Spencer Speedway is currently a 1/10 mile dragstrip. Although the starting line has teeth due to some hard work by the officials. They added scoreboards this past season and are talking about making it an eigth mile. When i was a kid they ran class cars there. These days just brackets with alot of restrictions from the town.

Not the best choice for the open series.

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Totally agree. I know lots of people that race there on a weekly basis that swear by it (they primarily like the entry fee vs. payout structure), but it is definitely not suitable for an open race at this time.

Are there really that few NHRA member tracks in D1 now that somebody would seriously suggest Spencer? Looking for tracks that we don't currently visit for LODRS events or opens, the quarter-mile list includes:

- ESTA
- Island
- Mason-Dixon
- Capitol
- Delmar
- Luskville

The only track I've ever been at on this list is Delmar, which I didn't think was terrible (I always DID terrible there, but I could never blame it on the track). That said, I have to say that looking at the division from a geographical standpoint, ESTA is about as near in the center as you can possibly get, with Island the next closest.

From a central location to population density though, I don't think you could pick any better from that list than Island.

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Jason, I agree with you on the other tracks.
Mason-Dixon was a nice track with GREAT people running it! Elmer did a lot of improvements to it over the last few years. Problem is the amount of money the tracks have to pay NHRA to hold any Open or Divisional. Heard it was pretty steep and with everything in this country going the way it's going, maybe they don't want to take the chance of losing their shirts!!!

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Lynn,
You hit it right on the head, the tracks don't want the Open races. A couple of years of low car counts and bad weather and thats it. After the last Open at L.V. Howard said he'll only have one if he can get one in the spring or the fall. He said that last open cost him a bunch. It's too bad, it's nice to go to a race thats one day, close to home, not over crowded and good for a grade point. I think what hurts the car count is there are just to many races in D1. It's good for the racer but not for the track operators.

Dave, congratulations on your Stock Eliminator Open Series Championship! Nice touch with the win at the Dutch.

Big thumbs-up to P.C. Richards for their continued support!

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Hey Adam:
The owner of the baddest Firebird stocker on the planet!! I knew that I would draw you out, based upon our conversation at the Grove with Tom.
You are right! It does give the northern guys a place to race somewhat locally. And I do respect the travel that you and the other racers from up there endure, when you trek down this way. I am just not sure how many guys from down this way want to spend the extra cabbage for fuel, if they can race locally and maintain a budget. Especially given the current economics.

Soooooooooo, to eliminate Island that might have more racers within a given radius and move it to an outer extremity, north OR south, just seems to test logic. How about an Open at both??
Bang!! There ya go!!

Take care and have a great holiday season.

JC

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

The exact reason a facility like New England Dragway is still IHRA sanctioned.
This weeks rumor is to flip in 2010?

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Two big reasons, Safety and Economics ...

ESTA: Currently no guardrail trackside. Very limited pit space and very short staging area. Also probably not interested in making a big investment based on the history of the Island and Mason Dixon races. Remember, these track owners and operators do talk to one another.
Island: Thier choice to stop. No money to be had with and average of 120 cars in 3 years.
Mason-Dixon: Thier choice to stop. Again, no profit. Great folks just looking out for thier business.
Capitol: Lack of pit space as I understand it.
Delmar: Owners choice to stop. Doubt they will ever come back.
Luskville: ??

Remember too, most of you guys only park and race at the track. Very few of you buy at the concession stands or souvenier shops. That is where a track makes money. You bring all of your own supplies. And since these races do not draw much in the way of crowds, nobody is selling much of anything.

Bottom line is thank goodness for a guy like Gary Richard and his undying support of D1 racing.

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Thanks to Sony & P.C. Richards ! Nice job Dave on your great season . I have never traveled to Canada what do you need , or what problems might one run into ? Do you need a passport ? Whats NHRA charging the tracks for an open or a div race , anybody know the numbers ? To bad for Island , they could benifit from alittle management 101 . Englishtown needs new neighbors and when they move to FLA or N. C.to retire , will they buy next to another race track again ? I miss US13 .........

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

PC Richards does a great job for us racers in D-1. In addtion to sponsoring the National Opens I recently had the opportunity to buy a flat screen 43 inch TV, DVD, surround sound setup and his staff in the Bronx were great. They came when they said they were to set up, very courteous and the price was more than fair. Everyone should visit one of his stores not only becasue he sponsors our D-1 races but becasue it is a quality business.

Re: Sony & P.C. Richard.com Does it Again
 

Gary does a real service in sponsoring the Open series.Like Joe I went and bought all my new kitchen appliances at the Woodbridge store.Very helpful staff and a real nice racers discount.Just mention you race with Gary and they take good care of you.
Merry Christmas at all (and also Channukah,Kwaanza etc.)

Ed F.