Dutch Cancelled

[E MAN 1982]

Just got the official text. No reschedule. E

[KowalskyRacing]

Even though we couldnt make it this year, this is sad. By far the best race of the year.

[Ultimate Converter Concepts]

wow, this stinks is right, great race to end up the year in Div 1

[BKSG1198]

I'm still baffled how there was no make-up date for the event. I understand everyone got their cash back but, still it's one of the biggest races on the EC. People look forward to the Dutch every year. I mean I know you can't control weather but, just no back-up plan just doesn't seem right. Maybe next year you look into a Thursday to Sat Race with Sunday being a rain date. It rains almost at least 1 day at the Dutch every year.

[Dave Casey]

From the track website

Due to the heavy rains from the nor’easter soaking Southeastern Pennsylvania, the 42nd annual P.C. Richard & Son Pennsylvania Dutch Classic presented by Penske Truck Leasing has been canceled.

Maple Grove Raceway and the NHRA Northeast Division made the decision Friday morning as the wet weather was soaking the grounds and creating flash flood conditions.

There will be no rain date as Maple Grove’s schedule is full through October and the first week of November.

“We love this race and we didn’t like to do this,” said MGR vice president/general manager Lex Dudas. “We have held ‘The Dutch’ for over four decades and we appreciate the racers and fans who have supported it over the years. We look forward to seeing everybody back here in 2014.”

[Wade Mahaffey]

It seems to me that if the forecast shows probability of bad weather for the weekend....and the event is right behind the National Event....with a lot of the racers just staying through the week anyway...and no possibility of a make up....that they could easily just move the event up however many days they need in order to complete the event. A command decision could be made to move the event up. Racers could be forewarned of the possibility of this to happen. They could therefore make provisions i.e. take leave and/or vacation time, if their plan was to attend both events. All of us have the ability to watch the weather forecast, and they are for sure not always accurate. But why sit there all week not racing with the sun out....then when it's time to race... it's raining for four days. You can't do anything about the weather....EXCEPT DODGE IT ! This should be done for all events, especially if it only requires a one day move up. Example: Again, a command decision get's made that the event will be moved up one day due to a weather projection. Notifications are made through e-mail, text, website etc. to all participants, entries, staff, vendors etc.
Getting the event completed on the week it is planned would be cost effective for everyone involved...because you don't have to spend money, time off work, and time away from home and family to come back. That means you pay twice on everything but the entry fee. This plan would not fit everyone the same, but nether dose the rain. It would not work for every situation, and I know how tough it is to get off work for everyone. But if I was a boss, I would think if an employee came to me and said "I may need an extra day off this week, instead of an extra three days next week" I would say no problem.

Wade Mahaffey

[kjclark887]

Any stock or super stock guys want to go to Numedia dragway tomorrow? They have a bracket race for $5,000 to win. Get a little gamblers race going maybe as well. We made the haul from Virginia so since we are already up here we are going to try to run somewhere. Any thoughts?

Kevin Clark
GT/KA

[1752supgas]

WOW , E , and I was going to park next to you . That is me, and my dog Colby........! Actually was going to Beaver Blast but it has been rained out also .

[kjclark887]

If anyone wants to, spread the word. I called the hotline and numedias race is on

[Festus]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

It seems to me that if the forecast shows probability of bad weather for the weekend....and the event is right behind the National Event....with a lot of the racers just staying through the week anyway...and no possibility of a make up....that they could easily just move the event up however many days they need in order to complete the event. A command decision could be made to move the event up. Racers could be forewarned of the possibility of this to happen. They could therefore make provisions i.e. take leave and/or vacation time, if their plan was to attend both events. All of us have the ability to watch the weather forecast, and they are for sure not always accurate. But why sit there all week not racing with the sun out....then when it's time to race... it's raining for four days. You can't do anything about the weather....EXCEPT DODGE IT ! This should be done for all events, especially if it only requires a one day move up. Example: Again, a command decision get's made that the event will be moved up one day due to a weather projection. Notifications are made through e-mail, text, website etc. to all participants, entries, staff, vendors etc.
Getting the event completed on the week it is planned would be cost effective for everyone involved...because you don't have to spend money, time off work, and time away from home and family to come back. That means you pay twice on everything but the entry fee. This plan would not fit everyone the same, but nether dose the rain. It would not work for every situation, and I know how tough it is to get off work for everyone. But if I was a boss, I would think if an employee came to me and said "I may need an extra day off this week, instead of an extra three days next week" I would say no problem.

Wade Mahaffey

Good thought but in this case, just look a few posts down at the "Weather Looks Great" one. That was originally posted on Sunday, 10/6 and at that time, the forecast was indeed excellent. So how could anyone envision that forecast wasn't really accurate to the point of rescheduling the Dutch to Tuesday and Wednesday (rained big time on Monday) and then giving all the racers a whopping one day notice to reschedule their plans?

Monday morning quarterbacking is easy but back tracking into what decisions would have to be made with the information that was available at the time reveals the above plan isn't realistic.