Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

Right now,22 cars in Stock and 13 in Super Stock.Not very many races where winning 4 or 5 rounds will get you a National event win.I have never raced there,but I did go as a spectator many years ago.If some people think this track is a dump,they must not get out much,as I have seen some pretty bad race facilities over the years.

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

Thanks for correcting my post, Toby...........LOL

What I write in the forum is so different than I tell my wife..........If I want to race somewhere, I will emphasis that we could win a few thousand dollars by winning the event and you can't win thousands unless we race. I think she is catching on to my tricks....LOL

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

Having been a long time racer at Bandimere as well as other tracks in the west/midwest, I'd like to set a few things straight without sounding too biased.

Yes, during the MileHighs things get cramped. Everybody tries to squeeze onto the limited asphalt. In years past, more sportsman racers could get on asphalt but with the size of the rigs and the pros requiring more space with hospitality etc., sportsman get pushed into the recycled asphalt. Which by the way is closer to the staging lanes than Topeka's expanded pit area. People don't seem to mind pitting far away. I think the difference is Topeka has asphalt and a pretty darn nice restroom facility close to the sportsman pits.

I for one HATE the recycled asphalt. Its dusty and rocky and that black dust gets everywhere. But the lack of asphalt is supposedly not Bandimere's fault. Something about too much pavement on the hill is bad for drainage. Believe me if they could, they would pave the whole thing to make it nicer. The Bandimeres are not shy about investing money in their facility.

Yes there is no running water and no restrooms/showers except for the tower (well water). But they have lots of port a johns that are serviced throughout the weekend. The women don't like them but at least they aren't crapping in their shoes. I go to lots of other tracks that don't have great restroom facilities.

On the plus side, the Bandimeres are great people and they care about the racer's/fan experience. Mopar offers lots of perks and hosts the block party in Golden which is always well attended with live music, car show, etc.

Some people may not like it but I for one, enjoy the race. Throngs of people attend this race and the security personnel have to "part the sea" of people to allow the cars to get to the staging lanes. After the races you can drive into the mountains to the many mountain towns that have gambling etc. or just enjoy the scenery.

The view from the pits is second to none. You can see the whole track from anywhere in the grandstands and the fence along the pits. Racers can watch the races in the spectator grand stands with your credential. Other tracks make you sit in the bleachers down track where you can't see anything.

All in all, like every track, there are pluses and minuses. I think Bandimere's pluses outweigh the minuses.

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

We went there on our Western Swing in 2010 and was very disappointed in the changes with Mopar sponsoring the race. The only other time we were there (1992), Mopar had a banquet they invited all the Mopar racers to. They also had lots of things they gave away. We still have the engraved beer mug. We were trying to remember what they did in 2010 and can't remember anything except maybe hot dogs one day at lunch. The party downtown was nice, but Mopar did nothing there either.

I won't say we will never go back, but I really can't think of a reason to go! (and we had good parking on the asphalt!)

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

Not sure what you mean. More cars = More port-o-lets? How many cars do you need to get running water? I can't figure this out.

I know us Southern racers are reportedly pretty backward according to some, but, at least we have figured out how to push water uphill! It's called a PUMP!

To be fair, I have heard, in the past, that Denver was a nice place given the geographical problems. Now, I have not attended a NHRA National Event in many years. I have my reasons. That said, I have read and spoken to many of you who have. It seems to me that for whatever reason, you guys are being pushed further and further into the back forty (that's Southern for boondocks). Charlotte? Maybe that could be one of the reasons the car counts are so bad? Jim


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Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

That's because it takes about a football field sized space to run a fuel car by the time you accommodate all your big money sponsors comfort needs.

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

That and the fact that you (we) are nothing but filler for the Nitro racers! You have to believe that they realize there is a big drop off in Sportsman participation which means their monetary input is dwindling. I just hope they figure out that they NEED the Sportsman racer in order to survive! There is no way they can live on the meager fan base coming to the races! Jim


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Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

It sure seems like we ss racers go out of our way to find an excuse to not race these days. Bandimere isnt the greatest but it ain't the worst either. Its more challenging to race here at 10,000 feet but that's part of the fun. I strugle as much as anyone but when you start to figure it out and go faster , its awesome! Dont be scared boys,come on up and get you some.....plus i got a cold coors with your name on it......just come find me!

Kirk gittins,ss/bm

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

I always heard that the Bandimere's wanted the Town of Morrison to annex them then the city would bring in the water. That has never happened so you get port-a-potties.

Jeff

Re: Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver
 

Just wondering.... where do they get their electricity? They have NO running water there? Are there NO bathrooms at this track? I don't think I have EVER been to a National Event race track that didn't have at least ONE permanent bathroom facility with running water within a mile of the Sportsman pits! Just sayin'. Jim


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