The death of bracket racing........

[thewrench3]

I agree with dick butler, you need the mini rewards so that you will keep coming back. I treat my bracket car like its a stocker. I compare it to the nhra cars that run in its class to make sure that my performance level is there. If we don't do that then we are doomed to bore ourselves to sleep which will cause us to loose interest in our sport. My car is just a sportsman car but it holds my interest and makes it fun to race. When it becomes no fun I will probably retire from racing. I hope that never happens.

[LouisJeffery]

I agree with Dick Butler and even have proof. We race Stock Eliminator and bracket race locally at Milan Dragway Milan Mi. The IHRA Pro-am had a huge turnout of race cars but I never saw more than 100 spectators in the stands and I am sure most of those were racers and their family. However the first friday night of every month Milan has a Heads up night with 5 classes and a total of approx. 60 cars. This is a fast paced, exciting, good time for everybody event that has CROWDS of six to ten thousand people. A complete home run of an event because of HEADS UP RACING!!!!!!!
Buybacks suck no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!!! My local track has first round buybacks for $20. My suggestion is charge everyone $10 more entry fee and have NO buybacks and the track nets the same or more money.

[Dick Butler]

Louis, Thanks for your comments. Now people have to realize that there is life after Bracket racing for them . Just think what fun it can be to run in front of a crowd. get mini rewards mentally for gaining on your competition week after week by just tuning your car adjusting something.
Small gains can be their own reward. I had a GT/AA Camaro which started out running 10 sec area. Every week we ran I adjusted one thing at least. I used other cars as a gauge. In my case my daughters car. She gained .02 by weather I gained .05 meant a reward. I had learned something. I had accomplished something. When I sold the car it was capable of 9.42 143.50 at INDY. I have a nice collection of class trophies I EARNED by beating the "best" in the country at the same track. Great Rewards.... Now if we can reduce all Class racing to 5 classes of Heads up like your track imagine using the small rewards of gaining on the top dogs each week and the fun of running with SPECTATORS to appreciate your work.... Thanks Dick Butler
Come watch TOP/STK or TOP/SS at our meets. IT is a start in that direction...The other racers come up to watch "Time trials" never mind the actual racing. That confirms your thoughts too.