Houston Cancellation Article

[Austin Ford]

Here is an article on Competition Plus about the Houston National Event Sportsman cancellation. It has responses from NHRA and Seth Angel of Royal Purple Raceway.

http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-...-cancellation-

[KRatcliff]

Very good article. I am surprised at how much was really laid out on the table. Pleased to see that, but this part chapped me from Seth Angel.

“We wish that everyone could be parked on asphalt, and it’s no secret our family is in the paving industry,” Angel said. “At the end of the day, the economics of owning a drag strip doesn’t allow for us to pave miles and miles of pit area. We’ve made improvements over the years and will continue to do so. But when you have your biggest weekend of the year, have 450 cars, all of which are not on paved asphalt you’ll have these kinds of situations.

“It’s happened at NHRA owned tracks and this [flooding] isn’t the first time it’s happened to sportsman racers and likely won’t be the last. It’s a problem, there’s no doubt and we will keep making improvements in the coming years. We just can’t do it all at once. We cannot spend three or four million dollars paving a sportsman pit area that we use one time a year. The economics of our business simply doesn’t allow for it. And I believe the racers can understand that.”

Excuse me? I have been attending 3 races per year at that track for at least the last two years (maybe three) and I have yet to park anywhere other than the grass/dirt. It is not just the Spring Nationals that we are out there. It is every race.

And there is nothing saying they have to do it all at once. A little effort would go a long way.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

Very good article. I am surprised at how much was really laid out on the table. Pleased to see that, but this part chapped me from Seth Angel.

“We wish that everyone could be parked on asphalt, and it’s no secret our family is in the paving industry,” Angel said. “At the end of the day, the economics of owning a drag strip doesn’t allow for us to pave miles and miles of pit area. We’ve made improvements over the years and will continue to do so. But when you have your biggest weekend of the year, have 450 cars, all of which are not on paved asphalt you’ll have these kinds of situations.

“It’s happened at NHRA owned tracks and this [flooding] isn’t the first time it’s happened to sportsman racers and likely won’t be the last. It’s a problem, there’s no doubt and we will keep making improvements in the coming years. We just can’t do it all at once. We cannot spend three or four million dollars paving a sportsman pit area that we use one time a year. The economics of our business simply doesn’t allow for it. And I believe the racers can understand that.”

Excuse me? I have been attending 3 races per year at that track for at least the last two years (maybe three) and I have yet to park anywhere other than the grass/dirt. It is not just the Spring Nationals that we are out there. It is every race.

And there is nothing saying they have to do it all at once. A little effort would go a long way.

I went to race at Baytown for the first and last time in about 1996.You would think that SOME improvements would have been made in the last 17 years,but I guess not.

[KRatcliff]

Well...I have to admit that they did repaint the wall that I retouched. People are getting stuck in the pits and nobody is getting stuck to the walls. You bounce right off them sumbishes.

[Bobby Brannon]

Let me say first, I don't have a dog in this fight but... I been going to this track from the time they built it. Yes it's bad what happen. Been pulled out of this track many of times. I understand the drive time of Brad and others. Would I be mad yes. Did NHRA do the right thing. Give "ALL" the sportsmen money back even 1st round losers(sorry) Yes they did.
Not NHRA fault it's the Angel's fault. They needed to make upgrades that don't have to do with the Pro's. (Not dishing on Pro's). They can't afford to put paving down(they are in the paving business really).
Maybe if all Sportsmen( Quit) going to this POS track for 1 year its could get their A**** H**** Attention.

Please don't jump on my A**. I would have been there but had neck operation and no release from doctor. Yes I would have been mad but NHRA did the right thing with giving all money back. It's the track owners issue. Royal Purple should pull their name. We as sportsmen racers pay for their products.

What would happen if DSR and John Force racing was put passed the water outlets????

[SuperStockDodge]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

Well...I have to admit that they did repaint the wall that I retouched. People are getting stuck in the pits and nobody is getting stuck to the walls. You bounce right off them sumbishes.

[Chad Rhodes]

Paving may not be the option, but even compacted rock would be a major improvement

[Pedigo Perf]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

Well...I have to admit that they did repaint the wall that I retouched. People are getting stuck in the pits and nobody is getting stuck to the walls. You bounce right off them sumbishes.

They could have used you at the Houston National Kyle, your helicopter ride would have helped to dry the pits.

[Harry 6674]

If the track owners can't afford to operate the track in the manner it requires, NHRA should pull the race. Problem solved.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

Paving may not be the option, but even compacted rock would be a major improvement

Whatever Ennis has in the far end (S & SS) pits seems fine to me.