Support your local Combo/Association races!!

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Jeff Niceswanger

Hi guys. I want to thank you both for the continued effort giving us good races and a option to race somewhere other than Divisional /National events. I have talked to Mike a little on this subject, and this is only mine ( and my brothers) opinion.But, I think MANY Class racers are not interested in Bracket racing. Traditionally,the only fast guys that will come are ones that have something to test. So they come to use your race as a "test session". And it makes sense really....If I have a REALLY fast car, I'm not interested in getting my butt kicked buy someone in my own class with shoe polish.Or for that matter, not being allowed to show up and deliberately put their car in MY class trying to get me in a heads up. All that strategy is gone. Even if it is only remotely possible,class racers want to race heads-up, given the opportunity.. And be feared for their accomplishments.Shoe polish eliminates all that......All you have to do is have scales, you could skip the fuel check. Let people run any fuel they want. I do not think anyone is going to go buy ultra expensive fuel for a Stock/Superstock Combo.If they do, cross that bridge when you get to it. We would probably SMELL any funny gas,so everybody would know what their up to.For that matter, just weight for heads up runs only. As far as tech,we are pretty good at policing ourselves on the bolt on stuff that is visible to the eye without teardown. Nobody wants to be toredown at a combo race, as they are suppose to be fun and kind of a kicked back type of deal. But alot of people think heads- up is Very fun..........Like I said, just my opinion

I brought heads-up eliminators as an added bonus for Southern Stock S/S Association...first as "gentleman" racing, or gamblers style. 2 or more cars in the same class go head to head & a racer can decide to teardown to prove his point. Sort of old school. Then let the shoe polish racing begin for those into it. Bottom line to every class racer out there....the writing is DEFINITELY on the wall. I've stepped away and returned various times to witness NHRA S/SS racing over the last 34 years. Although it's progressively gone down hill during those years, it's taken a major nosedive in the last 7. Pomona was always a thrill, even as a spectator, to walk through the gates & see the sportsman pits with everyone warming up, making last minute changes before the first run. However this last Winters I was appalled almost to depression to see what is now the "15 minute scramble" for the first run just so the pros can take their time & run during premium slots, while the sportsman racers get brushed aside until the day is over. FOR WHAT?????? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO PAY A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE PRACTICALLY OUTCASTED FROM THE EVENT?????? At Association races YOU ARE THE SHOW. You get treated with respect and your fees are greatly appreciated, not to mention an actual return on expenses. And Hell, is the damned wally trophy patented? A win is a win!!!!!! I surrender my soapbox.

[Jim Woods]

Mike, I know exactly what you are saying, Even when assured a certain payout , some just will not come out and play. Everyone has their reasons . It seems the ones who complain the most rarely attend the races in the first place. I thinkif all the associations would get together and compare notes we may be able to help each other succeed. I agree with you , I have been saying the same thing for a while, soon there will be no place to hold a race because tracks will not see enough support from the racers to consider having a race.I commend all the associations and participants for keeping class racing alive at the local levels.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

-Jeff N, heads-ups are something I would consider. Pittsburgh has no scales (for the IHRA Div'l races, they use the IHRA temporary scales 'weigh with the front tires, weigh with the back, and add it up' method), so there would be no heads-ups there at Pitt. Quaker and Hagerstown, assuming their scales are accurate and still work, we could work with.

I would have to pay (another expense) a qualified tech person (or at least knowledgeable person) to run the scales. Maybe not so much for the tradtional S/S and Stock cars. But for SS/GT, for example. Not saying you or anyone would do it. But let's say you're running your car, GT/FA 1975 400/180-328 (or whatever it's rated at now). And you claim it as such. But it actually has some other, higher-rated combo in it (427/425, 396/375, etc or something similar) and runs silly fast (same with a GT car with a 327/250 and claiming it as a 283/220) or fast enough to win a heads-up. The average Weekly Joe tech person won't know what combos can or can not fit whatever GT, SS/AM, or even some Stock classes. He certainly wouldn't know the difference between a SS/DA legal 427/425 and some guy that claims it, with an LS-6 454/450 in it.

Again, I don't know how many, if any, would try it, but it could certainly lend itself to MORE potential cheating, more than that could be done now.

As it is now, with no scales, heads-ups or qualifying, any edge gained by cheating is nullified. Going two seconds under would not gain any advantage to anything (no bye, no easy Class win). Other than Hagerstown, the only automatic SS/GT cars we had were all GT/HA or lower (except Gene McBean GT/BA), so I doubt you'd get a heads-up, even if we chose to scale and do them (unless you can get your car legally to H weight).

Mike - I'm not sure if you're aware of the fact that at your last race you had three past and current tech people in attendance that I know of - I'm sure with little or no expense you could get some qualified help if needed ..................

Mark - Thanks for the vote of confidence - I not only supported your group but also the East Coast Assn. and the Tri-Staters - And although I've not raced with the New Englanders I've tried to support them any way I can .We do need these Associations - that said I'm still chasing those elusive Wally's ............And will continue to until they pry the steering wheel away from me .

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO PAY A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE PRACTICALLY OUTCASTED FROM THE EVENT?????? At Association races YOU ARE THE SHOW. You get treated with respect and your fees are greatly appreciated, not to mention an actual return on expenses. And Hell, is the damned wally trophy patented? A win is a win!!!!!! I surrender my soapbox.

Well,I have nothing against these association races,but I'll give a few reasons:

1) The track prep at National events is usually pretty good.Its not always perfect,but the NHRA Safety Safari generally does a great job.

2) The Contingency Sponsors pay pretty well for a National Event Win (Thanks to ALL of them!)

3) The Wally (especially the Pewter 60th anniversary Wally is pretty cool!)

4) The finals were broadcast on ESPN 2

5) Got lucky and made the cover of National Dragster!

[Dave Turner]

I am extremely proud to own a Stock Eliminator car, and consider myself fortunate to have numerous competition options. The group offering exceptional value for Stock, Super Stock and NSS racers in my neighbourhood, the Can Am Series, is about to enter its 16th year of action in the region surrounding the Eastern Great Lakes. Without the local schedule, my budget would restrict me to 2 or 3 races each season under IHRA or NHRA sanctioning, for which both driver and car would be ill prepared. Call these combo series the minor leagues, if you choose, but I credit the members of this group with providng the means to hone my driving and preparation skills in advance of National or Divisional entry. These guys are tough, and challenge me to be at my best. The track record of our membership is exemplary! There are no heads-up runs, but I know where my stuff ranks against national standards - we have Nitro Joe to thank for that.

The example I offer is similar to the successful history of many of the associations represented on this forum. I think it's exciting to think that some basic groundwork could result in an annual BIG event comprised of 3 or 4 series with numbers to rival car counts of the past.

In retirement, I plan, God willing, to travel further afield and chase along the trail - if it still exists. Until then, I will enthusiastically support any grassroots organization within my reach.

[Jack McCarthy]

i'm dying for a heads up... only heads ups ive had in 4 years have been against that damn caddy !!!!!!!!!! (im 0-3 but got him HP twice)

race when ya can, if ya can afford it, and have fun...
captain

[Chris1529]

Mike, I truly hope people support the tri-state stock/ss association this year. I always enjoy racing with you. But at the same time, I don't think racers should be criticized for taking their class cars to other divisional/national races that are farther away. That is why most people build class cars. It is nice to the have option of the association races, but if guys choose to take their cars to another race, so be it.

[Ross Family Racing]

Chris I agree. The combos should not take away incentive to race on a larger stage.I will tell you that it is terribly difficult to schedule races for our series(BuckeyeS/SS) when you take into consideration the N&IHRA divisional and national events. You also have to consider if a racer will run your event after coming home from a 3 or 4 day event.Many will not. That is why we will probably have 4 to 5 events thru the season.
Mike,I like what you do as far as scheduling your races with special events at some tracks such as Pittsburgh and Quaker. National Trail had us there for their Night of Fire event and that place had a gad of people.Probably the largest crowd of spectators that many racers have run in front of.It was exciting!! (except for the traction problem for many)
You schedule several events and you may look at that. Sometimes less is more!
Jeff Ross

[norm saibene]

i am behind stock super stock races 100 percent i am going to race in as many as i can in 2012 i cant waite

[Don Kennedy]

I would support the local STK and Super Stock races , IF they prep the track for the higher HP cars ,if no prep then I will NOT race there period, It is Just like this when the Points races have test and Tune for what ever the cost is , I used to do this but no more no Prep no pay the money and no race .