Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

I'm just a fan and not a racer, but why, (other than money), can the quotos for the Southern Nationals not be filled for this week-end. I know it's expensive, but most people realize that when they build a S or SS car. Just curious, but I'll be there on Friday to capture ya'll on film in the stands at the starting line.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Different reasons. You might be suprised at how many are just that put out with NHRA, today. There are a bunch that are that aggravated about the new cars, and factors, and etc. I'm saying that, from people I have talked to since mid yr last year, having sold cars, or just parked em, to what ever.
I have wanted to race like this for too long, so I race when I want to, and no one else to say why or when.
Alot just can't justify it anymore, and some are just tired of the game. Most have their own reasons....

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Kenny - I see things a little different -- last week at Atco we had a hundred and four Stockers inspite of no parking on asphalt - several new cars -- and factors -- plus we had the pollen storm to boot .I believe its the economy - pure and simple -- if it was the NHRA that was keeping folks home this weekend and others the IHRA would be doing super and they are not -- just look at the last few races they have held at MIR and Pittsburgh-- both had sad turnouts for sure .In my mind its a great time to race right now -- I wish the economy would let me take advantage of it ..........

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Jack, I'm glad you do ! I saw you guys had several good turnouts. I wish it was like that here, regularly having over 100 stockers at a div race, and same or more SS'ers.
I was going by what I keep hearing, and only that. But, also a D3 race the same weekend cut some cars too. I forgot that.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

It is hard to explain. I'd like to see Nitro Joe do a study of the average age of competitors in S/SS for each division. My good friend Jimmy Parker often asks what's going to happen in Division 2 when some of these guys start retiring. I don't see a lot of new blood coming in and that has to be related to the expense. I'd also like to see him do a study of average number of cars by year per division over the past 10 years. Not sure if that would show anything. Here in Divison 2, we've got a great division director who busts his butt for the S/SS guys, so I really don't see what the problem is.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Ya , Take a look at the list for the SportNationals in Fontana not a good sign at ALL!!

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Jack:
You drank the NHRA KoolAid long ago to have a open view on this!!!

Ralph

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Ralph -- I may have drank the KoolAid but your thoughts about my feelings / views are not correct -- up to a year or two ago you might have been right - now - not so much - I'm looking at things purely from a business aspect.........and business is not terrific ! ! !

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Thanks for your comments. I have been to both IHRA and NHRA this year and based on the numbers, I too, would think its more of the economy than other factors. But, why does not NHRA do a more realistic job of horsepower factors? Could it be the $$ from the manufacturer's that benefit from their numbers? Just a thought.
Still looking forward to Sportsman Friday at Atlanta this week-end.

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Well, as far as IHRA stuff, I wanted to do Montgomery next weekend, but I need to go to my daughters graduation, more ! You only get to see that once, from high school. I hope college too, but one thing at a time.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Kenny, I'm with you on the daughter and graduation thing. Living in Denver when she graduated high school and going to that ceremony was one thing. However, her college graduation was the same weekend as qualifying for the (then) LODRS race in Fontana (back in '07). I wasn't about to miss her college graduation...somethings are just more important than racing, and your childs special accomplishments (especially academic), are them...

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Have heard some comments about NHRA but main stay away feedback continues to be the economy and the uncertainty.
Revenue loss, pay cuts, reduced vacations results in working twice as hard to survive which leaves little time to go racing.
The (one size fits all) index change has also hurt those who ran closely under their index .... on a good day and limit their participation.
Some are no longer willing and able to continue to invest in their combination to stay competitive.
At the entry level, fewer and fewer young guys relate or are interested in class racing anymore nor to they have the money and time....(back to the economy and the uncertainty) to get in.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

I guess I am out of the loop but I was talking with someone that was going to bristol and what you have to pay in entry fees/insurance now days I dont see how anyone affords it.. Seems the entries have skyrocketed but the payout hasnt increased.. As a kid all I wanted to do was travel and run nhra/ihra nationals but as expensive as it has gotten its too rich for my blood, not whining cause I can go bracket race...just sad to see how things have gotten..

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Jack,

My first trip down the strip was at Atco in the '60's and NED has always been a hot bed for S and SS, you guys probably pull in more of them then any other Division.

Unemployment in the South has really cut down on the number people who can afford to make races. It costs money to race and if you don't have that excess cash after the bills then you can't afford to race.

JimR

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Cancelation of Tulsa added about 25 cars to Atlanta.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Postponed until June 25 - 27.

Ya'll come!

Bill

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Very few people pre-enter for the Sportsnational events. You can enter at the gate. That is why you see low car counts on the website.

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Jim -- If you haven't been to Atco in some time you wouldn't recognize the facility as Joe Sway and Co. have made it into one of the East Coasts' nicer places to race.And he try's to make the Stock/SS guys and gals feel welcome .

As for unemployment its just as bad here in the Northeast - for example my office is in Bethlehem , PA where the unemployment rate is just past 10% .........not much excess cash here .

Re: Number of Cars in Atlanta
 

Thanks for ya'lls opinions. I sort of figured it out to be the economy more than anything else. I would like to say I appreciate all of you class racers as it is more exciting to see full passes, even though a little slower, than to see the "big boys" only run 60 feet. I appreciate the hospitality offered me while touring the pits on Friday by Brenda Grubbs, Andy Fogle and the Stott family. Probably won't see anymore until IHRA at Jackson, S.C. in July, I think.