1/4 vs 1/8 mile Dragstrip's

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by FireSale

Any reasons stated from management for the above mentioned changes? Dennis at the Handlers faced a lot of flack over taking Bremerton to 1/8 mile but stuck to his safety rational.
Anyone know how this Street Outlaw/No Prep thing got set up on 1/8?

I started racing at Bremerton in 1980, and it was always 1/4 mile until a few years ago. Hell, back in the 70s, they ran Top Fuel dragsters and Nitro Funny Cars there. The track is more than long enough, but for whatever reason, the starting line was moved forward some years ago, and they also installed a "fence" across the track, about 200 feet closer to the finish line, and made a new exit to the return road, essentially reducing the shutdown by that amount. The first few years I raced at Bremerton, the racing surface was closer to the right, and the return road exit was also on the right, No idea why they moved the track to the left, and made the return road on the left as well. Bremerton Raceway is a WW11 Bomber airstrip, than is much wider and longer than most 1/4 mile dragstrips, that for some reason had the racing surface moved around, and shortened, even though the actual paved surface is much longer. I always loved racing at Bremerton, but have not been there since the change to 1/8th mile.
I can see how an 1/8th mile track is obviously cheaper to built, as that much less land is needed, less pavement, guardrail/wall, less timing sensors etc, but changing an already in use, 1/4 mile dragstrip, to 1/8th , ,makes no sense to me.

[jmcarter]

I bracket raced at Bremerton when I was living on the Peninsula from 2001-2006 (also in 1982 in a SS396 Chevelle, my first race since 1969 and won $20 so that set the hook) and miss how wide open it felt after you get over the “hill” at mid track. Very unique track to say the least. Particularly enjoyed running a friend’s Hemi car there in 2006, felt like I was going to join the airstrip’s flight pattern after being use to running a 340 LOL. I would not hesitate to run there again and support the Handlers club in their efforts to provide a racing venue in a relatively remote area of the PNW. In fact, I’ll support any track that runs a good program than helps our sport, REGARDLESS of 1/8 or 1/4. Anyone resistant to running 1/8 should try Galot if they can, your opinions may change.

[Dave Noll]

I saw on IG that Woodburn had shortened 1 of their events to 1/8 mile, I don't remember why. Do they do that more? What about Pacific ? Boise? Hopefully the new owners of Spokane will keep it 1/4 mile.

[Rory McNeil]

Dave, not sure what IG is, or which event Woodburn ran as 1/8th mile, but it seems that most of the "small tire, power adder" type events in Div. 6 run 1/8th mile. This type of racer seems to not minding having to blow up engines, lift, change lanes, or the occasionally crash or bang into the guardrail, so I imagine the shortening of these races is to help reduce the amount of crashes, oil downs, injuries etc, when guys try putting 2000 HP down on 8 1/2" tires, or radials, on un prepped tracks.

[Charlie Yannetti]

Not for nothin', folks.. BUT, if it ain't 1/4 mile, it ain't.. just ask Wally Parks...

[B Parker]

If you race 1/8 mile you take half the fun out of it. BP

[jimmyparker]

When our local track operator changed over to 1/8th mile one of his reasons was it would be easier on the race cars to run a shorter distance. My response was I've broke probably more than my share of parts over the years but it always happened before half track.

[FireSale]

Originally Posted by B Parker

If you race 1/8 mile you take half the fun out of it. BP

So, Brian Thompson ($6,500) beating Brad Burton ($2,000 RU) in a field of 172 cars is only 1/2 fun?
2021 John Kilroy Footbrake Challenge Saturday race aka Northwest Independence Shootout.

Maybe he's just a drag strip junky, but it's painfully common to see Jody Lang in the lanes for this race. He was the 2020 winner.
In other words, 1/8 mile is a different set of skills. There is close to zero room to use your reserve power to make up for a mistake on the line.



On the topic of No Prep Small Tire fiasco racing, There was a twin turbo Mustang at the last Renegade race of the season that had so much power it couldn't make a pass. Kept bumping through the lights even when they let it restage twice.



Grudge and No-Prep are like a scab on the forearm of our hobby.

[427FE]

Originally Posted by FireSale

Grudge and No-Prep are like a scab on the forearm of our hobby.

Fortunately, they help keep the lights on at alot of racetracks

[b.guggenmos]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

I bracket raced at Bremerton when I was living on the Peninsula from 2001-2006 (also in 1982 in a SS396 Chevelle, my first race since 1969 and won $20 so that set the hook) and miss how wide open it felt after you get over the “hill” at mid track. Very unique track to say the least. Particularly enjoyed running a friend’s Hemi car there in 2006, felt like I was going to join the airstrip’s flight pattern after being use to running a 340 LOL. I would not hesitate to run there again and support the Handlers club in their efforts to provide a racing venue in a relatively remote area of the PNW. In fact, I’ll support any track that runs a good program than helps our sport, REGARDLESS of 1/8 or 1/4. Anyone resistant to running 1/8 should try Galot if they can, your opinions may change.

Like Rory I raced at Bremerton for a long time stating in 1983 when we exited the track on the right and returned on the right. Some really fast cars have raced Bremerton. I was very disappointed when it changed to 1/8 mile as I have always considered Bremerton my home track. I had not raced for a few years for various reasons but that ended this year. I went to Bremerton to give it a try. I honestly absolutely hated 1/8 mile racing! Not for me. I have heard all the reasons people like 1/8 mile but not for me. I then went to Seattle and Woodburn and it was so much more fun. Most likely I will never go to Bremerton again unless they return to 1/4 mile? I am a low 10 second stick car.