Times are a changin.

GaryGoFast · 04-02-2009, 07:13 AM

3 years ago, most of my peers in S/St would be sitting by the computer at 12.am when etown registration open so they can get a spot in the show. Within 48 hours there may have been 1 or 2 spots left. Its now on the 2nd day and only 12 have signed up. Is it the money really or are some people having second thoughts about the NHRA experience?

kenny v · 04-02-2009, 07:44 AM

Gary in my case i would have to say both! I will have to stay at my home track most of this year.

Jason Oldfield · 04-02-2009, 08:31 AM

What's probably even MORE amazing to me Gary is that Chicago, which is a week EARLIER than Englishtown, currently only has:

- 2 Entries in Comp
- 1 Entry in S/S
- 4 Entries in Stk
- 4 Entries in S/C
- 1 Entry in S/G
- 1 Entry in S/St

Or, in other words, in the 6 real sportsman classes, Chicago currently has 1 more entry than S/St at Englishtown, yet it has been open for an extra week! That's pretty crazy.

In the end, this economy has REALLY put a damper on MANY people's racing plans. I'm playing mine by ear...

Jason Oldfield · 04-02-2009, 08:38 AM

Topeka, which is TWO weeks EARLIER than Englishtown, currently only has:

- 1 Entry in Comp
- 0 Entries in S/S
- 1 Entry in Stk
- 6 Entries in S/C
- 0 Entries in S/G
- 0 Entries in S/St

Wow...Good thing NHRA has the grade point / quota system in place this year...

H.A.A.C. Racing · 04-02-2009, 10:07 AM

In my case I only have a grade 5 (lack of money last year) I am praying that it will be enough to get in this year, but I am nervous!

G E T Racin · 04-02-2009, 10:08 AM

Hi Gary,
I too think you're right on both statements. With expenses going up, payouts stay the same, and contingency $ going down it's finally not "worth" it for a lot of racers to chase the wally. People are having a hard enough time paying thier regular bills, much less having extra for racing.

I still refuse to pay the oil down penalty, so you won't see me there.

G E T Racin · 04-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Pete,
I believe 4's and under have been getting in the last couple years. My last race there I got in with a 4 in sst and that was 2 or 3 years ago. Most national events this year you could be a 0 or 1 and still get in.

I'm sure Jason could enlighten us on those figures. lol

mannymen · 04-02-2009, 10:57 AM

Can you get in with a ZERO?

Bill Koski · 04-02-2009, 11:27 AM

Not supposed to be able to.
The oil down penalties have been waived this year according to an edict some time ago.

SSTHottie1236 · 04-02-2009, 11:28 AM

Well unless you were going for points, how many people actually have an 8 to enter this week? I could have used a year like this when I had a 1 when I started racing Super Street. Although I am surprised by Super Comp as you have 2 classes worth of 8s allowed to enter and you only see 21 entered so far. I'm thinking E-Town will be close to filled in the end since there is only 2 D1 national events (yeah I know Virginia is 3 but seriously no) and the other divisions can kinda pick and choose what nationals they go to more than we can.

Kelli
1236 S/ST
1836 S/G

04-02-2009, 07:13 AM	#1
GaryGoFast Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York Posts: 804 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Times are a changin. 3 years ago, most of my peers in S/St would be sitting by the computer at 12.am when etown registration open so they can get a spot in the show. Within 48 hours there may have been 1 or 2 spots left. Its now on the 2nd day and only 12 have signed up. Is it the money really or are some people having second thoughts about the NHRA experience? __________________ Gary Federico S/St, S/G 1814

04-02-2009, 07:44 AM	#2
kenny v Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: kingston ny Posts: 106 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Gary in my case i would have to say both! I will have to stay at my home track most of this year. __________________ Kenny V S/ST,S/G,S/PRO 100V

04-02-2009, 08:31 AM	#3
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. What's probably even MORE amazing to me Gary is that Chicago, which is a week EARLIER than Englishtown, currently only has: - 2 Entries in Comp - 1 Entry in S/S - 4 Entries in Stk - 4 Entries in S/C - 1 Entry in S/G - 1 Entry in S/St Or, in other words, in the 6 real sportsman classes, Chicago currently has 1 more entry than S/St at Englishtown, yet it has been open for an extra week! That's pretty crazy. In the end, this economy has REALLY put a damper on MANY people's racing plans. I'm playing mine by ear... __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

04-02-2009, 08:38 AM	#4
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Topeka, which is TWO weeks EARLIER than Englishtown, currently only has: - 1 Entry in Comp - 0 Entries in S/S - 1 Entry in Stk - 6 Entries in S/C - 0 Entries in S/G - 0 Entries in S/St Wow...Good thing NHRA has the grade point / quota system in place this year... __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

04-02-2009, 10:07 AM	#5
H.A.A.C. Racing Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 319 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. In my case I only have a grade 5 (lack of money last year) I am praying that it will be enough to get in this year, but I am nervous!

04-02-2009, 10:08 AM	#6
G E T Racin Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Hi Gary, I too think you're right on both statements. With expenses going up, payouts stay the same, and contingency $ going down it's finally not "worth" it for a lot of racers to chase the wally. People are having a hard enough time paying thier regular bills, much less having extra for racing. I still refuse to pay the oil down penalty, so you won't see me there. __________________ Gary T

04-02-2009, 10:13 AM	#7
G E T Racin Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Pete, I believe 4's and under have been getting in the last couple years. My last race there I got in with a 4 in sst and that was 2 or 3 years ago. Most national events this year you could be a 0 or 1 and still get in. I'm sure Jason could enlighten us on those figures. lol __________________ Gary T

04-02-2009, 10:57 AM	#8
mannymen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 728 Likes: 4 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Can you get in with a ZERO? __________________ N/A

04-02-2009, 11:27 AM	#9
Bill Koski Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 213 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Not supposed to be able to. The oil down penalties have been waived this year according to an edict some time ago.

04-02-2009, 11:28 AM	#10
SSTHottie1236 Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bath, PA Posts: 136 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Times are a changin. Well unless you were going for points, how many people actually have an 8 to enter this week? I could have used a year like this when I had a 1 when I started racing Super Street. Although I am surprised by Super Comp as you have 2 classes worth of 8s allowed to enter and you only see 21 entered so far. I'm thinking E-Town will be close to filled in the end since there is only 2 D1 national events (yeah I know Virginia is 3 but seriously no) and the other divisions can kinda pick and choose what nationals they go to more than we can. Kelli 1236 S/ST 1836 S/G __________________ Kelli 1236 S/ST 1836 S/G