Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

The quota was 55 but for some reason only 48 on the Qualifying sheet? Is it wrong or did 7 Stockers back out?

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Not to mention I’m pretty certain there’s not a lot of Grade 8’s on the list either.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

NHRA gave everyone the option of backing out simply by not showing up due to weather forecast. It's supposed to be showery the next couple of days.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I wish they would have given some the option of filling those spots.
It’s about $2100 in lost revenue to boot just in Stock

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

i cant believe nhra's S/SS entry quotas @ every national event...WHAT BS. 32 SS cars? simply depriving fans of sportsman entertainment. S/SS r the backbone of drag racing.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

So with only 13 TF, 12 FC, Zero PS, 18 PM, there was PLENTY of time for more entries. They chickened out moving pros to 1:00 and "casually" ran Jr's, TF Harley and Stock Class which earlier were contemplating eliminating. Just got it in as the drops began.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Yes , 7 didn't show, the weather forecast was horrible back on Weds and Thurs, a little better now, but not great. NHRA allowed the unconditional transfer and that made the decision easier for some.

They were very lucky to get in what they did yesterday.

The quota filled with 4 grade points in stock , only 2 last year.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

New England dragway should consider dropping this event. Fewer cars every year. no pro stock, no alcohol cars, no pro motorcycles, low quotas for everything else. But they still over charge the fans and give them a lesser show. Time to move on.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

As I understand, the 10 year contract is now up, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do just that

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I have seen plenty of Nationals in other divisions over the years that don’t bring a good car count. No need to complain that they should pull the plug. Lots of guys from Canada come to this race. Let’s not forget for some this was 12 hours, and the closest national for them. If you don’t want to come don’t come, and don’t complain. As stated the weather was a factor here. Yes if the Quota was higher maybe more would have entered. Let’s just try to support what we have, before its all gone
.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

This all being said can the NHRA afford to loose another National Event & the Boston/ New England/ Canada market.Time will tell.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I’m thinking the same thing
This event seems to get plenty of spectators even with the low car counts and as someone else mentioned, the pits seem awfully small to hold any more people.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

It would really stink for the most populated division to only have one national in D1, you think MG is hard to get into now, just wait if we only have one National Event, it will be like Gainesville & Norwalk. I mean where else could you see a D1 National being held unless they can smooth over VMP again to host. I know NED was working on expanding the facility but, like Atco there are in a pineland restriction area and I believe got taken to court over them tearing down trees.

As far as only 48 STK / 32 SS unlike previous years / events when they extended the drop period due to weather this was more of a “you don’t show up and make a run, you get a credit for another event down the road” nothing else for you to do, so you really didn’t know how many cars were really going to show until Q1 Friday AM to allow more people in. I can also say that FB is a buzz right now on 1st round of the sportsman with stock & sc a lot of aborted runs, cars sideways due to it raining.

I don’t really know the solution to make NED work unless it’s piggy backed with another closer NE like the hood old days of Sanair & Etown. Maybe NED & VMP, two events far away from each other that the Pros would travel too and you get two different crowds. I just know talking to racers at MG last weekend that MG, NED and then LVD and for some Bristol / Norwalk was a tough chunk to swallow for that many weeks in a row.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Have 2 national events at Maple Grove
New England is so far away and. Small
Besides just 2 pro classes. Kinda short changed the paying customers
Oh they can just hang out in the Manufacturers Midway.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

[QUOTE=James Perrone;
Oh they can just hang out in the Manufacturers Midway.[/QUOTE]

You can’t buy anything to fix your race car but there’s plenty of lawnmowers here for sale

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

NED went to court years ago because they cut down trees without a permit.They also sold of dirt and fill without a permit. Ned has plenty of land to expand but if NHRA won't bring in the pros why bother. How many tracks in the country have as low a pro category as NED? they have room for a lot more cars, they just had a event with 1000 cars. If NED and NHRA don't fix their problems, then it should go away. New England has a large fan base, and NED NHRA should know that. And these fans deserve a lot better.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I can’t imagine, in any situation, hoping that a track loses a national event. There are people out west selling their cars because so many tracks are closing.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

yes indeed some fast D1 canadians travel a bunch. as american race cars do the TMP/ napierville/maranchi tour also......they will wake up and expand quotas im sure. epping is a mainstay for northeast sportsman racing...

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Bottom line is this thread never would've been started and there would've been a full 55 car field for Stock if it wasn't for the horrible forecast.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Could be wrong but seems like west coast cars are still priced higher than comparable offerings East of the Mississippi. That’s always been a bit of a mystery to me, more so now with their tracks disappearing. Not trying to hijack the thread, just saying…

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Adam, my comments were not about low car turn out ,but about the whole race. As Billy said, it would be bad to see this race gone from the northeast. But until NHRA and NED steps up with changes, it may happen. The fans and racers deserve a better race. They can fix it if they want. I have been going to this track since the late 60's. I've seen many changes some good some bad. But I know this track could be one of the best in the east.Time to step up.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

2 years ago, NED almost became a warehouse, if it wasn't for the stockholders who voted it down.
Take away the national event, take some money away from the track,, and see if it holds up on the next vote. I like Epping, it just didn't fit in my schedule this year. I hope they keep getting a national event for years to come. We need to keep these NHRA tracks afloat, not decide whats best for them as we sit at the computer.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Weather doesn't look good. 48 degrees going to 50. Rain in forecast through Wednesday. What now?:confused:

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Robert,what changes are you looking for? It was 48* and overcast on Saturday and the stands where filled.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Now that I think about it, Epping had a SPORTSnationals back in 2020. According to DRC they had 84 stockers and almost 50 super stockers. Not bad considering it was the height of the pandemic and the Canadian racers weren’t allowed to leave their country. I think this track deserves more races! Maybe two nationals and a double divisional! Anyway, sportsman have been postponed until the divisional in August.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

that was a one-off that Dave Mohn pushed for.

To help with the parking issue they should look at paving the back 40 to the right of the generator. Yes, it will be expensive but they need to do these things if they want to keep it. And they screwed themselves with the wetlands violation. That was a huge financial penalty they had to shell out.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Adam, I'm not just refering to just this year. I'm talking about many years. Some improvement would be : Remove VIP parking in the pits, Put racer stand area back, no non motorhome parking in pits,as RNN said, pave the back forty.Take a ride through the pits, you will see areas to expand legally.I know it is a pain to deal with Brentwood, but it can be done. Make the track a better place for the fans and the racers. It can be done.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

[QUOTE=RKelliher;681207]Adam, I'm not just refering to just this year. I'm talking about many years. Some improvement would be : Remove VIP parking in the pits, Put racer stand area back, no non motorhome parking in pits,as RNN said, pave the back forty.Take a ride through the pits, you will see areas to expand legally.I know it is a pain to deal with Brentwood, but it can be done. Make the track a better place for the fans and the racers. It can be done.[/QUOTE

Some of your improvements happen at all national events VIP parking in the pits,etc. Not sure if that's a track thing or an NHRA thing.

The title of the thread is 48 Stockers at Epping not what improvements need to be made at Epping.

Sportsman racers where offered the chance to withdraw due to weather. 7 decided to withdraw and I'm guessing it had nothing to do with track improvements.

Hint: IT WAS THE WEATHER.
I'm out.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Adam again,I am talking about many years,not just this one. And only tracks with the room let in VIP parking. Letting people pull out without allowing others to get in is a mistake by NHRA. The VIP parking is mostly stock holders and family. NED not NHRA issue. The weather was a factor this weekend as it has been around the country. Part of racing.But when quotas are very low, drop outs make a bigger difference.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Please stop with they should let more entry’s in after drop outs
And don’t ask to allow retry to this postponed race
Not happening ever
WE AINT THE SHOW
The rudderless ship is sailing of to Bristol Tennessee

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Again if you think it’d to far DO NOT come. For the racers in Canada, Main, New Hampshire and Eastern Mass Maple Grove is to far. Besides VMP a D1 track 12 hours for me and 24 for my friends in Canada. I Don’t see anyone racer from Northeast complaining. If it doesn’t work for you don’t go DON’T complain.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

How do you let other racers in when people are deciding last minute, and the day of to pull. WEATHER was the issue. As stated tittle was 48 cars at Epping. NOT to beat the track up, and what improvements should they do. Lots of track need improvements, and last minute withdrawal is a new thing. DON’T bash it. Before we now it no tracks will survive. Support it or STOP COMPLAINING.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Classic example of " If I ran the racetrack! " by everyone on the internet.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Bob, I’m very surprised to hear you say just shut this race down, especially coming from someone who lived here and got to enjoy some very great races/nationals at Epping yourself. I think asking to shut this race down for good is a huge mistake. Also we should be careful what we wish for. Before we know it we won’t have any place to race. Don’t think people from NHRA don’t read this site?

Charlotte this year had the same situation before the race started, I was entered, but the forecast was terrible so I withdrew, not worth the 17 plus hour ride. I know you live very close to Charlotte now I did not see you entered at that race? They actually had a larger quota at 60 cars, and only had 53 on the final Q sheet, about the same numbers comparing to Epping.
Charlotte is a track that only operates 2 times a year, should they consider closing down that race also? I know your answer I’m just making a point that the negativity is already very fluid in this sport, let’s just be happy we have a place to race, or sit in the rain and hangout with our closest friends!

Hope all is well
Tim Stickles

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Just my opinion but being the original poster let me clarify my point.
I LOVE Epping and the National event they put on there. So in no way do I wish it relocated or cancelled.
I wish, NHRA would go to a qualified field for all class cars but ESPECIALLY if you are contesting Class eliminations at that race. So for example at Epping this year for Stock only open up the entries to say 75 but only the 55 quickest Qualify, at Maple Grove this year open up Super Stock to say 100 entries but only the Quickest 65 (i think that’s the quota there) Qualify for the race.
As far as pulling out goes after Monday regardless of the weather (barring a national disaster or 9/11 type event or pandemic) then I do NOT think NHRA should give a credit to a future race. Like my late great friend always said, if you want to racs then you have to be there. Monday elims suck but I called in sick enough Mondays in even my racing career to understand that, even a few Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
My personal race season has been in flux much of the last couple of years so maybe I’m a little more whiny. Sorry.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I think you are all missing to point, NHRA doesn't need to limit
the pro field as they do at NED and a low sportsman quota. plus no comp.no alcohol dragster or funny cars were not even allowed. Not a weather issue. Low top fuel and funny car show up.No pro stock or pro motorcycle were invited. these are also not weather issue. this has been a trend for years. The fans pay a lot of money for half a event. A couple of years ago NHRA didn't even bother with the nitro mall or event shirts and hats. NHRA needs to step up at NED ,a place with one of the largest fan bases in the country. So does NED.

Good to hear from you Tim,hope you and your dad are doing well.

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I'm confused about the track drying at Epping because all I see is a bunch of people using leaf blowers and other people standing around like it's a state job. The money nhra charges shouldn't they have their jet track dryers out? Talk about milking a job!

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

N.E. Nats Pros postponed to next weekend in Bristol, TN. Alan did mention where Sportsmen will contest. Maybe Lebanon Valley?

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

I've never been to Epping nor raced a Divisional/National event.

But I'm curious about the discussion about the Epping event. How does it compare to Atco in parking(racers & spectators), amenities, racer experience, access to get to the track,..

Atco can't host a national event due to acreage, amenities and most of all, access. Etown could get people off the two lane road in a somewhat timely fashion because of size of property. Just trying to compare the tracks. Atco has huge backups for smaller events, though an NHRA national would have more localPolice/County/State involmemt.

Not that it matters much coming from me, but people dropping out for weather is a very valid reason in my opinion. They saved a decent amount of dead dinosaurs . I think Stock, S/ST & S/Comp got first round in. If I entered any class not completing 1st round, it's money in the bank.

I wouldn't want the event to be dropped. It gives the NE racers an event in their own backyard.

And it's hard to think of a process to replace racers not attending at the last moment.

I had another reason to log in and thought I'd post my worthless reply.
Have a Great Day!

Re: Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?
 

Epping is directly off a 4 lane East to West highway. Fitted 10 miles from I-95, and About 15 Miles from I-93. Access is very easy. They have adequate parking, and pit space. Like most tracks their is room for improvements. They do have a large area that was not used for pit space at the top end of the track. No doubt they could have raised the car count.