Re: Live from The Rock
 

BITE YOUR TONGUE, Daryl!!!!! Not funny (though I am starting to wonder).

Just got back from R3. 59.5 degrees, 75% hum. 29.55 Bar. & 833 feet and a marginal track. We heard our opponent Mike Crutchfield had to leave for a family medical emergency. Our prayers are with him and hopefully everything is ok when he gets there. Hot Rod was on the way back up when we were coming back. Round Robin we go.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

As long as you keep winning,it makes it easier to put up with all of the changes in the schedule.Keep it up!

Re: Live from The Rock
 

IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, DARYL!!!! They called us up to the lanes, after stock had been there for an hour waiting to get the ladder sorted out (in R4?!?), we are waiting as they are dragging the track. Lanes are full with almost every class represented. And then, the announcement. Whenever we hear Scooter's voice it's not good.

The very cold air and high humidity is making the track too dangerous. They are calling it a night. Pack it up, start with a time trial at 9 am for every race car at the track.

They are doing EVERYTHING to give us a safe race to run and mother nature is just totally flipping them the finger. We are so tired of the get up there, go back thing go. We have wasted so much fuel warming up, going up, going back for nothing. Thank goodness we brought an extra five gallons but I don't know if it will be enough.

The only good thing is the old friends we are seeing and the new friends we are making here. Everyone has been so nice and we are all in the same boat so a lot of commisserating. I'm going to try and take some pictures during tomorrow's time runs. I don't take pictures during any eliminations, superstitious like that, so sorry I haven't posted any more. Tomorrow will afford some new cars to take shots of as not all in the TOC entered this God forsaken Sportsnationals and have been sitting here for three days for nothing.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Sorry to hear about all of this.They just posted the Monday schedule.
Maybe I'm missing something,but why is there time trials scheduled for all cars that remain in the Sportsnationals?
Eliminations are underway, just pick a dial and go for it.

http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCSt...95829#indextop

Re: Live from The Rock
 

They are trying to be fair to everyone. Conditions have changed so dramatically over and over it's just the right thing to do. Heck, they have even changed length of the race! LOL And everyone on the property is going to need a hit at some point, either for the TOC, All Stars, etc. It's just easier to get us ALL going somewhere at once and for once. Plus it will give them an idea of who is left and how many cars we have to deal with for the day.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Are they selling your fuel at the track?
I think you might run out.A lot of rounds yet to go!

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Let's see, IHRA planned to run a Sportsnationals race, the Pro national race, an All Star race, the Summit Super Series box and no box bracket race, a Ten Grandslam final (not sure what this is), something called Dash for Cash (not sure what this is either), Tournament of Champions race, elite 8 Pro Stock race, not to mention A/Fuel exhibition and a Jet Truck. I think they should add a junior dragster and a pit bike challenge race. I know they can't control the weather but it seems they try to get too much into this weekend. I feel bad for everyone down there. We went last year and had to wait until Monday also. It wasn't fun.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Don't give them any ideas!

Re: Live from The Rock
 

From what I heard in the tower, the main reason for the time trial is that there were cars on the grounds that never saw the track today. I agree with Beth in that the IHRA staff are busting their butts to get the race done safely, fairly, and as efficiently as possible. It's remarkable how much they care and the lengths they are going to.

Track owner Steve Earwood gets a lot of credit also. Don't forget that every hour the track is open he's spending money on staff, electricity, and equipment. Adding another day simply has more money flying out of his pocket with absolutely none going in.

As far as the finish line incidents, it sure looked liked overbraking to me in each of the races but remember I'm a long way from the finish line so take that with a grain of salt.

This, by far, has been the most challenging race I've ever attended. With IHRA's new year end programs, we are actually running two races at a time. When a class comes to the line it may not be in the same race we were in the class before. Larry Sullivan has to keep watch so he can shut down the computer, reconfigure for the other race, and get it running again before the first pair pull into the water.

I'm not complaining, though. This has been an exceptional experience in many ways, but the most impressive to me is how understanding and patient all the racers have been. I've been at other races where very minor snags had groups of racers screaming their lungs out in the tower. It's a pleasure to be around those who understand it will take all of us to get this thing done.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Its run to late in the year (to cold when the sun goes down and dew on the track) and to many races within a race. Its like putting 10 lbs of poop into a 1 pound bag, How long would it have run if the weather had been great? Whoever wins will have really earned it.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

TBell, It would have been much simpler to restrict the Thurs/Fri. race to non-qualifiers only, and have those TOC qualifiers showup Sat. morning. Had they done that, I know of at least 30-35 racers that would have come to the final qualifier race, and if they got beat, would leave for home on Friday; clearing pit space for the qualified. It's like you say; "10 lbs. of s--t in a 2 lb. bag"...been there, done that.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

I agree....it is run too late in the year. By this time of year it is cold and it rains EVERY year, without failure. But even if the weather was perfect, the schedule is too full. Same thing happended last year even without the TOC. You can't pack 6 days of racing into 4. Last Thursday I was really disappointed that I was not going...now thankful I did not make the effort. Sorry to all those still sitting and waiting. I'm sure everyone in charge is doing all they can. Now there is no question why Steve Earwood does not want the final race at his track.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

IMHO they did not need to run the SportsNational race. They had more than enough to run without it. Emilys right about the weather this time of the year. We went through it last year. Good luck to everyone who is racing tomorrow. There is a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ to be won. I will see everyone in the Spring as JOE COOL is almost ready. Mike

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING
M/SA-2000

Re: Live from The Rock
 

If they don't run the final at the rock, where are they going to run it?
I don't think they would have much better luck at VA motorsports park.


I personally think the sports national should have been run on wed/thurs. run the rest of the races fri and sat, have the banquet or an extra day if necessary on Sunday.

I am sure it has been a challenge for all involved. It has just been a rough weather year for racing all around.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Good morning as we begin DAY SIX from The Rock . . .

It's gonna be fast. 144 feet, 29.65 barometer and 58 degrees. I just hope the track can get warm enough. Then that wind is back, steady 8-10 mph I am guessing. The sun is trying to stay out, but lots of clouds around. They have called Hot Rod and Stock to the lanes, I will try and get pictures during stock and get them posted. Hard to believe today will be the first time down the track for some folks who have been here four days.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

I know the weather has been terrible for the last 2 years at this race, but usually October is a good month for racing in the Carolinas. Race engines like the air and October is usually the month with the least amount of rainfall from the hit of spring through the end of fall.

I really feel for everyone involved and I hope you have a fast and safe race today.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

It would be fast if we could get enough heat into the track. We cannot get a decent 60' save for one pass this whole weekend. And we aren't alone. It's not at the initial hit, its a few feet out it's all ripped up. The poor stockers, most of the high wheelstanders had trouble, Jim Marshall popped up for a blink, but back down as he got out a few feet.

I have uploaded more pictures from both Stock & SuperStock this morning. Here's the link:
http://community.webshots.com/album/575201849gZKZIK

It's under the same album from before, so you will have to go to the end. About 45 pictures. A few new cars this morning. They are calling Stock & Hot Rod Sportsnationals cars right now, we should be going up very very soon. Better get ready to go!

Re: Live from The Rock
 

There are alot of reasons why this race turned into a cluster. The track is crap they had problems the week before at the bracket finals. They were having problems on friday and it was almost 80 degrees. They spent most of the day either trying to fix the track or hauling cars to the junkyard. It rained for about 15 minutes around 6 p.m. that race could have and should have been done on friday. I have been down there a few times over the last several years and it doesn't look like there has been a dime spent on that track. The shut down area is so rough bumpy and short to the turn offs and you know they don't spray that part all you need is a little dampness or sand all you have to do is touch the brakes and around they go.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

They called it. It's done. Go home. Alex is in the finals of the Sportsnationals - he and Pete D are in the tower right now figuring it all out. I am packing up, will post more later. :mad:

Re: Live from The Rock
 

WOW, that has to really be a let down after all those days at the track to be stopped right at the finals. Alex you did a fine job, you all be safe going home. Joe

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Thanks Joe . . . what a way to end the year. We are almost packed up, they had us come down and take our Divisional win pictures and get the trophies & checks. They also had a nice spread of food for those who would brave the rain. I have put the last pictures up from the winner's circle. More later.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Alex & Beth,

Congrats on a terrific performance, I'm convinced that Mother Nature was the only competitor that was gonna beat ya... wonderful updates, Beth, and Alex, have a nice trip back, I guess dinner will be big celebration.... you certainly earned it!


Marvin

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Live, Still from The Rock.

We decided to stay the night here and just pull out as early as we can. We are both mentally and physically drained to the point of exhaustion. I had no idea how much energy waiting took. But waiting is a verb, and action word, and it killed us. We were in the staging lanes waiting to run the final against Pete D'Angelo and it started sprinkling. Again. They sent us back and within ten minutes, the harbinger of bad news came on the PA. Poor Scooter Peaco - the only time we heard from him was when it was bad news.

IHRA did everything they could to give us a safe racetrack. It was just a combination of too cold, too much cold wind, no sun and too often wet to get this done. We spent more fuel going back and forth to the lanes and warming up than we did making runs, I think.

I don't know what IHRA is going to do, we will all wait. Alex and Pete are going to run for the contigency $ and trophy at a later event, maybe Martin next year. The rest flipped for the wins. Congrats to all the other sportsman winners. And congrats to everyone else who hung in there and tried to get this done. We did all we could and there was nothing left to do short of putting a monster tarp over the whole track. That was the last viable solution, which really isn't very viable. At least we gave it every effort. :)

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Not to make light of your personal experience Beth, but I can tell you, it was emotionally draining to follow the results, (or lack of, actually) from the armchair. How you guys maintained your focus, I'll forever be guessing.

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Beth and Alex,

You fought the hard fight and you should hold your heads up high. You made it to the final!!!

As for feeling exhausted, after 6 days and having enough adrenaline pumping in the body after each trip to the staging lanes, we can all understand why. A good nights sleep will help in your journey home.

I know IHRA did what it could do to get this race off but I think they were their own worst enemy. Trying to stage as many special races within a race all in the same weekend was "trouble" from the get go.

A good friend of ours made the long journey from the "great white north" on the assumption he would be able to compete in the TOC scheduled on Friday. Now he goes home (as do many others) with little to show for winning an IHRA national event and the memories of a forgettable weekend. His impression of the IHRA was not stellar to begin with. Can't imagine what he is thinking now.....

Another racer from Canada with two entries into the TOC chose to attend another race this weekend. I am sure his entire family stands behind their decision.

Someone had to say it!

Mike

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Mike, I agree that the fragile format chosen for the Championship weekend was destined to be scuttled by the first raindrop; the weather gods have no sympathy for the promoters or the competitors.

I, however, would have given almost anything to have been at the Rock last weekend, cursing the NC sky and wondering why the heck I had driven all those miles......call me crazy.

Not crazy enough to drive to Alberta for a race....at least I don't think so??

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Well, it's Saturday. Trying to get back to "normal".

We haven't heard anything from IHRA - has anyone else?

Re: Live from The Rock
 

Beth,

I just came in from raking leaves to listen to the first round of Stock from Vegas.
I saw your post ''LIVE FROM THE ROCK", and I was thinking ....."aren't you home yet?" LOL!