IHRA Edmonton AB
 

Why don't the Canadian S/ SS racers support the race there this weekend? pretty poor turn out for a big race in there back yard.

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

There is no simple answer to your question and the last 5 years have added to the myriad of reasons why the turn out has been dropping. Some things that occurred years ago still linger with some racers. In a nut shell think in terms of Politics, policy, program, parking, weather and of all the S/SS racers in Alberta, the majority race NHRA division and national events in BC and the Pacific Northwest. So sometimes the decision is time and expense to get to places and race VS time at home waiting for the program to move forward. In addition, this year there are a few cars not race ready. This may be oversimplified- but should be insightful.
Alberta was a hub of S/SS for 40 years, times have changed with Top Eliminator cars moving to the forefront and some S/SS cars locating south of the border for the race season.

We need younger racers to come on over- and in that respect S/SS is the same all over.

The Edmonton race is no longer a " national event" like most are familiar with, and no records can be set on the division race- so ------

BTW- this is as I see it and others may not see it the same way.

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

I agree this appears to be a problem in the west.

But, the recent IHRA Mopar Nats at Grand Bend was well supported
in both Stock and Super Stock by local racers, both Canadian and American..
This was especially true by members of our Can-Am Stock SuperStock Assn.

I think our guys realize - you don't support it - you loose it.

FJ

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

Couldn't agree with you more FJ. Your Can Am series keeps the interest high and racing consistent and the class cars in the mind of spectators and other racers alike. I attended one race as a spectator a few years back, thought it was great. In the mid to late 90's we ran a Prairie Racers series that was very successful, although it was mostly a local series with about 35 racers. With the distances involved (depending where you live -it is 10-12 hours to mission, 9-11 to Spokane and 13-15 to Seattle.) Attempts to resurrect the series have failed to date due to lack of local track and racer support. There is still hope though,

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

Don, I supported the Rocky Mountains for about 7 years, sometimes entering multiple cars. Between the annual pre-parking fiasco, the annual pit parking fiasco, the annual run around fiasco it just became too much. My last race there I was treated like a second class citizen and have now decided to vote with my wallet. Haven't been in a couple years, and don't miss the BS. I do miss hanging with my racing buddies, but I'll see them at another venue, another time.
Mike Pruss

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

I think both Mike's have answered the question but I think the key words are "It Has To Be Fun" and unfortunately that hasn't always been the case.

Darcy Clarke
6254
A/SA SS/JA

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

The parking at this event is crazy! Pre park at an offsite venue on the Monday before the event to receive a number lets say #27 to go in to park. Thursday you line up to pay, wait to go in an orderly manner......drive over to the track and guess what it its *%@#! full !!!! What???? The parking police finally find a spot big enough for one car but we have 4, set things up, unhook, then someone comes over and says "you cant have that spot that's for the Burn Out King!" When IHRA and the management of the track figure out how to park I maybe back? Jr Dragsters, several bracket class's, and the dog and pony show also add to the frustration.....but mostly the parking!

Re: IHRA Edmonton AB
 

Is that for all classes or just some? So many quality racers within an easy drive of the track it's a shame they can't showcase that. They could abolish some of the classes that seem strange to be at a National event (validating Doug Herbert's Hillbilly Association quip) and have good fields in Stock and SS if they were the least bit intelligent.