Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Just finished reading the IHRA segment of Drag Central regarding subject facility upgrades in anticipation of the upcoming Nitro Jam May 20-21. Touted were the improvements to the racing surface, area behind the starting line, new lighting, etc. in order to enhance the fan experience and excitement created by the nostalgia railcars, Top Sportsmen, The Gravedigger, and various other headliners, i.e. junior dragsters, and local bracket racers. Whee!

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Roger,
We will be able to enjoy those same upgrades when we go there in August for the TOC race. It's not like they will change it back because the Low life Classy racers show up.
Chip

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

No top sportsman either......
Don't get me wrong- I like running IHRA... I also like running pittsburgh....
BUT.... this puts a bad taste in my mouth.
I've heard many people on here bitch that nhra was (or is) going to cut the sportsman out of their program (and run pro's only).... I would have never guessed IHRA would have done it first. (It's not the size of the pits either.... they have plenty of space on both sides of the track- just as much room as their other stops on their tour).
I guess it hits home because it's so close to home for me.... It still stinks.

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Tom,
I feel your pain. How many National events did Rockingham have over the years?
Chip

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

There will be two S/SS races at Pittsburgh this year...and they'll even be 1/4 mile.

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

I agree with Tom about the size of the pits, and this would be the closest race for me too. They have plenty of room. They can park spectators at the motorcross track area if they have to.

I also feel that the only way to get a big crowd is to have all the local bracket racers so more of their friends and other locals will come. Maybe PRP management feels that there isn't enough time to run everyone, and maybe building a bigger local fan base will be better for the sport in the entire region in the long run.

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Maybe with the support the class racers have shown IHRA did'nt want to take another hit.
HHHHMMMM

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Couldn't blame them.

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

How about they enhance the racers experience and install some modern SCALES!!!!!

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

or lengthen the shut down :)

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

If they lengthen the shut down, I think they will have to build a bridge won't they?

"How about they enhance the racers experience and install some modern SCALES!!!!!"
I like that too Bryan!

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Chris, thats funny.

I really like that track especially 1/8th mile.
Chip

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Chip,
I agree that someone would take the hit but it wouldn't be IHRA would it. As I understand it don't the tracks pick from the IHRA smorgasboard of classes(PRO NITRO) and decide on what they want. With the early season Pro Am there last year and the meager participation of the Sportsman Racers I don't know if I would want to take the chance. With the Nitro show they should turn a good profit and the bracket cars are profitable as well. With ALL the other sportsman classes, they are probably wanting to be as profitable as possible. Div. 3 had a hard time scheduling races because the Divisional races are losers for the last couple of years. I don't like it any better than anyone else,but these folks are running a business!!!
Jeff Ross

Re: Pittsburgh Raceway Park
 

Jeff,
A lot of Nitro Jams are track rentals. I was told last year Feld said Why do we have races for these Class guys and loose money when we can have a bracket race and show a profit.
Hand writing is on the wall.
Chip