car count at i.h.r.a. opener

[Jason Oldfield]

Originally Posted by Pat Joffrion

But the idea to save racers tow money seemed to make good sense, and I have submitted my thoughts to NHRA to try and get their pro series to "connect the dots" by scheduling their events starting at Pomona, then Phoenix, Houston, Gainsville, Atlanta, Memphis, Topeka, etc... That would allow the professional (and touring sportsmen) an opportunity to save thousands in fuel costs.

Pat, Pat, Pat....this is ANOTHER idea that would just make TOO MUCH SENSE! I've thought this for YEARS. It would even make sense from a weather standpoint. But, why have the racers criss-cross the country twice, when you can have them do it at least 7 times?!?!?

As for the car count in San Antonio, I would never expect that either track operator would have wanted this scheduling conflict. But, from NHRA's and IHRA's standpoint, remember that the majority of their revenue comes from the paying SPECTATOR gate. If the stands are full, and there is only 1 car there, NHRA and IHRA would be happy.

Don't believe me? Look at the IHRA race in Edmonton. You want record low car counts, there it is, and it's been that way from day one. Yet IHRA continues to praise Edmonton, and re-upped their contract with them. So, they're obviously not all that concerned about the fact that there was only 150 cars there TOTAL ACROSS 10 CLASSES LAST YEAR (it doesn't appear that they raced T/S or T/D there). The single largest class was Pro Modified with 21 cars, and I'm sure the reason why the pros pulled as many cars as the sportsman classes was because the pros were basically paid tow money. Across those same 10 classes, there was 211 cars in San Antonio (i.e. 33% more cars).

From a racers standpoint, its a shame that both races were scheduled for the same weekend as I'm sure there were plenty that would have gone to both had they been able to. IMHO, IHRA screwed up BIG TIME by scheduling the race the same weekend as the NASCAR race and the Final Four. Maybe the stands were packed on Saturday, but I can't help but imagine that if those other HUGE events weren't going on at the same time that they could have possibly had even more spectators, not to mention more cars (though, maybe their thinking was that they'd try to lure people down to the track on Friday and Saturday that were in town for those big events...I don't know...)

[Dave Ribeiro]

Pat,

Just keep doing the great job you have done over the years on racing & building a great track for the racers... As you know their will always be conflicts and the racers have a choice on where to race...I still don't understand why more NHRA guys don't attend, but I also don't like running 1/8 mile..If I have a choice its 1/4 only, seems like there are many more who prefer 1/4 mile...That being said everyone needs to look at the expense of fuel ontop of the cost of racing .. IHRA and NHRA have their good and bad points, we are lucky to have the option of picking which one to attend.. In some parts of the country they don't have a choice and they pay dearly... I must say IHRA has a great idea in the double events on the same weekend and this does help the racer.. I wish NHRA would adapt the same thing and save the racer some $$$$$$$... It was great when the race was only one day and not 2-3 days as it is today ! Costs are effecting cars counts and it will gets worst as the year goes on...
So lets stop bitching and be glad we still have places to race at, or just park-it and go Boating.................just a couple of cents, Lets race.... Dave,

[Chris1529]

I had some of the same questions myself when seeing the schedule. Maybe IHRA WAS trying to lure people to the event.

In my opinion, IHRA and/or San Antonio Rraceway should have been outside the gates at the final four on saturday giving away free ( $5 coupons or something) tickets for Sundays eliminations. Sundays are typically a low crowd count most IHRA nationals I have been to, so it cound not have hurt to do a promotion. There wasn't another basketball game till Monday night, so they should tried everything they could think of to get some of that audience to come out to the track on Sunday. They could have offered shuttle service from the riverwalk area since most folks probably stay in hotels in that district.

There are certain areas of the country where little or no promotion needs to happen to get a crowd, but in other areas, it would seem to me that IHRA needs to come up some promotions to start getting folks out. Lets face it, they don't have the name recognition like NHRA has, so they may need to start working a little harder in certain markets.

[RJ Sledge]

Here's the real reason that the race is 1/8th mile instead of 1/4 mile.

Track owner got into a pissing contest with the neighbor at the end of the track, after that owner of said property would not allow any intrusion onto his property, if it happened he has the law on his side and its called "Trespassing". If that were to happen, said property owner probably would have been within his rights to confiscate the car until authorities settled it in court. . All this because of a disagreement between the two parties.

The track runs 1/4 on the test and tunes and on most weekends, its just the fact that the fast cars sometimes have problems stopping on the track/sand pit area and have and would "trespass" onto the said property owners land.

The track is For Sale from what everybody around San Antonio tells me, and I really would be surprised if they have many, (or any) more National Events there.

No turn out, due to whatever the problem might be, will kill the "golden goose". Its too bad because the track is a nice facility. Scheduling may have been a problem, but I know its not the sole reason for the low turnout. Some people just don't care that much for 1/8th mile racing, but the main reason , IMHO was the SportsNational in Belle Rose.

RJ