[ScottHall]

I was waiting for this subject to come up, and since I am the one who made the decision in question, and I am the one who had to make the changes because Wayne Hofmann was involved in the final points, I am the one Frank is referring to.

So…………

At the beginning of the season Lebanon Valley wanted a Top Dragster Series that consisted of quick dragsters that fell into the NHRA advanced E.T. certification. Being 7.49 and quicker, that made the maximum bump simple based on the rules. Those of us involved caught a lot of criticism. We all followed what the track was looking for in the series, and had been told over the winter that the amount of cars to fill the 16 car should be available.

So on to the first weekend of racing. The field was very short, and the pay out was covered. Lebanon Valley lost money, but supported the series. Frank and Laura went to the finals on that Saturday, and we moved on.

Soon after that a mutual decision between Wayne, myself, and the race track was made to open it up to 32 cars as to prevent the wide spread opinion that many racers were not going to show up in fear of not qualifying. Again, we couldn’t fill the field with 32 cars, yet the track covered the pay out, losing money again.

So going into this weekend, seeing that there was a good chance that attendance would be up, and that looking at the Quick 32 car field shows for next year, Wayne and I looked at slowing the maximum to see just how many cars would spend the money, and run the T/D races, and at the same time at least cover the pay out for a T/D race.

Wayne and I talked to the racetrack, and they had no problem with it. Yes, it was done for the finical aspect of the series.

Does anyone know how much money Howard has to spend this year on everything that has happened? I guess it was a way to be self sufficient and actually have a couple of races that would pay there way instead of taking from the gate and other classes that run weekly………………

Obviously the 5 round effected the out come of the points gained on Saturday, and was brought to me as the problem it has turned out to be. Frank and Laura explained the issue that Laura could have raced all year and feels that they were forced out by my decision, then had it switched with no time, or fairness.

And I agree…..it was unfair, and it did keep out a lot more people than it should have. I wish it was March of 2009 again…….

Sunday morning I had a large group of racers who were not happy with me, and I was a man enough to face every one of them and explain my decision. I quickly realized that no matter what I did, it was going to be wrong in someone’s eyes. After 5 races of doing what the series was designed to do, I was hoping that I could get the last 2 races to do something for the racetrack.

Well, there is my side of things. Frank has made his points well, but I want it known that he is directing this toward me. Lebanon Valley was involved in the decisions, but they were based on ideas and a layout that had been looked at by the two people that everyone in the series expected to make decisions on everything from parking spots, to qualifying times, rules violations, tech department complaints, scheduling, posting results, finding sponsors and funding for the final points, trophies, winners checks, and decals.

So that being said, I see that to some, I need to take care of what makes all this run smooth, but when the hard choices need to get made, Its time to make it public, and show all the negatives of what a lot of us have worked on.

Frank, unfortunately I’m glad there will be no series either…….I have learned that it is not worth all the time and effort so as it can all come to a conclusion like this on a forum for the world to see. At one time Wayne and I looked forward to this series, but now, its done, and the Quick 32 series should eliminate all the issues that came up this year.

Frank, the better news is that your issues with me, and that’s what they are, will now guarantee that you’ll never have to deal with my ignorance and bad choices again.

Your $70 refund that Laura requested is coming to you for the Series Registration, and it’s coming from my pocket.

I’m sure I’ll have to respond to more of this topic, but I really don’t have much else to say. I’m busy at work, and I have people I work for that can look past a few mistakes I’ve made and know that at the end of day I’m looking out for the big picture, and those around it.

Fortunately I surround myself with people, racers and engine builders that keep issues of great opposition private and not to entertain the world, and ultimately hurt the reputation of both sides involved………………..especially the last part I just mentioned.

Scott Hall