Fontana divisional rumor

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by D7D

At almost all D7 LODRS events, racers in each category get three qualifying/time trial runs. This event's expected car count (based on previous years) is such that we can accomplish this in a single day and allow for all eliminations on Sunday (no Saturday first rounds for fields over 64). This WAS done to help racers with saving time off and lowering the overall cost of competing in this event/series. I spoke with a number of racers about this last year explaining that I wanted to try and do a couple more events in this format to help everyone and hopefully increase participation a bit. Nobody I spoke with was against this idea.

Will the track make a little more $$? I certainly hope so as they are saving a day of insurance, wages, track prep materials, etc. Will it make NHRA more money? Not really, as the amount saved by not having a few tech personnel on Thursday, plus the associated costs (wages, hotel, etc.) will most likely be offset by running an extra three hours with a full crew on Saturday, and possibly make Sunday a little longer as well.

For those that haven't noticed, we've also made some changes at the previous two events to try and grow participation in the SST and SMC categories by only having one run on Friday and two Saturday. While I didn't expect an overnight increase, I'm still positive that this format will increase those classes going forward.

The events at Phoenix and Las Vegas have car counts large enough that this format would not work. For those events that this would work, I can't see any negative it. I appreciate all comments as to why you would be for/against, just want to make sure that facts are laid out as Kyle did.

Mike

This was the way I remember it back in the 80's and 90's. I would leave Friday after work (LA area) and I could make any Division 7 track by 1 or 2 am catch some sleep in the truck, tech Saturday morning 3 time trials and race on Sunday. Head home Sunday afternoon and be back early enough to get some sleep before work on Monday. No time off from work except when I went to Nationals.
When did it change?
I guess I would be one not to ask what is best because I'm going to retire in 19 months and it looks like the new car won't be completed until then. Just keep the tracks open and I'll be there any day.

[Jim Caughlin]

OK so I will use Sears Point as an example as I have run that divisional numerous times and intend to run it this year also. No matter how hard I try, it seems like it takes 12 hours travel time to get there. Based on that, leaving at 6AM, I still don't get in the gate before it closes and end up stuck in the holding pen until the following morning. Based on that, you better be ready to move in at the crack of dawn in order to get a pit spot, get everything unloaded and ready, get inline for tech and (as Stock and SS usually run early) hope that the tech line moves quickly. Of course this all assumes that nothing unexpected comes up. Next, maybe you haven't noticed but Stockers and Super Stockers 'occasionally' break things (at least mine does), better hope that doesn't happen because there is no contingency timewise to get it fixed and still get a legitimate qualifying run (or maybe one at all). All in all, this doesn't sound like a fun filled weekend to me. Not exactly a friendly proposition that encourages car count for the long haul racers to participate in. Please explain again, if there is no financial benefit to cutting the schedule down to two days, what do we get out of this?

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019