"Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013

[Larry Hill]

We have been done for the day for a while. But we do get 1 more time trial in the morning. There are 38 cars on the qualifying sheet, but we have random pairing 1st round.

There are cars in the barn tearing down for setting records. Wade Owens, Jim Harrison and others. I will try to get some numbers for you in a bit.

[Bill Grubbs]

Just flew over on approach to St Louis...saw a huge pink car going down the track. I could not make out the make or model.

Looked like a good crowd.

[Larry Hill]

Hey Bill ! That had to be us! Haven't seen any other pink cars this weekend! LOL

Here is a copy of the qualifying sheet. Hope you can read it!

[Larry Hill]

This is the fuel guy telling Larry that the track told him not to bring C11 or C12!



This was the note on the fuel trailer when we came back from having the fuel tested that he was selling. It was Renegade and a whole lot cheaper than VP. Oh and he was told to provide VP traction compound instead of VHT. And then they had to cancel test n tune last night because it is only good from 30 to 90 degrees! And they couldn't get it to work!

[Larry Hill]

They have called Combo up. Kinda overcast. Going up to 76 today.
More later.

[Larry Hill]

Well it finally happened. We spun the tires. Not just a little, but a real exercise in tire frying. PJ1 aka "Pork Job 1" does not work, nor does it feel good to be cheated by the track because of poor track preparation using inferior materials.

In my opinion Racers want three things, a safe place to race, friendly treatment, and above all a track that works.

When a track advertises that it will have an Open or a Divisional, it tells me that track prep will be equal or better than a national event prep using the same materials and methods. If the track fails to produce a race track that is good, we the racers do not receive the value that we expected.

I for one will call ahead and find out what traction compound will be used and make my decision on whether to attend. If the track will not hook, it is not a safe place to race,nor do we receive friendly treatment. I will spend my monies elsewhere!

[Larry Hill]

Here is the final qualifying on which we will be paired after first round random pairing. They just called us up for first round.

[jailbreakracing]

For those out there wondering. Fuel check was only required for record runs and was checked on Saturday only as no records could be made sunday. As to track conditions for some cars it was hit miss. By chance for my stick car 60's varied by .015 through 7passes over two days. Not killer but not bad on two year old slicks. Congrats to brett and Dave in the final double breakout with the 12 sec mustang taking the cash and trophy.

[Jim Wahl]

So who is the Bozo who runs St. Louis? Sounds as if all he wants is bracket cars there. Tells the fuel guy NOT to bring C11 or C12? Uses VP Non-Traction compound? Why didn't he just put a big sign at the gate saying "Class Cars Not Wanted"! Jim

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[Sean Marconette]

We Just made it home from St Louis. It seems that the bracket races was more of a priority than the open. I am not saying we were treated bad, the schedule was followed very well.
Others were having traction problems, that have very well sorted out cars.
What irritates me, I look at a National Open as a mini divisional. There was no fuel check? Scales and tech and that was it. I am unsure what took place for the record runs, in regards to fuel check. People traveling 4 hrs plus, and not having a common fuel that is used by S/SS cars for sale is a lack of having a clue about the cars you are having a race for.

What is the difference between Wichita, Ks hosting a National Open without having scales, and St Louis having one and not requiring fuel check? The Wichita race was cancelled due to not having scales.

We are very fortunate to have a very nice facility hosting a race for us, so I do not want to sound ungrateful to the track, hopefully these comments will not fall on deaf ears and next year improvements will be made.

Sean