Who didn't see this coming? - Barton

[Dinsdale]

Originally Posted by herbjr

The problem is not PJ1, at Piedmont Regular Pro Mod racers run 3.80's in the 1/8 on PJ1 testing many times a month, there is a process to prep the track and NHRA does it before the pros run.

Exactly.. more involved than just spraying glue. Every track has their own secret formula but I suspect they all cut what comes out of the drum. No idea if this is factual but I've heard the "new" PJ1 is already cut and hence cheaper. Cut it some more and guess what!

VP Lane Choice has it's own good and bad properties but it would sure be nice if someone who really knew the full story spoke up.

[SS Engine Guy]

Just put Redman from div 3 in charge and problem solved. I saw him put hook down at Byron at the The first Class Nationals in 100 to 105 degree heat with track temps as high as 140 and sandy soil pits for 3 days straight. Pay the man and let him do his thing. There is absolutely no excuse for a crap track in any conditions. Don't remember any different wheelbase cars other than s/ss and some nostalgia full bodied cars there. So everybody must have been leaving in the same spots give or take a foot and I never saw anybody having to move to get out of bald spots. However I do know that he was allowed full control over whatever and how much spray and powder was used. All these excuses are plain bs. Track prep should be the FIRST order of business at a racetrack. Not only is it a safety issue but spin breaks parts. Remember, the average s/ss car weighs 3000lbs and up. It takes a higher coificent of adhesion to get 3000 pounds to move from a standing start than a 2000lb car. If sanctioning bodies have a problem with providing that then we need to find someone who will.

[robzneed4speed]

Originally Posted by David Barton

My thoughts exactly. Whatever their excuses are, we all paid for a professionally prepped race track. The biggest slap in the face for me is the head starting line guy claimed he didn't have time to drag the line because he had a schedule to stick to.

Is that the same schedule that cut a qualifying run to Comp and Top Sportsman on Thursday?

[Dave Crysler]

I heard on Monday that VP was used for the sportsman and PJ1 for the pros,can anyone confirm or deny this ?

[boster]

I'm in Chicago this weekend and the track is prepped like a national event . They are using gold dust here and it works . They are also spraying , dragging and working on the track in between classes. Its the same NHRA , put the Div3 crew in charge of national events and big races . I ate to say it but who ever was in charge at Etown needs to get a letter and the racer should get a refund. I say BS to the fine , appologize to the starter and move on in the name of good sportsmanship

[cicero819]

Originally Posted by Jared Jordan

I can't help but wonder how NHRA would've handled it if, when Stock/SS were called to the lanes, all the competitors drove right past the staging director and parked on the track in protest.

Jared remember what happened to the Modified Clan when they decided to park their cars at Indy, it gave NHRA a good reason to get rid of a group that was taxing their resources. David your Pay Pal is on it's way, hope it helps. CR

[Jeff Stout]

Being race director at Speedworld Phx AZ. I would have a lot of races that I had free rein on what needed to be done. We would scrape when time permitting. Scrub track do to desert conditions and whatever was on track from past week. Tire drag rosin in $15 worth. Glue entire lane up and then back done to widen groove. Light tire drag first 200 foot and then reglue to around 400 ft. Yes the glue has to be mixed with something. Methanol was what we used. Cost of material to do this was around 40 gallons at a mixed price of $12 a gallon. So $480. If it was a full weekend of heavy racing, this would be done on Friday. Sat. tire drag and maybe 25 gallons of glue $300, Sat. night tire drag and maybe 15 gallons of glue $180. On Sunday after 3 events and that much product believe it or not tire drag and were good to go. Then for the race we could use a couple gallons on starting line of straight glue, $20 times 2 gallons times four events of racing. Yes there is man hours but we were paid a flat rate which was good for up to 8 hours of work. Then we were paid hourly after that. If we were going past 8 hours then we must have had a good car count. ( I know we always had the same people complain about track and at times my hands were tied because of no cars, but for the most part we had a good to great track)
To me this is not expensive when looking at the income of a national event. Hell even if they used twice as much its still worth it. PJ1 was the glue

[art leong]

Anybody remember "Moose Juice"? Seemed to work real good years ago.

[Dan Bernay]

Originally Posted by art leong

Anybody remember "Moose Juice"? Seemed to work real good years ago.

Lets go back to bleach and light it on fire baby!

[7423]

Originally Posted by Jeff Stout

Being race director at Speedworld Phx AZ. I would have a lot of races that I had free rein on what needed to be done.

Back in the day, Bob Curley would spray PRP (Speedworld) with Coke syrup and it would stick forever in the 100 degree plus desert heat. Bernie Longjohn would do the same thing at LACR in 100 plus temperatures and it would rip your head off. I have no idea what the problem is with the way NHRA preps for a national but obviously it does not work. Raceway Park is a class place with a great history. Their bracket programs and the S/SS combo races they have do not show traction issues. National events are prepped for the fat tired BS pro show and that leaves the 9" Stock racer with three choices....
A...work on your car to make it work all the time, stick anywhere.
B...don't race nationals, race the points races only on local track prep
C...quit racing

Mr Barton has a legit beef and has a right to be pissed. He just said the wrong thing to the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. We all play in their sandbox to their rules. Live with it or don't race, simple.