Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

Well it finally happened. We spun the tires. Not just a little, but a real exercise in tire frying. PJ1 aka "Pork Job 1" does not work, nor does it feel good to be cheated by the track because of poor track preparation using inferior materials.

In my opinion Racers want three things, a safe place to race, friendly treatment, and above all a track that works.

When a track advertises that it will have an Open or a Divisional, it tells me that track prep will be equal or better than a national event prep using the same materials and methods. If the track fails to produce a race track that is good, we the racers do not receive the value that we expected.

I for one will call ahead and find out what traction compound will be used and make my decision on whether to attend. If the track will not hook, it is not a safe place to race,nor do we receive friendly treatment. I will spend my monies elsewhere!

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

Here is the final qualifying on which we will be paired after first round random pairing. They just called us up for first round.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/003.jpg

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

I believe most want a safe environment and great hook....have given up on the friendly part....ha!

Alex Denysenko said it years ago....just ding us another 5 bucks if thats what it takes for a track that hooks

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

In todays times many business owners [track owners] are trying to make money and are cutting cost where they can, but some are making it wrong places. New paint, mowed grass, nice new sign, but then use traction compound that does not work. Would you go back to a car wash that won,t clean your car? Stock Superstock cars different animals on the starting line and starting line crews are used to bracket cars. Just because the bracket cars a hooking they think are cars should be too. Tom

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

National records set this weekend:

M/SA Wade Owens 11.651 off of 12.85

SS/KA Jim Harrison 10.322 off of11.25

GT/I Tim Nicholson 9.86 off of 10.95

R/S Gary Summers 12.767 off of 13.95

This is all unofficial. Marty Buth may have set record also.

We got beat 1st round so we are headed home.

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

Larry as we all know the VP traction compound is iffy at best. All you track owners and operators that try to save money by using this stuff are kidding yourself. You will run your customers off and it will be hard to get them back.

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

Larry, what other fuel did they have? Renegade? If so is that what you had tested? Did it pass etc? I went to a open in Valdosta a couple years ago and all they had was "track gas" It was something like C-16? Something crazy. I am sorry for your bad experience.

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

So who is the Bozo who runs St. Louis? Sounds as if all he wants is bracket cars there. Tells the fuel guy NOT to bring C11 or C12? Uses VP Non-Traction compound? Why didn't he just put a big sign at the gate saying "Class Cars Not Wanted"! Jim

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Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

We Just made it home from St Louis. It seems that the bracket races was more of a priority than the open. I am not saying we were treated bad, the schedule was followed very well.
Others were having traction problems, that have very well sorted out cars.
What irritates me, I look at a National Open as a mini divisional. There was no fuel check? Scales and tech and that was it. I am unsure what took place for the record runs, in regards to fuel check. People traveling 4 hrs plus, and not having a common fuel that is used by S/SS cars for sale is a lack of having a clue about the cars you are having a race for.

What is the difference between Wichita, Ks hosting a National Open without having scales, and St Louis having one and not requiring fuel check? The Wichita race was cancelled due to not having scales.

We are very fortunate to have a very nice facility hosting a race for us, so I do not want to sound ungrateful to the track, hopefully these comments will not fall on deaf ears and next year improvements will be made.

Sean

Re: "Live" from St. Louis National Open 2013
 

For those out there wondering. Fuel check was only required for record runs and was checked on Saturday only as no records could be made sunday. As to track conditions for some cars it was hit miss. By chance for my stick car 60's varied by .015 through 7passes over two days. Not killer but not bad on two year old slicks. Congrats to brett and Dave in the final double breakout with the 12 sec mustang taking the cash and trophy.