Vegas LODRS
 

I've had a heck of a time getting the schedule for this event ready. I would like to know the thoughts of the STK/SS crowd on running once Friday morning, and then twice on Saturday morning, with all eliminations on Sunday.

Looks like SST and MC would also be in the same boat.

Please let me know your thoughts (those of you that will be there) as I would like to post something to the division website by tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks,
Mike

I assume that this is Mike Rice? If so why not 2 runs Saturday then Elims on Sunday. Or how about limiting the field to catagories that compete in the LODRS only and that are eligibile to compete for national points. Or we could move to division 6 where you get 3 or 4 qualifying runs at a points meet, Think about it we'll get less runs than a "National Event" and be there almost as long. I've been there before and it always turns out that the 2nd run Saturday turns into 1st round.



Mark Tallent
7724 Stk.
7724 SS

PS. With a schedule like that I won't be there so maybe my opinion doesn't count?

D7D, That sounds like a very good idea, we all know you have alot of cars to get down the track, so the idea of one run on friday for stock and super/stock and two runs on saturday would mean they could use the rest of the day to do something else as long as the schedule isnt changed after the last run for that day. Nobody wants to return to the track to find out there class ran when they were gone. Please post your final schedule, Thanks.

I would also say the 2 runs on Saturday is the way to go!! If you show up on Saturday as a stock or super stock contestant then you may miss the run. We are not pros and do need to work to support this sick habit. I have quit due to the time restraints and would like to come back, but i cannot afford or need to be gone 4 or 5 days at a time for a divisinal.

disclaimer 4 kids and wife, no sponsor.

Scott Loge

Mike,

First off, thanks for asking our opinion. You know you usually don't have to ask, but since you have here goes:

I would vote for two runs Friday morning. Stock, Super something, Superstock then repeat this and be done with these three classes for the day. Saturday do the same thing and again we are done. This would give you the rest of the day to run the other two Super somethings, Comp and Alcohol. As I understand it the Alcohol show is a nite time show so include the other extra classes between the Alcohol rounds.

I believe Top Dragster & Top Sportsman had about 80 cars at D7-1. They do not run for points or championships. Why are they included in the program? I believe they took over two 1/2 hours to run at that event. I lost count. They take their time towing up, they burnout across the line and then they make tuning changes while they sit in front of the line trying to act just like T/F racers. Same story for Top Sportsman. The same 2.5 hour period would take care of 150+ stock and super stock cars. But then again, they have no tear down or post race inspections to contend with. It seems to us that are enhancements with race reductions and no time to run a race will get us booted right out the gate sooner than latter.
I would like to offer my advice. If you must run these T/S, T/D and MC at a D7 race, run until late at night, at least 8:00 or 9:00. There are few tracks in D7 with a curfew, definetly not Chandler or Vegas. NHRA is pulling in an extra 200+ cars at Chandler, they can afford the overtime.
Personally, I believe T/S, T/D and MC should be run at bracket programs as they are not point earning vehicles. Why has NHRA found the need for these at divisional races?
I have also heard a rumor NHRA will no longer offer altitude correction factors at tracks like Vegas and index will now be off sea level. What is the rationale behind that decision if this rumor is true? Is NHRA trying to make it impossible to set a national record in the high regions of the USA? Or is it because NHRA tech is overworked with these huge car counts?
I have to say I appreciate you coming on here and extending your hand out to us. So please do not take this as an attack, it's not. But I raced at D7-1 and that was the worst racing experience I've ever had in 20+ years of racing. And it was due to two factors - increased car count and track closing as soon as possible every night.
Your proposed schedule seems acceptable, as long as it does work out that way. But if NHRA and track crew insist on an early dinner, I predict it will not pan out as scheduled.
Please keep us informed. It will go a long way towards cooling the fire's out here. We do know you have a tough job, but put yourself in our shoes and we will try the same towards you.
Sorry I couldn't use my real name, can't afford tear down gaskets with $12 per gallon race fuel!

Way to go Mike!

Proud of ya man.

Thanks for asking and I hope our boys and girls don't turn this post into a rant fest. If I was racing this meet I would certainly vote for the One/Friday - Two/Saturday idea.

eye-vill-be-bak......!

( aka 7421 Bruce Fulper)






"The less I race the crankier I get..."

For those Stock, Super/Stock racers who may want to set a record it would be nice to have 2 on Friday so they could teardown and still get a hit on Saturday. Unless they could seal and tear on Friday and back up on Saturday?

A bad day racing is better than a good day at work except for Div 7. Real men shift for them selves. 06/07 G/S record holder

I think three runs over two days should be the minimum scheduled. It's otherwise pretty hard to set records and breakage on the first pass can't always be fixed that quickly.

My only trip to a Vegas points meet as a spectator was an enjoyable but different experience. On the Friday i left the hotel in the dark and ate my drive-thru breakfast at 90mph or so and still managed to miss most of Stock. On Saturday i got up earlier , drove faster (rental car only did 110mph) and as i skidded into the pits the cars were lining the staging lanes... in the dark at 6:30 AM.

Super Stock was two classes later. Just Super Gas and Super Comp in between as i recall. I think that was around 1pm! I walked around the pits while they ran SG and about the start of SC i drove off out the gate and did the whole tour of Shelby's shop and watched a couple chassis dyno sessions of 900hp Subarus in the industrial park, ate lunch at the restaurant by the freeway , visited the huge gift shop across the street and when i got back there were still more Super Comp dragsters in the lanes than i'd ever seen at a Div 6 race!


Very considerate of Mike to ask.

Guys!

The Director is asking for suggestions. We need RACERS giving suggestions. DAMN - sometimes I think some people need to borrow the mules 2 x 4 as an incentive to participate here.

Rod Greens idea is a great one. As a record hunter I can't believe it didn't dawn on me. Man...if I was wanting to set a record at this event I'd be begging Mike to have two hits on Friday.


hello, hello...is this thing on?


"The less I race the crankier I get..."

I wish Division 1 would do this.....make it easier for the working people and not have to see people going home on saturday. Joe Franco SS176

Mike, You know I would prefer 1 Friday & 2 Saturday. It would sure help us working class to know that if we can't make it Friday, we will still get 2 on Saturday.
Maybe you could also look at giving a 2nd hit late Friday if time permits?

Mike,

Again, thanks for asking. I am pretty sure that this is a first so everybody reading should be appreciative. I am definitely in favor of getting two runs Saturday so if you are not able to make it Friday you only miss out on one run. Even if you miss Saturdays first run while getting teched or whatever you still get a stab at the track and tree. I might be one of the few that think time runs are overrated but for those racers who like to show up early and get as many hits as possible, two runs both days would be great. But lets not be greedy and take what we can get. If we are given a choice, I think we have to go with two on Saturday for the hard working, blue collar, stock and superstock racers who work as much as possible to make that extra buck. I would also like to add, if that became the set format for division races, racers might not think that one run Friday would be worth the extra time and money, therefore making the bulk of the race a two day event saving everybody time and money. Maybe Friday could be for those racers who want to test, set records, get teched in, so on and so forth. Just my thoughts. Looking forward to see the final outcome. Everythings always so simple when your not the one that actually has to do it!

I think that schedule is great, besides records/tear down reasons, why would you really need more than 2 runs . I will be shoing up on Friday nights at some races this year if this idea sticks.


NorCal 7071

Mike,

If car count is the issue then why not qualified fields in all categories.
Stock/Superstock are 128 car fields no matter how many show. Why not the same for the other categories as well? This would not help the Friday, Saturday deal but could cut down the total time to finish the weekend.

Scott Loge

Hey Mike we already exchanged e-mails on this.

I will be happy with one run on Saturday but two - wow - what a good thing.

For record guys - I am not opposed to them getting an extra run Friday to back up a previous "under the record" run where they had an "R" on the window. Could not be that many.

My three cents worth.

Looks like a lot of folks feel like me - unless you are retired or not working a regular job - these back to back weekends at the same track are tough.

:-) peace



You can always make more money but you can never make more time - spend your time wisely

I'm not sure the super classes need more than 3 runs over 2 days as long as everyone knows it going in. Stock and Superstock should get 4 runs because of qualifing on a ladder and records smaller car counts etc.... If we had a posted pre-race rotating schedule for Fri 3 vs Sat 1 1st round or fri 1 Sat 3 1st round sunday at different races, racers could plan ahead as to which races they are going to attend knowing the majority of their runs were going to be on Friday or Saturday just like Comp.

See ya at the races,
Rich Pinoski

ttt

Lower gas prices now.....

Why dont we get to the real problem, instead of doing a tap dance? The points races are for racers earning points towards Divisional, National, Jegs Championships,etc. If the people in charge had any idea how hard it is to win one, they would change there operating procedure. All points earning classes should get 2 runs per day Period. NHRA and or the track operators want the extra income from all the add on classes, thats ok but not at our expence. That is the real problem. Run ,them on thursday, end of problem.

Nicely put Gregg!! That is the truth!! The top sportsman and top comp cars are super gas and super comp cars with the timers turned off. We turn the timers off and get horsepower?!?! Makes perfect sence to me.
Mr. Rice do the right thing and allow all to get 2 runs on both days.

Scott Loge

" For record guys - I am not opposed to them getting an extra run Friday to back up a previous "under the record" run where they had an "R" on the window. Could not be that many. "
Good one, Ron

Mike, record setting cars should get two runs Friday.


Mark Yacavone
Blue Streak Promotions

D7D
Ditto on what Greg said. For whatever reason, you guys have deemed it necessary to create two new non-points earning categories. The purpose of a points race is to set national records and compete for points on a divisional and national level. With your normal schedule of shutting things down by 5 pm everyday, there is only one way you can run the additonal cars...cut our program. Here's a novel thought....why not take some of those additional gate/entry fees, buy yourself and the staff dinner at the track and keep the show running at least til dark? It wasn't that long ago when we wouldn't be leaving the track on fridays til after 9pm and having run 4 time trials that day...the car counts haven't changed that drastically since the 90's...what happened?

Chuck Rayburn SS/BA 7426

How about using a run card? A max of 2 per day with a total of 3 for the weekend.

My vote is for 2 Saturday.

Greggs got it right Points earners at Points races

A bad day racing is better than a good day at work except for Div 7. Real men shift for them selves. 06/07 G/S record holder

Greggs got it right

POINTS EARNERS AT POINTS RACES
No more Dog and Pony shows

A bad day racing is better than a good day at work except for Div 7. Real men shift for them selves. 06/07 G/S record holder

I am coming down and my vote is with Brian, Greg, and Chuck. There are National Opens, Summit series etc. for ruinning these non championship points earning classes. Is ther a test and tune on thursday? I need to know so I know when to leave. A long drive. Thanks for asking Mike.

Further to my previous post -

The extra record back up run on Friday would not count as a qualifier.



You can always make more money but you can never make more time - spend your time wisely

Test and tune is not worth it. I did it a couple of years ago so many .90's cars I only got 2 runs and it seems to me it was $100.00

A bad day racing is better than a good day at work except for Div 7. Real men shift for them selves. 06/07 G/S record holder

Mike, I didn't answer your question. Run one on friday. 3rd out. Than two runs on saturday but rotate stock and super stock so the super stock crowd has a good shot at the morning air to set records.[:-cheers-:]

TTT

Lower gas prices now.....

3 pages latter, some of you are finally catching on!

So any truth to this rumor?

The altitude factors should be either adjusted or gotten rid of, some of the records are 1.50 under the standard (sea level) index.
If the factors were set at a more reasonable rate, no problem, but if they continue to use the factors as they are set, then they should be tossed.
The bottom line is why should someone have their cake and eat it too.
If I run 1.40 under I get HP, 1.40 under at a factored track you get a record and no HP


1100 I/S

Absolutely Bill!

I don't understand why all tracks don't have standardized and calibrated weather stations. I'm sure there are companies that would love to be the "official weather station of the NHRA." This way records could be corrected to sea level no matter if you are racing in Atco, NJ or Bandimere, CO.

We can still give racers kudos for putting a big number on the board but not penalize racers across the country for someone running a stout number in mineshaft conditions or running a "calculated" number at a factored track.

John Bender: Well, if you'd just answer the question.
Brian Johnson: Why don't you just answer the question?
Andrew Clark: Be honest.
John Bender: No big deal.
Brian Johnson: Yeah answer it.
Andrew Clark: Answer the question, Claire.
John Bender: Talk to us. Every one: C'mon, answer the question. Come on. Answer it.
John Bender: C'mon, it's easy. It's only one question.



so........... what is the answer.........?????????

Let me answer a few questions...
#1 - factors at altitude tracks
To my knowledge, there is nothing on the table to change these

#2 - As for TD, TS, and MX not being points earning categories
NOT TRUE. All three run for divisional championships

#3 - As to the creation of two NEW classes
NOT TRUE, just reorganized two that already existed (TC and SE)

#4 - or should I even keep going.

Bottom line is this, these classes are here AND part of the program. I was not asking to debate with you whether they belong or not, I was asking your thoughts on the run schedule that I was working on.

Based on numerous e-mail replies and replies printed here, we will go with one Friday and two Saturday. Friday rotation will start at 8AM with STK, SST, SG, and then SS. Saturday rotation (also beginning at 8AM) will have SS, STK, SST, MC, SS, STK (all before Noon). This will give plenty of time to any of those setting records to tear down.

I would love to give everyone four hits at every race, but that's pretty rare in this division. Why don't you bash TAD/TAFC because we have so many? Or how about the three guys that grenaded rearends at Firebird?

OK, I'll stop now. Thanks to those that gave INPUT, not complaints.

BTW, I plan on having a get together with STK/SS racers at Vegas LODRS event, after all it appears your afternoons will be free.

Mike

I like the idea of 1 run Friday and 2 on Saturday. Unless I am trying to set a record or solve a problem, I don't need 3 runs and an extra day of sitting around doing nothing. I would love to show up at all the divisionals Friday afternoon and be set for the weekend.
Mike brings up some good points. Let's say Division 7 did got rid of T/S and T/D, I think all of those cars would just turn the throttle stop back on and go back to S/C. Eliminating these categories won't reduce car counts, it just moves them around.
In my opinion, if you want to reduce car counts so we all get more runs, don't allow one person to run multiple cars. Now I realize this will be unpopular w/ many super stock racers driving stockers as well, but as I walk around the Div 7 pits I see at least 25% of these .90 guys w/ S/G cars and S/C cars w/ the same name on the window. Get rid of the multiple cars for one driver and you get rid of a lot of cars, but no actual racers get left out.

"BTW, I plan on having a get together with STK/SS racers at Vegas LODRS event, after all it appears your afternoons will be free.
Mike"

Funny guy!

BBQ on Mike? heh, heh...

If that Bullet train project was done I'd hop it just to make that meeting.





Lower gas prices now.....

Mike please read my post on the extra non-qualifying back up run on Friday for the few that will need it. They must have set the record and had an "R" - in this way they do not need to tear down Saturday.

You probably already read it but figured there would be too many complaints.

BTW - I agree with you - I wish threads could stay focused.

Ask a simple question get many, many complaints about other unrelated items.

Your responses were "spot on"

See you Wednesday.

Once in a while I just have to open myself up for criticism.




You can always make more money but you can never make more time - spend your time wisely

In that case I will still bring the same number of cars in my trailer but I would bring more drivers. So the car count would not change but they might sell an extra burger to my other drivers.