History Say GOODBUY to NHRA Museum..WTF

Actually, when they moved GNRS to LA area the concern was not the huge population base, but the compe***ion from all the other things to do in the area and whether or not they could compete. Turns out, they could, but I truly think the promoters and compelling shows in recent years had a lot to do with it.
Having said that, moving to an area with less compe***ion (and hopefully some drag racing history), might just be what's needed. Even non-drag racing fans that are in town on business or whatever would more likely check it out and the Chamber of Commerce would likely pump it up too. I mean if Garlits can make a museum work in Ocala, FL, it can be done.
Bottom line, it needs to be preserved as a stand alone showcase. Drag racing is uniquely American and it's history is as important to our culture as many other "American" ins***utions. Shame on the NHRA for even considering such a thing. Selling off your history is like selling your daughter. Wally Parks must be turning in his grave (rest his soul).

 

So-Car is the car capital of the world, the NHRA has had their museum for long enough at this location, if it's not working, it's not working. They sell-out Pomona drags pretty well twice per year, there's no shortage of car-freaks in the area. But museums can be rather boring and it takes some creativity to keep them alive and to grow or maintain. I've been to many auto museums, it's not a thing that is a money maker.

Where specifically would it work? Should the promotion / style of museum be changed if moved?

These are the questions IMO.

Also, they try to make it a "motorsports" museum rather than just focusing on drag racing, to help broaden the appeal. Everytime I've been there, light traffic unless there's a function happening.

I love the place, hope for the best (whatever that might be at this point).

 

yessir...i give a damn also!!!!

 

Thanks for the post Al....Learning a lot from this thread. I think next year
will tell the tale for a lot of things going on with NHRA. It will be very
interesting to see the true colors of this organization and how it plays out
with members.

 

Automotive museums have all the support of the automotive hobby community except the DOLLARS it takes to keep them up and operate them on a daily basis.
How many of you, myself included, have said "Oh boy, I can't wait to go to the """""" Museum and see the great line-up of """"""" cars and trucks they have there!", and yet... never go, OR upon arriving at the door complain about the admission prices and go on down to the road to the Alligator Farm or something equally creepy but cheaper?
I thought so, I'm guilty too.
Let's face it, these storehouses of history and knowledge, just like Art Museums, Holocaust Museums, NASCAR Museums, Telephone Museums, Funeral Museums, cannot survive without participation in the form of cash dollars from the automotive hobbyist and corporate sponsorship in a continuing fashion.

 

One big part of the equation may be the physical location itself. The Lease on that property (***uming there is one) can't be very cheap.

 

I also think Comet made a real good point about it not necessarily being the biggest thing in town. It would make sense that without a monumental amount of compe***ion near by, that it would do much better. Kind of like the HK-1 aka Spruce Goose moving to McMinnville Oregon.

 

Museums are, well they are museums! When was the last time you were at a museum and it was crawling with people. Unless it is some specific event with some special display, museums just don't pack in the people. And that is the way it is. The organizations that oversee the museums should understand this, but more than frequently they don't and **** like what is being contemplated at the NHRA museum happens.

While I'm not making a true comparison to what happened at Harrah's collection, once the Holliday Inn got ahold of the cars, it was a very short period of time until the majority of them were sold off. With Wally gone, just like with Bill Harrah being gone, the people with no p***ion move in and that's all she wrote - the fat lady sings!

 

I'd really hate to see it go --- very cool place!



(pics from visit during 2009 GNRS)





















Malcolm

 

I know several people who work the museum & they say it's an internet rumor. We had Tony Thacker at our club meeting recently & he said there's no truth to the story. NHRA only owns a few of the exhibits in the museum, everything else is on loan from private parties. Peterson is already full. There's no room for all the stuff contained at the NHRA museum there.
So- I'll choose to believe Tony himself rather than an internet rumor.

The museum is largly supported by private donations. There are plaques all around the building honoring the supporters.
There are four levels of support for the Winner’s Circle participants, each involving a three-year commitment. Champions commit to an investment of $10,000 or more annually, Sustaining members $5,000 annually, Supporting members to $2,500 annually while Patrons contribute a $1,000 each year. Each level comes with unique benefits. Winner’s Circle funds will be used to:
· <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1LACE w:st="on"><ST1LACENAME w:st="on">Fund</ST1LACENAME> <ST1LACETYPE w:st="on">Museum</ST1LACETYPE></ST1LACE> acquisitions, including vehicles and artifacts
· Enhance and expand programs and exhibitions
· Develop an archive research library and educational programs
· Improve the Museum complex


If you live anywhere near the facility- stop *****ing & go. Pay the 5 bucks & see history. I know many people who live less than 20 miles away & have never been! The contents change, so go frequently! I don't know about you guys but I can't see & read everything in 1 visit.

 

This museum is a special place and deserves to succeed. I know that Tony Thacker had/has great plans for it. I have a couple of observations though.

They hold a monthly cruise during the spring/summer months and I have seen too many people p*** through the doors without donating at all. In fact I have heard them brag about not paying to get in, and these are supposed car people/ NHRA fans that the place is built for. Secondly if you look at the pictures you will see little plaques above the displays, they are dedication plaques. They used to cost 300 dollars when they first went on "sale", at least that is what I paid for the one I bought. If they are still available you could support the museum in that way. Thirdly, donate memorabilia to display at the museum, I have had a few things from my collection there and it is a source of pride. It was just some small things, but a revolving display ala the Petersen is much more interesting than a static one. I know some of you have great collections and even cars with history that could be shown in the place. SUPPORT IT, or your just being hypocritical by complaining about it's closing.

 

Steve, looks like you and I had the same ideas at the same time....I just type slow.....

 

I was told by a man that should know. Sooner, rather than later, the NHRA Museum is a goner (where it is). It has nothing to do with NHRA Management "wanting" it to go. They don't, but finacially, they will not have a choice. The rent is out of control and supposedly the builing owners want them out to raise their revenue. And, the next step is the Winter Nationals will have to move. I was told the land value has sky rocketed and the owners want to capitalize on it. NHRA can't pay that much.

We shall see..................

 

Sounds good, but you know that the "land" is owned by the county. All the sudden Pomona land values are up? Doubt it will be sold off anytime soon. BTW they run Pomona x 2. Your contact man is???

 

Well, if it has to move, maybe Big Daddy will buy it...

 

It would be sad to see it close but I know the folks at the Petersen would be honored to have it and take great care in displaying NHRA's treasured past.

 

I've been to the NHRA Wally Parks Museum a number of times and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in hotrods or drag racing. It would be a real shame for the museum to move or be absorbed into another musuem, as a lot of the collection would undoubtedly disappear.

The NHRA and the Auto Club needs to do a better job of marketing the museum. The only publicity I see is an occasional ad in the the AAA magazine and PA announcements and ticket envelope flyers at the Winternationals and World Finals.

The price of admission shouldn't be a problem for most folks. The last time I was there a few months ago the adult admission was $5 or $6 less a discount because I'm an AAA member. Compare that to current admission prices for most other museums in the area ($15 - 18) or Disneyland ($59.00 + parking). I was at Universal Studios a few months ago and the promotional admission price was $52.00 per person plus I got dinged $12.00 for parking.

Bottom line: You can't get much more bang for the hot rod buck than the Park museum, so take advantage while you still can.

 

We should do a HAMB day at the museum. Get all the So Cal HAMBers out and go for the afternoon.

 

I ***umed (yeah, I know), that the building was bought and paid for by the NHRA (simplistic thinking)? Whatever the case, I said it on the other thread, I would think some philanthropist type fellow would buy the property, pay the taxes, and operate the museum with a volunteer staff, or even an historical club member type basis? Even IF the foot traffic is just a smattering of folks. A museum does not need to be ***holes and elbows everyday to make it viable! The BIG picture, is this museum should be considered SAFE HAVEN for our history, and always open to folks who want to see it.



Maybe Don Rickles?
"Big DRAG'S NHRA Museum"

 

e???

 

C. NHRA MUSEUM

D. Pomona Drag Strip




Th Museum is on the Los Angeles County Fairplex property. The entire complex is owned by L.A. County.
The museum is in building that was built 1939

 

I think it would be C on the map right?

Really a shame if this does go away. I enjoyed the museum last summer when out in Elay. But like said earlier, my wife and I were the only ones in the entire place. Hard to keep a museum open with no guests. I hope it remains. So much history in there. I loved it

 

Best dressed guy in drag racing.

 

best dancer, too...he still teaches at 83!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND, he still is tearing up the freeways of Southern California!!!!!!!!!!

 

As an auto racing sanctioning body, NHRA really blows! It has absolutely no interest or consideration for hot rodders or drag racers. NHRA, on the other hand, is a contemporary, bottom-line, completely self-serving marketing agency headed by high-dollar former dog food company execs with not a hint of automotive knowledge. It is sad that this sport's vastly rich history will be bargained off to who knows where.

 

Remember what happened to Harley when it sold to the AMF Bowling Ball Company?????
Whats the old saying..."if you don't learn from history, you are bound to repeat it..."

 

THANK YOU Mazooma1 !!!!!!!!!!!!! I may never get to see that stuff even if they didnt close it. You have made viewing possible for more people than even having the stuff there !!!!!! Thanks again !

 

Go there every time we're in So Cal. Don't think there have been 5 other people inside any one time I've ever been there. Shame to see it go but if we don't support it, the ground will make a great add on to the hotel next door.

 

Mazooma1, AMF saved Harley Davidson....
Harley would not do the R&D to correct there leaking motor and many other problems.
after AMF bought Harley they developed the evo motor...
so when the company was bought back to save it from going over seas they looked like the heroes.... and they where to a point... by keeping to company in the USA.
the only thing AMF screwed up was trying to sell the company to the Japanese.