Unbelievable ?..
 

The 3 west coast races are not even close to a full field yet. I realize that there are many factors that contributed to this ….lack of race tracks, NHRA, soaring costs, NHRA, …….

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Since Sonoma Raceway has left sportsman racing high and dry and the closing of Sacramento Raceway ( only one National Open) travel is the biggie..
Bakersfield is 5 hours from the Bay Area but after that it?s 12-15 hours to race!
I?m not complaining but it sure hits us all hard.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Hopefully the PMR combo race at the Vegas Muscle event will do well?if not then the demise of D7 class racing is surely dire?

Sonoma is a pity, same deal with Charlotte, they seem to think only the National events are worth their time.

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Hope that everyone supports the PMR race in Vegas…...GREAT payout, car show, cookouts , GREAT payout AND its VEGAS baby !!!!!!

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Racers Move to Tennesse There are 19 drag strips within 5 hours or less from where we live 455 Halltown Rd Portland TN 37148 Bowling Green has 5 Combo Races a year at $2,000 per event then a points race and a open all within 39 and a half minutes from our Home driving 75 mph :D

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Absolutely . Those of us who live around here are truly blessed.


I keep telling my buddy Barry that he needs to visit, I have 5 real estate agents waiting for him!

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We are full here..LOL.. they can move to Ky.

C...Alan must be getting a kick back from the realtors.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Same type of deal here in the charlotte NC area. I believe I can get to about 10-12 race tracks in under three hours. More than enough to go around.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Be thankful of what you have and support them as best you can. Our new Flying H track is mainly catering to the NP and small tire racers. Hopefully this changes next year. Looks like MO-KAN for us in this area to go test.

Sean

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

From central Wyoming my nearest in Division race is Earlville, 900 miles away. Nearest out of Division race is Billings at 400 miles.
My regular bracket track is 289 miles. Vegas is 700, Grand Junction CO is 275 miles. Doesn't make sense to be a drag racer in Wyoming other than we are comfortable with driving 100 to 150 miles one way for a shopping day and dinner out.
Steve

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

It’s just foolish, and for what, the chance to race for a cheap trophy after mostly sitting for 4 days minimum, cause it can’t be for the pittance.

My advice for anyone considering class racing today that doesn’t live in Division 1, 2 or 3 is to move to these more NHRA class racer friendly divisions and if that ain’t possible then go bracket racing if you live a reasonable distance to travel to and from a track in a day, otherwise find something else to do with your time and money and enjoy your life.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Shhh, I have to wait until my grade points open up to enter. New car and I only made one double up last year.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

As one that is not afraid to travel and not particularly fiscally responsible. Money is not the reason for me. Last year at the Finals NHRA made it clear that they didn't need my money or want me at the race. First round . on day one. Time slip booth didn't work. Scales were sketchy. Stock and super stock were run back to back at night. Did I say the time slip both didn't work??? I see no compelling reason to go back.
Woodburn D6. Wounded the SS. Went to withdraw it from second race. First thing they say is no refund. They were quick to take the grade point though! I see no compelling reason to go back. I have been a long time supporter and ask for very little in return, but if you don't want me there just block my entry. I will never say never, but I will have to think long and hard before returning to those tracks. Some tracks want my money and act like it. That is where I will spend my cash.
Mike Graham
SS 7702
Stock 7702

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

If class racers started to acknowledge their money is green and good everywhere, they just might see change, pun intended, though small.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Is 1320racer going since he only races for the for the bigger payouts? Is $10K enough?
Oh that’s right he can’t enter his bracket car, he’ll have to race for the smaller payouts if he shows up.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

NO and NO, I don’t have to leave my home track to race for $20k at least 5 times this season no mind $10k!:p

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

$20K 5 times, how do they do that? West coast tracks could sure use a lesson on putting on a race with that kind of payout. Is the entry fee steep or do they just get so many entries and buy-backs that they can afford the big purse. Is that 1/8 mile racing?

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Nothing is 1/4 mile anymore except NHRA class racing. Entry fees are typically cheaper or not much more depending on winners purse than LODRS Divisional and National events and buybacks are the norm in big $ gambler races. Lots more bracket racers than class racers and more of them in the north and south east.

For example, 1st big $ race at my home track this season is 3 days racing for $12k - $20k - $12k limited to 250 cars for $525 entry.

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Don. Only two problems I see... Humidity and flying insects ;-)

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Tennessee and North Carolina are on my short list for retirement

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

You'd like BP as a neighbor. The rest we should probably have a screening process for. You know we got that one damned yankee, we gotta be careful, one like him is bad enough.


No kickbacks, but maybe some help when I move again. Besides, one realtor is a fellow racer's wife.

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Thats funny! My family has property in Hodgenville .,I spent my summers there and Sabina Ohio as a kid. I don’t fit in Ca
I’d never bring West Coast politics to y’all! I don’t need an adjustment!!
But I would harass Alan, Kevin, Zach and Don!
Ya Never know?.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

We're getting pretty full up here in Bowling Green also

But a few kick back coins we can make room

Tom Flowers
E/SA. 3860

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Worked with a guy about 30 years ago, a couple of times a month, he'd wear a t-shirt that said Nashfull. It was already true then.

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Save me a spot Tom. My youngest is 3 years from graduating and then I’m there

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Come on over Sante, we have schools here, some even teach reading, writing and arithmetic.

Tom Flowers
E/SA 3860

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

It will fill up before entries close. No reason to hit your card before necessary.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

pockets get empty for myself. Personally I plan on going to the Phoenix divisionals. I can't see myself going back for the National and i'm only 300 miles away.

Feb 20-21 divisional at Phoenix 200.00 over prices hotel rooms
Feb 22-23 same thing
Mar 21-23 Arizona National. 355.00 this track is a long ride for most Div 7 from northern California.
Mar 27-30 Pomona 355.00 and California prices
Apr 11-13 Las Vegas 4 wide
Apr 16-19 with another divisional double.

Paul

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Life gets in the way of racing, at times. Jared has two jury trials scheduled this spring, one the week of Pomona, the other the week of the Vegas national event. Terrible planning by a non-drag racing Judge. �� He’s hoping to settle before trial starts, but too early to tell. He entered Pomona, waiting on Vegas.

Yes, Paul, the Phoenix races are a drive for us Nor Cal racers, 700 miles for us. My husband and I are leaving Monday morning to make the tow. No way Jared can take an extra 3-4 days travel time, plus 4 days for the race, so he will fly in late Wednesday. I imagine many non-retired racers are in the same position. Vegas is about a 500 mile trip. I’m retired, can spare the travel days, but the diesel cost is a bummer.

We have so few tracks out west, a lot of our racing budget goes to travel expenses. I envy you racers out east, the abundance of tracks. But it’s not feasible for many to leave businesses being built up, their children (divorced parents). Plus, you can’t beat California weather. ��

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

retired old man here.Plenty of time to wait for the next SS check to race on. i'm very blessed though, so no complaints.Personally I just need to stay in my lane.

Paul

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Paul,
coming to seeya buddy
for divisionals sure (niece amy getting married 4/19)
and if i get in maybe national too

and im gonna fetch the elcamino home, fix a few things sell it or daily driver it

maybe build a SS/Q 60 elcamino if my kids dont have me committed

seeya in april !!!!

captain

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

I was able to get into Pomona Winternationals today with 2 grade points.
Stock has 49 of 70 entries Super Stock is at 48 of 70 entries. It goes down to 1 grade point on March 5th.

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Sounds great Jack! Saving my rare pennies to try and run both classes at the divisionals with the R/SA Valaint and Miss Mighty in SS/KA.We have the original bench seat going back in the Duster.

Paul

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Well the Phoenix double seemed well attended. Maybe its a grade point thing. Not easy out here without alot of travel to rack up those grade points. Not sure howmany stockers were in Phoenix but we had 64 in S/ST from three divisions.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Phx LODRS double for Stk had 60/ then we lost 6 for 2nd race for a multitude of reasons. I am personally waiting on both grade points and my final upgrade to finish March 10 thereafter...we shall see, but if room still then, I am free (time and $ wise), to enter all 3 in Stk.

Absolutely will the April double LODRS.

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POMONA …..51 entries in stock, 48 in superstock. No, MJ does not believe it is a CREDIT CARD thing ……

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

Okay MJ, here is the J.R. theory. I watched this a lot the last three years.
I call it the Vegas syndrome. Everybody that could used to go to the
Winternationals. Do some testing before, go to Pomona, first race, big
hoopla, new cars, etc. Now, a lot of people I know from the Division 3
& Division 5 area, would rather go to Vegas, run the National Event &
the Double LODRS race, and head back home. Don't go as far west, great
facility, don't have to go through California & their Trailer Law of The Week,
don't go through L.A. traffic, etc. Also, as tracks diminish in Division 7,
it makes sense there would be less racers.

J.R.

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

We are bringing Stock/SS 5 cars to Pomona.

That helped the count a bit.

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You have drivers for all those cars or is it just you and your son? Sounds like a lot of work!

Re: Unbelievable ?..
 

We drive two each

One Stocker and One SS.

I sold my Swedish Friend Mathias Munter
a Stocker that belonged to Gregg Luneauk
(Before that I owned it). I keep and bring it
to the races for him and he flies in to race it at National
Events several times a year.

We have three more Stock/SS cars at home that sometime
some of our buddies drives that go with us some races.