Using up grade points
 

So I see all of a sudden everyone drops out of Vegas at the last minute.Same folks most of the time. I tried to double enter but I used up my grade points entering Superstock. NHRA has the money from those who dropped out. Now I can't ebter stock. What a deal. I was told to drop ot of superstock and reenter both at the last minute while superstock class is still full. Gee thanks! What am I missing?

Paul Haszlauer

Re: Using up grade points
 

Yes.
You can use less points to enter both categories
Because quota dropped

Re: Using up grade points
 

I am not sure but I think once you drop out you can not re-enter the same race no matter what the grade point requirement is.
Not an expert on anything.
Rick Cates
Canyon TX

Re: Using up grade points
 

Well, that's the way i goes. I should be happy I'm able to get in at all. I'm entered with a car in superstock that hasn't been raced in over 12 years. Someone dropped out with 10 minutes to go. I type with two shakey fingers.At that moment one was better than none.

Paul

Re: Using up grade points
 

Given a fairly good weather forecast I?m surprised there were so many withdrawals, with scarcity of D7 venues and some hoping to finish well in points I would have thought it would be at 75+ for both classes. I was so tempted to buy and bring Yak?s Escort but calmer heads prevailed.

Paul, running one of the Wong fleet?

Re: Using up grade points
 

Yes, Paul is always very kind to me. Why does everyone wait to the last minute to drop out? The schedule is not freindly for sportsman racer. Thursday is qualifying and first round it appears.

Paul H

Re: Using up grade points
 

Jim, there are still 3 builds in Paul's shop we haven't tried yet. All brand new never seen. Time for us to start racing them. The car I/we are bringing out is pretty cool. I hope I don't mess up!

Paul

Re: Using up grade points
 

I think the recently released run schedule is responsible for many of the drop outs, three that I personally know of.

Re: Using up grade points
 

Given how things were working out for me this year, I REALLY wanted to be in Las Vegas for the National. However, when my time was up to enter, Stock met Quota. Soon after that, it went over by one. Knowing what that meant, I just resorted to the fact it’ll be the Divisional only for me at The Strip.

I believe, as a Competitor, you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if you’re going to race at a National, the Friday or the weekend before it is scheduled to run and well in advance of the deadline. It’s a disservice to the Class if someone waits to the very end, last second, to withdrawal when someone else could’ve filled that spot and maintained quota. The deadline for withdrawl should be bumped up to Friday or Saturday evening.

Re: Using up grade points
 

Might want to rethink that. What about the case you are at an event over the weekend and break something that will not be repaired in time? Now you are sitting on a credit only for the event entered.

Just playing both sides of this. When stacking up GP's for one class, that is the risk you run doing so. Life is a little different for the West Coast so understand the approach needs to be slightly different as well.

Re: Using up grade points
 

As faras the schedule. I hope to make it to Sunday. When the rounds are called effect all competitors the same. The same folks bow out of this race nearly every year. I could name them. Entry fees to some are pocket change. I personally count every penny. It takes 8 grade points and there isn't 8 grade points available in division 7 unless you have 2 cars to bring.Seems fair!

Paul H

Re: Using up grade points
 

Well when you live in Tijeras New Mexico and your closest point race is over 5 to 6 hundred miles away it really sucks! I think you should have to give at least 2 weeks to back out of a National Event where it gives Racers a chance to take off work get a motel get your car and things ready to go. Those things just don't happen overnight. especially when it's a back-to-back race when you have to drive so many miles. Racers and NHRA need to think about that.

Re: Using up grade points
 

I agree to some extent, but there are times when you don't know you can't go until that last weekend before or even Monday morning. Personally, I broke my car earlier this year at the baby gators but was already entered for the GatorNats the following week. I drug all my stuff home the Saturday of the bby gators and withdrew the next day. I am very grateful I didn't have to eat that $350.

Re: Using up grade points
 

Concerning the schedule causing some withdrawals, personally I?d actually prefer E1 being on the first day. Find your spot on the tree and stay in your groove. Early morning E1 just creates more anxiety to what is already the toughest run.

Re: Using up grade points
 

That is not true.
Dan

Re: Using up grade points
 

That's only true if you entered the race with a 'provisional entry' such as a gold card.

Re: Using up grade points
 

A driver who competes in multiple categories can combine grade points. For example, a driver competing in SG at two events then SC at two events will have a combined grade point of four and may register as a Grade 4 driver in any single NHRA Sportsman category. When combining grade points, this total cannot be divided for two separate categories (i.e. 10 grade points in Comp and 2 grade points in SC equal a combined grade of 12, but CANNOT be allocated where 6 grade points go to Comp and 6 grade points go to SC).

Re: Using up grade points
 

WITHDRAWALS/NO-SHOWSTRANFERS
A driver unable to attend an event for which they are entered is requested to officially withdraw from that
event no later than 12 noon Pacific time on Monday preceding the event (provisions for withdrawals are
available at the NHRA online registration web site). Drivers withdrawing within the specified time will have
100% of their entry fee automatically transferred to a subsequent NHRA National Event. A driver failing to
withdraw within the specified timeframe will forfeit all fees paid for the event. Should the same driver fail to
withdraw from a second event within the same racing season, it will be assumed that the driver is no longer
active and as such, all entries for the remainder
of the season will be cancelled and returned (driver may re-enter if time permits and category quota?s have
not been reached). The objective of this policy is an attempt to ascertain accurate car counts for the

Re: Using up grade points
 

Alright, I'll view it through this lens. Risk, is a double factor here. I run the risk of racing one car, which is the depth of my pocket and achieve single point status. While others race two cars for the double point pleasure, I get it.

I choose to race Divisionals, with understood risk, and I'd rather break there or at a National than at a local TNT the weekend before either event. SOME run the risk of any part breakage racing the weekend before a National. It's a matter of preference then. Also, the only difference between the West Coast and wherever you may reside is TIME. Everything else is relatively the same.

I understand the time for withdrawals is Noon, Pacific time, and doubt that will change. So why not leave it open for an Entry, if below quota, until 4-5PM Pacific time?

Re: Using up grade points
 

Okay now I can say after losing first round today.Losing on Thursday isn't much fun.

Paul H