Director of Field Operations, and former Div. 6 DD)
are no longer with NHRA. This (currently only a rumor) comes
after yesterday's
NHRA posting of the hiring of Len Imbrogno, as Director of Sportsman
Racing and Member tracks.
Videos are currently going together. Most everyone's, except those who signed up at Mission at the last Federal-Mogul, will be ready. Reason for that being I don't have enough good stuff of everyone yet as MRPFM1 was not exactly a full meal deal. If it doesn't rain this weekend, I'll have plenty, for delivery at Woodburn.
As this racer video thing keeps me jumping, and the fact that a number of queries have come in, I now have an advertising rate page ready. For complete details on how you can finally advertise on horsepowerheaven.com please GO HERE.
A few are probably wondering where the heck the Quicktime and Windows videos are. Well the hispeed Quicktime one is HERE, but I'm not happy with it. It's a download only as I didn't have the time to figure out how to embed it. The Windoz version crashed the Mac...gee that's a surprise. SO. It's Real only from now on. I tried, but for QT need the expensive compressors that I refuse to pay for since it would not make them that much better than the current quality I can get from Real. Windoz media...? I dunno, I'll try it again when I have a moment.
Got the 2000 Info Sheet from Firebird's Pepsi Nightfire Nationals. The oldest event of it's kind in America and the biggest in the west, the 24th annual bash is slated for August 9th - 13th. From brackets to a multitude of nitro and feature vehicles, it's an event friendly to nearly every kind of racer and fans alike. This year the event purse hits a record $145,000!!! Told ya it was big. HH proudly states without a doubt that if you travel to just one drag race in the year 2000, the Nightfires at Firebird should be on the top of your list. Here's just a few reason why:
