Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

32 car field will be better imo, helps reduce the possibility of one racer getting to the top of the hill without getting dinged via CIC....one guy could have an opponet break and get a couple of red lights from others and get to the final while keeping his/her index intact in a 4 round race. More rounds may equate to more interesting semis and finals.

It might be a good idea to start a thread for the sole purpose of guaging how many people are going to enter this race. I'm thinking this will very likely be a 'woodstock' moment.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Good luck and hope to be there.

Btw, 25000 posts, what does that tell you?

Doyle

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

I meant 25000 VIEWS !

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Correct. Considered that as well.

That's what this thread was. Having an online attendance poll is not going to get you anywhere near an accurate count as there are way too many people that don't participate here. We're past that, and committed to the event. I think reasonable expectations are for low side 90 Stock and 80 Super Stock, and home run territory being 140 Stock and 125 Super Stock. I've often described the U.S. Class Nationals as a woodstock moment. We will do our very best to produce a great and memorable event for you, one that we hope will be an annual one.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

These numbers definitely seem attainable given the location and dates of this awesome race. I'll be there, and I'd love to see it happen!

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

What's the Quick 32 race about?

Is it ran like comp?

Sorry if this has been covered before.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Carey, I'm not sure how Michael has it planned.

At the US Class Nat'ls in 2001, yes, it was run like Comp. Quickest 32 qualifiers, handicapped off the Class Index (like Comp), no breakout, first one there wins. There was no CIC (no penalty for running so-far under). The #1 and 2 qualifiers made it to the final in each Class. 1 beat 2 in Stock, 2 beat 1 in S/S because of the 6 pm curfew and the short cool-down time between rounds hurt Rich Oakes (he had four tenths on the field in his SS/DS car, but the car bogged in the final from too much heat...was spitting antifreeze out on the fender).

Using old Indexes (A/SA 11.30 instead of 11.00), a good CIC point to use would probably be -1.00 under. So if an A/SA wins round 1 going 10.200, their Index is now 11.20 (down from 11.30) for round 2, and so on. This will help level the playing field somewhat (look at the CIC race in Belle Rose every year) and keep the one or two super-fast cars from dominating.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Yes, the Quick 32 would be a Comp-style CIC race (handicapped start off the class indexes, first to the finish wins, go faster than the CIC trigger and your index is adjusted down by the difference for the rest of the Quick 32 race. Indexes return to normal for Qualifying, Class, and Sunday's main event). The CIC trigger is to be determined. Need to do a little "playtesting" to see what would work the best. We will be using what is roughly the old NHRA indexes (index +.30). I can probably put together a spreadsheet for testing a given pair of cars, and go through a mock-eliminations to see how it pans out, to see if the trigger should be -1.00, -1.25, or somewhere inbetween.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Sounds like fun!

I would imagine we can run all out with no permanent penalties? :)

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Yes Carey. It is an unsanctioned race, like the original Class Nationals (though with scales, heads-up runs and stuff). No AHFGS, horsepower penalties or anything like that. Just the CIC Index reductions in Eliminations of the Q-32. If you want to run two seconds under, go for it. Just wait til the final of the CIC Race to do it (first round would be a killer). :)

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Right on!

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Michael. How about making it 1 second under. This way some of the not so fast cars have to deal with the CIC

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

There's a lot of interest in this race Michael, and for good reason. When it comes time to sign up sponsors and contingencies , keep Renegade Racing Fuels in mind. We would love to be part of this show.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Michael,
How about no cic and let's see who has the fastest car.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Qualifying shows who has the fastest car. ;) Although that's a good reminder to seek sponsors for Top Qualifier awards!

Again, I need to do some research and play-testing, but I'm leaning toward having a relatively high trigger so that the majority of the racing will be wide open, and the CIC hits would likely only affect the combos that appear out of the norm. If you set the CIC too low, you just end up with more 1000' racing, which defeats the purpose. I believe there needs to be some level of CIC constraint, however, so that there's more to the race than just "qualifying".

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Worked up a really ugly spreadsheet tonight to test some CIC triggers. (Remembering that we're dealing with NHRA Indexes +.30 to start with)

With a low -1.00 trigger, EVERYBODY is getting hit first round, (except in the case of a red light), then from there on out, all of the racing becomes very, very close, almost to the point of being a coin toss. I think that takes a lot away from the performance aspect of it. A -1.25 trigger would theoretically be about the middle of the field. I think you maintain performance while still putting the driver in the game... just my opinion. Still seeking input.

What have they done at Belle Rose? What did you think? How would a different trigger affect the racing? Which is more fun?

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Another problem with the low trigger is that is someone does have a red light against them first round, they have a huge advantage second round over the guy who went 1.30 under first round. And that advantage will continue throughout eliminations unless there are more red lights because they won't have to go as fast to win. A higher trigger will take a little bit of the luck out of it.

I do agree with having one low enough to keep the driver in the game, that's half the fun! I like the 1.25 idea.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

That sounds good -1.25

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

I'm with Larry, 1.25 and you still have guys clicking it at 1000'

Dirk

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Another thought that just crossed my mind is to have a little Bracket Finals "team" aspect to the Class Nationals. There are a large number of great S/SS Associations out there. I think it would be neat to award points to the Associations, and crown a 'team champion' at the end of the weekend.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Easy, your starting to overthink this. IMHO

Remember the K.I.S.S. method

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Understood. It was a 'just for fun' idea. We'll concentrate on the primary programs and getting a successful first year under our belt.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Like that heads up stuff

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

CIC at No Problem is anything over 7 under gets hit the next round by the amount over.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Haven't been posting about the event lately, as we've been concentrating on our St. Patrick's Classic ($10K Top ET and Footbrake races) coming up this weekend at Coastal Plains Dragway in Jacksonville, NC, but after we've got that one in the books and post-race coverage done, I can turn my attention back to the Northern Class Nationals.

In related news...
National Trail Raceway has been putting some money back into the facility. The track worked great at last year, and hopefully these updates will make things even better yet!

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...52841646_n.jpg

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

I'm not a Farmer's Almanac subscriber, but when we were discussing different locations in the early stages of this event, we talked about weather history. While 'past results are no guarantee of future weather', historically, the first weekend in May has been a rainy one in Bowling Green, Edgewater, and points west, and that held true again this year. We are now just shy of one year away from the Northern Class Nationals. While it may mean absolutely nothing, it's encouraging to note that the weather followed its historical trend this past weekend in Hebron, OH, and it would've been three perfect days of racing weather! We'll happily take more of the same next year! :cool:

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

that should jinx us !

jack

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

You've got a 'boat', you'll be fine. ;-)

The other plus is with having just three classes on the grounds, everyone will have a better selection of pit area.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Now you're starting to sound like a lawyer-caster lol

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

The feedback I've been receiving on the Northern Class Nationals has been absolutely huge. Based on this feedback, the car count potential, and studying the amount of time required to run various types of races on a given day, we have decided to make the event a Stock & Super Stock only event. You have always been the showcase, and we feel that we need to concentrate on giving S/SS racers the best experience possible. That means having the pits dedicated to you, and time schedules that give you ample track time and racing opportunities without running you late into the night. With a strong turnout of S, SS, *and* No-Box, we could quickly get into a time crunch.

The No-Box E.T. Bracket races will be replaced with one day featuring two Qualifying runs, an optional $3,000 S/SS Combo, and Racer Appreciation Party, and one day dedicated to performance, with two Qualifying runs, Class Eliminations (Q2 will be first round of Class), and then after the completion of Class, roll into the Quick 32 CIC shootouts. This will also alleviate the extra work of having to keep swapping back and forth between 'bracket mode' and 'go fast' setups. Keeping the Sunday schedule of going straight into eliminations of the $5K main events will enable us to complete the event in a timely fashion, allow folks a decent amount of time to travel home, and give us some time to fall back on should we need it for any reason.

My initial thought is to do the "Performance Day" (Qualifying, Class, & Quick 32 CIC races) on Friday, and then the remainder of Qualifying, the S/SS Combo, and Racer Appreciation Party on Saturday -- that way your last setup is 'bracket mode', and you don't have to dial off of Friday's runs on Sunday. But, if you'd rather do the Combo on Friday, Class & Q32's Saturday, I'm open to your feedback.

I have contacted Mark Walter at DragStory.com and MotorManiaTV.com and reserved our date to have the entire weekend broadcast live online. If you haven't seen their work before, Walter and crew provide a 4-camera, fully produced live video feed -- exactly what the S/SS community has been begging for! Here's a sample of the kind of work they do:



For sponsors, they have the ability to cut in TV commercials as well as display banner ads.

http://www.ihra.com/uploadedImages/News/2013/1(4).jpg


I have been working on a preliminary flyer, and have started talking with potential sponsors. We have everything available from individuals putting up cash or prizes for awards or specific Class shootouts, gift certificates or products, support for the Quick 32 CIC purses, and contingency postings, up to presenting and title sponsor positions. There are no administration fees. For example, Jack McCarthy & Terry Bell have started pooling money for a U/SA Shootout. Any individual Class funds or prizes/awards you want to organize, we will be happy to publish on the event flyer, and it all goes right to the racers.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Very cool. Keep up the good work!

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Through Facebook, I've discovered photographer Chuck Clark. He's one of several I'm talking with about the possibility of shooting at the Northern Class Nationals. He's got a gallery of sweet shots like this one on his Facebook page. Here's the Norwalk Super Stock gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1806503&type=3


https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...92215927_n.jpg

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Michael, that Facebook link isn't working.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Hm. Works on my end. Maybe you have to 'friend' him. Look up Chuck Clark, or try https://www.facebook.com/chuck.clark.501

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

"The page you requested cannot be displayed right now. It may be temporarily unavailable, the link you clicked on may have expired, or you may not have permission to view this page."

Excellent image, will be a great event Michael. Remember many don't use Facebook.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Yup, it works now after I "friended" him.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Given the level of interest shown, we're going to bump up the payouts from the original plan.

Sunday Main Event
Stock Eliminator and Super Stock Eliminator (EACH: 2 completely separate eliminators, just like a regular national event. Not a Combo!)
WIN $5,000
R/U $2,000
Semi $800
6th Rnd Loss $500 (if over 128 cars. All Run field)
5th Rnd Loss $400
4th Rnd Loss $300
3rd Rnd Loss $200

As before, $260 Weekend Entry covers Qualifying on Fri & Sat, Class & Quick 32 CIC races, and the Main Event $5K Eliminators on Sunday. Tech, Scales, Fuel Check, and Heads-Up runs in effect.

- - -

Saturday Combo details...
S/SS Combo Warmup
WIN $3,000!
R/U $1,000
Semi $500
Rnd Money $50/Rnd (Starting with 3rd Rnd Loss)
Entry $100

Rules for the S/SS Combo Warmup -- knowing that there could be a massive amount of entries in the Combo, I've tried to set rules to move things along as efficiently as possible while maintaining the performance aspect of Class Racing when possible. Since we won't know who all has entered the Combo until potentially the last minute, it makes sense to roll with random pairings for the first two rounds to get us down to a manageable field size where we have time to calculate and set pairings. This will also allow us to separate Stock and Super Stock the first two rounds, which many people prefer. 3rd round, we should be down to around 30-40 cars, at which point we can set a ladder and put heads-up runs back in effect.
1st & 2nd Round: Stock and Super Stock will be called to the lanes separate. Pairings will be Random Draw, with no Heads-Up runs.
3rd Round through Finals: Cars will be put on a Ladder starting 3rd Rnd on based on Rnd 2 E.T. Heads-Up runs WILL be in effect starting 3rd Rnd.

Sound good? Comments/questions/suggestions?

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Chuck Clark is the "King of the Pan Shot"; he does exceptional work.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Good and fair plan,Michael .
I assume 1st draw gives you the pairing...Second draw for lane choice,,if necessary?

Also 2nd rd. ET,,,Closest to dialed ET, or fastest under the index (i.e. Qualifying) ?
Thanks.. trying to save you a few emails ;-)

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

1st and 2nd rnd are random draw. Columbus's normal drill is random side by side or front to back via chip or card draw, first car has lane choice. Again, the primary goal is to move a large number of cars efficiently to get things underway, and jeeping STK and SS separate for a couple rounds.3rd round will be on a ladder set by furthest under the index based off of Rnd 2 winning E.T.'s.... assuming the computer can handle that, or that we can reasonably administrate it by hand if necessary. Nitro Joe and I will be spending some time working with the track staff prior to the event to make sure all of our Ducks (TM) are in a row.