'24 Div 7 track/s ?

[jmcarter]

Recognize Sonoma has essentially turned away from drag racing given their revenue stream from various road course events but it’s surprising Sonoma National isn’t half full and only takes a single grade point to get in. Have the D7 racers essentially thrown in the towel?

[Jared Jordan]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Recognize Sonoma has essentially turned away from drag racing given their revenue stream from various road course events but it’s surprising Sonoma National isn’t half full and only takes a single grade point to get in. Have the D7 racers essentially thrown in the towel?

I can’t speak for everyone else, but that race was a lot harder to get into when we could run two weekends in a row, with the double divisional the week prior. We don’t get nearly the same number of out of division racers we used to or even the long-haul guys that are still within the boundaries of D7.

I entered my two!

[DG]

Originally Posted by Jared Jordan

I can’t speak for everyone else, but that race was a lot harder to get into when we could run two weekends in a row, with the double divisional the week prior. We don’t get nearly the same number of out of division racers we used to or even the long-haul guys that are still within the boundaries of D7.

I entered my two!

I agree with your assessment, losing the Division race the weekend before the National Event seems to have made it less attractive to those that have to travel longer distances. However, the National Event definitely packs in a large crowd.

[BKSG1198]

Is it maybe time to look into restructuring the division locations? I think D1, 2 & 3 would be okay but, maybe 4 to 7 needs to restructure the location to include more tracks? Maybe expand to 8 Divisions and drop the blocker from the All Stars? I mean D4 has lost Houston and actually ONLY has 8 total tracks under NHRA sanctioned right now, D5 is losing Denver and who knows what is going on with SRCA but, the Rock Falls place looks pretty nice from the pics I saw, D6 is always a shot In the dark with Mission and if Seattle will survive cause there is always rumblings of them both closing, D7 with WHP, Sacramento closing and Sonoma cutting back leaves with maybe pushing to get a Div at Pomona or Tucson?

This is all food for thought

It might be good to combine 6/7? More options??
John. I think if they did more race promotion like they used to they could draw more spectators and more racers.
Sacramento and Boise don’t have any problems getting spectators…🤷*♂️
Tracks can’t complain about not making money if they don’t promote the race . Division 7 Sportsman racing has taken a pretty big hit.

[Dusterdoug1]

Originally Posted by Barry Polley

It might be good to combine 6/7? More options??
John. I think if they did more race promotion like they used to they could draw more spectators and more racers.
Sacramento and Boise don’t have any problems getting spectators…🤷*♂️
Tracks can’t complain about not making money if they don’t promote the race . Division 7 Sportsman racing has taken a pretty big hit.

Anyone recall when NHRA did combine divisions 6 and 7? I believe it was 1980-1982-ish? Wonder why that occurred. It sure wasn’t the lack of NHRA tracks in Division 7.

[Joe Schweigert]

Originally Posted by Dusterdoug1

Anyone recall when NHRA did combine divisions 6 and 7? I believe it was 1980-1982-ish? Wonder why that occurred. It sure wasn’t the lack of NHRA tracks in Division 7.

Jody or Tony Janes may have the Answer, but I think it was to help D6 get more car count at Woodburn and Medford at that time we had plenty D7 tracks. I just know it happened and I don't remember much complaining.

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Dusterdoug1

Anyone recall when NHRA did combine divisions 6 and 7? I believe it was 1980-1982-ish? Wonder why that occurred. It sure wasn’t the lack of NHRA tracks in Division 7.

I think it may have been a bit later than that. I have had my same Div. 6 NHRA permanent number since the late 70s, but for 2 years or so, maybe 83-84, or possibly 84-85, I had to use a different number, as somebody from the "old div.7" got my number, but after NHRA went back to 7 divisions, I was able to get my old number back. I think the massive Div 6, that combined both Div. 6 and 7 only lasted 2 or 3 years. It must have been a real pain for the guys chasing points back then, that lived in the Western Canada or Washington state, as you would have to travel thousands of miles to hit all the points meets. It would have been similar if Div. 1 and 2 were combined into a single division, with points meets spread out from Epping to West Palm Beach FLA.

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Recognize Sonoma has essentially turned away from drag racing given their revenue stream from various road course events but it’s surprising Sonoma National isn’t half full and only takes a single grade point to get in. Have the D7 racers essentially thrown in the towel?

They ( not blaming NHRA) took away a premier sportsman raceway. None of us wants to quit but boy does it put the strain on the wallet for some of us. Does mine and the timing couldn’t be worse! Hopefully we can get together at Sonoma with Ned and Matt.

[Dyno]

There was a National Open this weekend at Rock Falls Raceway. I hope this was a trial run for them to hold a Division 5 race next year. There was 4 Pro Stocks running on Saturday and the race was well attended. Jim Greenheck has invested alot of $$$ in the track and is a great facility.