Live from the NHRA Gatornationals

[Ken Miele]

Afternoon update, the rumor is we might get to run tomorrow. One qualifying run and maybe one round.

On the positive side it is a beautiful day and man it is quick. I have not setup my weather station yet, but the comp guys were flying. There is a tale wind here also, prostock is predicted to go 212+

Be back later with more pictures.

[charlie westcott]

Originally Posted by Charrlie_S

Why don't they run sportsman later into the evening? Gainesville has decent lighting. I mean they run their regular weekly races at night. Even NASCAR will turn the lights on to get the program done.

I have run there at night before, it is usually not a safe situation. I dont know what the deal is, but I ran comp one night on a day like they have now, and half the cars shut off. Its like the track gets dewey or something. That may be why they showed secure event on the schedule at 5.30.

[71mavlouisville]

This is what scares me about attending a national event. You guy's got to an event on Monday that was supposed to start on Thursday. Now it's Saturday and you haven't been down the track once! You may not get to down the track util tomorrow and then run over into Monday! Who can do this type of racing? I can only see three groups of people, independently wealthy, retired, or "professional" sportsman. How can anyone with a "normal" job race like this? How can you leave your job or business for 8 days in a row. Say you get one qualifying shot and then directly into first round and lose. You spend 8 days and thousands of dollars for 2 passes. I am not blaming anyone or trying to incite negative feedback. When I look to what type of racing I want to do these scenarios make national events seem very risky.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by 71mavlouisville

This is what scares me about attending a national event. You guy's got to an event on Monday that was supposed to start on Thursday. Now it's Saturday and you haven't been down the track once! You may not get to down the track util tomorrow and then run over into Monday! Who can do this type of racing? I can only see three groups of people, independently wealthy, retired, or "professional" sportsman. How can anyone with a "normal" job race like this? How can you leave your job or business for 8 days in a row. Say you get one qualifying shot and then directly into first round and lose. You spend 8 days and thousands of dollars for 2 passes. I am not blaming anyone or trying to incite negative feedback. When I look to what type of racing I want to do these scenarios make national events seem very risky.

For someone who is not trying to incite negative feedback you're doing a wonderful job .Neither the NHRA or anyone else for that matter can control the weather no matter how hard they try .BTW , some of those with a normal job went home in between races and came down Wednesday night .I'm not saying its easy but it can be done -- its' the planning that is difficult sometimes ....................Maybe bowling might be better for some folks - ( and you perhaps ) - just not me ! ! ! I'd rather race on Monday ( or even Tuesday ) than not at all .....................

[Brian VP]

Well said Jack. Running NHRA National Events isn't for everyone. Because of the cost and the time only a select few are truly able to do it. There is nothing wrong with that. That is one reason why bracket racing has become so popular. It is one day, most people live within half an hour or so from a track, and the entries are normally quite reasonable. But that really isn't for me. I have done that and I will do what I can to make sure that I race the races that I can along the NHRA circuit. Nowadays with the economy the way that it is that means that I have to pick and choose a little more than I did a few years ago and that is fine. I realize that when I go to a National Event I have no idea how long it will be til I run or if I ever will run, but the people and the experiences are always there and that is why I love it. NHRA can't control what is going on in Gainesville and honestly, by not running the sportsman until possibly tomorrow may be the best for all involved. The pits there can't take that much rain and people moving there cars around on it just makes it worse. If they wait for them to dry a little it makes life a whole lot easier on everyone. Anyone who knows the history of the Gator's knows when you enter the race that there is a pretty good chance that you may have to race on Monday. Unfortunately that is just a chance that we all take. Well I have rambled on enough. Thanks for listening.

[71mavlouisville]

Thank you for your feedback. I did not mention NHRA anywhere in my post. I do not currently see anything wrong with what NHRA is doing with the event. When I stated that "I am not blaming anyone" that was referring to the weather which obviously no one can predict or control. I am relatively young and building a NHRA Super Stock car. I will be at divisional's later this year and hopefully nationals next year. How do you plan for these types of events? What is your risk/benefit analysis? What is your backup plan? I am a business owner and a professional. In my business I am always looking for feedback from everyone involved in the business. If I knew that my "customers" were having a problem with participating in my "business" I would want to know. That was the purpose of the post, I hope this clarifies that.

[Greg Barsamian]

Originally Posted by Brian VP

Well said Jack. Running NHRA National Events isn't for everyone. Because of the cost and the time only a select few are truly able to do it. There is nothing wrong with that. That is one reason why bracket racing has become so popular. It is one day, most people live within half an hour or so from a track, and the entries are normally quite reasonable. But that really isn't for me. I have done that and I will do what I can to make sure that I race the races that I can along the NHRA circuit. Nowadays with the economy the way that it is that means that I have to pick and choose a little more than I did a few years ago and that is fine. I realize that when I go to a National Event I have no idea how long it will be til I run or if I ever will run, but the people and the experiences are always there and that is why I love it. NHRA can't control what is going on in Gainesville and honestly, by not running the sportsman until possibly tomorrow may be the best for all involved. The pits there can't take that much rain and people moving there cars around on it just makes it worse. If they wait for them to dry a little it makes life a whole lot easier on everyone. Anyone who knows the history of the Gator's knows when you enter the race that there is a pretty good chance that you may have to race on Monday. Unfortunately that is just a chance that we all take. Well I have rambled on enough. Thanks for listening.

X-2 BVP
& BTW Happy 37th Birthday!

[Bruce Noland]

Kenny,
Have they put up the schedule for Sunday?

[Ken Miele]

Sorry about not getting back sooner, internet access is very slow here.

Below is the schedule for stk, ss, sc and sg. The top part was cut out, Stk will be first out at 8:00 AM.

71mavlouisville, with all do respect, NHRA National events are not for you. If you can not get away from work or your business, Nationals events will not be a wise choice. I only go to 5 or 6 nationals a year, and are always prepared to stay the extra day or two. I am fully aware of the problems that can come up. I understand how National events can effect the racer, but most of us know what we are getting into before we hit the road.

As far as planning goes, always plan on the unexpected. This type of racing is not for everyone. As you can see on this forum, there a members who do not like NHRA or the way it is run. As for me, NHRA is the best game in town and I will continue to support them. When I feel I have been mistreated then I will move on.

On a side note, the place is mobbed with spectators, 2 hours to get into the track this morning.

[Larry Ericksmoen]

there's not much anyone can do about the weather BUT, NHRA can and should do something about the sportsman pits at Gville. About 30% of the Gators has weather issues like this year, remember just a few years ago they didn't even let us pit there and moved us to Orlando? (and they knew about the problem way in advance)
Over the years the NHRA has paved MILES of roads in the parking lot for spectators to use ONCE a year. they have torn down a perfertly good tower and built a new one, and they have built new pit side luxury boxes. Couldn't they just went in and paved all the sportsman roads in the pits??? At least then, racers could at least park the race car off the mud. I raced at the Gators many times, lost the final once, and its one of the coolest events to be at, When the weather cooperates. The NHRA realizes their sportsman racers are a bunch of racing junkies that can be abused over and over again, if a few drop out , they'll just charge the remaining racers more.
Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be racing at the Gators too, but actually I don't miss that crap.