What's wrong with you folks?
 

Friendly sanctioning origination, great track. Why such an embarrassing turn out?

I am just a Super Stock wannabe that can’t get an engine together, what’s your excuse?

Bill Lamb

Final order 2009 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series, IHRA Sooner Nationals Tulsa, OK
Stock
1 4689 G/SA Paula Cotten, Broken Arrow OK, '73 Duster 11.300 12.30 -1.000
2 4688 H/SA Mike Cotten, Broken Arrow OK, '73 Duster 11.480 12.45 -0.970
3 5545 B/SA Gary Stinnett, Emporia KS, '69 Camaro 10.603 11.55 -0.947
4 4491 C/SA Tony Wood, Tulsa OK, '68 Chevelle 10.822 11.70 -0.878
5 4153 I/SA Will Carrell, Ardmore OK, '69 Chevelle 12.088 12.60 -0.512
6 4191 F/SA Ed O'Brien, Stillwater OK, '71 Gran Sport 12.025 12.15 -0.125

Super Stock
1 5445 SS/KA Allan Patterson, Augusta KS, '66 Nova 10.400 11.55 -1.150
2 5517 GT/CA Justin Jenkins, Beatrice NE, '09 Cobalt 9.619 10.70 -1.081
3 420 GT/GA Bryan Chaney, Claremore OK, '92 Camaro 10.139 11.20 -1.061
4 5270 SS/K Tim Nicholson, Concordia KS, '66 Nova 10.278 11.30 -1.022
5 4156 SS/JA Ed Wright, Tulsa OK, '96 Trans Am 10.315 11.30 -0.985
6 571 GT/CA Jason Tinberg, Shawnee KS, '05 Cavalier 9.760 10.70 -0.940
7 55 SS/HA Scott Wagner, Shawnee KS, '68 Camaro 10.245 10.90 -0.655
8 5016 GT/DA Michael Compton, Neosha MO, '90 Camaro 10.235 10.80 -0.565
9 4477 SS/N James Lee, Tulsa OK, '55 Chevy 11.718 12.25 -0.532
10 4563 GT/FA Vic Penrod, Walters OK, '95 Camaro 10.645 11.10 -0.455
11 4701 GT/HA Jason Stoll, Frederick OK, '72 Nova 10.996 11.35 -0.354
12 4011 SS/CA Al Tibbs, Claremore OK, '69 Camaro 10.265 10.35 -0.085

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Nevermind the fact that it was a 2 day national event. NO THURSDAY TECH, NO FRIDAY TECH if you dont want to. Roll in Saturday morning qualify and race on Sunday what else could a racer want. I went to a S SS combo yesterday had to work 3 hours before going on the car but still wanted to support class racing on a local level. It was a low turnout but 5 weeks out of 6 is tough for alot of people.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Last Nationals event I went to at this track the second round of Stock was at 1:00 AM and the finals wasn't until 4:00 AM. Also the winner in stock was dialing nearly a half second off his normal dial because the track was so slick.

This wasn't my idea of fun.

Thanks

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I guess this "win and your in tournament" is really bringing out the racers!

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Actually Car counts for the sportsman is only down 6 cars from last years race. Thats not too bad considering the economy we are in. I had originally planned on going to this race then head south to Texas for the div and sportsnationals next week. The reason I did not was Rockingham rescheduled for next week and it's only 45 miles from here.
I think IHRA is on to something with the 2 day national events.
Chip Johnson
HR 10
QR 924

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

In the past you had some of the so called "HITTERS" in IHRA that would flock to these low car count races to get some easy points. Without a national points system thats not the case anymore. Someone posted on another thread that Englishtown had mainly Division 1 cars there this year and the Nationals look like they were becoming more regionalized. This could be the case with the IHRA events in Dallas and Tulsa. Before you start throwing Rocks at a sanctioned event look at all the factors involved.
Chip Johnson
HR 10
QR 924

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Are you telling me that there was only 9 or 10 stockers at a IHRA national event. I thought drag racing was on a comeback!

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

BILL.......it couldn't be the WEATHER FORCAST of SEVERE WEATHER in the area could it ???

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

That's odd. I interviewed the winner last year, and he didn't mention anything about the track being slick. He did mention that the air was almost 4,300' DA, though. He was indeed dialed slower than his qualifying run... hardly unusual.

I made the 21hr trip to Tulsa two years ago. I loved the facility, and had no traction problems at all. The air was thicker than mud that year, too, so we were all slow. We had a ton of rain leading up to and during the event, but everyone did a great job to get the event in. If it were 10hrs closer, and I'd go.

I doubt anybody thinks that a 4AM finish time is anywhere near standard-issue. That'd be like saying "I'm never going to the Keystones again - they finished the race on WEDNESDAY!" Bad circumstances, and you make the best of it.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I was wondering how many cars were running in the ET classes? There were only 24 prepay and they still put the race on after saying there had to be 64 early entries. And thats both Box and No Box.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Just add my name to the list not there...but I was a wannabe.
It's just a sign of the times. Hard economy, fuel prices going up, weather issues. I don't think IHRA,NHRA,ZHRA or NobodyHRA could change those facts. Why all the negativism?
I was planning on being there but my tow truck spit a head gasket on the way home from the race at Memphis (only race I've made in 2 1/2 years) & I've been a little under the (health) weather, lately. The economy dictates I spend my time at the shop working instead of off racing. If I had been ready the weather forecast would have been an issue. We have had a cold front stalled on Oklahoma, Texas & Arkansas for over a week now. Anything could happen with those type weather systems. I've had to do my yard work in stages, between storms & showers & heat. It's not the track, IHRA, or their programs that kept me from being there.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Don't need an excuse, as is typical of most IHRA races West of the Miss. poor Class turn outs. I saw there were only 19 T/S cars. IHRA has almost always had poor car counts when they go West, probably because historically they've been an East coast org. I'm not really sure why they continue to try to run these races out of their neighborhood. I'd like for it to work for them but I don't see it happening especially with the economic climate we're in. Oh yeah I believe there were only 12 H/R cars also, so don't point the finger at Stock Super Stock guys for not carrying them. It really doesn't make sense to make the trip out there when there's plenty of N & I races within a 5 hour tow. Also with the contengencies WAY down you can go run a race like the Buckeye S/SS combo's and win about the same money. Joe

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

potetial prize money vs cost to attend race? Goin head to head with a divisional at Joliet didn't help probably any either. Lots of cars starting with a 5 in their number at Joliet...

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Joe,
I don't know about you but I can still get 5 or 6 grand from winningan IHRA race. Not to bad for 5 rds.

We were talking Saturday about the fact IHRA was founded in the South and will probably always be a Southern Organization. The reason they keep going west is they put people in the seats at these places.

Chip

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I agree, they do put butts in the seats .....but how many times can they bring a "short show" to town and expect a good spectator turn out? Don't get me wrong I want the IHRA to do well however it's almost always been the same story when the go outside their yard.... short car counts. Yeah I realize a racer can still win some decent money at a Nat event, I guess we have to weigh the travel expense, the entry fee and the missed days of work, to the payouts. One things for sure you can't argue with the numbers, I doubt IHRA was very happy with the numbers...so what to do? keep trying or work harder on the stuff that does work? I still don't see this as being a viable plan when it's been pretty obvious that their "core racers" wont support them that far West.. Just my opinion. Joe

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Spectator turnout was light, but with rain in the forecast you could expect that. The SS car counts has been about the same to all I have been to, except I think there may have been 20 cars at Baton Rouge.

As for the "slick track"comment, it has been better at all the Tulsa IHRA races than Houston or Topeka this year. This year it has been the best hooking track I have raced on. Houston used to be great, but Topeka has been crap every time I have gone there. Don't know why I expected anything different there this year. My Houston customers have been complaining all year. Too bad, in the past it was a place I looked forward to racing. They tell me HRP no longer uses VHT.

We talked about "Where is everybody?" in the staging lanes a couple of times. Same rules, same cars, just not all showed up. I was the only turkey there, the rest were good cars.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I don't have a dog in this fight but from reading on here over the years all the comments dealing with the NHRA "enhancements" that seem to keep coming at the sportsman level a person might think more racers would want to try IHRA racing.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I live in Southern California....IHRA is not an option to me.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

This is just not right...

............Topeka........Tulsa
SS......... 64............... 12
St ...........92 .................6
SC/QR ..50?............. 39
SG/SR ...34?............ 18
SST/HR .24?............. 19

The two ET classes had a total of less than 30 I believe. There is no reason there should not have been a better turnout.

I was not there, but paid for one guys entry so I did my part. If I would have been able to get in the car I would have been there in a heartbeat. I have lost 81 pounds since I bought the car. It won't be long.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

...........Topeka........Tulsa
SS......... 64............... 12
St ...........92 .................6
SC/QR ..50?............. 39
SG/SR ...34?............ 18
SST/HR .24?............. 19

Steve, you need to double the numbers in SC, SG, and SST you show for Topeka.
You took the numbers from the first round winners list.
There were double that in the first round.
I know I was there and racing.
It is still a major drop for IHRA but it did compete with several NHRA division races the same weekend.
I would like to have been there but my schedule just did not allow.
I like IHRA and raced Tulsa last year and had a good time and did well also.
I would like to see more IHRA races and tracks further west. I could be a convert to all IHRA very easily as long as there are races within reasonable travel distance.
My 2 Cents
Rick

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I was there and would go again in a heartbeat. That is one of the nicest tracks to race on and the IHRA folks were very happy to have you there. My 60 ft times did not vary more than one hundredth all weekend long, so the slick track quote is way wrong.

I have no idea why people did not show up. As Ed said, it was the topic of conversation in the staging lanes and the pits.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

You are correct. Thats why I had the "?" because I was not sure about those numbers.

Anyone who looks at these numbers and does not start supporting IHRA also deserves everything they get from NHRA. I am not saying that people should stop going to NHRA races, but if there is only one ?HRA then we deserve to get what they are giving us. I personally will support both associations. If we start getting into Tom Compton's pocket, thats when things will change. Otherwise, why should he care?

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Jeremy,I believe the race you're talking about that finished at 4am was the make-up race for the one that was rained out and rescheduled at a later date and we had several rain delays that Saturday.Also had a Sportsman Nationals on Friday before the make-up race that had free entry if I remember correctly.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

That goes double for me, and I live in South Central Arizona...

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Great discussion!

There are a tons of good reasons why folks would not be in Tulsa outside of the surrounding states, I had no expectation that folks like Herb or Chip would make Division 4 races. The car counts for Stock and Super Stock have always been disappointing at the Tulsa National Events but they were so bad this year I just had to say something.

Thanks,
Bill Lamb

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

i don't want to speak for anyone. (BILL) what i think he is trying to say in a nice way is that we have a lot of STOCK & SUPER STOCKERS within 5 HOURS away. count all the super street & super gas cars in this distance that didn't show. TECH was open FRIDAY TILL 11 O' CLOCK they parked till MIDNIGHT. the forcast was 50 percent friday. 20 sat. & sun. it's OKLAHOMA . LETS see track was slick, i remember 2 YEARS AGO IN QUESTION PRO MODS RUNING 5.90'S in nasty air. not to SLICK. i understand people a long way off not coming, but less than 6 HRS. for a national i don't..........come see the track you will love it lots of PRO STOCK CARS PRO MODS & COMP CARS come to test from louisiana to colorado.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Bill,
I try every year to go to a track I hav'nt been to before or in a long time. With Rockingham being rescheduled it did'nt make sense. I would have went to Baton Rouge also but Rockingham had 2 10 granders that weekend.
I also look at payout too. It would cost me around a grand to make the trip with 2 cars. I could win around 5 or 6 grand each. Thats 2 shots at 5 or 6 grand. for a 5 rd race. If I go bracket racing 2 cars 2- 5 granders. 500 miles or less I'm looking at about the same expenses and a 8 or 9 rd race.
IHRA has a great program. I don't understand why people won't support it.
Chip

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Me either. I still would like to say THANKS to the ones who did go . It was nice meeting all you guys and gals that sometimes post on here. Still enjoy working that race !!!

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

Tony,
By nitro Joe's stats there are 210 SS & 297 Stk cars in Div 4. How many that are 5 hours from the track???Can't tell... In this part of the world you have to plan to spend a little time driving to get anywhere. Example: You would think Texarkana Tx to Houston/Baytown, not far. It's all in one state, Texas.. only 308 miles about 6 hrs & 48 min by Trip maker. Yet Texarkana Tex to Memephis. 281 miles. 4 hrs & 29 min by trip maker. Then Texarkana Tx to Tulsa OK. 5 hrs & 14 min. another 280 mile trip. Now lets go from Texarkana Tx to Baton Rouge, La. 349 miles 5 hrs 54 min. I think you can add another 1 hour & 15 to 30 min on that to get to No Problem. Sorry Pat, nice track, but it is a problem to get to, but worth it.. You guys up north & out on the East coast are lucky. In 5 hours you can cross 2 or 3 states and pass quite a few places to race. Not so out here! Please understand the time & distance involved out here. If the weather is a little suspect I can't blame anyone for staying home. My rig gets about 7 miles per gallon. My last trip to Memphis cost over $200 in fuel. By the time you pay all the expenses, including entry, of going to almost any Div 4 race you can spend some large amount of coins. Get out of div 4 and you really start rolling up the miles & time off work. So with these hard economic times Lay off blaming the organizations & go easy on us about car counts, please.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

We would have brought 2 cars, but honestly, work has been super busy. I'm very lucky to have companies doing well in this economy. The original goal this year was to get a motorhome/stacker and do a lot of racing. I've now had to cut my schedule in half, if not more, simply due to work demands. I'll run the bare minimum along with the big money footbrake races, that's it.

Re: What's wrong with you folks?
 

I just read what Adger Smith wrote about the miles we travel.I live in the tampa bay area and would like to run IHRA races.Went to Immokalee,fl. 3 hrs. away,just wanted to support IHRA they are good people.Got lucky won superstock on fri.Now I have good chance to finish in the top 3 in points.Four races to go.Heres the deal Jackson,SC. is 9 1/2 hrs. one way,Darlington, SC. is10 hrs. one way.I am in the trucking business an we all know high fuel low rates means NO MONEY NO RACING.I am not complaning I chose my job. Small business are taking a big hit.Low car count has a lot to do with too many miles we travel......I really enjoy reading all of your opions........JAY