what is wrong with the national events
 

after a long time off of running nhra, i just ran the z-max , thursday was great but what happened to the track friday morning, not a lot of cars were making it down the track, i was not the only one! super gas was about 50-50 to make it to the finish, i have noticed a lot of sportsman racing during nationals has been this same way. what is happening? i should have just sent them a check and stayed home, also i was alone, 10 or more track personell standing around and no one would help direct into the water box. i realize we are dirt to them but someone is going to get hurt bad if they don't make the racing surface better. oh yea and the way to get into the track and the amusment park style move in maze was a delight also. very nice track but what gives? anyone else please tell their storys of this prep and overall feelings of this or all these races...

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

they used all the .90 cars to prep the right2 lanes ( all others ran left 2) and didn't give a s8it about anybodys car or safety , I think the problem is the concrete , it does not heat up as fast as the asphalt does and sat. morning 46 deg. didn,t help, but I also smelled more alcohol then vht when they did spray. They have hard enough time trying to keep 2 lanes good let alone 4.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

from what I have heard is since NHRA signed the deal with VP a few years ago, they are required to use the VP traction compound. The VP traction compound is not effective under 60 degrees as the VHT is. So when the temp is low you are virtually racing on a non sticky cold surface perhaps quite slick. In addition to this problem Z-Max does not host a weekly bracket program and only opens for certain scheduled races per year and does not have the rubber applied to the track as well as other facilities.

After watching the TV coverage today, not just sportsman but EVERYONE must have had problems on that track. Perhaps Bruton Smith should have build just 2 lanes but equipped those lanes with a Geo Thermal system that would warm it in COLD weather and cool it in HOT weather.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Disregard previous post ..... was told my information is inaccurate ..... that is what I was told the end of last season, however I was not informed of the aparent rumor that I just stated is not true .... (traction compound part)

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I can't say anything since I was not there but, I was not impressed with the 4 wide circus. A girl I work with went and she said the sound was unreal but, as far as trying to keep track of everything going down the track was impossible. I just cross my fingers that this is not the future of drag racing....heard rumors that Las Vegas is the next track to add 4 lanes and go 4 wide since Bruton has tons of room to do it.

As far as the traction compound problem it just seems to me they do what they always do with everything. They asked the Nitro teams what traction compound works great for their cars and they could care less about what is good for the 600 other competitors. As long as the Nitro cars can hook up and please the crowd thats all they care about.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Fact is, they need to move this race back a good month. At the end of March, the average daily high is in the mid-60's. The average daily low is about 40°, but snow is still possible at this time of year for them. Move the race a month later, the average temperatures move up about 10°, and the problem should be solved.

What's also interesting is that there is also a precipitation spike that occurs at the end of March, AND the highest average wind speed for the year is also this time of year (about 9mph). Does anybody from NHRA even look at these statistics before they schedule races? Obviously not...And I can't believe that NHRA or Bruton Smith are happy with the results. Did you see the number of fans in the stands yesterday? Good luck getting people to buy tickets today for the conclusion of the show.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune Keith. As I was stating to somebody at the track on Friday, it's one thing to lose, but it totally sucks to lose because of something outside of your control. If you were the only guy that couldn't get down the track I would feel differently, but at least 25% of the Super Street competitors got loose and had to lift Friday morning (that was the only session of Super Street that I saw, and I immediately went a a few friends running in S/G and told them to be careful because the track was obviously slick).

As for the 4-wide thing, it was cool at first. But, I can count on one hand the number of times that all 4 cars got down the track right next to each other the whole way down (including Pro Stock). Plus, though they may have had twice the number of Safety Safari personnel on hand (according to Paul Page), they didn't have twice the equipment, which meant that track prep between classes took twice as long. This made for a LOT of down time listening to that a-hole scream at me while he was shooting T-shirts into the stands, or directing some other stupid contest (TV theme song trivia, tricycle races, etc.)

IMHO, if they can't / won't run on two lanes while they are prepping the other two (and I understand the reasoning behind this), it will be a mistake for Bruton Smith to make Las Vegas a 4-wide track too. The Pro drivers hated it, and though the fans WANTED to see this, I think their opinion of it has probably changed after watching it (I know mine has). This could be a one-and-done deal...

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I was driving the Silver Nova in Super Street. With this being my 1st National event to participate in, I didn't know many people in the class. After my 1st run Friday in the left lane, being the 2nd pair out with Brian Funderburk, I met plenty of new friends wondering was it as bad in the car as it looked from the outside.

Li'l Rick

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Probably the worst surface I have ever raced on at a National Event, was def. an enhanced experience. Very poor starting line cew help. Sent S/St out and after 10 pairs couldnt get down, scrape and spray, then 10 more pairs would go and then it would go away again. The groove had to be about 20 inches wide, anywhere over that and you were on a ice rink. Can get screwed closer to home.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

But Gary you got to be part of the 4-wide experience....hahaha..

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

from what i understood the 2nd round of s/st and 1st round of s/g was just as bad. (sat. mourning). would like to hear some comments from the s/g crowd, i watched their time run friday mourning and it looked very scarry. i would like to see nhra seriously look into this type of problem before someone gets seriously hurt. and off subject paul paige and this 4-wide race was next to impossible to comprehend. was there, and watched it on tv also, still very confusing, i am sure the pros did not like it too much...

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Sounds like it is'nt just z-mzx but every national event NHRA & IHRA. It's been that way since last october. When are the powers that be going to realize HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

You want a reply here it is...THAT PLACE BLOWS! Same crap last year in the fall but they did finally prep it correctly,in the fall. All three qualifying laps,this week, I was side ways and second qual I was beside Steve Cohen and I could hear him spinning with his motor reving infact he was so pissed he made it known to the boys up in the tower. I bought a new set of tires although the 2032 Goodyears only had 50 runs, and got down first round but blew a fuse in my stop and it never closed so I ran a 9.13 DUH. I'm to reliant on that stop even knocking off 25 mph so I was a sitting duck. I doubt if I'll go back there unless we have some promise of a better surface. My SC Dragster has a big motor but big tires to and I had no problem getting down in it but I watched as much SG as I could and like the other person said 50% or so went down. Lets don't forget how horrible Atlanta was a few weeks ago to. Belagio my as.....

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I have to agree, what a beautiful track but the racing surface was absolutely terrible for sportsman cars. I have a low HP S/ST car and had trouble getting down the track Friday, I'm sure the guys with 140mph or faster in S/ST and the fast S/G cars had a hand full. I hope they can get it sorted out before some one gets hurt.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Keith, you could have taken that money and bought a set of street tires, mufflers, and tags, and have some fun with me on the street. Take a break from the aggravation, till they get their stuff together. Then you can go back. Put mama in that mopar and come on up to Ocean City in May for the Cruzin O.C. It's alot of fun with no aggravation....leave your B/P meds at home...don't need um!

Oh....did I mention the all you can eat seafood !

Wade Mahaffey

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I've run a few national events over the years but over the last couple the handwriting is on the wall they dont care about sportsman racers. I like going to national events to see my friends & have a chance to get the Big Wally & contingency money but as we can all see thats is going down hill.ZMax is a beautiful place but it is all about the show not for me anymore.Ive owned my Vega since 1989 it weighs 2900 lbs goes 150@ 9.90 that was the 3rd time since I owned it that it would not make it down the track! Warren Johnson said it a few years ago that they are ruining the sport for 32 cars he hit the nail right on head!

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I too did the slip and slide 2 step dance about 800 ft out, last time run and 1st round.
I dropped 1/4 lb out of my tires to help, but it was like ice down track. I've heard that there are issues with the traction compound but don't know for sure. Just a real shame we all invest time and $$ for such a waste of runs. See you at Div 3 in Indy in a few weeks.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I think Gary has some video of the camaro on a slip and slide pass if he can share.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I have never been on so many marginal tracks as this year. I have lost traction at Atlanta and Gainesville. I have no Idea what they are doing different but but WOW this is not OK! If any of you Dick Heads in charge actualy read, your going to kill someone.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I agree with Jeff.
Something has changed this year over last year.
I do not know what but something has changed.
Only NHRA knows.
From East coast to West coast it is the same problem.
NHRA has always been known to get the show done no matter what but this year is totally out of hand.
My 2 Cents

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I have been trying to talk Kevin Sway into this but I am wondering how many people out there would be interested? Have a .90 Gamblers weekend (Similiar to the Mitchell races)
3 races- fri,sat, sun run the .90 classes with Top Sportsman and Dragster....No dealing with NHRA or sticker money.... cash at the end of the day

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

This is a link to Tommy De's pass, I'll try to upload more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trFJv...ayer_embedded#

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Don't know if it's me or the angle of the camera but looks like a narrow grove and he was a little to the right ??

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Bob there was no groove, 3 inches left or right your on ice.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kA8SpNcPus

Rd 1 Cohen Vs Gilespie S/G

Bryan getting out of groove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGpvj...eature=channel

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Well with half the Street and Gas guys not getting down the track ya think they would have tried something else......guess it was like that for time runs?

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

It was a narrow grove, but the right lane was really trash ( really slick about half way down ). I thought it sucked that nobody would help you into the water box. I got sideways coming out of the box on every run. Also my car would not steer going to staging from the box while on the brakes. I think it being slick coming to the starting line was part of why I deep staged in the second round.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I was going to call ya to find out what happened but I thought I'd wait and talk to ya at Indy (give ya a chance to cool off). With your light, I figured something went wrong!!
Seems that the Nationals aren't geared for the sportsman racers anymore...

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Well, I'm just goin to second and third everything that was said to this point. What a mistake and waist of time and money. My hit Thursday morning ,in the left lane, was the only decent one of the weekend. Friday morning I experienced what must have been tire shake at 800', and as most of you know, my car is a 3200 lb. turd compared to most of SST cars. It has never done anything like that, nor will it probably ever again. First round, as we're headed down the track, I decide I've pretty much had a azz handed to me (which I did) and dump my guy. The back tires locked instantly, and I slid for probably a solid second. Believe me when I say that I did not brake excessively (at least not for other tracks). When watching the NHRA drag the track around 660', I noticed that the drag was not squeeling, AT ALL! To me that don't make sense. Sounded sticky when they walked on it, but I think there is a difference in stick and traction. NHRA needs to change what they are doing, or racers need to quit supporting these events. (HA HA, yeah, I know)

I could not get over the lack of a sense of urgency, when faced with rain on Sunday. I was not watching, so unless the track was getting "worse" as it got later, I could not believe that they did not run longer Saturday night. Then I don't think they started until between 10 & 11 Sunday morning........................with rain coming....................????????????????? :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused:

How was the track Saturday night? Was anyone elses 60's slow a BUNCH?

I guess what confuses me most is why poeple wait in line to go through this crap.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

[QUOTE I guess what confuses me most is why poeple wait in line to go through this crap.[/QUOTE]



not me anymore, and if this happens in ihra i'll go back to brackets, street racing is safer than what happened at this event,
tommy d, sorry did not get to talk to you, good to see you again!

wade, i live 15 min from oc. i get a lot of seafood, your right i hope to have the stroker together for the coronet, but colleen ain't driving, would have to double my meds! p.s. you gotta try the bonfire resturant.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Hey Keith,

Will you be running MIR in April?






Quckrod 161
SS/EM 161

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

yea man, i'll be there, you comming? where you been, snowbound?

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

The only thing odd I noticed from the videos (besides Bryan opening his door a second before he's about to leave the line) is that on both of Bryan's runs and Tommy D's run the burnouts didn't produce hardly any smoke. Is that normal for your routines? if it is, that's fine, but I'm used to a little more smoke than the small wisp that was evident there. Is this possibly an indication of something different with the track?

It was cold as all get out. My understanding was that they didn't start running until a little later on Saturday and Sunday was because they were trying to build heat into the track. I can't say whether that is true or not though.

If nothing else, I enjoyed the commentary at the end of the video of Tommy D's run. I think it summed it up perfectly.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Jason thats normal for me with my Mickey's they had nobody in water box & no water maybe water shortage (not in NJ thats for sure)the car left fine it was after it came off stop with my mammoth horsepower it went hard right I tried to recover but after 2nd move forget it. Nice to see you @ track Jason maybe next time with your car. Keith I might go to MIR if weather is nice try IHRA cause NHRA has not been fun lately!

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

(besides Bryan opening his door a second before he's about to leave the line)
I open the door to let the smoke out of the car and close after both per stage bulbs are lite always have always will.
As for the short burnout , that is all that is needed to hook ( I like my vavle springs) as Tommy said the 60' was fine the problem was about 400' thru 800' out as seen in 2nd video of Camaro ( car moved to center line )
See ya all @ MIR

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

What that video did not show was my car turning left with front tires in the air. 002 and trying to wreck my car. This was with out question the worst track I have ever been on. The NHRA did not seem to think there was a problem as usual, real smart lets use the virgin lanes at Charlotte for all the super classes. And as normal lets get the show done with no regard to there sportsman racers or there cars. Bracket racing is going to get a lot more populated by NHRA sportsman racers at the rate NHRA keeps ****ting on us.


Steve Cohen

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Jim....I think the shine has dulled quite a bit on the "wally's"....a 3 day 3 seperate .90/top race should draw ..travel once race 3 times...I'm in...Duane

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I think if the timing of race was right it would draw a lot of cars! I'll be there would also help out in organizing it! Call me 732-239-6490 Tommy De

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

From what i saw Tommy D over powered the track and was out of the groove. Plus having 20 psi in the rear tires not good. I think he was still thinking he was in NJ driving in the snow or he was dodging gators in florida.
just my .02 LOL

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

Just reading all these posts about how bad Phoenix, Gainesville, Atlanta and Charlotte were for the sportsman guys I'm glad I decided to just run MASGA 9.90 this year and skip all the National Events. Dad is running all the Division races and National Opens but, NO National Events this year. Plus with the S/C circuit forming back up it will be a fun time for sure. See you at Atco.

Re: what is wrong with the national events
 

I would have been screwed with nobody to put me in the water. Plus, my small block doesn't make "mammoth power" like all your big blocks - I may not even have been able to do a burnout!

Yes true. Bryan stated the same thing, so I am in full agreement. The burnouts most likely didn't have anything to do with it (not that I thought that they did, but I know a lot of guys that boil the hides, so your's and Bryan's burnouts are certainly on the short side compared to many).

Good to see you too Tommy. I can only hope that the next time you do see me I am with car in tow. At least you've seen my car on the way to the races - most people on ClassRacer probably don't even believe I own one.

Not criticizing Bryan, just busting on you. I also open the door after every burnout to let the smoke out. I usually close the door immediately before I go into the prestage beam, but to each his own.

Pfft. Valve springs. Who needs stinking valve springs?!?! That's why I like my stinking small block - 8,000 rpm in the burnout box. Of course, I've also been known to leave half of my small block on the starting line, but that's another story.

As for your burnout and it affecting the run - see my comments above with regard to Tommy D's burnout. Regardless, sorry all you guys got screwed...