Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Goldman
Jason, Keep in mind , the tracks that currently host points races are the ones capable of handling the fast cars, and also the ones willing to poney up the reported $15k to NHRA for the privledge of holding one of their races. .....Our area just has more of this type of track. ......... Epping could change that.............Tom
|
Tom, I totally agree, and I realize that the New England area is really mostly devoid of this quality of facility except for Epping. There are plenty of tracks that I'm not sure that I'd want to race down with my Corvette, let alone in a T/D or T/S car (or a fast S/G car for that matter).
With it's proximity to Boston, you could argue that NHRA should be working with the Epping owners to upgrade the facility if possible (i.e. they have the surrounding land to do so, which I'm not sure they do) to make the track NHRA National Event capable.
It's sad to say, but there aren't many tracks in the Northeast that I get excited about going to:
- I have fond memories of Maple Grove but the pits there suck
- Atco is decent and certainly fun (the bar rules)
- Englishtown is certainly great
- Cecil County is only serviceable (especially depending upon where you end up being pitted, like in an area that is so sloped that it is impossible to level the motorhome to get the refrigerator to even work)
- I personally love Numidia, but the last time I was there the property certainly wasn't as nice as Atco is now.
- I don't think I even need to say anything about the disaster that is LVD.
- The last time I was at Delmar (probably close to 10 years ago), it sucked (the pits were horrible).
- Boiling Springs is 1/8th mile.
- Spencer Speedway is 1/10th mile!
- I've never been to Napierville, Capitol, Mason-Dixon, Island Dragway, Luskville, or ESTA (which is surprising because it's not that far from me), so I can't comment about them.
That's every member track in Division 1.
Unfortunately, with the economic downturn and attendance and TV ratings falling for drag racing (and even auto racing as a whole, including NASCAR), I think it is going to be a while before we see any new tracks built.
Regardless, your point is a good one, and not one that I didn't realize, but definitely one that I didn't mention. So, thanks for pointing that out.