BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

I will be attending the first Racer comity meeting for Brainerd Intl. Raceway,;
Brainerd, MN. Jan 7 2012

I would like your input on what you would like to see for the 2012 season
for our S/SS combos.
Input on here will help more than anything.

Now is the time if you have any suggestions, ideas, or would like to help with the S/SS combos.

Thank You
Glen DeMenge

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

You KNOW what my input is

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen, I thought things went well last year. Thank you for your efforts as well as the Staff at BIR.
The couple of suggestions i have are.
1. since we run out our race on Saturday, could there be more effort in to getting our race rounds spaced out so it is not a round robbin after first or second round. Last year more than once they could have interupted there order to get first round done for us 1-2 hours earlier which would give a nicer pace to the event.
2.keep things at 1/4 mile.

We had a good time last year and we plan to be back with all three cars again this year!

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen,

I agree with Todd.

The only comment I have is regarding time management. Does JJ's have to run during prime time? I think they are very important part of the program and developement for future racres, however why can't they run first out at 8:30 then used as a filler until the afternoon eliminations begin? Last year they ran 2 rounds of Jr's, 2 rounds of gamblers before we ran first round. Then we went to round robin as Todd stated.

Even if nothing changes, last year was an improvement. Tech time was realistic and no debates at the gate. Now we just need Ben to start the year with a negative 500 point deduction and we will be in good shape!

See ya in the spring,.

Tim

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Tim, You forgot one thing, a lot of the bracket racers are not very happy either, its just not keeping 30 cry babies like us happy, what about 250-300 bracket racers. There is some work to be done

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen,

Thanks for your help last year. Both Kari & I had a good experience each time we were there.

It would be nice if they could make some changes to the front gate to allow for an easier turn into the facility after paying. With the pay windows they have, it's a little tight to make the turn.

Thanks for taking the time again this year. We appreciate your efforts.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Saw on another post the costs are going up? Entry or Race? Glen, for me it doesnt do any good to say anything because the minute I do Im labeled ! A few of us are getting together at my shop Sat and see where we want to go this year. Im still waiting for my (Official Track Temp Gauge), as heard on the PA. P.S. James F., got your message, give you a call this weekend.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen keep up the good work, i like the idea of a change at the gate as the turn
is a little tight and with a bigger rig its got to be really tight. The other idea of the
juniors running early and late is good also i would think they are quiet enough to
run early or after curfew not round after round in the middle of the day when we
are trying to get our whole program in on sat. Other than that things were pretty
good, looking forward to a fun 2012.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

How about letting us in on Friday night and not having to pay the extra fee. I WILL NOT pay extra just because we come in on Friday to park. Also, how about having someone learn to sweep up at the line once in a while, I have never seen so many people on the line doing nothing. How is my scoop lettering going? Have fun at the committee meeting. Dyno

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Dyno, The fri night fee is nothing, you could easily make that up in mooching food and beer. Come-on, think ahead a little.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen Good Job Last Year!! I"am with Todd, The only thing that was bad was the timming between rounds the tower needs to look at that befor calling up cars.

And the parking on the Pro-Pits last year some racers complain that they paid seasonal and some came in and paid $15.00 for electric, and some parked on the blacktop free. they need to come up with a price per day for all the spots that have electric, and if there is a fee for blacktop no electric.

Thanks Kerby
FYI this weekend in sunny Fla 78 :cool: see-ya in the spring

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Hello everyone! Happy new year!

I am just back from the BIR racer committee meeting.
I would like to say thank you, for your input and the opportunity to again represent
this fine group of NHRA Stock & Super Stock racers.

We have some new Reps. for the bracket class and things went well.

First of all We WILL be racing on Saturdays. With 2 Q. runs.
& YES IT WILL BE 1/4 MILE!
The only reason to ever run 1/8 mile @ BIR is for safety, due to weather conditions.
That is all.

Once again; the main topic was time management and consistency

with the program run order.

We had a handle on things the first few races BUT! By the end of the year 2011 we were right back where we started.

It was acknowledged that there were problems.
Most of them stemmed from the changing of run order as well as the TESTING that was taking place on SAT.

We made a decision to have NO TESTING on Sat.
The people who are trying to get a license will have the chance to run on Sat.
It will be listed in the run order just as any class would be so the people who are trying to get a lenience will know when to be ready to go and that the track is safe for them.
BUT... NO TESTING ON Sat.:) !

The vote was made to give those who are bracket racing in the Gamblers Race will now receive only 1 time trial NOT 2
That should free up a bunch of the needed time to get every thing completed on Sat.
As well; it will give the S/SS class a more even time spacing between rounds.



Pay out is (32 CAR COUNT )$1,2000 win 600 r.u. 180 semi. 80 Rd 4 50 Rd 3
LESS THAN 32 CARS USES 80% "JACKPOT FORMULA" Just like last year.

Cost to race is $90.00
15.00 at the gate

As for the cost to drop your trailer on Fri. night the answer I got was...
"It's not a Free Secure storage lot."
That said; lets look at the big picture here.

The cost for the track to run every thing we take for granted; the lights, staff, insurance, taxes, up keep, and maintenance on a facility of this caliber is astronomical!

Nothing is getting cheaper.
I don't think it ever has.
Just think how much your personal life has increased in cost in the last few years.
Now
Look at how big BIR is.

All the buildings. black top roads, grand stands, showers, maintenance& up keep on all that stuff, fuel for all the equipment, oil changes & maintenance on all the equipment, Just the grass mowing alone is enough to choke a goat, not to mention the track prep stuff and all the timing equipment it's self.
And lets not forget everyone's favorite Toilet Paper and a clean Port-a-Poty.
No city sewer BIR. That means pumping and hauling all your used hotdogs away.
It all costs $$$.
It's mind boggling really.

So Let's all take a good, long, hard, look at the big picture before we start to pull judgement on BIR, or any track for that matter.

With $4 a gallon fuel to tow with $3.25 a gallon gas to run your generator. Any way...
I hope you can see where I'm going here....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and on.. .and on... and on

As GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED as we are here in MN.
It only makes good cent$ to run your car at the local S/SS combos like this and
HAVE FUN!

As for the gate and the tight turn to get in.
The answer I got was "If that's all you guys could find to complain about that things must be O.K." (after all we are professional drivers aren't we).
One of the guys offered to pull your rigs in around the corner for you if you would like. :0
I told him I would put a sign up with his service and phone number on it. ;)

The Pee rock gravel behind the tower is on the agenda to be removed so we should have less rocks in the water box and on the starting line.

So... that covers it.

We need to have a good car count again this year so we can continue a good thing!

We had fun last year and with the improvements it looks to be even better this year!

Good luck in 2012 and the very best to you and yours.

Thank you again!!

Glen DeMenge

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen, is it $90 entry and 15 a day ? Any prices on Pro pads and Elect ? Talk about 2 day races for S/SS ? Our meeting went well. Let me know. Thanks.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Minnesota must have a corrupt CDL drivers test I gather.

I have mine and usually don't want to sacrifice my trailer on the fishhouses at the gate after I pay my money. The turn is too tight for a tag trailer behind a motorhome. I know, my problem. I like my stuff without battle scars.

Guess I'll have to stay home until I learn how to drive.

Was trying to provide what bothered me. Sorry if I hampered your efforts.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

What about opening gate b for the racers with large rigs I'm sure one of the gate persons could jump on a golf cart and open it up. Ten mins. and problem solved now let's start correcting our Goverment problems I think it would be that simple

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

X2 on the turn James. To bad something as simple as that cant be changed. I have to be in the far right lane and only have 3 to 4 in on each side.I guess being a CDL holder and MN DOT Inspector doesnt make me a Pro Driver either. I will let you know what we all talked about Sat at the shop.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Thanks Glen!!!!!!!

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Jamie, I had the same problem with gitting my motorhome and trailer in, so I go straight over the bridge and take the 1st left to get in it makes it alot better. Hope this helps.
Ron Prince

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Hi James
I expressed the issue & asked about using gate B and I gave the answer that I got on that topic.

As for the pro pit parking and power.
I did not get a chance to see that Kerby had asked.
That was my fault I am sorry.
I am trying to get some answers on that now.

I don't understand the "FISH HOUSE" deal my self.
I know it is a total pain in the *** to get in with a big rig like yours.

All I can do is try.
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
Glen DeMenge

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Just curious,

How bad is getting into the track with a 48' trailer?

Sean

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Here is some in-fo on the pro pad parking and power.
Thanks
Glen DeMenge

Glen, you can pass this along for me. For S/SS the price of racer entry
did not change from last year (or for that matter the last 4) The cost of
power went up $5.00 per day. However, and this is not on the price sheet
that you received at the meeting. We are going to give the people an
incentive to buy a pro pad spot for the season. The price on the sheet is
listed as $180 for a pro pad without power for the season and $360.00 with
power. We are going to change it to $150.00 and $300.00. This gives you
one race free if you buy for the season. S/SS will still just be a Sat race for the
2012 season.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen, is it the gate fee that went up from last year? Was $10.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Hi Ron
Here is the pricing at the gate.
Gate admission pricing:
Adult
Thurs.-Sun $45
Fri-Sun $35
Sat.-Sun. $25
One Day $15

Kids 6-12
Thurs.-Sun $20
Fri-Sun $15
Sat.-Sun. $10
One Day $5

Thanks Glen DeMenge

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

So if we come in on Saturday it is $90.00 for the S/SS race and $15.00 for the day? What the gate fee all about? Dyno

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

I am sorry for the confusion.
Let me see if I can make this clear for all of you.

S/SS Race entry is $90.00 FOR 1 CAR AND ONE DRIVER
The "gate fee" is whats you might call... "general admission".

If you come to race on Sat. It's gonna cost you $15.00 general admission for the day and $90 to race your car. That is a total cost to you of $105.00 American Dollars for a race that will pay $1200 to win IF we have 32 cars to race with.

It's still the best deal around!
Short tow (for most)
1 day program (2Q runs, then race, the same day.)
Nice track. (Hooked good for me all year!)
Our own tech line.(VERY FAST! Thank you BIR Tech!)
Scale ( YES! we have heads -up races)
And It's FUN!!!

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

I agree, good deal, short tow and fun. No place will ever be perfect but at least we can say what we think and it is heard and considered which is more than you can say for a lot of places we race. Every one has the same plan when they show up, it's to win. There is only one winner so you better have some fun, if all of these things get in the way of having any fun then it is time to park it and do something else.
These things are to a degree what you want to make of them, Glen has taken on a thankless job in hopes of making it a better place to race which it is and hopefully will continue to improve step by step. We can all go and have some fun along the way if we chose.

Todd Curtis
SS/KA 5571

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen,

Wasn't trying to stir up any controversy. Just trying to give an example of an issue I fight each time I enter. I've used the bridge access, and it works. Hope the capacity they post is underrated.

If they could give a little more room to accommodate trailer swing while making a hard left after paying, it would be great. If not, I think I'll figure out a way to adapt.

Keep up the great work on our behalf! Don't let questions or comments bother you too much. Nobody else would volunteer to do what ur doing. Kari & I appreciate your efforts.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Off topic Joe, but wish you a fast recovery.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Hey Glen, If 1/8 mile racing sucks so bad, why is the new ADRL class running 1/8 mile? There has got to be a reason for that. Wonder if it has something to do with safety? Just wondering, buddy. Thanks, Joe D

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

I am not Glen but I think a good share of the tracks they race at are only 1/8 mile. I assume they don't want their racers to have to switch back and fourth.

I Must be confussed (very good possibility) Joe I thought you were against 1/8th mile.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Glen

looking at BIR's schedule the last race is sept. 8th ,9th thats the same weekend as Tri-state divisions and I think all of the car's racing at BIR race the divisionals,

the next time you have your comity meeting, Think about running race #5 & #6 the same weekend, One on that saterday and the other on sunday ?? somting to talk about . Or just do Five Race's


Kerby :cool:

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

The Sep. 8-9 race will be run but it will be a no points event.
P.S. It was -20F here in Minnesota.
How was FLA.?

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Kerby,

We are heading to Orlando in March for a family vacation. Due to the fact when we go on vacation (Hawaii last year Snunami, Kansas tornado) something happens, so just checking, is it hurricain season in March?

Thanks!

Tim

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Tim

The month of march we have the Gatornationals 8th --11th and also a IHRA division race at Bradonton 23rd -- 25th the weather sould be nice
around 75 to 85 for temp. no hurricanes they come in the summer..

Glen the temp for this fri & sat 78, 79, :cool: going to Immokalee for IHRA
race feb. 3rd to 5th let's see how fast we can go :confused:

Kerby :cool: sunny FLA

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

I guess everyone has there own thoughts on 1/8 mile racing. Dont know why we are talking about it for BIR, unless its something I dont know about. All I can say is if I know in advance it will be 1/8 or a chance the cars wont be there. I know you like 1/8 Joe, but I wont change the cars back and forth. Thats just me. To much work for an old guy like me!

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Your right there Ron, I think it would be fun, but it would have to be known ahead of time, I'm thinking that I may head to Grove Creek a time or two just to get my feet wet again. I have been talking to some bracket racers that use delay boxes, and the need to try it again is hanging heavy on my heart. Could get a tranny brake into the Buick and have some fun again. Too much crap happening with S/SS to have too good of a time. I know the competetion is pretty tough in S-PRO, but it is also tough in S/SS. I just havent enjoyed S/SS like when I started 15 years ago, I always loved bracket racing, especially when I went to the Winter Series for 12 years in a row, that was some fun racing. Gotta get back to Byron again and raise heck with Ron Leek!!!

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

I could sit in the stands all day and listen to that guy. They also have one of the most efficiently run programs around.

Re: BIR Racer comity meeting Jan 7 2012
 

Your right there Andy, they have always run a good program, in 1976 when i won the Bracket Nationals, there was 650+ cars first round and it was something watching it get done!!