Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

This morning, Brad Burton, the current NHRA World Champion in Stock Eliminator, pulls into Bremerton Raceway, an NHRA member track, to do a little bracket racing, with the number 1 proudly displayed on his E/SA Firebird (as it should be), and has to buy a Bremerton ET number before he can run! Go figure.
For many of us in the lanes, it was the first time we'd met them,, they seem to be a nice couple, who've recently moved to the NW. They were looking to get some runs in before next weekends divisional at Mission B.C.
The car loved the track going 10.60s with his best 60ft. ever according to Brad.
Danny Durham

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

If Brad wanted to go to a race and run SS with his Stocker, could he use his #1 Stock number or would he have to have a SS number? Same thing isn't it? Different eliminator right? Not sure I see Brad being treated badly? Where am I wrong? Jim

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

My brother was there looks like Bremerton just didnt accept the NHRA number for the bracket race odd

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Wow,
I was there Friday testing and they never asked me to buy a number. It says right on their web site if you have a NHRA number you don’t have to buy one of theirs;
“Enclose a $5.00 check payable to: Bremerton Raceway PO Box 344, Burley, WA 98322.
If you are registered for points at Bremerton Raceway, or have a current
NHRA number, you DO NOT need to pay an additional fee for a number”
But if you want to run in their points series and get on Team Bremerton for the ET finals they charge you $10.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

I can imagine the reason was that Burtons #1 is for Stock Eliminator only. Since he was going to be running in Brackets at Bremerton (or any other track), he would need to have a ET Bracket number, as the only #1 bracket number would belong to the winner of the ET Final portion of the World Finals in Pomona last year. I imagine if his old Div 5 Stock number was the same as his bracket number, assuming he has one, and it`s current, he could have used that.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

if you just go to a track to bracket race and are not running for their track points, you should be able to run whatever number is on your car provided the track hasn't issued that number to someone else. I have my IHRA#, but when I go to NHRA Hagerstown to bracket race, or go to Columbus to race, I run my IHRA number. It sounds like the track is just trying to charge a fee so they can make more money.

one time, I was at a track and someone else that raced there weekly had my same number, so I the track had me to put an A on my car in shoe polish when the tower realized it after the first time trial, but there was no "fee" involved.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Well, technically,unless you only at one track, and use a track issued number, you are supposed to have a current NHRA permanent driver number for each class that you may run the car in. Myself, I have had the same number since the mid 70`s, and I have that number for Stock, Super Stock (ya never know!), and ET brackets, and used to have it for Super Street years ago. When you apply for, or renew your number every year or 2, its only an extra $5. or $10 dollars extra for each additional catagory. That said, there is the potential that a certain number could be issued to different people in different classes, ie; Racer A holds number 1234 in ET Brackets, Racer B has 1234 for Stock, and Racer C holds #1234 for S/S. In that case , Racer A is the legitamite user of that number at a bracket race, if Racers B&C are there to test in brackets, they have to change thier number.
Now, on a top ten National or Divisional number, I would think that in addition to holding the coveted #1 or other high ranked number, that the racer would keep his previous 3 or 4 digit driver number current, at least I would.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Pacific charges a number fee also even if you have a NHRA number.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

It's a bit pricey to have a Stock,Super Stock and bracket # these days.I had 1945 as my bracket number since 1977.Got 1945 as my Stock # in 1998.I dropped the bracket number in 2007 due to cost factor.I wonder if anybody picked it up.
BTW Gary Wolkowitz (SS/AH cuda) has 1945 in Super Stock.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

NHRA sure has your number if you keep buying all of that crap.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

I took a look on Pacific’s website (rules section 3.8) and looks to be similar to Bremerton but better spelled out no gray areas no number required for Wednesday TT’s . If you have a NHRA ET# then you don’t have to pay the $10 for their competition #

Ed, don't know about where you live but here it looks like a wash; if you bracket race at a couple different tracks it costs you the same as buying an NHRA #

Not to steal the thread but Division 6 guys take a look at Pacific's rules section 6.6 in particular.
If I read it correctly anything 9.99 or quicker needs a diaper next year at all Division 6 tracks is this old news?

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

I've got a buddy who races at Grand Junction CO with a x-stocker
340 Challenger bracket car (runs in the 11's) and he had to add
a diaper to run at the local 1/8th mile track.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

False.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

I`m sure it all depends on the track. If you have a low digit NHRA number,the track can let you use it for your ET class,or make you use your ET or Stock number. The single digit Brad was trying to use isn`t an ET number,so the track was going by their rules. Kind of petty,I think. If someone shows up at your track with a single digit on their window,let them run it. By gosh,they earned that little number! Let them enjoy it!

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

I agree,,,he earned it let him use it. What harm does it cause?
By the way,,,I left early yesterday, but got a call today and heard that Brad went to the finals in Pro ET and won,,so there you go! That paid for buying the number, and then some!
Danny Durham

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

If it's False why does the girl at the gate refuse to give me a tech card until I pay the $10 for a track number? I even got nailed when I had a NHRA gold card. I haven't been down there this year but I fully expect to have to pay again.


Bill, 9.99 and quicker will need a diaper. I hear Woodburn is requiring them now.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

All that matters....
PRO: Sponsored by Interstate Automotive

WINNER: Brad Burton, 580P, Kirkland, WA, .034 Reaction Time, 10.63 Dial
In, 10.706 sec., 108.44 mph

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

At Norwalk, If you don't have a number which is the case for many of the Sportsman/Street cars, then you just shoe polish the number from your tech card on your window. Same goes for Milan. This is how it has always been for me. Sounds like many of you guys are flat out getting screwed over.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Unless you are running for track points where you have to have , other than making an easy $10, why would a track have to sell a number? The tracks that I have raced at for cars that don't have a number, they just assign one to the drivers when they come through the gate and as mannyman said, they just put it on the car in shoe polish.

here is what is on the Kanawha Valley Dragway (from my state) website:
ATTENTION POINTS RACERS

Points Racers – You must have an X number issued by IHRA in order to compete in the

Summit SuperSeries and attend the Bracket Finals.

The numbers are FREE. Contact Donna Harper 419-660-4219

That $10 is just cash going in the owner's pocket.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Dustin sent me a link that states that Pacific is now (2011) honoring NHRA numbers. I may go there again now, LOL

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

And this is why the Pro ET racers at Bandimere are glad he moved to the Northwest. He pretty much dominated the class a couple of years ago. Nice job Brad!

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

First off, welcome to the Burtons. NW Bracket racers are the best in the world!

Second, are you guys kidding me about not going to a track because you have to pay ten bucks? What are you boiling water for ramen as we speak? We're drag racing, not raising gold fish!

Chris Barnes
Wagons of Steel
Stock 6621

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Hey! Careful there Barnes! Ramen soup sustained me through many of my lean college years! Still get a hankerin' for one every now and then! Jim:D

Maruchan Ramen Soup
Chicken or Beef
zero trans fats!
net weight 3oz.
cooks in 3 minutes

I never tossed a gold fish in though. Hmmm, guess you could call it seafood then huh?
.

.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

10.70 @ only 108,,,,looks like he dumped somebody pretty bad.
Look forward to seeing them out there again.
Danny Durham

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Now I KNOW I've been in this business too long.

Some of us racers (not me, of course) show up with diesel pusher "Queen Mary" motor homes the Al Anabi guys would be proud of, towing stacker trailers containing expensive cars with expensive engines and everything chromed, polished, braided, powder coated or painted knee deep in shine. We've ALL paid Entry Fees, Membership Fees, Chassis Cerfication Fees, Competition License Fees, Permanent Number Fees and Pit Scooter Fees. These and many other factors are present for us to enjoy the thrill of blasting down the drag strip for a few seconds. And $10 to join the bracket points program at our local track is a problem? HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA.

Carl

PS. I had fun reading this thread and I hope you will accept this little dissertation
in the kind context it was intended. :>)

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

To me, it is more a matter of principle than it is a matter of $10. Why has everyone decided they have to charge a fee for everything? Tracks have to pay someone to enter in car information into their computers anyway, so why do they feel the need to charge racers a fee for a number. The first time someone shows up at a track, give them a number and put it in the computer. Tell them to put that number on their car every week if they use shoe polish for say a streetcar. Then they are only paying to put the info in their system once anyway, so there is no need to charge a fee!

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Carl: thanks for a good chuckle this morning; however it brought to mind that famous quote from Illinois Senator Everett Dirkson: " a billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon your talking real money"

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Chris,

.It's probably about the money.

"C"

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Yes they are nice people, Met Brad @ Brem. If you have a division 6 number you dont have to buy a ET #, Engine destruction knows no bounds as was proven to Brad @ Seattle He had a rod hanging out the side of the block. I talked to him on FB he said he's gonna be out for awhile.

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

Ramen noodles are great....3 or maybe 5 for a buck and just add some Minute rice to bulk it up.....LOL....

If you stick to Ramen noodles for a few years you can afford to build one of those Dime Rockets being discussed on another thread.....LOL


Get yourself a towbar and a set of tow hubs and V'iola you're racin with the big boys....

Re: Apparently the #1 isn't good enough
 

I raced at carls orlando speedworld for quite a few seasons with my 2 digit number with no problem and no fee and no shoe polish,dont give him any ideas!!!!

Just kidding carl!!
Scott fifield