2023 Dutch Classic Experience

jeff_kovalik · 10-23-2023, 12:49 PM

I don’t post much on here, but I wanted to take the time to summarize my experience at the 2023 Dutch Classic.

Pros:
The track is just a great facility, I extend my thanks to the owners, and SINCERE gratitude to all the track & Div 1 workers who give their time for minimal pay to make these events happen. Every track worker at every dragstrip deserves a thank you from us racers, believe me they appreciate hearing it. The starting line was good and consistent for me, but others may have had issues.

I was fortunate to make it the 7th round in Stock, which was my first NHRA final round. That of course is a great day. It was a good race with a .010 winning effort by Matt Lisa, my congrats to him on a great performance.

I met so many nice people, it was just great. Many spectators stopped by and chatted, but the fellow racers I interacted with were the best. First of all, Bubba Linke. We ran each other in class round 1 and I was able to stay in front for a win, but then we get paired up again in round 3 of the eliminator. Oh man did he and his gang bring their A game while I brought my B- game. They prepped that Camaro like it was the US Nationals, we waited to be the last pair down, and wow he was ready. My tardiness at the tree about cost me the race as it took 1318 feet to get around him for a .021 MOV at the stripe. Even though I beat him twice in two days, he and Herbie Null were the first to come over after the final, say congrats and give me an ice cold beer. What great sportsmanship! I met Richard Kay, Kim Rhoades, Tony Scopa, James Perrone, Ryan Horensky, Sam Murray, Mike Farrell, Wendell Howes, Matt Lisa and I’m sure more. The D1 guys were great!

No AHFS. Let them eat…

Cons:
If you go on the Div 1 FB page, you can certainly see some grumbling regarding some decisions regarding how the event was run. I’ll let those comments speak for themselves, but I do agree that there were some odd decisions made, that many did not agree with. In my opinion, it was possible to complete class eliminations, and I’m pretty sure every single Stock/Super Stock competitor on the property would have been beyond flexible with the rest of the schedule so that it could happen. The primary reason for me driving 7 hours vs. 3 hours (to Indy) was to compete in, and watch class eliminations. I paid for that experience, and it’s a bummer it didn’t go as planned. I paid a lot in tolls and fuel to come compete and support the track and the event, but I certainly understand the weather is out of our control and someone has to make tough decisions, but the circumstances that were in play seemed manageable. Too often lately it seems these decisions are made swiftly without the thought of what’s best for the customers. I do not want to sound negative, but we are the customers…we pay for a service/product/experience and every effort should be made to be sure the value of that investment is there.

The scale there is well… interesting.

Every race is an experience… and this one was no different. I will be back next year.

Frank Castros · 10-23-2023, 03:29 PM

A question for veteran D1 racers.
Have Class Elimination ever been run from beginning to end at the
Pennsylvania Dutch Classic?

Hacksaw · 10-23-2023, 04:28 PM

Not that I ever remember.

Nick Heath · 10-23-2023, 04:54 PM

Class eliminations were run to completion as recently as 2021, with the only exception being that the single-car classes were not run to completion as a combo (like at NHRA national events).

I share Jeff's disappointment with the schedule. I was originally going to attend on Saturday but decided against it when class eliminations were effectively canceled.

September/October will forever be a wildcard in D1, but there has to be a better way. The same thing happened last year.
Maybe schedule Friday for qualifying and class eliminations, Saturday for eliminations, and Sunday is the rain date?

KimRhoads426 · 10-24-2023, 05:09 AM

First let me congrats you on your runner up finish in stock. Second I met Sean Dornan last year at the Dutch with my friend Richard Kay great time. Sean,Mike Flintone and you Jeff are first class people and will always be welcome at my home. It was an honor to meet you and great job on your runner up finish.

James Perrone · 10-24-2023, 08:37 AM

The Dutch Classic has lost some luster when I started it as the place to be to go fast and race badass car . It had got watered down by including jr dragster and bracket cars
But it’s back to the set up just Nhra classes
But the end of along season take atoll on entries
Weather is the main problem when forecast is iffy
But like every year I meet new people and make friends
Good to meet Jeff unfortunately I couldn’t wait to leave 😂
Also love Kim’s car. Pleasure to meet you sir

littlemanjoe · 10-26-2023, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimRhoads426

First let me congrats you on your runner up finish in stock. Second I met Sean Dornan last year at the Dutch with my friend Richard Kay great time. Sean,Mike Flinton and you Jeff are first class people and will always be welcome at my home. It was an honor to meet you and great job on your runner up finish.

Kim, it was great meeting you guys. Hanging out with you guys was a blast and very educational!
We will have to make a habit out of that Italian restaurant!

Eric Cabral · 10-26-2023, 11:47 AM

I don't post much at all or want to say anything negative but I agree with the with the original post. I worked hard to make my stocker a 1 under car. I've tried to run this race multiple times and nationals with class. Class constantly gets dumped. The dutch is about the heads up and putting the car on kill. I looked at the forecast and backed out of going.
I knew right away class would get dumped like last year. With the costs of traveling and not being able to use the car like I want I said forget it and put it for sale the Tuesday after the Dutch. Its already sold and off to its new owner. I wish him the best of luck. I will so miss the car.
I've decided to buy dragster again and support my local track for now.
Not hating on NHRA because I'll still run the divisional in TD or SC when it's in town.
I'm sure someday i'll do another stocker since my bucket list is class at Indy but it's been put on hold for now till I see a litlle effort not to kill races so quick.

10-23-2023, 12:49 PM	#1
jeff_kovalik Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 55 Likes: 307 Liked 186 Times in 30 Posts	2023 Dutch Classic Experience I don’t post much on here, but I wanted to take the time to summarize my experience at the 2023 Dutch Classic. Pros: The track is just a great facility, I extend my thanks to the owners, and SINCERE gratitude to all the track & Div 1 workers who give their time for minimal pay to make these events happen. Every track worker at every dragstrip deserves a thank you from us racers, believe me they appreciate hearing it. The starting line was good and consistent for me, but others may have had issues. I was fortunate to make it the 7th round in Stock, which was my first NHRA final round. That of course is a great day. It was a good race with a .010 winning effort by Matt Lisa, my congrats to him on a great performance. I met so many nice people, it was just great. Many spectators stopped by and chatted, but the fellow racers I interacted with were the best. First of all, Bubba Linke. We ran each other in class round 1 and I was able to stay in front for a win, but then we get paired up again in round 3 of the eliminator. Oh man did he and his gang bring their A game while I brought my B- game. They prepped that Camaro like it was the US Nationals, we waited to be the last pair down, and wow he was ready. My tardiness at the tree about cost me the race as it took 1318 feet to get around him for a .021 MOV at the stripe. Even though I beat him twice in two days, he and Herbie Null were the first to come over after the final, say congrats and give me an ice cold beer. What great sportsmanship! I met Richard Kay, Kim Rhoades, Tony Scopa, James Perrone, Ryan Horensky, Sam Murray, Mike Farrell, Wendell Howes, Matt Lisa and I’m sure more. The D1 guys were great! No AHFS. Let them eat… Cons: If you go on the Div 1 FB page, you can certainly see some grumbling regarding some decisions regarding how the event was run. I’ll let those comments speak for themselves, but I do agree that there were some odd decisions made, that many did not agree with. In my opinion, it was possible to complete class eliminations, and I’m pretty sure every single Stock/Super Stock competitor on the property would have been beyond flexible with the rest of the schedule so that it could happen. The primary reason for me driving 7 hours vs. 3 hours (to Indy) was to compete in, and watch class eliminations. I paid for that experience, and it’s a bummer it didn’t go as planned. I paid a lot in tolls and fuel to come compete and support the track and the event, but I certainly understand the weather is out of our control and someone has to make tough decisions, but the circumstances that were in play seemed manageable. Too often lately it seems these decisions are made swiftly without the thought of what’s best for the customers. I do not want to sound negative, but we are the customers…we pay for a service/product/experience and every effort should be made to be sure the value of that investment is there. The scale there is well… interesting. Every race is an experience… and this one was no different. I will be back next year.

10-23-2023, 03:29 PM	#2
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,975 Likes: 2,599 Liked 2,727 Times in 961 Posts	Re: 2023 Dutch Classic Experience A question for veteran D1 racers. Have Class Elimination ever been run from beginning to end at the Pennsylvania Dutch Classic?

10-23-2023, 04:28 PM	#3
Hacksaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 884 Likes: 206 Liked 310 Times in 174 Posts	Re: 2023 Dutch Classic Experience Not that I ever remember.

10-23-2023, 04:54 PM	#4
Nick Heath Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 359 Likes: 1,444 Liked 566 Times in 135 Posts	Re: 2023 Dutch Classic Experience Class eliminations were run to completion as recently as 2021, with the only exception being that the single-car classes were not run to completion as a combo (like at NHRA national events). I share Jeff's disappointment with the schedule. I was originally going to attend on Saturday but decided against it when class eliminations were effectively canceled. September/October will forever be a wildcard in D1, but there has to be a better way. The same thing happened last year. Maybe schedule Friday for qualifying and class eliminations, Saturday for eliminations, and Sunday is the rain date?

10-24-2023, 05:09 AM	#5
KimRhoads426 Junior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 6 Likes: 120 Liked 13 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 2023 Dutch Classic Experience First let me congrats you on your runner up finish in stock. Second I met Sean Dornan last year at the Dutch with my friend Richard Kay great time. Sean,Mike Flintone and you Jeff are first class people and will always be welcome at my home. It was an honor to meet you and great job on your runner up finish.

10-24-2023, 08:37 AM	#6
James Perrone VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: LONG ISLAND N.Y. Posts: 1,681 Likes: 3,388 Liked 1,828 Times in 427 Posts	Re: 2023 Dutch Classic Experience The Dutch Classic has lost some luster when I started it as the place to be to go fast and race badass car . It had got watered down by including jr dragster and bracket cars But it’s back to the set up just Nhra classes But the end of along season take atoll on entries Weather is the main problem when forecast is iffy But like every year I meet new people and make friends Good to meet Jeff unfortunately I couldn’t wait to leave 😂 Also love Kim’s car. Pleasure to meet you sir __________________ james perrone 1290 STK

10-26-2023, 11:47 AM	#8
Eric Cabral Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 15 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: 2023 Dutch Classic Experience I don't post much at all or want to say anything negative but I agree with the with the original post. I worked hard to make my stocker a 1 under car. I've tried to run this race multiple times and nationals with class. Class constantly gets dumped. The dutch is about the heads up and putting the car on kill. I looked at the forecast and backed out of going. I knew right away class would get dumped like last year. With the costs of traveling and not being able to use the car like I want I said forget it and put it for sale the Tuesday after the Dutch. Its already sold and off to its new owner. I wish him the best of luck. I will so miss the car. I've decided to buy dragster again and support my local track for now. Not hating on NHRA because I'll still run the divisional in TD or SC when it's in town. I'm sure someday i'll do another stocker since my bucket list is class at Indy but it's been put on hold for now till I see a litlle effort not to kill races so quick.