Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Michael: the biggest mistake you can make is to "over schedule". Look at the Dutch Classic. EVERY year they make the same mistake... these big plans ....and you look at the schedule and say ....this is never gonna happen ...there's not enough day(light) or days... "Rain, Dew, Track Wepers, Oil Downs, etc.",... they WILL play a part.... - Plan For Them - . .... if they don't happen , perfect !!!! more time for everyone to socialize and party. You're on the right track. Can't wait. JB

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

VERY WELL SAID!

I am looking forward to this race,but have started to think that maybe I will pass on it because there will just be too much activity planned to ever get the event completed.Please try to plan for the usual delays that accompany a drag race.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Jim, with all due respect, Michael's Race & The Dutch Classic, you cannot compare the 2.
Dutch Classic runs T/D, T/S, Sleds, SC, SG, SST, Comp Elim.

Michael's Race: Stock & Super Stock.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Fair enough and I understand with the full scedule. Thanks for the response.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Yes,but this race could be HUGE.

Right now,there is a 180 car quota in Stock at Indy and only 128 will qualify.This race is all run and includes IHRA cars also.It probably has the potential to draw 600 cars in Stock and Super Stock with the location,the payout,the advance planning,the all run field,the format,etc.

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

This race is an O B D....( Official Big Deal ) :D

d

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

There has been a tremendous amount of planning that has gone into this event, and I assure you that I have studied the potential run schedules, chances of weather, etc. While it looks like I've been working on this event for nine months, it's more like 3-4 years. Years ago, I developed a race purse calculator spreadsheet that also tells you how many pairs there are to run based on the number of cars, how many time trials, and the elimination format. I can set the amount of cooldown time between rounds, and the average amount of time it takes to run a pair. I have actual data on average run time collected over different events at different tracks under different circumstances. I have been a part of the staff of Bracket Finals events with as many as 800 cars, covered the original US Class Nationals, have been the promoter of numerous big money bracket races, and have competed at Indy.

The Class 'shootouts' on Friday won't take any additional time because we're running Class Eliminations anyway: the 'shootouts' are just people adding cash or prizes to the existing Class Eliminations to sweeten the pot. The addition of the Junior Stock Shootout should not have an appreciable effect on the run time of the event due to the previously scheduled Quick 32 CIC races, which will require cooldown time between rounds. Junior Stock will fit right into the rotation, take up that dead time, and keep things rolling. Friday will be the longest day, and then

While we'll take that as a compliment, that's the most optimistic projection I've heard! That trumps Larry Hill's prognostication of 400. ;) The US Class Nationals was Woodstock. I can't see doubling that already historic car count. That being said, if we get 600 cars, we can make the necessary schedule adjustments to get it in (and purse increases to go with it!). We have already considered contingency plans for high car counts, weather or other excessive downtime. The Spring Fling drew 500 cars and completed 4 separate races in 5 days, even with a little weather.

We hope you'll join us. We promise you 110% effort and dedication in making the Auto Meter Northern Class Nationals exciting and enjoyable for everyone. Don't miss a race because it might be "too good"!

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

I remember Beard getting the piedmont dragway run sheets from 06 and their Footbrake race which had I think 250 cars. He estimated 42 seconds per pair of cars for the whole day, he has been working on this since then, 7 years ago. The racing will get in unless we get a total washout and we didn't order any rain that weekend!!!!

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

It was 52 seconds per pair, which included about 1 hr of oildown/breakage downtime each day for three days. Bader always figured 60 seconds per pair. I typically use 65 seconds per pair in my spreadsheet to give a little wiggle room. At our $20K Doorslammer race last year, I predicted what time we'd be done by within 30-45 minutes each day. We work on efficiency every step of the way. Yes, pairing cars will be more challenging than running a bracket race, but we've got Nitro Joe, Donald Braun, Danny Waters, Sr., and Jim Woods among others to help facilitate the process. Racers working together can help us even more.

In terms of weather, as I posted in the "2001 USCN" thread, I did my weather history research all the way back to 2002, and 2010 is the only year that would've been tough. There were a couple of years that may have required small schedule adjustments, but overall, the conditions for the first weekend in May in Hebron, OH are generally pretty favorable.

Herb - get back to work on a ride for the next generation of McCandless... better be ready for next spring! :D

Re: Class Nationals event planning
 

Major announcement coming next week for the Auto Meter Northern Class Nationals! To quote Men at Work, "Who Can It Be Now?" :-)

A huge THANK YOU to our ever-growing list of sponsors taking part in what could be the largest Stock & Super Stock event of all time!

Also thanks to my partner in Loose Rocker Promotions, Anthony Walton, for keeping up our tremendous momentum!