Big Shake up at Route 66 - Page 2

Bill Baer · 11-06-2008, 06:52 PM

If that's true, then this circumstance inhales wind sharply!
Billy Baer
3391 S/C-Q/R

Bill Baer · 11-06-2008, 06:56 PM

Some time ago a friend of mine told me that the dragstrip at Joliet was just foot in the door for the NASCAR track and that they now consider it just a parking lot for them. Perhaps he was right?

stage1scott · 11-07-2008, 10:46 AM

Welcome to southern california, coming to your track soon!! when NHRA got in a pissing contest with local "Property owners" (city of LaVerne, I believe is where the track is actually located), the city held them to thier stated lease of 2 national events a year. that left the rest of us out in the cold, NHRA didn't give a hoot about it and now we race in the parking lots of 2 nascar tracks Irwindale 1/8 mile and Fontana.

BKSG1198 · 11-07-2008, 11:31 AM

As far as I can remember Route 66 was never a crowd getter. NHRA first had 2 national events there when they first built the track but never drew a crowd and NHRA knocked them down to 1 National event and that still dose not draw that many people. When you look at the finals of the race on TV the starting line is like 60% full of people. Sometimes tracks just can't survive in certain area's. I can see us reading about Route 66 in about 10 years as one of those Ghost Tracks that just never made it.

You know that we are spoiled in D-1 when we have to complain about driving 3 1/2 hour to go to Numidia for a National Open or MASGA race or 6 hours to VA for the D-1 race. Some people their closest track is 3 to 4 hours away from there house. As much as I hate New Jersey and all the taxes it is great to be a racer in this area.

luckydog · 11-07-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Polhill

I would love to see Martin get that race but I doubt highly they will throw away the IHRA National for it.. Same number of cars but less Fans without the Nitro Guys. Maybe Edgewater would be interested again?? But Really I would love to see GrandBend Motorplex get an NHRA National and Divisional up here.. But again the ain't gonna happen..

I would hate to see Martin go NHRA. It's my favorite place on the IHRA tour. It's a great place!! Not enough room there for an NHRA national anyways. As far as Grand Bend....I don't know about that. The place needs a lot of upgrades, starting with the timing system.

CycloneFE · 11-07-2008, 07:54 PM

You know, regarding the spectators, I disagree with some of your observations.

Up until a couple of years ago I was one of those spectators. I would stay in Chi-town with my hunting partner and attend all days of both national events. I waited in lines for an hour or more just to get in and if I was not sitting on the road before they opened I would have to park about the 1000ft mark on the spectator side. Walking around to the the pits were always jammed with people and forget the midway. One night they ran late to near midnight and I was 2 hours just trying to get back up to I-80, got into Chi-town after 3:00AM.

The last couple of years I have been helping a friend with his comp car and have used the racer side. If things have changed, I hate to see it. I personally think that it is one of the best facilities I have ever been to and was quite proud of it until this has happened.

I hope things can get better or get back on keel.

dak · 11-07-2008, 02:48 PM

Travel time in Div 6. 5 divisional races and 1 National event 3796 miles round trip.. If I add the 6th div race in 5718 miles ..

11-06-2008, 06:52 PM	#1
Bill Baer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nothern IL Posts: 596 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Big Shake up at Route 66 If that's true, then this circumstance inhales wind sharply! Billy Baer 3391 S/C-Q/R __________________ Bill Baer 3391 SC, 339B SC, QR

11-06-2008, 06:56 PM	#2
Bill Baer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nothern IL Posts: 596 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Big Shake up at Route 66 Some time ago a friend of mine told me that the dragstrip at Joliet was just foot in the door for the NASCAR track and that they now consider it just a parking lot for them. Perhaps he was right? __________________ Bill Baer 3391 SC, 339B SC, QR

11-07-2008, 10:46 AM	#3
stage1scott Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cornville Posts: 406 Likes: 1,870 Liked 109 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Big Shake up at Route 66 Welcome to southern california, coming to your track soon!! when NHRA got in a pissing contest with local "Property owners" (city of LaVerne, I believe is where the track is actually located), the city held them to thier stated lease of 2 national events a year. that left the rest of us out in the cold, NHRA didn't give a hoot about it and now we race in the parking lots of 2 nascar tracks Irwindale 1/8 mile and Fontana.

11-07-2008, 11:31 AM	#4
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,640 Likes: 96 Liked 1,303 Times in 397 Posts	Re: Big Shake up at Route 66 As far as I can remember Route 66 was never a crowd getter. NHRA first had 2 national events there when they first built the track but never drew a crowd and NHRA knocked them down to 1 National event and that still dose not draw that many people. When you look at the finals of the race on TV the starting line is like 60% full of people. Sometimes tracks just can't survive in certain area's. I can see us reading about Route 66 in about 10 years as one of those Ghost Tracks that just never made it. You know that we are spoiled in D-1 when we have to complain about driving 3 1/2 hour to go to Numidia for a National Open or MASGA race or 6 hours to VA for the D-1 race. Some people their closest track is 3 to 4 hours away from there house. As much as I hate New Jersey and all the taxes it is great to be a racer in this area.

11-07-2008, 07:54 PM	#6
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Big Shake up at Route 66 You know, regarding the spectators, I disagree with some of your observations. Up until a couple of years ago I was one of those spectators. I would stay in Chi-town with my hunting partner and attend all days of both national events. I waited in lines for an hour or more just to get in and if I was not sitting on the road before they opened I would have to park about the 1000ft mark on the spectator side. Walking around to the the pits were always jammed with people and forget the midway. One night they ran late to near midnight and I was 2 hours just trying to get back up to I-80, got into Chi-town after 3:00AM. The last couple of years I have been helping a friend with his comp car and have used the racer side. If things have changed, I hate to see it. I personally think that it is one of the best facilities I have ever been to and was quite proud of it until this has happened. I hope things can get better or get back on keel.

11-07-2008, 02:48 PM	#7
dak Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: west coast Posts: 26 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Big Shake up at Route 66 Travel time in Div 6. 5 divisional races and 1 National event 3796 miles round trip.. If I add the 6th div race in 5718 miles ..