Who's Racing & Who's Parking for '09?

[Robert Swartz]

I know our IHRA stocker won't be ready next season. Maybe the Nova bracket car will get resurrected by late summer.

What I'm wondering, tracks? I'm sure ORP in Indianapolis will be running. I wonder about the smaller tracks. I'm going to be like someone else noted, if my work slows down, that translates into fewer dollars for other pursuits. If the tracks start going down due to the economy, that could become a problem.

I've got an "outlaw" 1/8 mile track less than 7 miles from my house. And then another 8-10 tracks all within 1- 3 hours drive. Imagine most of these will survive.

I guess I picked a heck of a time to get back into this?

Robert Swartz

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Robert Swartz

What I'm wondering, tracks? ...If the tracks start going down due to the economy, that could become a problem.

Robert Swartz

Yeah, I've wondered the same. Like the rest of corporate America, the NHRA owned facilities are bloated beyond management. But if most other operators are smart, they'll get creative. I was never a big nitro fan, but match racing seemed to fill the stands during the '70s. And with the pro sponsors drying up, low dollar teams may need to resort back to this activity. Who would want to pay NHRA a $100 admission fee to see nothing more than JFR vs DSR when they can go to their local track and see some local nitro-nostalgia-A/FX whatever for $15 admission? That's what I'm picturing. I also remember some awesome weekly class racing at E-Town during the late '70s & early '80s.

They may need to start thinking like the '60s & '70s again...LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL!!! In fact there were plenty of local racers "in the day" that could really put on a show. It's all in the promotion!! (except Tom Compton's promotional methods which comprise of: a safe, vaseline, mirrors with plenty of smoke, and sphincter forecepts).

People I'm going to watch closely: the New family, Blake Bowser, Bernie Longjohn, Pat Joffrion, the Baders, George Case, even Bruton Smith (unlike Compton I think he's a real promoter). I feel these could be the next promotional movers & shakers of our sport.

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

They may need to start thinking like the '60s & '70s again...LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL!!!

I saw a similar thread relating to this on another forum. That may be an uptick for the local tracks. Those that can still afford to race may find it more profitable to race closer to home. On the other hand, most local shows ARE bracket races. That may not be the cup of tea some are leaning towards.

I remember in the 70's, when tracks started switching to brackets and dropping classes. Alot of people sold cars or quit altogether. Back in those days, many a stickshift SS and Modified car went up for sale because it was just too expensive to bracket race those sorts of car. That was the reason I built my Chevy II. I had a 67 Mustang stick car.

To get back on track, maybe a loose association of racers may be a thought. Tod and I attended a S/SS combo at Ohio Valley this fall. I thought it had a decent turnout, I'm easily impressed (snicker!). The Valley is an NHRA track but they allowed the IHRA cars to participate. With everyone running either indexes or (allowed) dial unders, this made for a larger field of participants. More food for thought.

Wish I had my IHRA crate motor car ready,
Robert Swartz

[Jeff Goss]

I spent entirely too much money getting my 64 Wagon Superstocker going. Haven't raced in 5 years. Kids, money, and vacation schedule have kept me away.

This year, the car is ready. The vacation schedule still sucks. This may keep me racing locally only, in brackets and the limited Combo races. If I can make 2 Divisionals I will run the National in Seattle. Too many people have helped me get this back together to sit out another year. I feel like I let everyone down

Really looking forward to racing again.

Jeff

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Robert Swartz

I saw a similar thread relating to this on another forum. That may be an uptick for the local tracks. Those that can still afford to race may find it more profitable to race closer to home. On the other hand, most local shows ARE bracket races. That may not be the cup of tea some are leaning towards.

I remember in the 70's, when tracks started switching to brackets and dropping classes. Alot of people sold cars or quit altogether. Back in those days, many a stickshift SS and Modified car went up for sale because it was just too expensive to bracket race those sorts of car. That was the reason I built my Chevy II. I had a 67 Mustang stick car.

To get back on track, maybe a loose association of racers may be a thought. Tod and I attended a S/SS combo at Ohio Valley this fall. I thought it had a decent turnout, I'm easily impressed (snicker!). The Valley is an NHRA track but they allowed the IHRA cars to participate. With everyone running either indexes or (allowed) dial unders, this made for a larger field of participants. More food for thought.

Wish I had my IHRA crate motor car ready,
Robert Swartz

That's what the Southern Stock/Superstock Association has been about. And now that PBIR has replaced the former Moroso "hen hut" the new management will most likely embrace the independent class racing concept. Provided they both grow, we'll be in good shape. However I'd like to see UMTR type association develop here in Florida as it would gives us stick racers an incentive to "keep the faith".

[mloboda]

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

That's what the Southern Stock/Superstock Association has been about. And now that PBIR has replaced the former Moroso "hen hut" the new management will most likely embrace the independent class racing concept. Provided they both grow, we'll be in good shape. However I'd like to see UMTR type association develop here in Florida as it would gives us stick racers an incentive to "keep the faith".

Gary, PM me anytime to discuss setting up a UMTR type curcuit. I'll give you all my secrets on how to make it a success. Mike Loboda, Director, UMTR North. It's a lot of work but worth every minute spent.


Regarding USA made products. They are still easy to find- just "google" anything you are looking for and you'll find it. Example; I went to Home Depot the other day looking for a caulking gun. Guess what. They only had Chinese made guns. I refused to buy one. Went home a googled "caulking guns made in USA"
COX brand guns are made in USA and I could buy one for LESS than Home Depot wanted for the Chinese gun. I encourage everyone to do this before they buy an imported item. The job you save is increasingly likely to be your own !