Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Dan Fletcher wrote an article on Class Racer magazine about Norwalk being canceled for the sportsman. Interesting reading, what do you all think, leave a comment or post it here. I'm curious to here what everyone is thinking about NHRA's decision.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

"But like my buddy Pirate would say, these are first world problems"

That does put things in perspective.

However it is a shame the relentless rain this spring messed things up and left the track with poor alternatives.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Excellent points from Dan as always. There is a little event going on at Lebanon Valley this weekend that might entice the stock and superstockers that were done in by the rain @ Norwalk......would be fun to see some world champs come out to play with us, especially for the memorial event of Sunday. Just look up the other posts for details.

Eric

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I believe Nhra made a good call giving plenty of notice.
Guess what it will continue to happen now ...and we the sportsman racer will suffer
But I would rather Nhra made decision early instead of hanging us out for days at a time
If Nhra is smart they will refund the $$.and move on
How about make it like The Baby Gators and run Class on the reschedule ?
Mr Bader please help

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I thought it was well thought out. It is a shame but I think it was a good call. I have been there in similar conditions but never this bad. It will be interesting to see when they will reschedule it. My guess based on the schedule is the weekend of July 20th. Also Dan is right. The $120.00 insurance fee needs to be refunded.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Ken I tried to leave a commit twice on the other site. So here is the short version. Mother Nature and NHRA may have ruined your plans for Norwalk. Not many of us know what it really takes to do what you do for a living. A lot of us are in the same boat just a different ocean. I'm just trying to get my car put together. Not enough hours in the day. An old wise man once told me if you ever get so big in business that you forget the customers that helped you build it. It's one of the first signs you have changed your business plan that brought you to that success and sooner or later you will fail. Not many of us understand how you can turn away paying customers. At the National level we all know sportsman racers are not on their top ten list. Dan I'm sure you have seen the Dave LeBrun Alan Peters Memorial Race that several of us racers are putting on. I get it's not a National Event and it's at Lebanon Valley but the pay out's are better than you see at most NHRA Events. And we want you there! So any of you if Norwalk ruined your plans take a look at this race. There are two days of racing with a racers picnic on Saturday. And plenty of Bonus money. The main reason I did get involved and started the ball rolling on this Event is time. We never realize how fast time is going by. I never thought about the day that I wouldn't see Dave LeBrun and Alan Peters at the races. Alan hadn't raced much in the last twenty years or so. But Dave was always there. Even when his health was failing him. Just really never gave it that thought that one day he wouldn't be there. Both were icons to our sport and the staging lanes in Division One will never be exactly the same without them. So if it's a race for money it's there but for me it's a way of saying one last good bye to two great racers and guys. Hope to see you all there. Barry

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Let’s not overlook this cancellation as trial run for Pro only events. Only this one will be more profitable with all our entry money and no payouts yet.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I hate this happened but in this case I believe the right decision was made. I was entered and looking forward to this race as I have never been but had to withdrawal when I realized I had a conflict. Who knows maybe I will get a chance to go to the rescheduled event without the hassle of the Oilers being there!

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

They did the same thing at Reading a few years ago. Pros ran on the originally scheduled weekend and sportsman ran a week later.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

A question, How many of the 6 classes of sportsman racers are usually at this event Tuesday Night, Wednesday AM. If most are there why not park them in the pro pit spots and race wed Thursday down to final 4 in all classes and if you are not in final 4 you have to leave. Only 24 rigs out of 300 would be at track, I am sure they would be on asphalt. If racers do not like this idea, they have option to withdrawal from the race and saving entry for another national event.
Could Bill Bader Make this Happen, a resounding Yes, would this cost NHRA money, yes

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

no one can plan for all the rain we have seen this springr , we should all be thankful we aren;t farmers, For those who want to race The Can Am Stock Super Stock series is at Empire this coming week end if anyone is interested. The weather forecast looks good for that area right now.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

We all read the release on NHRAracer, but I'd been wondering what sort of formal news announcement would be made on the NHRA home page for the general populous. Obviously, the majority of the fans are there for the Pros, but many spectators really enjoy sportsman cars, specifically Stock and Super Stock. Well here it is, one sentence, paragraph 5, somewhere between "guided walking tour and music driven driver introductions".

https://www.nhra.com/news/2019/norwa...packed-weekend

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

The first place I saw the news was when they changed the race schedule to three days and deleted the sportsmen classes.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I've received a couple calls yesterday from guys I used to work with wanting to know where we will be parked. They had no idea we had been cancelled. How would they? Most people we know don't call, they just show up. I think there's going to be a lot of surprised spectators.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Bill Bader Jr stated that the sportsman portion of the race will be contested in Norwalk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkhu...8l9wmyTcq-hT4w

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

This has been my home track for many years and as most of you know, no one works harder than the Bader family. He has already cancelled several events this year due to the rain. If there was any way possible for the show to go on, he would've made it happen. He cancelled the Wednesday, Friday & Saturday programs last week and ran his crew around the clock to try and prep the grounds for this week. This has been the wettest season on record since 1953. I know it sucks for all of us but it was the correct call.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

If the fan walk and pit tour is a success. Look out sportsman!

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Jeff I don't think that would be the case. The sportsman pay most if not all the pro purse. I think they like the low numbers of entrance. No extra days and not many if any extra employee's to pay.

I think everyone agree's that postponing the sportsman part of the race was the right call. BP

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

B Parker could you please explain how the sportsman racers pay the Pro purse. TF and FC get $10,000 for first round lost which is 160,000 just for first rnd. At $320 entry fee for 300 cars I don’t think we are paying most if not all of the pros purse.
I think the spectators $55 each x 35,000 which is almost $2,000,000 probably is where the money is and they’re not paying that to watch my SC car go 8.90

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I've been a fan of the class (actually Stock and Super Stock) since the early 70's, and was a partner on a car in the mid 90's with Mike Smith, who was a racer since roughly about 1970.

The weather and how NHRA treats its racers are two different things.

We were being "beat up" by NHRA in the mid 90's. Mike and I accepted it and ran S/SS events, followed by a few points races and very few national events. I would've loved to race at Indy, but the "Thrill Was Gone". NHRA takes advantage of the addiction that is racing.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

The NHRA made the right call. Thank you NHRA.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I suspect The Sportsman racers bring in a lot of money to NHRA .The advertising in News Media helps sales, the entry fees helps NHRA, the money paid to NHRA to belong to NHRA Club House The manufacturing row at NHRA used to be big but companies were priced out to be there these days . I could go on and on about how Sportsman bring a lot of money into NHRA bank account most likey in each of the National events adds up in a year, I dont mind them making money as long as we can race at their tracks . Remember the sportsman are the minor league of racing with NHRA no matter what we think. NHRA needs sportsman at the races by the way to fill in between the Pros racimg Plus making sure the pits are fill to create a EVENT for the Paying spectator for sure I dont mind this now a days just having a ball racing don't let anyone keep me from having a good time Life is short I am at level 72 must enjoy life quicker nowadays lol at me

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

With all the problems Norwalk has had over the years with drainage they would installed farm field drainage tile in the sportsman grass area! It's not all that expensive. Yea it's money but it would be a BIG help to fixing these constant problems year after year.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I can see it now when people go this weekend and do not see all the rigs of the sportsman racers ,take all those rigs away and I can hear people saying were is everybody,there will be many fans that attended previous events here,they will notice right away,

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Well Dan you and your sons and family are welcome to join us at your home track Empire for some CAN AM stock super stock racing

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I was just on the NHRA website and couldn't find anywhere that the informed the spectators of the sportsmen portion being cancelled. Maybe I just missed it.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

In no disrespect for anyone that has posted but I live 18 miles from the track and received 2.3 inches in my rain guage since 1:30pm today. Lost my driveway and the farmers bean field is in my back yard. It's really bad wet in this part of state what would you expect to be the solution, get rid of Norwalk national?

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I am curious as well. Where will the Baders park all the spectators , all the spectator motorhomes ?? Gonna be SLIM pickings for all the THIEVES that feast on the Sportsman racers at Norwalk.....

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

On the video Bader Jr. said he had to refund money to fans who had rented 600 camping spaces.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Wouldn’t it make more sense to postpone the entire race ? ?

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Being is this has been an ongoing problem at this track, why during the dry time of year why haven't they graded that area and at least put in base rock, graded it and compacted it with a roller? Problem solved,

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I have never heard anyone say the Baders were cheap. They have spent millions on that track and if you have ever been there it shows.

Somethings make economic sense and some don't.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

The Best Track in Division 3 and Ice Cream too.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

[QUOTE=BOB KIRKBRIDE;591047]Being is this has been an ongoing problem at this track, why during the dry time of year why haven't they graded that area and at least put in base rock, graded it and compacted it with a roller? Problem solved, guess they are too cheap.[




this actually made me laugh out loud

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Do you know the soil conditions in the area? The height of the water table? What is under the top soil there? The drainage for the entire area? If the Baders graded the track, they would be creating runoff water that would have to go somewhere. Where would it go?

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I guess maybe we should come race at your track???? Seriously, with all the bad crap in this world and bitching about a rain out essentially,,,,,maybe some of you would rather they have you come,knowing full well what a mess it was going to be,and take your money ???? then some of you could bitch about that ???


I can ASSURE you Bill Bader is not cheap !!!!

Ive been to tracks from Michigan,to Florida,to Pomona and all the way to Seattle,,,,, Montreal and up and down the eastern seaboard, If you know a place better suited why dont you tell us about it??? SHEESH,,,, Get a life,,,its only a drag race after all !

In my humble opinion, your NOT going to find anwhere nicer !

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

I assume you've never been to Norwalk? Bader just laid a million dollar plus racing surface and shutdown area last year. Guess he's too cheap though....

Countless times have I seen him cater to the racers and fans. I have raced from coast to coast and NEVER have I seen or heard of a track owner asking you to call him or email him if you are not 100% satisfied and followed with his cell phone number and email address. I guess he's too cheap to care though....

Bader does every single thing he asks his people to do. I've seen him running the lanes, working the water box, driving the scrub tractor, laying vht, emptying garbage cans, the guy does it all. Maybe he's too cheap to hire additional help....

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Norwalk is always going to be the coolest track.I love the lay out!

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

Hopefully the racers will get their full entry back, including insurance cost.You can't race when it's wet and it's really biblically wet.I was planning a trip to Norwalk this year but will concentrate on Divisional races(which is the best show for the bang except when the track personnel is kept at a minimum and the whole race is slowed due to unprepared racers and track officials). I still can't understand why NHRA or the participating tracks don't advertise on radio,newspaper and TV, it's a great show, far better than the pro show, with four people scrubbing the rocks off the slicks!.Look at the stands and you will see an empty grandstand if they decide to go with a pro only show.Time to start paying the sportsman racers for their show value also.

Re: Dan Fletcher.... The Norwalk Cancellation
 

OOOPS Cheap was the wrong word as far as the Baders go Yes, I was there once and as a retired paving and grading contractor I DO know what it is like dealing with different types of soil and wetness and high water table. We had that at the old Fremont drag strip in California. I got into racing when my uncle's paving and grading company paved the old Half Moon Bay Drag strip (in 1959) that was right on the coast. No water problems there, just not much shut off(!!) area So I'm old and that comment was ill advised but I think that base rock of inch and a half max or sub base two and a half inch max in those problem sportsman parking areas sure (hopefully) would have maybe made sportsman racing part of the show. SORRY, sincerely for the dumb comment! Please forgive me, guess I have been spoiled living in Las Vegas and racing here and a lot of other reasonably close tracks like Bakersfield and Phoenix with my Ford Thunderbolt N/SS in the twilight of my fun in my favorite sport I didn't mean to stir up a Hornet's nest that my dumb comment did, but us old farts sometimes let out the clutch in the wrong gear! LOL Sorry for fuffeling but I deserved to be taken to the woodshed for that comment. The sportsman racers were sure missed.