Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

We will have to try that. Sounds good.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Umm yeah why wouldn’t it? It’s Florida, they get weather down here, should we all quit and pack up on a Thursday?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Yes that's Florida! You think the track would have built a retention pond like a lot of Florida subdivisions have ...just have to keep the gators out of them. I'm sure hoping we don't have this issue in Houston next month!

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

And this is why we don’t travel to the Gators!

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Shhhhhhh!!! Go wash your mouth out with soap, young man.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

There are plenty of retention ponds at the track. The problem is that the land is very low lying and some are wetlands so not much more can be done without spending a ton of money. Normally we do not get this much rain this early in the season.

I’d be surprised if any racing is completed today with the forecast and rain coming down right now.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

NHRA indicated part of the proceeds from the Atlanta Dragway sale was going to updates for Gainesville. Anyone see evidence of that? The Gators normally has a huge gate and know this weekend will be a hit for them and all the racers affected. The whole past two years have been a financial challenge for NHRA and everybody else but I think there should be some transparency in where the asset liquidation is funneled to (besides California).

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Jim,

They did start with the improvements as they were adding some drainage near the track itself especially in the shut down area.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Good morning everyone... well not so good morning. The rain started around 6am and has not stopped. It does not look good for today. Forecast is rain for most of the day. NHRA spent all day yesterday trying to get the track prepped, but there was so much rain the night before and in the morning, It was a monumental task for sure. The sun did come out late in the day, but there was no window for us to get at least one shot down the track.

I know many of you are concerned with NHRA, but folks there was nothing that could have been done different. I watch, them from the starting line to the turn off... working feverishly to gives us a good race track... but it was not to be. It looks like the weather will not break until late Saturday morning. Even then it will be hours trying to get the race track ready.

I few more photos from last week...

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Dang, the weather does not look promising at this point for sportsman. I know the pits must be a challenge for everyone this week. Good luck to all and I hope ya'll see some track time soon.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys, I just received some disturbing info. I know you all mean well supporting Class Racer, but please do not send threating emails or phone calls to the NHRA on behalf of Class Racer. It's not good for Class Racer and our access to NHRA. Yes... NHRA has issues, but threats do nothing to further our cause. The only way things get better is to have a civil discussion about issues we have.

The Media department only follows the the rules there are given, harassing them does not help. In hindsight, I should have never posted about the issue. The NHRA media staff has always been good to me, and although I did not understand why the issue came up, I respected it. Again please don't take the path of disrespect and harassment towards the media staff, they are workers not the policy makers.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Sadly, we have become a radical society. Threating to kill a school board member over mask policy! same thing here, threating over photos?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Nothing new to report, it has been raining steadily since I last posted, heavy at times. No word on what tomorrow schedule will be, the rain is supposed to be with us until tomorrow afternoon.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

I got an earlier e mail that today’s sportsman schedule has been canceled no runs today. Nothing about tomorrow yet. Doubtful we will see any runs at all tomorrow. I think i will pull the plug on my weekend in the morning. I can’t stay for a Monday race. ☹️

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

At 4:30 D2 posted a schedule for tomorrow on Facebook with sportsman classes getting a Q run first thing in the morning, then going to the Pros and sportsman classes then running round 1. Not sure why they would post something that optimistic but there it is…running sportsman classes in Orlando must have been ruled out.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Ken,

I sent an email but I simply said I thought it was a bad decision by Nhra. I also said I think they should think a little bit more about the sportsman racer. These issues always come from the top not the people we talk to.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

2010 Gators was just like this. Parked Wed pm, rained for 2 days straight, and part of Saturday. We got 1 run at I think 7am Sun morning. Then we had to wait until the Pros ran the final rounds, so we were completely done until Sun afternoon, and they called us for 1st rd, about an hr earlier. I lost 1rd on a dbl break out, and broke out again trying to get out of Fla., as fast as I could.
I hope the best for y’all, there.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Its all good Ed, thanks for the support. I talked to all involved and we are okay.


Its still raining, God knows what tomorrow will bring.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Even if the weather is better tomorrow, many racers can not get their cars out of the trailer or out of their pit area because of the water and mud. In over 45 years of racing, this is the worst I have ever seen. The number of people pulling out tomorrow will be big, IF they can get out of the area they are parked. Last week was perfect, how the weather can change things !

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Good morning all, yes it is still raining. It stopped about midnight, but at around 5am it started again. The rain was heavy for about 2 hours, maybe more. Its lightened up a little, but the pits are a mess. The rain is supposed to stop in a few hours, but the winds are picking up and temps will start to drop.

Who knows what the schedule will be today... here is what it look like yesterday, I'm afraid to look outside now.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

I'm sorry I posted the contact information because a few (or more) idiots harassed someone just doing her job. Obviously some people don't know how to behave.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

No worries Frank, its all good now.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

It's the rainiest Gatornationals I've ever experienced but we found a bit of good weather Thursday evening and we just couldn't help ourselves. Call it Thursday Happy Hour if you will. We even interrupt a Fletcher dog walk but their 3 week old baby was just too adorable not to get on video. Triple Crown Barrett stops in on the fun while myself, Evan Smith, and Ken Miele of classracer.com along with a bunch of friends discuss the DragInsights app in a little more depth and go through various features that can help sportsman racers take their programs to the next level. We also discuss the weekend's Power Rankings which is a new feature we have been putting out. "Yo Ken" also talks about the upcoming Class Racer Nationals!

Click here to subscribe to my channel.

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Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Thanks Bobby...

The rain has stopped... the wind has picked and the temp is dropping fast, but the the clouds are breaking up and the sun is starting to break through. One official told me the pros will be first on the track... no word on the sportsman.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

But bet you can make a good guess LOL

Always appreciate your reports Ken and despite the frustrations with NHRA you try to keep all of us balanced in our comments. NHRA has lost a ton of money in gate receipts and concessions because of the rain so this has been maddening for them as well as racers and spectators.

Can’t wait for your race at Numidia where WE are the focus.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

You guys act liked you have never been to a race and sat in the rain. It's not NHRA fault either. Suck it up buttercup and be glad you're there. I would trade places with ya in a heartbeat.
Chip

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

The weather has been crazy this weekend and it was predicted. We move from flood warnings to freeze warning tomorrow morning. Florida weather is always unpredictable this time of year when the fronts pass through.
I have been here when we had big rains before but we’re able to get some runs in by the pro classes. So far not one car has made a pass down the track

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

They are running FSS right now.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Looks fast with Mark Pawuk going 7.608@183. Not bad for a 9" tire.

Paul

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Just in from NHRA. All stock and super stock runs are canceled for today. 1 Q run Sunday afternoon then run on Monday. Factory stock showdown just ran. Fast field. Mark Pawuk 7.608 to lead the field.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Pawuk 7.60 at 183, damn! Challengers may be getting a pulley adjustment after this week.

2 Dodges, 2 Fords and 1 Chevy in the 7.60s with a couple more knocking on the door in the low 70s.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

glad I made the decision to leave Wed as I would not stay for Monday.

Pawuk also went 183.15

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Does anyone know what the DA was for those runs?


Stan

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Are all the classes including the pros only going to get one qualifier?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Roughly -64.93 ft

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys sorry for the sorry for the lack of reports.There are so many spectators at this race, the internet is crawling. I had to leave the track just to make a post. Temp 56 windy 20 plus tail wind. DA 300FT above. Sportsman will not run today... we will run tomorrow. I don't know when, I'm sure we will be here on Monday. I would like to do a roll call, I think there's only 30 cars in stock and 30 cars and super stock left. Let me know who's here and who's not if you can.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

It shows minus 250' right now. The revised schedule shows sportsman get a pass. Hopefully the conditions don't get too cold.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

DRC shows "Final order" after Q1. You'd think Leah and Force and Capps would have figured not to coast down track after smoking the tires. And Leah not driving in Factory Stock any more?

I suppose running Monday (maybe) is better than coming back next week.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

NHRA text messaging system said one qualifier tomorrow afternoon, eliminations Monday. 15 minutes later div 2 FB page put out a schedule showing 1st qualifying today (tonight?) after 2nd rd of pro qualifying. Don’t see that happening.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

If eliminations are on Monday
Why not a time run Monday?
Why make it a crap shoot?
These sportsman racers have put up with a lot this weekend