What's a good race for a spectator

STCK/SSFAN · 01-20-2010, 06:01 PM

Hi All

I'm newly registered on the forum although have lurked around for a while reading as I find it very interesting. However, I've never joined since I don't race and therefore I don't think I am qualified to give my .02 cents on most stuff.

However, I thought I would go to the people that know best and see if anyone can give me a recomendation for a race to atttend this year.

I usually go once a year to a drag race somewhere and it has included some unique ones like the US Class Nationals, which was something that I really enjoyed

All that said, my usual has been to arrive early Saturday morning at an NHRA National event and stay late on Saturday to be sure to get all the Sportsman eliminations. I then return Sunday for final eliminations.

My thoughts are to arrive Friday for a race and get all the sportsman qualifying and then attend Saturday to get most of the eliminations and just see the Pro Qualifying.

My intial thoughts this year were Thursday Friday Saturday at Indy or go to No Problem for the Sports Nats but my schedule won't let me make those dates

Sorry for the long post to get to the simple question of "which race would a racer recommend to a spectator who enjoys Sportmen racing better than Pro racing?"

Thanks

Karl Mitchell
Toronto, ON

Ed Fernandez · 01-20-2010, 06:10 PM

If you want a race to attend at the end of the season go to the Dutch Classic at Maple Grove Pa in October.There's Stock/Super Stock,Comp,Hemi Challange,the Super classes,TopSportsman and Dragster.We run class runs for S/SS.A lot to see and many good cars and racers.Quite a few Canadians,so you'll feel at home.

Gary Smith · 01-20-2010, 06:10 PM

The CanAm S/SS series is run right in your backyard if you're looking for something local, Dutch Classic at Maple Grove is really good too. If geographic location isn't an issue Belle Rose is probably the best.

Mike Bassin · 01-20-2010, 06:37 PM

Karl,

Ed has it "dead on". The Dutch at Maple Grove in late Oct. is about as good as it gets for sportsman racing. Huge fields of all classes especially Stock and Super Stock. Everybody is fast, good viewing from starting line to top end. NHRA announcer Lewis Bloom typically announces the event [it was pleasure to work with him at this event from 2005 to 2007] and does an outstanding job especially with the driver profiles. Just a hint, make sure to spend time in the pits and walking the lanes, don't be afraid to introduce yourself to the drivers of your favorite cars. Now you will have a face to go with the cars you like. Now you've got racers to root for throughout the day, makes whole deal a lot more fun. The racers really appreciate having fans take an interest in their cars and racing efforts also.

Mike Bassin, announcer Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way

Jim Blankenship · 01-20-2010, 07:03 PM

travel south a little to Bristol night Q under lites worth price of tickets and day racing is great.

jim

Adger Smith · 01-20-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote: What's a good race for a spectator.
I prefer a side by side --- wheel to wheel race.
Even from the drivers seat... :~0

Jim Wahl · 01-20-2010, 08:25 PM

Ha! Right on Adger, right on!!!! Jim

Matt Welker · 01-20-2010, 08:43 PM

Another vote for the Dutch Classic, but check the forecast before you leave. The race often has weather issues. I love that race and it is very good if you are a s/ss fan. This year you would have seen an incredible Hemi Shootout, a sweet SS Challenger from the west coast in addition to most of the D1 cars racing for class.

Indy is the best if you can make it for Thur and Friday and when your schedule permits, that is one to watch. We flew out before we had cars, wed-fri s/ss during the day, Indy museum and track tour night/afternoon. Plenty of time to do it all.

Just my thoughts,
Matt Welker
E/SA 1741

Michael Kilduff · 01-20-2010, 09:12 PM

The US Nationals at Indy over Labor Day weekend is a great race for Sportsman racing too. Just have to get there at 8 am Thursday for the start of class elims. An added actraction is the 64 car Comp Eliminator field too.

Usually there are about 160 plus cars in stock and the same in SS.

Joe Martens · 01-20-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Welker

Another vote for the Dutch Classic, but check the forecast before you leave. The race often has weather issues. I love that race and it is very good if you are a s/ss fan. This year you would have seen an incredible Hemi Shootout, a sweet SS Challenger from the west coast in addition to most of the D1 cars racing for class.

Indy is the best if you can make it for Thur and Friday and when your schedule permits, that is one to watch. We flew out before we had cars, wed-fri s/ss during the day, Indy museum and track tour night/afternoon. Plenty of time to do it all.

Just my thoughts,
Matt Welker
E/SA 1741

Can't go wrong with these two races!

01-20-2010, 06:01 PM	#1
STCK/SSFAN Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 1 Post	What's a good race for a spectator Hi All I'm newly registered on the forum although have lurked around for a while reading as I find it very interesting. However, I've never joined since I don't race and therefore I don't think I am qualified to give my .02 cents on most stuff. However, I thought I would go to the people that know best and see if anyone can give me a recomendation for a race to atttend this year. I usually go once a year to a drag race somewhere and it has included some unique ones like the US Class Nationals, which was something that I really enjoyed All that said, my usual has been to arrive early Saturday morning at an NHRA National event and stay late on Saturday to be sure to get all the Sportsman eliminations. I then return Sunday for final eliminations. My thoughts are to arrive Friday for a race and get all the sportsman qualifying and then attend Saturday to get most of the eliminations and just see the Pro Qualifying. My intial thoughts this year were Thursday Friday Saturday at Indy or go to No Problem for the Sports Nats but my schedule won't let me make those dates Sorry for the long post to get to the simple question of "which race would a racer recommend to a spectator who enjoys Sportmen racing better than Pro racing?" Thanks Karl Mitchell Toronto, ON

01-20-2010, 06:10 PM	#2
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator If you want a race to attend at the end of the season go to the Dutch Classic at Maple Grove Pa in October.There's Stock/Super Stock,Comp,Hemi Challange,the Super classes,TopSportsman and Dragster.We run class runs for S/SS.A lot to see and many good cars and racers.Quite a few Canadians,so you'll feel at home. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

01-20-2010, 06:10 PM	#3
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator The CanAm S/SS series is run right in your backyard if you're looking for something local, Dutch Classic at Maple Grove is really good too. If geographic location isn't an issue Belle Rose is probably the best. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating"

01-20-2010, 06:37 PM	#4
Mike Bassin Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Berlin PA Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 120 Times in 19 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator Karl, Ed has it "dead on". The Dutch at Maple Grove in late Oct. is about as good as it gets for sportsman racing. Huge fields of all classes especially Stock and Super Stock. Everybody is fast, good viewing from starting line to top end. NHRA announcer Lewis Bloom typically announces the event [it was pleasure to work with him at this event from 2005 to 2007] and does an outstanding job especially with the driver profiles. Just a hint, make sure to spend time in the pits and walking the lanes, don't be afraid to introduce yourself to the drivers of your favorite cars. Now you will have a face to go with the cars you like. Now you've got racers to root for throughout the day, makes whole deal a lot more fun. The racers really appreciate having fans take an interest in their cars and racing efforts also. Mike Bassin, announcer Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way

01-20-2010, 07:03 PM	#5
Jim Blankenship Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: nashville tn Posts: 149 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator travel south a little to Bristol night Q under lites worth price of tickets and day racing is great. jim __________________ Jim Blankenship 3086 STK

01-20-2010, 07:42 PM	#6
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator Quote: What's a good race for a spectator. I prefer a side by side --- wheel to wheel race. Even from the drivers seat... :~0 __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 01-20-2010 at 07:43 PM. Reason: sp

01-20-2010, 08:25 PM	#7
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,843 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator Ha! Right on Adger, right on!!!! Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

01-20-2010, 08:43 PM	#8
Matt Welker Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clear Spring, MD Posts: 193 Likes: 1,441 Liked 77 Times in 15 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator Another vote for the Dutch Classic, but check the forecast before you leave. The race often has weather issues. I love that race and it is very good if you are a s/ss fan. This year you would have seen an incredible Hemi Shootout, a sweet SS Challenger from the west coast in addition to most of the D1 cars racing for class. Indy is the best if you can make it for Thur and Friday and when your schedule permits, that is one to watch. We flew out before we had cars, wed-fri s/ss during the day, Indy museum and track tour night/afternoon. Plenty of time to do it all. Just my thoughts, Matt Welker E/SA 1741 __________________ Matt Welker Stock 1741, SS/AH 114 www.facebook.com/welkerracing

01-20-2010, 09:12 PM	#9
Michael Kilduff Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Carolina Beach, NC Posts: 281 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What's a good race for a spectator The US Nationals at Indy over Labor Day weekend is a great race for Sportsman racing too. Just have to get there at 8 am Thursday for the start of class elims. An added actraction is the 64 car Comp Eliminator field too. Usually there are about 160 plus cars in stock and the same in SS.