What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

I know that I'm probably stepping in the big puddle but I have to ask, What has happened to one of the best run facilities in the NHRA Kingdom. I've alway's made it one of my " will be there no matter what race', but not this year. Mostly after the way they treated fans and racers alike last year, not one time did someone used the microphone to let us know what they were doing when water started to seep on the track! They just cancelled the sportsmans and went with the pro's, who bitch and cried(with reasons) about poor track condition. Why couldn't the management of Maple Grove be prepared and invest in proper drainage equipment. A friend who is a drainage engineer for airports across the U.S and Canada says the technology is available at a very low price(probably less than $125.000.oo) all you need is drainage and a pumping station that could handle all the water the area might need. Now I read that no one has bother to go and tech all the racers at the VR Mall, what they don't count? NHRA wake up! Claude Ruel

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

It sure would help to have better drainage,but when you look at the the size & weight of the majority of rigs going to these big events more quality paving/surface is badly needed at many tracks.
MB

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

Mike my Dad flew B-25 Mitchell Bombers during the war and use to land and take off from runway made of gravel with no base and these were 41.000lbs fully loaded with no problem. Just add 4inch of number three gravel and voila weight distribution.Claude

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

Maple Grove and rain go together like peanut butter and jelly....in September and October....

Been there many times when it poured and you couldn't even see the track as you came down the hill on Bowmansville Road....I think it's named.

Had a brand new truck in 1996 and a Nova Stocker.....drove into the big field as others watched and got stuck up to my rims! Had to unload the racecar and get gravel and spent half an hour flinging mud all over my truck and trailer......Was a hell of a mess.......and once the mud dried it was like cement.....

But I still love the place.......and will be there for the Dutch....in a Stocker....again...

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

Rich - glad you're coming back .......and in a stocker to boot .

Claude - you would understand much more if you were here and witnessed what was going on .......its very easy to be an armchair ( or computer ) quarterback .

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

Thanks Jack....I am looking forward to it.....and hope the weather improves for that race.....

Very tough set of circumstances out there....but NHRA probably did the right thing on this one.......The rigs people have today complicate the issue....

Maybe thats the answer.....everyone has to have a pickup and an open trailer.....Nah....not gonna happen....

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

Jack, all I'm saying is that they could improve communications between paying customer and Racers who are with their dollars supporting their company. The only reason for myself to vent my frustration in this media is that after two letters sent to Maple Grove and NHRA complaining about the lack of communication and no replies from either of them the frustration level is quite high. Jack, I enjoy all the hard work you and all the others are bringing to us but sometimes we can't be always a cheerleader. What is so wrong with NHRA explaining to it's customer what they will do, to better it's product and their enjoyment and solve past problems. In business if you keep making the same mistake some customer will just stop coming.Claude

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

NHRA enhancements are not good in these very tough times......and I'm not an armchair QB !!

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

Joe & Claude,

It's all about supply & demand , but NHRA won't react till the $$$$
stops coming in everyone weekend ...The little guy continues to carry the burden, paying more & getting less ... It's about Choices & being treated Fair and having Fun ... The weather just makes it Worst, but we are still the Customer & control where we spend our money ???
Maybe it's time NHRA makes some changes, for the better......?

Re: What happened to the Keystone Race?
 

x2!