Is Epping Race dying ?

[BKSG1198]

It's a tough tow for the Pro's knowing in 2 weeks they start the western swing, to go from Ohio to Indiana (Home base for most) to NH to Colorado, its kind of a logistical nightmare. As far as the sportsman side of it, to be honest the people I talk to a lot down in the Tri-State (PA, NJ, DE, MD) hate the tow because the roads up there suck and it's a holiday....I know the Northern People come down our way but, not as many of you guys compared to down here. A lot of people have vacation planned with family since it's on the 4th of July and it's a long weekend for most. Next year it moves to August 21-23rd and it might be a smart move to do this race like they do the Gators, Lucas Race one weekend, National the next. I think you'd get a better bang for the buck with people taking one tow up there for 2 events.

[James Perrone]

Pain in the azz to get there. And I live onLong Island
Yes seems like the PROs are a dead issue.
Looking like IHRA. Program. Slowly winding down.
That god I’m a sportsman racer

[RKelliher]

Don't understand the driving issue,but I used to live there for over 60 years.I live in N.C. now and have been back a couple of times. No problem getting there.Easy drive .Not sure how other people come.But I agree i'm glad i am a sportsman racer too.

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by BKSG1198

It's a tough tow for the Pro's knowing in 2 weeks they start the western swing, to go from Ohio to Indiana (Home base for most) to NH to Colorado, its kind of a logistical nightmare. As far as the sportsman side of it, to be honest the people I talk to a lot down in the Tri-State (PA, NJ, DE, MD) hate the tow because the roads up there suck and it's a holiday....I know the Northern People come down our way but, not as many of you guys compared to down here. A lot of people have vacation planned with family since it's on the 4th of July and it's a long weekend for most. Next year it moves to August 21-23rd and it might be a smart move to do this race like they do the Gators, Lucas Race one weekend, National the next. I think you'd get a better bang for the buck with people taking one tow up there for 2 events.

Moving the race date is by far the best move they can make.

It can be a very intense time if you choose to race every the 15 weeks weekly from LV divisional, Epping National, the two opens in Canada, Allstars @ epping, Atco divisional, allstars @ LV, cecil county divisional, bowling green divisional, Indy, Epping divisional, maple grove national, Sports nats @ columbus, dutch classic @ the grove, and ending up the season in October 4-6 in Virginia.....

The 4th of July is a tough time even for a local like myself. Pool party in my backyard versus sitting in the field baking....Love the track surface, and towing up to New England isn't that bad at all if you avoid NYC, and the GW bridge, and go up 87 to 90 from the south. Its always going to be a tough sell for many though.

Eric

[rboyle]

No Comp there either and it was tied in with 4th of July weekend. I had entered and pulled out because I couldn't get anyone at all to go. Shame. I was looking forward to this race.

[Bob Don]

Despite the reduced quotas and category reductions, I had conversation with several racers who had to pit up beyond the top end in the boonies. But they had room in the pits and in the schedule for snowmobiles? Really?

[ken robinson]

No it's not dead ...I can't get a vac day on the 4 of July ....

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Bob Don

Despite the reduced quotas and category reductions, I had conversation with several racers who had to pit up beyond the top end in the boonies. But they had room in the pits and in the schedule for snowmobiles? Really?

LOL.....Keep on putting up with it !

[pentastarrail]

I was there.
It SUCKED.
Got there early on Thursday morning, sat and waited to be parked in THE DIRT WAY up in back, while others came in behind me and just drove to a spot on the grass.
NO texting from NHRA available, NO Radio station available, NO garbage cans, NOT even a port-a-pottie and NHRA ONLY came by ONCE to tell us that they called us to the lanes.
Had to keep driving up to the scales to hear ANYTHING. My car looks like I went dirt racing with it.
I'm cured, I'll NEVER go back.

The confusing part is, when they first got the National they were supposed to make all these improvements, I haven't seen any. It was all supposed to be repaved, NO MORE dirt, New tower, new staging lanes, etc, etc. Just to get to the staging lanes from up top in the dirt, it was an obstacle course trying to avoid all the huge holes, bumps and cracks.

For $440 (me and crew) you would think they would at least pit you with some pavement.

Mean while, there were all these motorhomes homes (no trailers) parked on the pavement.

I'm done.
No More.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by pentastarrail

I was there.
It SUCKED. The confusing part is, when they first got the National they were supposed to make all these improvements, I haven't seen any. It was all supposed to be repaved, NO MORE dirt, New tower, new staging lanes, etc, etc.

So, what you're saying is that when the owners were bargaining to get a Natl. Event they were doing it as if they were running for public office?