The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

Since Chris D said this site is dead, here is a nice topic...Why make a divisional race 2 days and stuff the Sh&* out of it with classes? TAD,TAF, Snow mobiles and Harleys...



Rich sst161,ss/em1613

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

So we all know those "other" classes don't bring in more than the respective participants + their crews and a few followers...so the question is what was the crowd like there? If it's promoted and it helps their gate then it's hard to fault a track for trying to make a buck, especially if they are trying to pay a regional alcohol purse. However; anybody that thinks that they can cram all that in two days is a bit naive.

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

When I saw that they were making it a 2-day divisional I thought "D-1 has always been great with getting things completed if time was an issue or if rain was coming in on the next day". Then when I saw they added TF Harley's I started to wonder but, I figured what maybe 8,10 bikes at the most....not thinking there was 3 other classes associated with the Harleys then throw in TS, TD, Snowmobiles...I was like Wow! I really thought they were going to cut the time run on Saturday and just go right into eliminations. The best part about the weekend was being at work on Friday night and getting text messages from my MASCA guys asking me "And how many more weeks till MASCA starts up???"

Rich, hopefully see you at Atco for the MASSA opener....I'll try not to make it the longest 2 days of you're life...lol

Actually from what I saw on Dave Smiths FB Page the crowd was great but, they also gave away Free tickets to Saturday's event. Friday looked to be a dud

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

As for a crowd - I have never seen any place pack the house for a divisional race like Norwalk does. WOW !!!

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

Doug,

The Baders are in a world all to themselves....I don't think anyone can match what they do as racetrack owners, promoters, etc.

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

I have always been an opponent of the two day schedules.. I also agree that bringing in "exhibitions" does nothing more than waste time.. it only causes the program to go into rush mode immediately.. especially if there is any down time.. BUT, the tracks are attempting to draw crowds..

The problem for many is that if you happen to work for a living, you have to take more time off from work to get your runs in on Friday because you may not get one before first round on Saturday.. it was always nice to have that one run on Saturday before eliminations, just in case you couldn't be there on Friday.. while some may say that it is nice to be home, or on your way home, and enjoy Sunday off, I don't think that helps the majority because of travel distances.. taking the distance to Virginia into consideration, I really don't think that it should even be a D1 race.. if that race goes into Sunday, and goes a little late, some people still have a 6 to 10 hour ride home.. so now they miss work on Monday.. TOO FAR!!

VMP is a nice facility, and management is great and works hard to put on a great race, but it is just too far for most in my opinion.. if you noticed, I wasn't there this year and I happen to like that track.. BUT, between fuel, food, and entry fees, it cost me about $1200.00 just to be there last year.. TOO MUCH for a Divisional race.. especially around tax time..

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

Here is view of the stands on Saturday.

I hear ya Charlie, we went to VMP in 2006 or 07 with the car and I think I slept most of the way down but, when I went on Vacation last year to Myrtle Beach I forgot how far VMP actually is for the D-1 racers. I remember passing Richmond and I was like "I guess we passed the exit for VMP" and Kelli Barbato was like "Nah not yet" next thing I remember is passing the exit and then reading "You're in North Carolina" I was like Wow that is a hike. We don't go back because we ran 1st round in 06 at about 7pm and the Sun was directly at Tree Level and we red-lit because I couldn't see the flash because of the sun.

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

Well guys, you know I'm not an NHRA cheerleader, I've got to say if not for a very lengthly Top Dragster oil down and a SG car that hit the wall right off the line, they might have got everything done on Fri., even with the morning rain delay.
Saturday went pretty well considering running time shots and qualifying in the AM.
I think getting done and on the road by 2:00pm on Sunday was pretty good considering the number of cars at the event.
I believe the track gave away free admittance tickets, and it evedently worked ,the place had more spectators than anywhere we run ,except for Epping,NH. The lines at the concessions were huge ,and thats where their real money usually is made.
I have to give Bob ,Dave and the rest of the crew hi marks for getting this one done relatively smoothly.
Now if we could only get them to run Super Gas sometime other than last !

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

That must have been during the 1/2 hour of the 10 hour drive I wasn't sleeping :P
But also, that is one of those tracks you need to go to at an off time. The DC traffic (especially if you can't use the HOV lane) is crazy. I went down once Friday afternoon and that was one of the biggest bonehead moves I've ever made traveling long distancing. It's one of the reasons I leave for the shore at 3am or Myrtle Beach at 1:30am but that Rob and I blamed on Don :P

Re: The Longest two day Divisional Race
 

We asked about doing that in Division 3....but it's just too hard with the car count.....and they don't like to work the tech guys late on Friday nite....we always have some kind of issue...oil down ....weather...etc...everything is 5 hours or less for us....except Bowling Green.....you guys in Division 1 are spoiled....lol

Rock....