What would it take for you to attend a Sportsman Race

[Dan Fletcher]

Originally Posted by GTS340

Even though this is a back east thread. We have lost so many tracks out west here. Which in turn we have lost racers and race cars. Larry has the right idea and location. The word fun has to be more than the one person winning the race. I was at Bowling Green over 30yrs ago and it left a great memory. Steve McGrath was driving my Volare. Top Stock and class eliminations are great spectating racing and of course we build class cars to be the best in class. We can E.T. race at home. Class racing and fun. Sign me up.

Paul Haszlauer

Hey Paul,

I know the tow was a bit too long for you, lol, but the Class Racer Nationals was the only thing at the track on those weekends, as it was a stand alone event. It had two separate races each day for each class, best losing package prizes, second chance races, good early round money, Top Stock one year (a whopping 6 cars), a free qualifying race last year that paid great, free racer wife entry, big checks to the winner and runner up, longest tow award, etc, etc. This event was not even remotely all about just the winner.

I watched first hand the time and effort that went into this deal. They tried everything to make this a fun race for all, and everyone that was there, including your old driver, said it was a great event. But all they got was less cars attending as the three years progressed. This was never about making money, Kenny and Timothy just wanted to put on a race that was the sort of deal EVERYONE would enjoy. I heard Keno say from the jump he didn't care if he lost a few bucks, he just wanted to do it.

As my Dad would say, some people would bitch if they were hung with a new rope...

[B Parker]

Dan none of us can disagree with what you and Tim have said. Including myself, I think there are a lot of races that are now looking back having regrets for not making it to this race. Everything you said about the race is true. It was great!! Even though it would have been really tough last year for me to make it. I felt I would make it next year not giving it a thought that there would not be a next year without out the support it needed to have Last year. It's our own fault. Not anything that Tim, Ken or the track did.

WE THE RACER LET THE RACE DOWN!!

I hope there is a way to salvage something to look at and maybe give it another try. If not this year next year. I don't know about the rest of you but this has really opened my eyes.
For those that can't see it, Stock and Super Stock is on a course to self destruct at the National level. We need races like this one. Thanks Barry Parker

[Ed Carpenter]

Back in 2013 I think? My son and I attended the Northern Class Nationals in Columbus put on by Michael Beard. We got the long tow award. 21 hrs or so to get there. I put together the SS/K shootout. While we didn’t have a successful weekend with the (we broke everything possible on it) we had a great time. It was a fantastic event. Michael and team had an amazing number of sponsors. There was extra bonus races etc besides the S/SS races. I loved it because I got to see and meet people you only read about or see on Nhra tv etc racing. I really really enjoyed and was very frustrated and felt so bad for Michael and his team especially when the second one he put on was poorly attended. I too was guilty of not attending that second one and I’m sorry for that. For those with S/SS associations in your division you are fortunate. We don’t have one here in D4. I don’t have the resources, time, or the expertise to start one. I don’t even run SS anymore but my heart is still there. Every race I attend I always go to the starting line for SS. It’s just a special class. I don’t have the answers. I do know when I put on the SS/K shootout I got 27 sponsors on board. It was a lot of work with a lot of no’s. But I was persistent and got all I could. It takes a lot of time and effort. We should all be a little more appreciative of the work these men and women put into these non-NHRA events.,Good luck and safe racing to everyone this year. After 4 years away, I will be racing this year. Look forward to seeing everyone at the track.

[John W. 1711]

I prefer less than a 6-hour drive. Throw in some index (10.00) classes, and I'll bring both cars. LOL! See you at the races.

[J.R. Haddad]

There are many more ideas out there, lets pursue them all, including charging us 25.00 more per race because we want tech inspection that no other classes require.

Sorry Billy if I was off base. I was thinking of tear downs, checking camshafts, etc. I thought S/SS was the only one in need of these services.
J.R.

[pmrphil]

Originally Posted by J.R. Haddad

There are many more ideas out there, lets pursue them all, including charging us 25.00 more per race because we want tech inspection that no other classes require.

Sorry Billy if I was off base. I was thinking of tear downs, checking camshafts, etc. I thought S/SS was the only one in need of these services.
J.R.

You haven't seen (or heard of) all the electronics being used in the bracket/.90 classes, I guess.

[J.R. Haddad]

Phil, I've seen them look for electronic devices on S/T, S/G, S/C cars.
A lot of the S/SS racers were talking about the lack of tech on their
style of cars, so I suggested we could pay for it to get it to the level
that would appease everyone.

J.R.

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by J.R. Haddad

Phil, I've seen them look for electronic devices on S/T, S/G, S/C cars.
A lot of the S/SS racers were talking about the lack of tech on their
style of cars, so I suggested we could pay for it to get it to the level
that would appease everyone.

J.R.

What are we paying for now? $350 to enter a national event ! At what point do we say enough is enough. Random tear downs at national events and divisionals is cool.

[B/S 428]

I don't post a whole lot, I've been class racing for 16 years and I'm having a blast with my all home built 2bbl Comet, I bracket race every weekend Bremerton since the 80s 1/8th mile, they let us run double classes with 1st round loss buy backs, possible winnings for every weekend $3500 plus they a $1000 shootout 3x a season..added bonus they do 1 footbrake weekend race with buybacks $15k each day $30k for the weekend..plus 1/4 options at Pacific, woodburn and Yakima..

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by B/S 428

I don't post a whole lot, I've been class racing for 16 years and I'm having a blast with my all home built 2bbl Comet, I bracket race every weekend Bremerton since the 80s 1/8th mile, they let us run double classes with 1st round loss buy backs, possible winnings for every weekend $3500 plus they a $1000 shootout 3x a season..added bonus they do 1 footbrake weekend race with buybacks $15k each day $30k for the weekend..plus 1/4 options at Pacific, woodburn and Yakima..

WOW! I'm jealous! My s#!t would fit right in! (no offense meant)