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Re: terrible race at fontana
 

as a small time bracket racer, I feel your pain. been there twice, bad experiences with event running both times. it's a shame the last southern california place to race is not doing so well..........

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Last year I was harrassed by a security guy telling me dogs weren't allowed there and I had to leave my dog in my motorhome. (I have a cocker spaniel and he'll kill you with kisses, that's how tough he is. I always pick up after him, never leave a mess!) I would either walk him (leashed) to the end of the track, to a grassy area to play/relive himself, or I would take him in the golf cart. Every trip resulted in me being chastised. Finally I told the guy that no where was it posted we couldn't have dogs, there were other dogs on the premises and to leave me the !@#$ alone! I guess he figured I was hormonal or something because he never bothered me again. ;-)

We stayed in our RV, which backed up to the railroad tracks (the tracks run parallel to the racetrack). Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep.

There were absolutely no loudspeakers in the Stock/SS pits. Unless we were on the starting line we had no clue what was going on.

Then, on race day, it was windier than this years' Presidential candidates. Do you think they'd stop the race? No, not until numerous cars got out of shape. In my case, and a few other stockers, we had to rerun our race because of debris flying across the track. Eventually, they delayed the racing action to wait for the wind to subside.

I told my Dad & husband I wouldn't go back and I kept the promise. We have so few tracks out here on the west coast but I race to have fun. And Fontana is not fun.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Julie

I suggest you copy Mike Rice at NHRA on your issues with the facility in Fontana. Many SoCal racers have expressed similar frustration with the management at this facility for this and several other issues. I would be very interested to see if any of your issues were addressed by the division director. Several local racers have shifted their participation to other tracks.....Famoso, Irwindale, Barona, etc., simply because of the attitude of the track manager toward racers.

But that's just one opinion....and you know what they say about opinions.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

As I understand, the Fontana Track is managed by Mike Rice's wife.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

That's why I would be interested if anything was ACTUALLY done to address anyone's concerns.
My calls to the division office have gone unanswered.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Are you guys sure you're not talking about Div.2? Sounds real familiar.Jim

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

I remember several years ago when I attended the first Sportsnationals at Belle Rose LA. It truly was for sportsman racers, everything was great, from the hospitality to the track staff. After that race months later, I began hearing such comments as there should be more Sportsnationals around the country, one for each division. In my head I knew that this would eventually lead to the possible elimination of the sportsman categories at "national events" Well so far that has not happened, but the result that I have heard is that the other 'sportsnationals" are not met very favorable by the racers.

At Belle Rose, Pat Joffrion is in charge and runs the show very well, as he is a racer. NHRA is there to do the teching and rule enforcement. It seems that the races in Ohio and California are run by NHRA and do not have a Pat Joffrion running it. There might be the problem.

At Belle Rose we even got cold bottles of water given to us after time trials and eliminations, we even got goodie bags from the local merchants. Does this happen in OH or CA. Do these tracks really look out for the sportsman? I do not know as I have not been to either of them, but from what I have heard, I do not want to go.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA racing is supposed to be fun, right?

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

The truth is....at Fontana it doesn't really matter what class you are running or the series in which you participate. The management attitude toward racers seems to be applied equally across all groups. It is one of arrogance and disdain for the interests of racers. I have heard the excuse that the dragstrip is treated as a stepchild of the NASCAR track which somehow contributes to this unfortunate attitude....however my personal experience is that the problem stems from one person...the track manager.

Those that long for the days of Dave Danish are the ones who complain the loudest because they recall a time when the racers were treated with respect. It's a shame because SoCal is the birthplace of our sport and should be considered a home for racers from all parts of the country when they travel out west. As a rule however, as evidenced by the messages posted here and elsewhere, they are treated with disregard for their concerns such as parking, track prep, consistent information, rules application, and other issues that have been described at great length.

The consistent response from the manager to racers who have voiced their concern is "If you don't like it go race somewhere else". How's that for a good business manager???

I wouldn't expect any major changes to this situation until and unless the issue is addressed at the divisional level. Good luck with that!

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Having been going there since it opened I have expirenced the problems that are being talked about.
What it boils down to is it appears to be operating on a shoe string budget.
The track is stuck in the back corner of the NASCAR facility parking lot with very little in the way of buildings (a portable unit) and equipment. The loud speakers can only be heard in the stands but it is broadcast over the AM radio for those in the pits. The staff is small and only a few seem to have any experience.
The outside security company may be the only ones available due to California Speedway rules.
(The drag strip may have no choice in using them.)
If they don't have a long term lease I can see the reluctance to invest much money in the facility.
It's the closest race track (besides Pomona) to a lot of us and It beats the heck out of LACR.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

sounds like joliet illinois too.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Yea Jim, we know how safe ours are don't we, not sure about theirs!

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

This race and facillity are a joke and a disgrace. Track prep is nonexistant. There are no racer amenities the pa system is non hearable. It is a 4th class race track. Div 7 and Mike Rice should be embarassed.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Never had a problem with traction at Fontana...could it be your tires or suspension system? PA system....bring a radio...lots of tracks have poor PA systems.l

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

We were in contact with a couple of friends who were there racing. They pretty much told us what was said here. Poor track prep, workers, organization, etc. They thought it was a joke also. Very dissapointed.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

What exactly is "good" track prep? I have made probably close to 2000 laps on the Fontana track and I have been to several other tracks. Fontana uses the same equipment that every other track I have visited uses. Fontana uses VHT, they have a drag tractor, they scrape before and after every event, and the track crew is made up of racers who know what a good track is. I raced at the D7 Finals recently in Fallon. The track was mediocre at best. The only plus was the dirty permanent restroom. Other than that, the track had a lousy PA system, the pits were mostly dirt, and the track had some cracks in it the size of the San Andreas fault. Yet, everyone raves about how great that track is because their car hooks. Did it ever occur to anyone that their car hooks there because the high altitude limits the power cars make? I guess I just don't understand why Fontana gets beat up so much. What do you want them to do? I can't speak for the contracted Security or the ticketing personnel, but the on-track crew is top notch and they are some of the most skilled in what they do. Above their skill, the track crew their simply cares and I know for a fact that the head starter will NOT let a race continue with a bad track. If you had issues with the track, check your set-up. I am willing to bet the farm that it wasn't the tracks fault. Come to any PSCA race their and see cars go deep in the 6's at over 230 mph on a small tire in the heat and in the cold.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Hey Rod I did not see your name on a Stock or Super Stock Qualifying list at the Sportnationals at Fontana.

Since Rod and Ed were not at the Sportsnationals let me clue everyone in as to what took place over the weekend. First.....Fontana did not do the track prep. The Fontana crew does show up and work on the track before racing starts and then it is handed over to NHRA.

On Saturday afternoon it rained and then it rained on Saturday night and then on Sunday morning it was sunny and warm. This is probably the worst case scenario there is for track prep. Water soaks turu and gets under the rubber duing the night......when the warm sun comes out the next morning it evaporates and causes the rubber to seperate from the concrete. Bad deal but it is a mother nature thing not a track thing.

Along with that when the problem on Sunday was recognized racing was stopped and the track was shut down for about three hours so the track crew could work on the starting area.

All weekend long lots of fast cars went down the track including 8.60 hemi cars without problems. Ony one crash and that was caused by a Super Stock racer putting his car into reverse after the finish line. My bad...should have said broke rear suspension.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

The Super Stock racer did not put the car in reverse, he broke a rear suspension part. Get the facts straight

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

What class do you run?

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Super Gas/Super Pro

Opps..my bad Tony!

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

I race at Fontana all the time. Sometimes I have traction problems but it's because of my tires and/or my suspension. I have a fairly high horsepower pickup which is hard to make hook anywhere.
The biggest problem I have ever had at Fontana is the lights. I'm either late or red. Of course it's the same way at every track I run at so I guess I shouldn't blame Fontana. As far as the staff, the starting line crew, tech, time ticket window, are all at the top of my good list. But then again, I'm so good looking and popular everybody is friendly to me, especially the women. Isn't this a great country?

Old Guys Rule.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

What is your normal 60' times?

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

1.28-1.30

Re: Fontana
 

I thought all of the track and NHRA guys and gals were very professional. Treat them with respect and they will do the same to you. Treat them like crap and they will return the favor, human nature!

Track was good for our Super Stock cars and I even made all my runs in the dreaded left lane, no problems.

If you want to effect change at Fontana maybe you should send emails to Tom McKernan (sp) at AAA since they are the track sponsor. He is the Big Boss at AAA and he was there with John Force and Robert Height this weekend watching his (Mr. McKernan's) daughter race (in Super Comp I believe).

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

About what I figured. About what my 10.5" tire 3250 lb 350" Firbird goes. The guy having problems was a low nine second GT/AA car that normally goes 1.24 or better on the rear tires. A fast SS car hits the tires a lot harder than bracket cars. Different converters, etc.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

The fastest GT/AA car aparently didn't have traction problems since Grossi had Cruzen covered by .254 seconds. Maybe Cruzen missed his suspension/tire set up or was out of the groove. Looking at Kadar's ET he appeared to be running about the same as he did when he won Indy this year so traction was a non issue with him also.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Cruzen broke his trans there and and to put one in with a different converter and 1st gear. With either one his 60' times were off what they were at Memphis with track temps there as high as 149 deg. Kadar was having carburetor problems at Indy, only left correctly there on one pass. Not class final. Just because the et bracket cars can hook has no bearing on the Super Stockers. More difference there than many might think.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Kadar ran fine at Indy...good enough to win class. ET was basically the same as I stated before. Now Stacy had carb problems and did not reach his goals.

From what I recall Cruzen normally runs 9.38's or so...but regardless he apparently was the only GT/AA car to have traction issues. Apparently you need to give him an excuse to loose....but track prep was good....as stated by racers that were there.

Sorry can't play with you anymore Ed....got to see a client. Say hello to Broken Arrow and Grand Lake for me.

Re: Fontana
 

In the first round Grossi blew the tire off the car. My brothers GT/AA car ran directly behind him and hooked like glue. 1.24 60 foot. It is all about car setup, power and weight/distribution.

Grossi has a 2700 lb car with a 470 inch big block chevy hanging off the nose (rated at 325 HP I might add) and we run a 3700 lb car with a 470 inch big block chevy (rated at 440 HP). Our car hooked all weekend. Now we can't run with Grossi when we are rated 115 HP more but we are getting closer.

I am not sure how a 470 big block chevy got to be rated 325 HP, but I am sure the square port heads and a similar or smaller carb we run is not worth 115 Rated HP.

Re: Fontana
 

[QUOTE=Bryan Broaddus;86586

Having a 3700 lb car doesn't hurt traction either.

I am not sure how a 470 big block chevy got to be rated 325 HP, but I am sure the square port heads and a similar or smaller carb we run is not worth 115 Rated HP.[/QUOTE]

Serious politicking I assume.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

Don Kennedy in GT/DA test's the snot out of his car and I think he does pretty well in the traction department despite that torkin' 455SD Pontiac. I know he blew the tires off in round 1 and I think he fought it in qualifying as well.

Re: terrible race at fontana
 

OK,lets look at some of the topic starters concerns.

1: We arrived at the posted gate about 5:00pm Tuesday to park our rig in the holding lane and had go to a parking lot to wait until the next day.
The flyer states the waiting tank doesn't open till Wend. @ 6am

2:We retuned the next morning at 6:00 to find the gate still closed….Finally at 6:25 a worker arrived to unlock the gate.
Ok they were alittle late opening the gate.

3:We went to the normal holding area and were told no one was to get to park till noon.
Again, the flyer states parking and reg. @ noon.

4:Finally after waiting all morning the ticket people showed up 25 minutes late.
Again, the workers were alittle late opening the gate.

5:The track was never prepped until the last minute .
I can say that the track did a great job of fixing the left lane after the rain. First round of T/D I was in the left lane and went straight and fast and won. The one issue they did have was with S/C. Right where the cars were coming off the stop was were the problem was and cars were spinning. They stoped S/C and ran Stock and SS. And from what I saw all of them went down the track with no issues. And belive me, I was watching because I knew T/D was coming up and I was in the left lane. Ran 7.50's @ 176


So from what I can tell from all his concerns he has one ligit complaint. The gate workers were 25 min. late in opening. Get over it.