Local combos vs national events?

[Super Sport]

Are Stock and S/S racers getting tired of National events? Looks like local combos are on the rise and participation at them seems to be growing. Is it time to return to grassroots racing?

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Super Sport

Are Stock and S/S racers getting tired of National events? Looks like local combos are on the rise and participation at them seems to be growing. Is it time to return to grassroots racing?

I don't think they are getting tired of national events. The nationals are harder to enter with the low quota system NHRA is now using to limit entries.
The local combos and associations are a good place to race if you don't want to travel. In the areas where there is an abundance of stock and super stock racers the car counts are good if scheduled properly and not on top of other sanctioning body races in the same area. The associations in the Div one and div 3 areas seem to be doing the best job of attracting racers. In Florida we have the Southern Stock Super Stock association. It has been successful over the years and generally gets about 30 cars for each race. They are a lot of fun. Our association does 2 race weekends to help with cost. Most are run at Orlando Dragway. Ozzy is one of our best supporters. Thank You Ozzy. If you have a local association I urge you to get out and support their program. You will be glad you did.

[John Nechiporchik]

We ran the Great Lakes Stock /Superstock race at Mid Michigan Motorplex this weekend. We had 43 cars on Saturday and 39 on Sunday. With the sponsorship momentum building, we raced for $2500 to win each day for $100 entry for each race and a BBQ picnic on Saturday .What's not to like about these programs?
Every car in competition was a regular NHRA/IHRA competitor and the racing and camaraderie was great!

[Sean Marconette]

We had a national open a couple of weeks ago that has one of the best ran/organized and payouts. When you can get 2 races in one weekend and they pay $2000 to win and $1000 to RU each race its a no brainer. The first race we had 81 cars and the second race 79. It was also $100 entry fee for each race. Obviously the payout and getting a race in without multiple days off from work plays a role too. We are very fortunate to have Midwest Class Racers and Heartland S/SS in our area and they are well attended events.

Sean

[richie 2]

Napierville 10k to win on saterday, free entry to 3k on sunday...only cauyga beats that with 6k each day on one weekend. rather do those than a national event anytime !!!

[James L Miller]

Is there any movement to make the divisional races the big race for the Sportsman classes? They seem a lot more fun than the national events without the pro monkeys taking up all the parking. Any chance of the divisional directors trying to make a better show of the divisional races and promoting them a bit more?

[rboyle]

Originally Posted by James L Miller

Is there any movement to make the divisional races the big race for the Sportsman classes? They seem a lot more fun than the national events without the pro monkeys taking up all the parking. Any chance of the divisional directors trying to make a better show of the divisional races and promoting them a bit more?

I just got back from the Epping NH division 1 race and the track was great all weekend, they did a quick 8 in most classes and Stock SS had 4 qualifying shots. There was also Nostalgia FCs jet FCs and a wheelie car. Probably the biggest crowd I've seen at a divisional in a long time too!