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Old 11-19-2008, 12:29 AM   #2
Ed Fernandez
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Cool Re: Doing an NFL on the NHRA Divisions...

Quote:
Originally Posted by GarysZ24 View Post
First let me thank all of you who read my thoughts, and secondly those of you who replied back to them. Please know that I didn't do this because it would only benefit me, I did it as an idea for all racers who have to endure long tows to divisional races due to their meager divisional track selections (Hawk), per their geographic locale. Not many of us have the budget to travel as "fletch", Biondo, Zane, and Faul do, so we're limited to what's closest to us. Nor, do we have the time from work, or the budget (Ed & Dick), to enjoy numerous weeks off from work for racing purposes. Furthermore, not all national events have divisional races one week later (i.e. the Mile High Nats., and the 'Vegas Nats #1, or Stock in the #2 race).

I came up with this idea because you eastern racers have it easier (especially Div. 1), because you probably have just 250 miles (at the most, but probably less) separating your furthest events from each other. While you in Div. 3 are probably second closest to your extremes (Stanton, Mi., to Bowling Green, Ky.). I don't mention Div.'s 2 & 4, because they are about right for geographics, which is where div's 5,6,&7 should be...perhaps we should do an N.F.L. by creating a div. 8? My point is why should some divisional racers have to travel 2-3x's as far as others for the same purpose...I don't see much fairness in that, and for those of you who feel like "Ed" does, I guess you don't mind having to spend excess money, and take excess time from your customers (or work), because since you can only claim points from two non-home divisional races, then you have to travel to your home divisions extremes even if they're; 895 miles (Tucson, Az., to Sonoma, Ca), 930 miles Woodburn, Or., to Acton, Mt., or the worst...Denver, Co., to Brainerd, Mn. "1,036" miles!!! Have you guys asked Mike Tueffel, Kevin Helms, or John Mason not to mention me, why we left Colorado? There's your answer! However, we shouldn't have had to do that so we could chase our desires of "less tow time, more race time", or less money spent on tow fuel, more money to spend on other racing expenses.

Lane, yes the western half of the country does have a lack of available tracks, but if the trend of championship chasing racers to densely populated divisions continues, then the revenues that they once offered their former tracks will cause those tracks to go the way of the dinosaur before long (at least their events), and those eastern racers looking for western divisionals to enjoy prior to national events won't have them anymore...is that right? Is that fair? Sad state of America if we no longer care for the masses anymore, but care more for our own...I thought we were the United States of America not the United Divisions of certain parts of America....

I put this out here as an idea of thought, over an issue that has merit to it. If any of you who read this has a better idea, then lets here it, because the NFL did it and thanks to that no longer are the Atlanta Falcons traveling to San Francisco for a (in) divisional game, when only one state separates them from the Atlantic Ocean! What's fair for one should be fair for all (divisions that is)!
I dont know what you read into my post but let me give you the real story.You compared my situation with Dick Butler.Dick is a doctor,who at some time raced multiple cars and had a stacker.When I started racing Stock (1999) I worked for Con Edison in NY.At the time I had 1 year to go till retirement.I would have liked to have run Stock earlier in my life but my job and budget ruled that out.You know real life got in the way.I'm sure Dick 's accomodations were much better than mine.I have a gigantic 22' enclosed that I stay in at the track.The car stays out and I utilise it as living quarters.I'm not complaining,I have a bed ,sink w/8 gal tank,3500 and 1000 watt gens.heat,fan for hot nights,shower setup and sanitary facilities.Not a Renagade but it suits me.The point is when I started out in 1999 I didn't thinkthat it wasn't fair that others had motor homes,stackers etc. etc. I just did what I had to do to go racing.
Right now due to circumstances i'm out of a retirement job.If things dont get better I'll just sit out 2009,
just like I did in 2004.People should just stop the level the playing field bull**** and just race within their means.If people feel they cant race enough because of where they live they have 3 choices,move,live with it,hit the lotto.


Ed F.
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