LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Updates will likely be few and far between, at least from this reporter, this weekend. Robbie Draughon was kind enough to carry the Duck Tape Turismo in his stacker, so I'll be shoeing both it and the freshly DragPak-powered GT/HA Duck Tape Volare, on top of trying to install lettering on customer cars. It's going to be a handful!

I'm a complete newbie to fuel injection. Sloan Engines built the motor with pieces parts and some tips from Southland Speed, and several racers including Mark Nowicki have provided us with a little insight and a shove in the right direction. (Hey Dummy! The regulator goes on the return line! Oops.). Ironically, since we corrected the plumbing, the car now wants to spin the tires, something that was never in its genes before. Even so, I managed a R/U at a bracket race last week, but it's something we know needs a FIX, not a bandaid. A call to Alex Denysenko at Moneymaker Racing has put us on the right path: the whole rear suspension setup has been ordered: Split monoleaf, CalTracs, and adj shocks. I've heard from others just how knowledgeable Alex is with these setups, so in a few weeks we should be able to rip the bandaid off and go after it like it needs to be.

Arrived at the track right at 3pm. A few people got some test laps in between sprinkles. I got 1 hit in before the skies opened up conclusively. Tried the radials this week, spun two tenths right at the hit, pedaled once hard, and when I got back in it, it yanked the fronts! Wild. Ran 11.03 @ 122. Still, got some data and made some extensive changes to the program. We'll try again in the morning... With the bias plys and with a bunch of timing knocked out of the low rpm range.

The most important thing you need to know about Friday... K/FIA Cadillac. 'Nuff said!

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Go Get em Michael, wish I could be there...I'll be looking forward to the stats on Drag Race Central, wish you great success there especially with the front-driver! :)

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Hey good luck have you played with the tire pressures? I will be getting with you next week on the business cards.

In the meantime have fun and WIN!

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I apologize to everyone, I could not make this race do to family obligations. I was sent some pictures yesterday and any pictures that are sent to to me will be added to this thread.

Thanks Michael, look forward to your reports.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

That was a first....! Pulled into the line for the gate early this morning, right behind Clay Bullard. I had a whole lettering pkg for his Super Stock Camaro. Figured we had 20 min before the gates opened... Lettered his car right on the open trailer while we waited in line. Big stuff first, and then got the little stuff for the windows on inbetween moving up in line! LOL

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Quite a few cars came in over night and the car counts are pretty good in each class. What a clean facility! Great job Royce Miller and crew!

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I thought Robbie D car was a SS/I stick car??

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I really thought i would see a bigger car count with IHRA paying good money and there pr director promoting it (MB).

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I really wish I could have been at this race. What an event. Kudos to Skooter Peaco and IHRA for putting on such a fantastic sportsman event. Read the letter from Skooter on the IHRA website with this link. Good job IHRA!!!

http://www.ihra.com/News/2011/07/04/1/

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I can't understand why there aren't more cars at this race. Last weekend at Lebanon Valley there were 110 stockers for a points meet. Only half that many at Maryland this weekend running for a hell of a lot more money. Only 35 super stockers. What's the problem? Andrew and I would have gone if I wasn't recovering from hand surgery. Why don't people race with IHRA?

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I don't get it either Greg...you spend less to race, for more of a regular purse (by far), than any NHRA national event, and it's being held in an area that houses the most densely populated collection of sportsman racers anywhere??? Out west I can kind of understand it (although I bet Les Norton is darn glad he patronized his home tracks national event, and I bet Mike Coe & Jim Hughes felt it better to race there with a chance to win $1600 bucks, w/o having to traverse two 10k plus mountain passes to get to the D5 race in Denver)?

For the plethora of races out there in that area (for much shorter tows than out west), I wish I lived out there so I'd have a chance to partake in what IHRA's cooking for us class racers (especially 2x's this year...this wknd, and once more in October)! I'll bet Mark Faul is darn glad he went across the border, to partake in the races he did, because his back pocket was enhanced by his IHRA successes thus making his trip to his latest win at the All Stars easier to get to!!!

I don't get it, but I sure hope IHRA's efforts to expand out west continue to flourish, because with the economy being as it is, and NHRA not showing us class racers that they truly care about our participation in their races (with their higher competition costs, for less overall money and exposure), at least IHRA is offering us a helping of credible racing venues for entry fees not paid to NHRA for a national event in what 10-15yrs?

Keep doing what you're doing IHRA, and Skooter Peaco and others, because eventually the skeptics will see the light, and if they won't then they'll have to continue to read about the successes of those who're winning good money with lower competition costs, thanks to giving the so-called other 'HRA a try!!!

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

3 reasons that I didnt go. #1 1100 miles round trip for me #2 Carolina race is in 2 weeks and it is only 220 miles round trip and that is a 2 race week end #3 Dont like the BUYBACK format. I think that if you are going to run a big Sportsman race like this it should not be a BUYBACK race.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

x2 Dan Man!!!

Now I ask you, have you heard this kind of message being delivered to sportsman racers by NHRA's VP towards us, to let us know how much we matter to them...honestly??? All IHRA needs that they don't yet have is a good tv deal, and they'll start blowing the socks off of the tv coverage our cars have been getting lately, and I'm sure that day's coming rapidly too (Speed Channel, USA Network, Spike TV, and TNT I hope someone connected to them is reading this?)!!! If NHRA really cared about us, then they would've tried harder to get ESPN to continue the "Inside Drag Racing" tv show that used to showcase our cars like they did 5yrs ago for starters, and we'd get more tv coverage than just 5-10 minutes (out of a 1hr show), from a show that's supposed to be about Sportsman Racing at national events...I forget our cars are non-alcoholic, or inject nitro into them! Our competition fees have gone up, and our class/regular contingency postings have gone down...go figure. Over and beyond the consolidation of classes, and our indexes being lowered...yeah I certainly feel the love they're showing us (from Glendora), which is why I hope Skooter (and IHRA), continue their western expansion, and I hope that more and more western tracks will realize how good the option for their business dollars, the IHRA's cooking really tastes!

I'm sure that the Glendora group was salivating over the thought of having a national event in IHRA's backyard, but turnabout is fair play, and as long as NHRA continues these enhancements they've been giving us racers nationwide, the western bunch will start to see the light (racers/tracks alike), and give the other 'HRA a try...one can only hope, and it'll be great to have another option for our class racing/points chasing dollars....

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

All Three points are good ones (especially the the first and the last one's). But the thought of the buyback thing is something that Skooter needs to hear about, because he's interested in feedback (good or bad)....at least he's willing to hear us out, did the Glendora group seem to care much about increasing our competition number costs, or doing away with singles for class wins, or reducing our indexes? I don't think so.... :(

I'm double the miles from there that you are, and I have reservations for the buyback element too, but they'll let us express that concern with the likeliness of overturning it for next years race (if not future like races too).

I wish you well at your upcoming divisional, and thank you for your comments, because these are the thoughts that IHRA needs/wants to hear from us...which (based on the recent year enhancements NHRA's been giving us), is more than I can say for them! :(

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

yep, thats a great reason. buy backs. with 38 cars in super stock and a $5000 to win GAURANTEED purse, where in the F*** do they get off having buy backs. F***ing communists...

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

A day of countless hours tuning on the laptop finally yielded some semblance of a baseline. The issue is a combination of suspension and apparently a massive amount of torque. Ihad it blow the tires off but go down the track, hook but not run, spin AND not run... So I threw a Hail Mary at it for first round, combining the fuel and spark maps from the run that it hooked, and the other half from the run it went down the track, along with some very small tweaks. Hooked AND went down the track... And much to my surprise even got a W. Feeling much better now. Car works somewhat, and got both cars in for Rnd 2 tomorrow!

Oh, the in-car pic in the previous post is to illustrate "Real Stockers Have Cup Holders.". :)

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I really wish you were there too! LOL!

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Daryl That is funny!

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I think if they scheduled the race on a weekend that had no other race I.E. (Chicago and or Jegs All stars) Or any other div race, the place would have been packed. Some racers follow the points over the money :Shrug: However, if you are racing this race your odds are killer.Still great job IHRA.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Michael, good job yesterday. Keep the updates and drama coming! Go by and give Chip a little luck for today. He needs it after a rough day yesterday.

Dan, good to see Thomas get to round 2. I know you wish you were there, I'm sure some of the other racers are glad you are not! lol. Is nice to see you offer the support.

IHRA continues to prove they are committed to the sportsman racer. I wish they had a race like this closer to TX, but understand where the biggest car base is. For a race this size, they must to what is best... this is still a business. I am not crazy about buy backs, but I have paid to play when bracket racing. Look at the purse... They had to think outside the box a little. Again, it is a business, and we all need them to stay in business!

We continue to see some of the bigger names cross over and run some IHRA. I know the Jeg's race pulled some to Chicgao along with points... but hard to find a completely open window. Hope the race in Oct. will be even bigger, after people see how this one goes off. Looks like yesterday was clean. Hope for good weather and smooth racing today for all!

Good luck to everyone there today. Wish I was there. Have FUN!

Ken

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

dan
i did not know you used my best word f***

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Greg a week before Lebanon Valley there was a 10K race in montreal, and we had 42 cars....im asking myself the same question

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Heck,being from Colorado,that's a CLOSE race!

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You know what might help some racers get over the hump is a video of the facilities so they can see what the pits, tracks and viewing areas are like.....Napierville with the enclosed area right next to the start is unreal.....Numidia's scenery is a treat, and MIR is a first rate big facility and who doesn't love a/c in the restrooms....All three of those tracks have real good owners and track employees who care.

Weather was a slight factor for Napierville, but the track and event were top notch.....I will do it every year they have it. Napierville followed by LV divisional can stretch many a bit thin for time, etc, workloads don't go away either! I couldn't swing it this weekend.

But one thing is 100% clear, no one should be crying that there are not opportunities in the North with the 10K at Numidia, the 10K at Napierville and this race at MIR. All have plenty of dough for the tow.

Look at the racers who have made all three events, they are real sportsman supporters.

I know the Gafneys did, not sure who else, a lot of others made 2.

Good luck all at MIR.

Eric

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

Man I wish we were there! maybe we can make it to the one at Virginia in the fall. Enjoyed all the publicity Dad and all the other top 10 IHRA all time sportsman national event winners received. It brought back a lot of memories to see dad's picture and name in the magazines. Good luck to everybody that is there! Hope to see all our friends soon!

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My view from the bleachers (hopefully not too much longer)......

The wife and I came to watch as our only way to support the sportsman that we plan to join soon. The track and staff were all top shelf. We met some great racers too. Although I know many folks dislike the buy back format, why not look at it as an insurance policy after a long tow? Lord knows, no matter what class you run in we have all had a first round car or driver glitch at some point and everyone that made the call for second round today won a round to get there.

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Good post FS. I am like you ...hoping to be able to join the Sportsman ranks on a regular basis here real soon. Maybe if were both lucky we will be able to add two more entries to the Oct. race at VMP.

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If the buy backs are a big problem why not put them in a separate eliminator? Let them race for half the buy back $$$ or something. Every one wins this way. They are going to buy back in anyway so let them have there own race. The winners still win and the losers still have shot at a little $$$ and get to make some passes.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I wish I could have made it but, work comes first..............:mad:

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

If you build it, they will come" is also true in drag racing. If you build a quality relationship with the racer they will come. I think that a lot of racer wanted to see the response of MIR and Royce Miller is on the right track with buy backs. Dan, Royce is an anarchist!lol Claude

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

It was a very well run event and alot of fun in my opinion and if you weren't able to make the trip for whatever reason you missed out on a great event. I'm still up in the air about the re-entries but for this race I was a fan of it as John Dustin took me to school in 1st round however with better participation they might would look at removing this. I think they possibly saw this two ways, one it might attract people to tow a little further if they had two shots and two the car count was low they could make up the money difference with the buyback. Either way it was a nice event and a nice facility and congratulations to all the winners. See you in october.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I personally would never miss another race like this if it's within reasonable driving distance! Especially one at MIR! Racers can give whatever excuse they want, but anyone within a few hundred miles should've been there!

I didn't agree with the buybacks either! Now, especially since I got beat by a guy that lost first round!! But, hey, we had a great race. No complaints about that. But what I will say is if you are going to have buybacks, then 1st round should be random pair! That way you don't have 1st round rematches, like you had 3 at this event. I just don't think you should have to race the same opponent 2 rounds in a row! That's called a match race. Maybe Roy Hill would enjoy that, but it's not what we were there for.

One complaint I do have about the event was the track prep! Normally MIR is top notch with the track and starting line! But round 2 of stock and super stock saw a spin fest! I got real lucky, because I lost .3 in 60' and still won my round! Others didn't make it off the line. Every pair of SS, one of the racers spun. And I mean blew the tires off! I was really surprised by this, since they normally do a great job there.

All in all, this was a great event. I can't wait until the next one at Virginia in October.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

There are alot of complaints on this tread about the buy backs. How many stock and super stock racers bought back. As many that are against than I would suspect that only a few bought back. I would not be against buy backs at the opens or special events like this one. The local tracks have been doing this for years as a way to increase revenue and stay in buisness. The other option is to raise the entry fee to cover the cost.

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

I agree....and that seemed to be the case too... the people that lost first round that didn't like the buyback deal they didn't buyback...super stock had 9 cars during the re entry rd so half the losing field naught back from first rd...I thought it was a great race and a well run race for there first attempt at one of these races and I took full advantage of the buybacks... im not ashamed of it either...but I did have to run my guy twice in stock and if I had won the re entry ed of ss I would have had to run the same man in that class also

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Thyere was 36 total superstock cars .
That leaves a possible buy-back # of 18.
Out of a possible 18 buy-backs there was only 9 that did it..
I don't know the #'s in stock...

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

54 Stockers
27 Rd 1 runner ups
16 Buy backs

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I too was very disappointed in car counts! Like others have said...I don't get it. If you don't want buybacks you first have to support the race. Skooter would love to do away with them or at least put a buyback cap on car count, but first he needs to make sure he's not going to run the sanctioning body out of business. Nearly every big money race you will ever see has got buybacks (if not 2 rounds) because thats how they afford to pay the money! DUH!!! I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the buybacks either but if that's what it takes to run for big money class racing......then so be it. I would have not hesitated to use it. I could have went to Rt 66 this past weekend and only traveled 500 miles round trip but instead I opted to travel 1200 miles because I realize which sanctioning body gives a ***** whether I'm there or not. I spent half as much on entry, got to suck it up in 2 classes with 1 car, and raced for a lot more money..........Like I said.....I don't get it! Lets hope car counts are WAY up at Richmond otherwise I don't think we'll get another one.

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The obvious but difficult to answer question is, would they have received greater revenue from increased car counts if they did not have buybacks? In Stock, they would've needed 65 cars (+11) to make more money than they did with re-entry, and 40 cars (+4) in Super Stock.

I say difficult to answer because I have repeatedly seen and heard over the years, "I would've gone if..." My concern is that if it wasn't buybacks, there simply would've been some other excuse for not attending.

I went, I raced, Myron conquered. (again). :p

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I really hated to miss this race and plan on being in Virginia in October. My original thought was that the buy backs may have kept more racers from coming to the race than what the track received in buy back money. If there were only 26 total in stock and super stock that bought back that means only 13 more entries to get the same amount of money. Does anyone think there would have been significant more entries without the buy back deal?

Re: LIVE from IHRA Sportsman Spectacular @ MIR
 

In Stock and SS there are a dozen rules that will eliminate you if you violate.....like a red light. If you use the buy back rule those rules are now not valid. These two classes are based on fairly strict rules and to allow buy backs negates those rules.

Buy backs are for bracket racers that have no rules!

JimR