The Longest two day Divisional Race

[Charlie Yannetti]

I have always been an opponent of the two day schedules.. I also agree that bringing in "exhibitions" does nothing more than waste time.. it only causes the program to go into rush mode immediately.. especially if there is any down time.. BUT, the tracks are attempting to draw crowds..

The problem for many is that if you happen to work for a living, you have to take more time off from work to get your runs in on Friday because you may not get one before first round on Saturday.. it was always nice to have that one run on Saturday before eliminations, just in case you couldn't be there on Friday.. while some may say that it is nice to be home, or on your way home, and enjoy Sunday off, I don't think that helps the majority because of travel distances.. taking the distance to Virginia into consideration, I really don't think that it should even be a D1 race.. if that race goes into Sunday, and goes a little late, some people still have a 6 to 10 hour ride home.. so now they miss work on Monday.. TOO FAR!!

VMP is a nice facility, and management is great and works hard to put on a great race, but it is just too far for most in my opinion.. if you noticed, I wasn't there this year and I happen to like that track.. BUT, between fuel, food, and entry fees, it cost me about $1200.00 just to be there last year.. TOO MUCH for a Divisional race.. especially around tax time..

[BKSG1198]

Here is view of the stands on Saturday.

I hear ya Charlie, we went to VMP in 2006 or 07 with the car and I think I slept most of the way down but, when I went on Vacation last year to Myrtle Beach I forgot how far VMP actually is for the D-1 racers. I remember passing Richmond and I was like "I guess we passed the exit for VMP" and Kelli Barbato was like "Nah not yet" next thing I remember is passing the exit and then reading "You're in North Carolina" I was like Wow that is a hike. We don't go back because we ran 1st round in 06 at about 7pm and the Sun was directly at Tree Level and we red-lit because I couldn't see the flash because of the sun.

[Tom Goldman]

Well guys, you know I'm not an NHRA cheerleader, I've got to say if not for a very lengthly Top Dragster oil down and a SG car that hit the wall right off the line, they might have got everything done on Fri., even with the morning rain delay.
Saturday went pretty well considering running time shots and qualifying in the AM.
I think getting done and on the road by 2:00pm on Sunday was pretty good considering the number of cars at the event.
I believe the track gave away free admittance tickets, and it evedently worked ,the place had more spectators than anywhere we run ,except for Epping,NH. The lines at the concessions were huge ,and thats where their real money usually is made.
I have to give Bob ,Dave and the rest of the crew hi marks for getting this one done relatively smoothly.
Now if we could only get them to run Super Gas sometime other than last !

[SSTHottie1236]

Originally Posted by BKSG1198

Here is view of the stands on Saturday.

I hear ya Charlie, we went to VMP in 2006 or 07 with the car and I think I slept most of the way down but, when I went on Vacation last year to Myrtle Beach I forgot how far VMP actually is for the D-1 racers. I remember passing Richmond and I was like "I guess we passed the exit for VMP" and Kelli Barbato was like "Nah not yet" next thing I remember is passing the exit and then reading "You're in North Carolina" I was like Wow that is a hike. We don't go back because we ran 1st round in 06 at about 7pm and the Sun was directly at Tree Level and we red-lit because I couldn't see the flash because of the sun.

That must have been during the 1/2 hour of the 10 hour drive I wasn't sleeping :P
But also, that is one of those tracks you need to go to at an off time. The DC traffic (especially if you can't use the HOV lane) is crazy. I went down once Friday afternoon and that was one of the biggest bonehead moves I've ever made traveling long distancing. It's one of the reasons I leave for the shore at 3am or Myrtle Beach at 1:30am but that Rob and I blamed on Don :P

[CBS]

We asked about doing that in Division 3....but it's just too hard with the car count.....and they don't like to work the tech guys late on Friday nite....we always have some kind of issue...oil down ....weather...etc...everything is 5 hours or less for us....except Bowling Green.....you guys in Division 1 are spoiled....lol

Rock....

[sst7250]

Well FWIW we have had a 5 two day Division races here in D7 the last two years. In my opinion they went very well. The can make for a late night for sure as our last one here in Vegas ended just before midnight Saturday night. Race was easter weekend and we race Friday and Saturday. I honestly prefer the three day variety but am not opposed to the two day format at all.

[Chris Williams]

This is a complicated problem. Some tracks have curfews (unlike Vegas) and can't run early/late. That pushes you toward three days. Many people work and can't justify all the days off, especially if you add in a long (8 - 10 hour) schlep to/from the track. That pushes you toward two.

Every class you don't run will complain. Especially with grade points making it so you need the divisionals to get into the nationals.

This is a hard problem. Not sure there's an easy answer.