[Billy Nees]

Well I spent last weekend at the Atco "Alternative Lifestyles Weekend" and I went to the Toyo Tires "RV Rodeo" yesterday just for the Stockers. I haven't been to many races (any) this year simply because they aren't fun for me anymore. NHRA racing has changed so much over the years that I don't even recognize it anymore. That's not to say that an awful lot of people (racers?) aren't enjoying themselves, it's just me saying that I'm not enjoying myself.
Getting that off of my chest, Div.1 (imho) made the correct decision last weekend in pulling the plug. They can't control the weather, they are stuck in a position of having to schedule their races (Alternative Lifestyle Weekends) around Track Owners schedules that (I'm sure) includes more lucrative events than LODRS Events and the same for the Raindates.
In their success as a Santioning Body it seems to me that the NHRA and it's Divisions have actually become "secondclass citizens" when it comes to dealing with it's member tracks in regard to it's own meets. Track operators are, after all, businessmen and the bottom line is making money and if a track operator can schedule a Super Something Show or Swapmeet on a nice, midsummer weekend then so be it, that's business.
Track prep, I think that it's about time that NHRA did a study on the long term effects of spraying a porous surface sitting on an aquifer (asphalt sitting on a sandy surface) with a sealant (traction compound). Our recent problems don't seem to be on the starting line where we are dealing with concrete (less porous). What is the effect of running a squeegee (big tire) over this and what effect does temperature have? Should we start cancelling events if the temp drops below 60 degrees or if it rained 2 days prior?
I hate to even think this but my local track and it's weekly Bracket program sure seem to be a better fit for me than what NHRA Events have become.