S/SS combo @ BIR 2011

[Kelly Petterson]

As racer in the 4-6 hour away category, I will give my thoughts.....BIR #1 Very nice facility! #2 My experience there outside of the LODRS and Nats is very limited, once about 1990 we went up to race outside of that. So recent history keeping us from going are the horror stories as previously stated. I like easy...........TVD=easy. Drive in, tech, 3 Q's on a schedule, line up, race/repeat on day 2. No BS from telling where we can/can't park, charged for every nickel and dime item possible, waiting for call to maybe make one pass, yada yada yada..... That's not to say there isn't alot of work going on behind the scenes. Alot of racers volunteer their time and MONEY to make it successful. I think disproportionately so for some. Bottom line, some want to pay, race, win, go home. Some want to pay, see their friends, race, BS, drive cool cars, try to win, see their friends, go home. We all have our own agendas, the key is to channel individual talents and resources enough so as many people as possible enjoy it enough to return and build a solid program. If you don't have buy in from at least the minimum number of racers to make the program work then......good luck. Making it painful just to show up and do what we do = dead end.

[J DeForrest]

Glen,

I appreciate the efforts of you and others to make BIR better for the class cars. Hopefully I will make it up there a couple times this year.


[QUOTE=Kelly Petterson;237781]TVD=easy. Drive in, tech, 3 Q's on a schedule, line up, race/repeat on day 2. No BS from telling where we can/can't park, charged for every nickel and dime item possible, waiting for call to maybe make one pass, yada yada yada..... QUOTE]

But, if there was a choice between the 2 tracks, the above statement is part of why I will drive over 300 miles to race at TVD vs the 115 to BIR. It is just more fun for me to go there and race. That's why I race in the 1st place. It all starts with a guy at the gate that is not a temp and knows something about racing.

Jason

superstock5150@gmail.com

[5919 SSKA]

I can never win this debate...My point being in all of this, one last time...the $150,000k is just for the Bracket racing. Not including the Lucas Oil Nationals, LODRS event, Wed. night Street Legal, or any of the road racing...plus, advertising the track sells. I realize BIR probably has the HIGEST overhead of any drag racing facility in the 5 state area. But, how is that the racer's issue?

Like Jason stated, trailers have wheels. I too in the last 3-4 years would much rather drive 4hr to 8hr to have fun and race for a good/fair payout...and BIR is only 65mi from my race shop. I do hope this get's turned around!!! I love racing at BIR, I have done well there both in brackets and Super Stock, the majority of the people are great to deal with. It's those few you come in contact with that sour things. Anyone who knows me personally, knows I'm not a bad guy. I would bend over backwards for most anyone. I am just driven to race for a fair ROI (return on investment).

On a POSITIVE NOTE...some idea's I have communicated, but may not be known to the majority----The Committee should gather lists and addresses of ALL the racer's who have entered the S/SS program and send out a mailer. Cover the 5 state area and Canada.
If this S/SS combo is truly set in stone as being only a 1-day event, why not raise the entry fee to $150 so we can race for some good money? Track get's $30 per/tech card...the rest into the payout (we could even do it---like USA back in the day). Or something along those lines. Very similar to Kerber's idea, only all involved...not those who choose to do it.

Test-n-Tune SHOULD be a money maker for the track on the days they have them. There is no payout. HOWEVER, to get the cars the track has to be prepped well so useful data can be gained! This will help lay rubber on the track for the weekend...less VHT...less track prep, not to mention shorter tech lines on Saturday.

Tech---for whatever reason, is somewhat of a mistery when it comes to 'class' cars at BIR. We seriously aren't all that difficult. From Q-Jets, Holley's, 4GC's to throttle body's. These Combo event's are not Nationals/Divisionals. I guess if you have to 'cheat' to gain an advantage amongst your friends at a club race that's shame on you!
Helmet's are the same, jackets/pants are the same, roll cages the same, belts, etc. Correct Wt/Hp on your car/truck...scale after the pass---done! This isn't ANY of ours first rodeo...we know the rules, we know what class and wt we are suppose to be.
No fuel check at a combo. Tech should seriously take NO MORE than 10min per/car---any class! Once the Tech inspecter's have seen your car a few times in the year it should even be quicker! The past 2 years I have attended 4-5 NHRA Divisional events, and 3 Nationals. Tech takes me maybe, maybe 20min from when I leave my pit til when I get back. Yet I have spent close to 3hrs in line at BIR in the past for a combo weekend...and that was after WINNING the Divisional the weekend prior at BIR!
I know your working on this Glen---and thank you!

Let's put the "UNITED" back in USA and get the cars to show up at tracks and race for a good payout! I'm sure there are a lot of tracks that would love to have a 'class' racing show once a month. This means we need to pull some of our friends from Midwest Classracer's and Heartland to pool together and help save class racing.

I'm done! See you in the Spring!!!

[5798camaro]

I'll be to as many as I can make it to and I'm sure if I go Schultzy will bring the lil duster out as well. Have a good one! P.S where are the Lines?

[MEXJOE]

Hi
Thanks!
The line crew will be at BIR just like years past with all 4 of there cars no doubt about it!
As well Steve Hutar is also going so that's 5 cars from Lil'ol Wight MN.

Originally Posted by 5798camaro

I'll be to as many as I can make it to and I'm sure if I go Schultzy will bring the lil duster out as well. Have a good one! P.S where are the Lines?

[MEXJOE]

Hi Jason
I hear what you are saying about the fun factor.
I am working to get this stuff fixed.
I'm thinking with the proper tweeks BIR WILL BE a fun place to race again.
As I said before the meeting was very productive and positive.
BIR is very open to making things run smoother for all of us.
I hope you and your dad can find it worth while to go to BIR for the combos this summer!

Thanks for your support
Glen DeMenge


[QUOTE=J DeForrest;237787]Glen,

I appreciate the efforts of you and others to make BIR better for the class cars. Hopefully I will make it up there a couple times this year.

Originally Posted by Kelly Petterson

TVD=easy. Drive in, tech, 3 Q's on a schedule, line up, race/repeat on day 2. No BS from telling where we can/can't park, charged for every nickel and dime item possible, waiting for call to maybe make one pass, yada yada yada..... QUOTE]

But, if there was a choice between the 2 tracks, the above statement is part of why I will drive over 300 miles to race at TVD vs the 115 to BIR. It is just more fun for me to go there and race. That's why I race in the 1st place. It all starts with a guy at the gate that is not a temp and knows something about racing.

Jason

superstock5150@gmail.com

[Joe Demarais]

I think when the price of fuel gets to $4.00 a gal we will be looking for cheaper methods of having fun!! The idea of Kerby's of putting extra money in a box is a very good idea. Going to TVD is fun also, but with these fuel prices, its going to be expensive fun. I have probably driven more miles in my racing career than 90% of you guys, and now it will be nice to drive to BIR or Grove Creek to race. I remember back when Minnesota Dragways and Northstar Dragstrip were open and all we did was bitch about everything that some of you people are bitching about now. Then one day we woke up in the morning and they were gone. If you dont like the expense of parking on the tar, please park in the rubarb. I paid to park on the tar last year and I loved it, if some of you guys didn't spend so much on beer and wiskey you'd have enough money to buy a spot you could plug into!!! Jed and Kristi are doing a very good job with this track, so I feel that Glen will do his best to help us out, if you want a race on Sat and Sun, we have got to show up, not 10-20 cars, we got to have a full field and then more do show we mean business. Then things may happen. If you need help Glen, let me know,I helped with USA for 12 years or so, I would be happy to help with this. Thanks Joe

[MEXJOE]

Thanks JOE
This IS going to be the year for S/SS combos and special S/SS races.
Let's all work TOGETHER to get a full 33 car field at BIR and keep what we have going
before IT IS gone!
We have an Excellent group of people to race with in S/SS. That to me is worth fighting to keep to TOGETHER.
If you can find me a better bunch of people... I'd like to see them.
Let's all go racing and have fun again! It can be done!

Thanks Again for your support and help!

Glen DeMemenge

Originally Posted by Joe Demarais

I think when the price of fuel gets to $4.00 a gal we will be looking for cheaper methods of having fun!! The idea of Kerby's of putting extra money in a box is a very good idea. Going to TVD is fun also, but with these fuel prices, its going to be expensive fun. I have probably driven more miles in my racing career than 90% of you guys, and now it will be nice to drive to BIR or Grove Creek to race. I remember back when Minnesota Dragways and Northstar Dragstrip were open and all we did was bitch about everything that some of you people are bitching about now. Then one day we woke up in the morning and they were gone. If you dont like the expense of parking on the tar, please park in the rubarb. I paid to park on the tar last year and I loved it, if some of you guys didn't spend so much on beer and wiskey you'd have enough money to buy a spot you could plug into!!! Jed and Kristi are doing a very good job with this track, so I feel that Glen will do his best to help us out, if you want a race on Sat and Sun, we have got to show up, not 10-20 cars, we got to have a full field and then more do show we mean business. Then things may happen. If you need help Glen, let me know,I helped with USA for 12 years or so, I would be happy to help with this. Thanks Joe

[Tim Lisson]

Glen, you missed your calling, "motivational speaker"?

Tim

[5919 SSKA]

So let's get a list going with the S/SS Class racer's and contact them...make them aware of this 'New' program. Here is what I have off the top of my head---let's concentrate on the MN racer's.

Travis Sorokie, Ron Zenzen, Becky Zenzen, Brian Zenzen, Scott Dugdale, Glen DeMenge, Terry Johnson, Don Wacholz, Paul Schadt, Mike Patnaude, Gus Pflipich, Ron Prince, William Prince, Jason DeForest, Larry DeForest, Todd Curtis, Dean Mesenbring, Mike Mans, Brett Speer, Russ Speer, Lawrence, Maxine, Ben, Lance Line, H.K. Newstrom, Ray Remmington, Brian Schultz, Dennis Nelson, Marelen Nelson, Randy Hopkins, Corey Hopkins, Matt Steen, Dan Zrust, Doug Jonack, Rick Johnson, Joe DeMarais, Ron Mattson, Tim Lisson, Tom Mosbek, Tim Mosbek, Gene Mosbek, David Picht, Jamey Picht, Scott Pearson, Eric Pearson, Dave Goldie, Brad Haugaard, Kevin Haugaard, Paul Anderson, Jim Grande, Kristopher Langer, Kari Findell, Jamie Findell, Dale Findell, Mark Verba, Charles Blossom, Steve Hutar, Bruce Kerber, Bill Fiest, Nick Bredemus, Alex Wiese, Dan Wiese, Lyn Johnson, Tom Barrett, Richard Desmont, David Bares, Jim Cook, Craig Rittis...

Off the top of my head...who am I missing???