SportsNationals Div.1
 

This is a Great Idea.

But i would rather see this event being raced at Englishtown.

All Paved Pits. No Worries about getting stuck in the mud.

More than likely No Seepage issues.

I guess it would depend on the date naturally.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Thought of a possible date for this race.

Last weekend in Sept. right before the National Event at M.G.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

E town curfews - No Good .... do it at Atco

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

That's the weekend of the swapmeet.

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Good point Joe, but there will be No Circus Cars there.

Do they run the Alcohol Cars @ Sportsnationals Races ??

If not it shouldn't be that bad. Curfew Wise.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

How about VMP ???

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

I think it's only a matter of time before D1 gets a sportsnationals. I mean we do have the largest car count in any division. I'm all for it but, the one problem I've run into is not enough weekends in a year to fit races all in. The problem that we have that a lot of other divisions don't is that we have 7 divisionals, 4 opens and 3 Nationals but, when a lot of people are not running them you have ASRA, ECSSA, NESSA, MASGA, MASCA, MASSA going on on the off weekends. Dave Ley and I both beat our heads against the walls each year trying to find suitable dates for these events that are good for the racers plus now with IHRA coming back into the fold who knows what that will bring. MIR is a big draw for a lot of sportsman guys and girls and it's on top of the Bristol National this year. Like a few have said make the Dutch a Sportsnationals since it's turned into a National event anyways with 4 days of racing. The weekend before the MG National would be bad because the weekend before that is the D3 Columbus Sportsnationals and the week before MG has become a great Warm-Up Race at Atco for all the .90 Cars and Stk/SS cars.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

sorry joe but I don't think atco is a good option, unless they update the place a little, the pits are a disaster, and the track has been very on and off the last few years. maybe re-pour a new launch pad without all the exposed stone than blisters the rubber, and try to do something about the dirt pits , I don't know if grass will even grow there, but anything to keep the dust down.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Plus as a wise man just pointed out to me, these tracks just don't get awarded a Sportsnationals they have to pay for it out of their pockets which could be somewhere around 50 grand. Not sure if some of the tracks around here would take the risk to throw out that type of money.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Maple Grove or Etown would be the spot. I'm thinking Etown is tough because of curfews. Replace the Dutch with a Sportsnationals race, the attendance would be big. Especally with it being the last national event to earn points on the east coast.

Dave, VMP will have a hard time with drawing racers with the location. The Grove would be the ideal spot. I hope it gets done soon.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

As of this past Wednesday, the dirt pits at Atco no longer exist. Over 100 truck loads of asphalt millings were brought in and spread and rolled over the dirt. Two months ago the return road at the end of the track was widened and paved to 3 lanes.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

wow Dave.
that's good to hear. it's a start, but i'm still not sure if it would be a good venue for a sports national. I know they have been making other improvements ,and i'll be more likely to attend a divisional , open ,or ECSS race there knowing the pit situation is being addressed. time will tell .

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Yes, I would consider Atco as well for a SportsNational Race now that they're
improving the pit area, plus you've always got the Atco Bar........lol

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With what was confirmed this year with attendance and participation at the Inaugural "New England Nationals", and the updates that Shareholders have and continue to make, Smart Marketing for both the NHRA & Jeg's would be to host a D1 Sports Nationals event at New England Dragway

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

double post

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Reading and in the fall. That would be my vote. Georgeous location, great starting line, big air, and central location to most div1 racers. E town and atco are a damm long haul for those in the western half of pa and md.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

A nywhere but E-Town unless they can get curfews like they have for the national e vent. Only NHRA class cars Comp ,>90's SS, Stk Maybe TD and TS, no index classes sleds etc. I vote for Maple Grove, the dutch is usually a good race make it a sportsnational and maybe make it early Sept. or May with a rain date.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

In a perfect racing world, a Sportsnationals in D1 is a great idea. But the schedule is already very very full, just proven by the cancellation of the Dutch. We filled up 2 more weekends this year with the addition of the Open and National event at Epping.

After some thought, the only possibility I could think of was if the Dutch, at it's present date , became a sportsnationals.

These and many more things would need to happen

1. the track would need to want it , keep in mind that they need to make money, and they may make more with the Dutch in it's current open format

2. NHRA would need to want it and approve it, I have no idea if they want to add another national event for us sportsman racers

3. What happens if they have weather like this week, season is closing fast , less than 1 month of racing left. Their only choice would probably be to stay there until it was completed,,,,even if it was monday or later.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Dave, that probably would be a great idea
Stay until race is finished.
But, if they had tons of rain, where would the
Rigs park in the mean time.
If there was seepage say sat n sun then are
we racing on mon & tues.

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Great news Dave....for me Atco is one of the best tracks around.....love hearing the new owners are making improvements...good for the sport !!!

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

The major problem is we already have a SportsNationals in our side of the country (Columbus).
I know a few D1 racers venture out to this race every year, but this race could be even better attended by D1 racers.
The track and facilities is as nice as it has been ever, an the traction the last two years has been hard to beat.
I also believe with the upcoming ClassNationals race that Michael Beard is putting on next year will bring even more attention to this track.
If you haven't been there in years, give it a try again.

ps... I would welcome any additional Sportsnationals, but just don't see it happening.

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Leave the Dutch as an Open and give Wallys for class instead of plaques.

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Went down to Atco last night to take the stop off the car and open it up one last time and figured I'd take a couple of shots of the new pits at Atco. The one side where the motocross guys used to pit are basically done and the other side is being worked on. Not sure if they are going to heat up the steam roller and compress some of the millings together to make an asphalt base but, it looks pretty good and better then the sand.

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Don't ruin the Dutch by making it a Sportsnational, this is a fun race, great place to set records, class eliminations and all the other enjoyable things about it. You add national points and qualified fields this will make this race a big deal not the last fun hurrah of the year that it is now.
LEAVE IT ALONE, when the weather is nice, it's the best race of the season.
George

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

George is right on leave it the way it is.

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Atco is Looking Good !!!!

SportsNationals 2015.

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I agree totally with you George it is the most fun race and has been for a long time leave it alone

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I would love to see a Sportsnationals in Division One, but not at the cost of losing the Dutch. The Dutch is the last race for Division One racers who are not traveling for more points. It is a layed back race where records can be set, the racers can let it all hang out one more time before the winter rebuild or hiatus, and there is no pressure. It is generally a lot of fun because there are no points involved, and there are no first round heads ups. Plus the racer can win class. I would like to see the nhra and Maple Grove get together and have a makeup date. I would also like to see a lot more crushed stone in the grassy areas of the pits.
My two cents worth.

John Bender 1969 E/SA

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

The Dutch is not that fantastic of a race anymore. There is to much crammed into to short of a time. You have to be there on Friday, and run first round on Saturday. I guess class is on Friday for stock, racing for plaques. Finishing that is hit or miss year to year. The attendance is down quite a bit from previous years. The last time i ran the Dutch I had to be there on Monday to finish the race.

Its national event time, run like a divisional, for open money. Tough to get revved up for that race anymore. Years ago it was good. No Top Sportsman or Dragster. No class. record runs on Friday and Saturday. You could get some runs in without having to take days off. First round on Sunday morning. A very layed back race to end the year.

Making it a National even would be fun and good money to win. Wally's for class, National points on the line. You don't have to pre register. That is the way I see it. Gives everybody a chance to get in a national, or run for one last Wally. Plus if you have had a great year, you have a chance to earn National event points without going West until you need to. We could draw a full field or more in stock. Just my .02

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Leave the Dutch as is...DON'T change it! Probably a bit too late for a decent rain
date for this year's Dutch....

Don't forget the Mason-Dixon event coming up...for those wanting one more race this
year....

Not sure if I want a D1 Sportsnationals...there are plenty of races on the calendar
already....

Let's not forget Mike Beards's Northern Class Nationals coming up in the Spring!
He's already done a ton of behind-the scenes work to revive this race....and he
needs your support.

Looks like it's shaping up to be one heck of an event...and don't forget...this one's
for YOU!!!!!

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

There is a S/SS Race @ Englishtown Sun. Oct. 27th too.....

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

That's fine if you don't want one. But I'm sure plenty of racers around here do. Everytime there is a national around , it fills up fast. Don't you think it would a success? BTW you have a right to your opinion, but do you race? I Figure with your comment about Beards race, you may not

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

I agree with Tom , the sportsnations in ohio is a great race . I've been there 3 times . They raced well into the night to finish class . Down side its a 8-9 hour tow and the air is not fast like M.G or Atco .

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Guys get you heads out of your butts ..Sports national is a no brainer,
Here in D-1 the car count would be HUGE.The Dutch has lost its way,Its all about Hemi and B.S super car shoot out...Race for class and National event Wally..come on man!

Re: SportsNationals Div.1
 

Calm Down There Slick.

You going this sunday for S/SS Race. $1.00 bets on R.T.'s