Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Good morning -- After a short two hour drive ( plus another hour sitting in traffic ) I'm finally here and they assigned me as # 136 in line -- all this money and alot of you were right -- just another number waiting for the Pro's to get in .Not much to do today anyway -- once we're in maybe get teched -- I say maybe because it looks nasty outside -- like its going to make down at any moment- plenty of dark clouds in every direction .On the way here I realized that the ticket I printed off a couple of weeks ago from J.Petereson from the NHRA is still in my car at home -- now I can test this new deal and see if I can get in without a ticket .Just one more bridge to cross this weekend .Oh well .

I'll try and keep you guys (and gals ) up to date with the happenings here...........later .

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Thanks, Jack; see you tomorrow morning.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1
Bridgeport, Ct.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

I guess it is an Old Bridge

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Tony -- the 'official' name is Old Bridge Township Raceway Park which is located near Enlishtown , New Jersey......

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Jack, When you get settled post which side of the track that they are putting the Stockers. We will be in line in the morning. Thanks, Owen

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

The holding area is second to none here at E-town....where else can you can you have trees and grass just to wait............Don't mind me as I'm brushing up on my photo and download skills........Sooner or later I'll get this right .

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

That's nice, Jack. Our here we either get dirt or a gravel parking lot.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Now Floyd that is not true. Fontana, Irwindale, Pomona, and Las Vegas all have paved parking lots. You went to LACR to many times

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

You're right, Tony. But our paved parking lots don't look anything like their paved roads with grass and trees around.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Floyd that is because it rains in Jersey, we have droughts.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Looking into the entry lists on most all of the Sportsman racers in all the catigories are composed of Division 1 racers. There are very few other Division cars listed. Years ago, we used to get a ton of out of Divison cars, now you can count them on your hands. It's just a view of how regional the races are becoming. Good luck and be safe to all the racers participating . I miss going to that race facility.

Casey Miles
248H

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Well - here's the deal -- I tested the system about the online ticket and even though I got in the place there was no way I was going to get to race without it . Period . Not going to happen as they say -- good news is that I was sent out to the Full Throttle trailer and they reprinted it for me .A word to the wise - don't try it -- just get another as I did -- they're pretty serious about this .

Next thing -- I bumped into my friend Evan Smith this afternoon and he wanted me to relay to all the racers attending this race that they are welcome to his shindig Saturday night -- not just the Ford folks -- everybody ! ! !

For those of you wondering-- Stock and S/S are on both sides of the track this year -- but most are on the spectator side behind the Pro Stockers .Later........gotta start Supper soon .Why you ask -- mostly because SuperGas is not being contested at this race and 'Uncle Buck' and his band of merrymen aren't here so i'll just have to rough it .Sorry Ron --I couldn't help myself.....................

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Jack
If you get a chance, ask Evan about our talk on that 1994 Mustang air cleaner set up I have. I would be grateful for any info.
Charlie Allen in Los Angeles.
PS.............your camera skills are great!! I really do miss Englishtown!

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

West coast guys, don't get to excited about the trees and the grass, the rest of the place is all pavement with some sort of man made lake on the other side of pits. Pretty nice facility though, it can be a little tricky getting back to your pit when they park you on the spectator side, you have to drive all the way down the pit side and behind the starting line and back up the spectator side of the track. No bugs at night, must be a New Jersey thing kinda strange.

Now if you want trees and grass, Maple Grove is the place to go.

Thanks Jack for all the time and effort you put into making these threads, it's about as close to being there as one can get. It's really appeciated by us who have to work and can't take the time off to race.

See you somewhere along the D1 tour this year.
George Mirza

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

As promised its very wet this morning and the outlook for today is bleak at best .Not to sound like a downer but the weather is not very nice for the opening day here at the SuperNationals and maybe the rain Gods will have some mercy on us and just go away .At the moment its not raining but just misting with the the temp at 66 degrees and the humidity at more than 80% .Like the big man in California says --I'll be back ....................

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Jack, where are you parked? You must be on the wrong side of the track. It's gorgeous over here... wait... OK, so I just looked outside. Pretty bleak looking. Oughta take quite a while to even try to dry the track with the dew point fairly close to the 60-degree temperature. Time will tell. I would think from looking at the radar now that we "might" get one run in but maybe not more than that.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Johnny -- One thing for sure -- the Sun is hiding today but despite that it seems as we have a small window for this morning so the NHRA has brought out the equipment and is giving it the old college try at drying the track -- we'll see .Its close to 10 AM EST and start engines time but it will be quite awhile before anyone gets on the track for sure.............Is that the Jet I hear running ? Whoppie............


Johnny -- You have Radar ? ? ?

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

It's 11:00. I have radar and there's another small band headed for us. And what is with the "Whoopie?" You sure get excited over small things.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

it's raining here in Ohio and headed your way.
Thought i might want to tell you that.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

We 'almost' got out on the track -- a few dozen SuperStreeters went down and they called us to the lanes but then the mist came back and most of us retreated back to out trailers.... to wait even more .Its now almost 1 PM EST and the bad weather is headed our way .Whats that I hear on my coach roof ? Its either Santa or its beginning to rain harder........BTW , we're on hold .

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

2:15 EST-- I hear the Jet dryer running and they just called SuperStreet and Stock back to the lanes........I was told here at Raceway Park they have a Thursday curfew of 6 PM..............

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Hey Jack

it seems like if they can get going soon and there are no oildowns or interruptions they could still maybe get 2 rounds of qualifying in.

this has been the wierdest spring in a while, when I look at the callendar its hard to believe its the middle of June.

good luck this weekend
Ang

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

3:10 PM EST -- I'm not really sure why but we're done for the day as in finished -- kaput -- outta here --I'll let you know what I find out........strange , very strange ! ! And its not raining ...........

PS--Mabye I can go over to the Outer Bridge area and get a match race -- opps , that was a lifetime ago...can't now .

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Just heard from a friend that a super street car spun in high gear.(first pair down)?
to much humidity for the track I guess.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

could someone please post the proposed friday schedule

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Would assume (and we all that what that means) that the first rounds scheduled for Friday would be a time shot, but... Then again, Friday's weather isn;t all that promising either. Shoulda left this race in July. Heat I deal with with, cold and wet is another matter.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Hey JACK
With all the down time .....Has there been any sightings of the "Cracked Rim Bandit"?

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Angie -- when are you planning on rejoining the 'tour' ?

RP -- Not sure about this bandit thing -- but then this is New Jersey ........

Johnny D -- I'm with you brother -- bring back July and the Summers ....

As for everyone else I'll try and get some car shots tomorrow if we ever get out on the track .

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Not good ! ! Not good at all is what this day is looking like - we've got it here - fog - extra cloudy - mist and a little chilly but here comes the good news -- its not raining at least at this moment .The grounds are very wet and there are no drying efforts going on at this time .

Yesterday afternoon and evening were tailor made for adults - most just sat around eating and enjoying adult beverages with great stories and you could tell it was all good as the evening came around the parties got louder .Personally I planned on going to the 'Ford" deal but never made it -- maybe someone who attended could fill us in on 'who and what' went on there .

Just saw Joe Demarzo out for a walk this morning (or maybe he was just getting in ) and he had on a new second design 'Tilberg" t-shirt -- he must spend a bunch of money with those folks .

Wish I could tell you there are plenty of racers and spectators out and about but today its all umbrellas and ponchos -even the TV has terrible reception .Sounds like card games and Monopoly are the order of the day .

I swear that everytime I tell you that its not raining -- it starts -- Yes , I've taken my meds today and I'm hearing big drops on the coach roof.............Later -- and as our friend Bob Frey would say in his 'Tales' - I'll be the one with all the Monopoly money.........

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

It will be interesting to see how sportsmen racers are treated if today is washed out.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Jack, so does that mean I should stay home or do you think they will get some racing started today?? Spoke to Ang yesterday, recovery is slow, still in therepy, doesnt know when he will be back....

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

It's going to be interesting to see how this could affect the whole weekend. This has certainly not been a good year in terms of national events especially in this economy. I think I read someplace that stated there have only been two events so far this year not affected by the wet stuff. Now I'm not one to to be exactly pro-NHRA, but things like this are part of the reason the Competition Fees had to be raised. I'm not sure I really feel sorry for them, but maybe just a little. I know there were some who took offense to them stating that the sportsman portion of the program has to be... what was the word... oh yea, subsidized, but it always has been and in truth that will never change. I did and interview with Graham Light in the current issue of DRA (which is being distributed at this race) and while I think we agreed to disagree, I've sort of taken a slightly different view of the whole situation. Basically if you want to play, you have to pay. Oh this is getting too far off from the main topic here. Yes, it's still raining and if they even bothered to make up a new Friday schedule last night, I would think that effort was a total waste of time cause today's going to be another wait and see day. This flat sucks! Cards and monopoly? What is this an old-age home? Truth though is that if somehow more young racers don't get involved, that's what this is going to turn out to be. Bedpans, carburetors and seat belts. Bring on the meds!

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You funny John.....Senior Citizens only or F.O.G. drag racing....and I can surely relate to that although I don't need no bedpan yet. I am extremely glad I am not there! The SummerNationals was usually hot and humid.....sometimes very hot! The reasoning behind moving the race was for better weather....and better conditions for both fans and racers. It's been worse weather wise some years since they moved it, for a number of years now and looks like it is again.....


Anyone who was there in the old days will recall the camping over in the fields and the crowd looked pretty rough by Sunday......fireworks.....bonfires.....streakers.. .drunks....and some creative artwork on sign boards as well as chants from the stands that went back and forth.....Way more fun than 2009..........I raced at York for the very first SummerNationals....1970......I miss the old hot and humid days and would welcome a change back to July...

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

We were discussing the future of racing this past weekend at the MASGA race at Atco. Just talking about how there is not a bunch of young Super Gas drivers out there waiting in the wings to take over from their fathers. We were going down the list of D-1 guys and girls in S/G and their is not many at all. Myself, Don Knoblick, Kelli Barbato, George Smith Jr., Leanne Luciano were about all that we came up with in S/G. Down the road in about 10 to 20 years Stalba's, Derek Clark's kids will be ready to race but who knows if S/G will even be around then but, it's looking bleak to say the least in the "Future of the sport". Either Dad's are getting smart and telling the future to not get involved with racing or everyone is going S/C racing because of the Jr Dragster days and they are all used to being in a dragster type car.
I think they also should move the Supernationals back to July like before, thats the true Summernationals and always will be. Remember when it used to be in early May and it was either extremely COLD or RAINY. So what Englishtown will not be able to set any national records because it's in July but thats the fun of it..Tradition!
Have fun in the rain guys playing cards and winning the green stuff. Have a feeling this is just the beginning of a very WET SUMMER in the northeast for us.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

the other side sux

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

The sky is getting a little brighter - the rain stopped... and they are drying the track... 9.38 am...

Sal

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Hahaha...Greg....right on brutha....some of the chants were x-rated though!


Hi Sal....good luck....say hello to Sam for me....

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

It looks like class "wins" could be deternimed by the fastest qualifying times. There may be more rain showers later today.

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Here's the latest -9:30AM EST- the NHRA has brought out every piece of drying machinery that they have on the grounds to try to dry this place up as the rains have stopped and maybe , just maybe we have a 'window' and get on the track this morning yet .This afternoon looks better on the Radar map (isn't that right Johnny D. ? ) and I can't wait to see a schdule .In a few minutes I plan on hopping off my bedpan and dragging our racer out of the box .............

PS-- Also pictured below is 'motorhome row' at the 900' mark and the tailgaters are out in full force.

Almost forgot -- Stefan -- Like they say in TV land -- come on down ..............

Update -- 10:15 AM -- The Sun is out in Philadelphia and headed our way .

Re: Live from Englishtown -- NHRA SuperNationals
 

Saying rain the whole weekend...Not looking good at all

60% Today (Rain starting at 2pm)
40% Saturday
30% Sunday