Class Nationals event planning

[Tom Meyer]

Over the years hear on class racer when someone needed help, the call was made out and many racer sent moneys or ever to do what they could. Lets look at this as a investment in class raceing. This is something that is going to take time, lots of energy, and coin to get going. I myself would like to invest in this effort. Take an example if you invest in this now you get discount entry prefered parking and one free bowling lesson from capt jack. Also by buying shares you whould vote on location? payouts? this is the way Wally started out. Some of this is random blabbering. More ideas later I got to get to work. Tom

[ChevyII]

Michael,

First, all of us should commend you for stepping forward and throwing your "hat in the ring" to make another Class Nationals take place. We all know what Alex went through to make the first edition happen. This is going to be a thankless job and racers being what they are, will make life difficult.

Having said that, with your experience running succesful Footbrake Big Buck Bracket races, you are the man to make it happen!

As for location of the venue, this decision is going to take considerable thought as some racers will have their noses out of joint when you finally decide. As I am sure you fully understand but it must be stated, "you can't please all the people all of the time."

Given the busy racing schedule of most tracks in the summer, the decision will need to take place sooner than later. One for planning purposes for the tracks and the other to allow the racing community to plan their racing activities.

Given the nature of geography and racer penetration, Division 3 is a good choice however the stellar reputations at Cordova or Earlville makes for a good business case.

Regardless of what you decide, please consider my support and involvement once you make your final decision.

Regards,

Mike Ferstl

[ss wannabee]

How about the US-41 track?

Don't know much about it...(never been there)..a bit more "central" than Columbus.

Think it's fairly new...and has hosted IHRA National Events before...so should be big
enough...

Not sure what affiliation it is today....

Would give some racers a "new" destination to go to...

What's going on there today...reasons it's not suitable?

[Alan Roehrich]

We would much prefer that Bowling Green be the facility. We know how the staff at Bowling Green feels about class racing. We usually have a 60+ car field at the Combo races (Bowling Green generously hosts an entire series, and guarantees $1500 to win for a small entry fee) and the track prep is the finest there is, not to mention how racers and fans are treated. Bowling Green offers an absolute known quantity, we know for certain how they'll conduct their facility for a race such as this. Also, the location works, people are familiar with the track, and happy with it, you only need to see the attendance and results from both the Open and the points race. Racers from almost every division in the nation know that when they come to Bowling Green, the track itself will be first rate, and not only will the facility treat them as honored guests, but so will the town that surrounds it.

However, we will certainly support the race if Michael chooses Columbus as the facility.

We spoke with Michael at length at IMIS, twice. The class racers here really need to get on board, and in a public way. We need to help Michael show both the facility and potential sponsors that this race has overwhelming support from the racers.

[ALMACK]

I also would like to see it @ Bowling Green.
Would be nice to be able to race my Pure Stocker @ Beech Bend.

However, I would travel out of state to be a part of this if need be.

[ss wannabee]

No matter where it is...I would like to attend...even if the car's not finished.

I'm not sure if it was mentioned....why not just go back to Byron?

Mike, thanks for bringing back the idea...and good luck on the hard work needed to
make it happen. I know it won't be easy given your own stuff you got to do too!

[Rob3105]

Talked to Mike at IMIS and he asked to post to show support so I am.

I, like everyone else would like to see this race at my hometrack. Nobody wants to tow any farther than they have to. Diesel is expensive and most people are staying closer to home these days. Columbus is about 550 miles from my house and I would still tow over to take my shot at it if this happens.

Rob Turkal
Stock 3105

[Michael Kilduff]

One of the things that would help make an event like this successful is to get fans coming through the gate. In today's market it is essential to go to your customers and future customers, and give them a reason to attend an event. I feel the NHRA and IHRA have each done absolutely pathetic jobs in advertising sportsman drag racing, especially S/SS. Almost no fans show up for Divisional races on either side-and I think the reason is the fans don't know these events are actually happening.

I would suggest racers show their support of this event by putting their cars on display in high traffic areas wherever the location of the event is chosen-give out discounted tickets, let kids sit in the cars, whatever it takes to get old fans and new fans to pay for a 10 dollar or even 5 dollar spectator ticket. It would take a lot of coordination of course, but I believe most stock and superstock racers are, deep down, 'car guys' and who doesn't want to talk about their cars anyway?

I've got 2 cars that I'll put on display the day before the race weekend starts, just tell me where to be and what to pass out to people.

[Charley Downing]

I agree Bowling Green is a great track and has a good STK/SS combo turn outs, but Columbus makes more sence.
The problem with Bowling Green is its a longer way to travel for D1,D5 and parts of D3. I think most of the people that live near Bowling Green or Louisville would travel the extra 200-300 miles to Columbus for this race.
Also if Mike is putting this on, it needs to be somewhere near to him. Just like Alex was near Byron.
If you look a the 2001 class nationals the car count was made up of mostly D1,D3 and D5 cars. I feel if the race is located more in middle of those three then the car count could be bigger then in 2001. I see no reason you can't get 250-300 STK/SS cars in columbus for a class nationals type of race.

Columbus is only
185 miles from Pittsburgh PA
500 miles from Madison WI
250 miles from Lansing MI
175 miles from Indianapolis IN
330 miles from Bowling Green KY
225 miles from Louisville KY
350 miles from Knoxville TN
750 miles from Minneapolis MN
560 miles from Atlanta GA

Bowling Green is
500 miles from Pittsburgh PA
550 miles from Madison WI
475 miles from Lansing MI
225 miles from Indianapolis IN
330 miles from Columbus OH
115 miles from Louisville KY
225 miles from Knoxville TN
825 miles from Minneapolis MN
315 miles from Atlanta GA


I think BG could get 200 total STK/SS cars but not much more then that. Remember fuel is $3.85-4.10 a gallon.

[Dan Nugent]

I would drive quite a ways to compete inthis type of race. I have limited time window every year fo racing, so if it wasn't held when i could go then i would buy an entry fee just to support Michael and this race.
I live 20 mi. from Joliet and there are a lot of interstates that intersect near here and they have a lot of weekends where that place is empty.
U.S. 41 at Morocco is just a slippery mess these days and thepeople that own it now don't have any interest in making the track better to help there facility.
Earlville, Cordova or Byron are all good places.