Just talkin' here #2
 

Wow, just wow! I just saw on FB that Cecil Co. Dragway won't participate in the 2020 Summit Bracket Program because it's race dates dates would have to conflict with Atco's and/or Maple Grove's race dates.
I know that this is a "Bracket Racing" issue and this is a S/SS site but Cecil DOES hold a LODRS race and S/SS Racers are known to bracket race their stuff.
Are there no longer enough bracket cars in the northeast to support all of the great tracks that we have?
Are there just too many "Money Races" around that the Racers are choosing to run?
Has the Summit Bracket Racing Series which local tracks promote to qualify a team to send to the "Bracket Finals" run it's course?
I can think of a bunch of Racers in Divs. 2/6/7 who wish that they had the problem of deciding which track program to support because there were too many quality tracks so close together.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

SHORT Article on Competition Plus that the REAL ESTATE ONLY has been sold to Pennzoil NOT the business--- now known as Houston Raceway Park by Pennzoil no longer Royal Purple Raceway Park---That is as of 11/22/19 --nothing further found---Race scheduled for April 2020 is still on-=--FED 387

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

Maybe it has changed, but I always thought NHRA member tracks, at least in Division 1, had to have a bracket program to keep their membership. That was the reason I was told why E-Town always kept their program.

There are definitely less bracket racers now than there used to be. Unfortunately, the tracks don't seem to be willing to work together to not step on each other's toes. Also do not think that the big money races are the issue. When a big money race some to town, there are many weekly racers that don't attend.

And yes, the bracket finals has run it's course. It's not the special, must go to, event that it once was (Indy for bracket racers). It's now just a run of the mill 3 day bracket race.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

Jeff it was my understanding that etown need it to run the national event

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

As I read the Competition Plus article, in November of 2019 the real estate was sold, but no buyer was mentioned, in January of 2019 Pennzoil took Royal Purple's place in sponsorship naming rights. In a conversation with friends last night, no buyer was talked about just that the real estate was sold and that a 3 year contract is in place to keep the race track open, after that 3 year time what then?

Steve

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

It seems the local Bracket Racing programs out here are still strong the ET Finals/World Finals are still sought after. My local track always goes 7 rounds in S/P, Pro and "Sportsman" with no buy backs offered.

We also don`t have the large amount of high dollar races that the mid west and east coast has.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

It’s sucks that Cecil will have no bracket racing.
That is where most of us start local track racing weekly bracket program.
Jim Haulsy is the owner and a racer. It’s gotta be the bottom line$$$$
Nhra is not needed for his operation.Its the same deal at most big tracks they make money on special event. Lose money on bracket racing
Bracket racers and us classracer are hard to satisfy. We cry and bitch about everything
Grudge racers and No Time will pay more $ to just use the track for runs.
Hopefully we still have a divisional there.
And guess what?
NHRA could give a ****. They want all the $$$$ for no support $$$$$ for the track
So remember when you talk about a track or owner It’s there business and they don’t need us
Remember englishtown closed for same reasons

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

So many of us, even when we do support our local tracks, tend to not patronize the tracks concession stands, or other conveniences like ice, food, fuel, speed shop etc. These all add up to help keep the gates open and the lights on. It gets expensive and we all try to save a little if we can but every little bit helps. The $20 you spend on burgers and fries, and $10 on ice or $80 on a jug of fuel, or a $25 tshirt adds up for the race track owner and helps pay the employees of that track.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

For Divisionals and Opens if I wasn’t paying $160 to run for $1,000 I’d be a bit more willing to help the local operator out, just maybe they need to cut a better deal with NHRA for hosting the event.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

It would be nice to have spectators for some of that.
MJ

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

From the fans point of view. Bracket racing is just above watching paint dry for interesting activities. Unless you know someone actually racing it is boring. I raced myself and know what is going on. But when you start in with the junior dragsters and then the 80 regular dragsters that have to do burnouts past the start line and take a minute to stage just right it gets old real fast. This is why S/SS is my favorite. Do a burnout, line it up and go. Not to mention the variety of cars, performance, sound etc. Btw Maple Grove is my local track

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

A couple years ago Zmax sent a team of 1 to bracket finals and didnt even have a bracket race. So define bracket program

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

NHRA long time ago made it known no long burnouts for SS and STockers no chipps now maybe it is time to limit super comp to no longer be allowed burnouts past the line heck that may even allow more time trails for all

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

Boy oh boy are you ever right on, soon dragsters team will be like the pros and have two dunkey on each side cleaning their tires with tweezers.Burnout and to the line is my moto.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

You are absolutely correct on this one. Personally I think they should put a limit of one dragster length past the line for SC dragsters and stop all of the stupid stuff like door waving and wheelie bar adjusting for the top sportsman and comp guys. Maybe even pro stock. No need to touch the car or make adjustments after the car is pulled into the water box. Lots could be done to speed up the rounds. Make a rule that if you are not in the lanes when the first car in your eliminator is sent down the track then the back of the lanes is closed. only exception would be if you are thrashing on the car to make the round and you send a person to the back of the lanes to explain before the first car runs.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

You have all touched a nerve with me, I hate (that's maybe not strong enough) all the monkey business going on around the starting line. Burnouts down the track, wheelie bar adjustments, tire wiping....and so forth. Isn't the track prepped? What gets on the tires? Can't you adjust the wheelie bars before the run? I swear, if they could shut the engine off and go in the can before the run NHRA would be fine with it. Not to mention that EVERY SINGLE FUEL CAR gets the track checked before they start the engine. Newcomers to racing see this and attempt to emulate these "professionals", experienced racers want equal time......and you know what happens then.....
Sorry, I get on a rant. I'll go back to work.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

That's not good that Cecil won't have the summit ET ser. I raced at Cecil when they hosted an ET finial ser. Race . It's a good track ( let overlook the very end of the track for now ) . The bracket racing has the same problem stk/SS has no new blood . Cecil dose get fans to watch the alcohol cars run at the div. Race .The 2 guys working the burn out box are the best hands down . Yes the bracket finials was a big deal , don't know now . Work makes running div racing hard enough. I used to run e-town brackets (12 races plus 2 Wednesday nights for top 8 points )& the open ser ( 7 races )back in the day . Hope in doesn't follow e-town.

Re: Just talkin' here #2
 

When the local operator shuts it down maybe your mind will change. Racetracks are not very profitable businesses if at all. Just like racing is not a very good business for most people.