US Class Nationals

John Warehime · 03-10-2009, 02:48 PM

It's hard to beat Atco for track conditions, and management.

Frank Castros · 03-10-2009, 03:37 PM

Atco and No Problem are no doubt premier drag strips, but wouldn't a midwest location best serve the racers from all of the divisions?
It will be the US Class Nationals, correct?

Randall Klein · 03-10-2009, 04:44 PM

I would think something in the central US if it is to draw a representative sample and truly be a US Class Nationals II; another consideration to increase enthusiasm and attendence is the capability to run good ET's, all out, no AHFS.....the turnout at Maple Grove for the Hemi Shootout was impressive. So that being said, in my opinion you rule out anything west of Topeka, or east of Joliet....my top picks would be:

1. Joliet
2. Tri-State (Earlville, IA)
3. Bowling Green
4. Norwalk (slightly east!)
5. Stanton or Martin MI
6. Topeka (darn headwind mostly)

April or late Sept-October

Probably can't get nor afford Joliet & Topeka, probably same for Norwalk, so Tri-State or Bowling Green seem to be logical choices in my view

BobUnkefer · 03-10-2009, 05:04 PM

Randall (& all),

Topeka might be more affordable than you think. For a "US" Class nationals, I can't think of a more central location. Held in the fall with the air that used to send the pro's to record runs could get interesting.
And, with ALL of the asphalt the track has, I don't think anyone would be parked on dirt/grass (unless they wanted to be).

NHRA moved their event from the fall to the spring @ Topeka because of Nascar putting their event @ the Kansas Speedway on top of the fall race date, why not take advantage of what was normaly some pretty good weather for an event of this type.

While there are a LOT of great tracks back east, Alex had the right idea with the original location in Illinois, at least he was trying to keep it centralized. Get the event too far east, and while you have a large base of racers to draw from, you start eliminating those west of the Mississippi. For it to be a "US" class nats, I would think that you would need to keep the opportunity open for those of a western persuasion.

My only question would be race or announce......either would be a blast!

my .02

Unk

CycloneFE · 03-10-2009, 06:27 PM

Thoughts?......Memphis?.........Isn't Steve Quien down there? Familiar to the sportsman?

Just thinking out loud.

Nitro Joe Jackson · 03-10-2009, 06:36 PM

Biggest thing to remember guys, track rental is a killer anymore for these bigger tracks with big dollar owners.

The ticket is to get a private track owner like Alex did with Ron Leaks and BJ, they moreless partnered with him on the expenses and that made things alot easier also.

I've seen some track rentals as much as 25k for 3 day event, thats nuts, you would have to pack the stands and pits to make that up to break even.

curtis hieb · 03-10-2009, 07:44 PM

I like Topeka, I here Earlville, IA is nice too it may not be as hot there what time of the year would it be?

03-10-2009, 02:48 PM	#1
John Warehime Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 291 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: US Class Nationals It's hard to beat Atco for track conditions, and management.

03-10-2009, 03:37 PM	#2
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,959 Likes: 2,550 Liked 2,626 Times in 950 Posts	Re: US Class Nationals Atco and No Problem are no doubt premier drag strips, but wouldn't a midwest location best serve the racers from all of the divisions? It will be the US Class Nationals, correct?

03-10-2009, 04:44 PM	#3
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	Re: US Class Nationals I would think something in the central US if it is to draw a representative sample and truly be a US Class Nationals II; another consideration to increase enthusiasm and attendence is the capability to run good ET's, all out, no AHFS.....the turnout at Maple Grove for the Hemi Shootout was impressive. So that being said, in my opinion you rule out anything west of Topeka, or east of Joliet....my top picks would be: 1. Joliet 2. Tri-State (Earlville, IA) 3. Bowling Green 4. Norwalk (slightly east!) 5. Stanton or Martin MI 6. Topeka (darn headwind mostly) April or late Sept-October Probably can't get nor afford Joliet & Topeka, probably same for Norwalk, so Tri-State or Bowling Green seem to be logical choices in my view

03-10-2009, 05:04 PM	#4
BobUnkefer Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 465 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: US Class Nationals Randall (& all), Topeka might be more affordable than you think. For a "US" Class nationals, I can't think of a more central location. Held in the fall with the air that used to send the pro's to record runs could get interesting. And, with ALL of the asphalt the track has, I don't think anyone would be parked on dirt/grass (unless they wanted to be). NHRA moved their event from the fall to the spring @ Topeka because of Nascar putting their event @ the Kansas Speedway on top of the fall race date, why not take advantage of what was normaly some pretty good weather for an event of this type. While there are a LOT of great tracks back east, Alex had the right idea with the original location in Illinois, at least he was trying to keep it centralized. Get the event too far east, and while you have a large base of racers to draw from, you start eliminating those west of the Mississippi. For it to be a "US" class nats, I would think that you would need to keep the opportunity open for those of a western persuasion. My only question would be race or announce......either would be a blast! my .02 Unk Last edited by BobUnkefer; 03-10-2009 at 05:10 PM.

03-10-2009, 06:27 PM	#5
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: US Class Nationals Thoughts?......Memphis?.........Isn't Steve Quien down there? Familiar to the sportsman? Just thinking out loud.

03-10-2009, 06:36 PM	#6
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,293 Likes: 57 Liked 67 Times in 19 Posts	Re: US Class Nationals Biggest thing to remember guys, track rental is a killer anymore for these bigger tracks with big dollar owners. The ticket is to get a private track owner like Alex did with Ron Leaks and BJ, they moreless partnered with him on the expenses and that made things alot easier also. I've seen some track rentals as much as 25k for 3 day event, thats nuts, you would have to pack the stands and pits to make that up to break even. __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

03-10-2009, 07:44 PM	#7
curtis hieb Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 125 Likes: 5 Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: US Class Nationals I like Topeka, I here Earlville, IA is nice too it may not be as hot there what time of the year would it be?

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