US 131 Motorsports Park

[Marine One]

It's not the size of the track, it's how you use it Look at Indy. More acreage than any other NHRA track, yet I would rate 131 a better track than Indy. Just walk the 1/4 at Indy and see what you find laying around (bring a bucket). Walk the 1/4 at 131 and you will be hard pressed to find any debris.

Despite what you think of Pinks, just use that show to comapre David and Goliath. The production crew, having just left Indy, said 131 was the most successful event they ever had. Not one single delay, no one turned away because of parking, no fights with the staff, no problems at all. Indy on the other hand, no management skills at all, all kinds of down time when a car would break, track staff getting into it with people, etc.

Turn 131 NHRA and keep the current owners / managers in place and it would be a top 5 facility (location, good air, clean facilities, damn near perfect track, etc). Change the owners or managers and you would have just another Indy. You can always add more pavement, but you cannot add good air or find good owners and good managers.

Just my $0.02

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

another article, this one by an outstanding sportsman drag racing writer, Steve Kaminski of the Grand Rapids Press.

http://www.mlive.com/autoracing/inde..._rolls_in.html

this tells a little bit more than the last article. I hope they stay IHRA.

Phil,

[Brad Zaskowski]

Originally Posted by Phil Veldheer Racing

another article, this one by an outstanding sportsman drag racing writer, Steve Kaminski of the Grand Rapids Press.

http://www.mlive.com/autoracing/inde..._rolls_in.html

this tells a little bit more than the last article. I hope they stay IHRA.

Phil,

NHRA would be a great move for Martin for sure. A national event would need some parking and entrance / exit improvements but the track itself is just as good as any current NHRA track out there.
The article says they have a IHRA nitro jam event, points race and team finals right now and to switch to get a lucas race would not be in the best interest if the track. I disagree look at the nitro jam from a couple weeks ago roughly 260 class contestants pro and sportsman (including Matt Alvey's personal favorite 8 snowmobiles), Mid Michigan pts meet had roughly 340 contestants with no TAFC, TAD, or sleds and is 2 hours further northeast. The 131 facility with a Lucas Oil race would draw a croud of racers similar to the car count at Norwalk and look at what the Baders did with promoting the race and getting spectators in there. This one Lucas Oil race could be as big as the three IHRA races they have now.
Dont get me wrong I have Raced NHRA and IHRA both are great places to race. I also love going to Mid Michigan for a points meet but it would be cool to see Martin at least get their foot back in the door with NHRA and work towards a national event.

[Charley Downing]

PHIL could you give me one good reason Martin staying IHRA would be good for them? And you being able to keep your 69 as a F/CM is not one. I can't think of any.

[THE LEGEND]

1) Less money spent on Improvements
2) Less money to host an event
3) Nitro Jam is a track rental
4) A move in hopes of a national is Insane. 3 nationals within 4 hours of the track why would NHRA put another there.
5) Comparing Norwalk's Lucas race to anone else is crazy too. Bader could have a packed house for a Chip vs.Chuckie match race.LOL

Bottom line
National event crazy not to change
Any other event crazy to change.

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

I still remember the last NHRA event that I raced at, it was a points meet at Joliet. I took two stockers. I was told where to park and parked there. The next thing I know some NHRA flunkie is yelling what are you parking there for,,,,,etc.....

The next race I was at, was one of my first IHRA National events and I had three people thanking me for coming and handing our team coffee and donuts. I think it was many things but being in the sales business, one thing I did learn from Dale Carnigie was to "show sincere appreciation and mean it" well IHRA did it to this sportsman racer.

Crate Motors do NOT play in my decision. I still have my original steel radiator and three complete NHRA 350 stocker motors. It would be an easy switch for me to go back to NHRA, I think if my young friend, Charlie wants one reason, it would be the people at IHRA and they way they have treated ME, the customer.

I do not like everything about IHRA, but when I weigh all the plus's and minus's of IHRA and NHRA and the people that I deal with at an event, IHRA is the winner.

I am still a member of NHRA since 1965.

Phil

87 442-Top Elim.
87 442-Top Elim.
78 Cutlass Top Elim.
69 Camaro-F/CM
97 Firebird B/FIA
99 Camaro 10.5 tire

[Charley Downing]

Everyone talks about how bad they are treated when at a NHRA race. Well that is BS. I race in NHRA Div 3 and could not ask for better Div and Nat event crew Redman, Leo, Donnie B, Rich, Jack, Luke, Tony, Travis and others. These people always go out of their way to help and are fair. Please tell me how it’s you so bad when you come to a NHRA race.
The tech and staff at NHRA and IHRA races are both great, so I don't see that being a point.
Phil the reason parking is not a problem in IHRA is because of a lack of cars. Don't blame NHRA for having over 500 cars at a pts race

[Crew Chief]

Coffee and donuts but not much tech. Been there, done that. Would consider going back if they change sanctions.

[BBF67]

Originally Posted by b.d.d.

It's not the size of the track, it's how you use it Look at Indy. More acreage than any other NHRA track, yet I would rate 131 a better track than Indy. Just walk the 1/4 at Indy and see what you find laying around (bring a bucket). Walk the 1/4 at 131 and you will be hard pressed to find any debris.

Despite what you think of Pinks, just use that show to comapre David and Goliath. The production crew, having just left Indy, said 131 was the most successful event they ever had. Not one single delay, no one turned away because of parking, no fights with the staff, no problems at all. Indy on the other hand, no management skills at all, all kinds of down time when a car would break, track staff getting into it with people, etc.

Turn 131 NHRA and keep the current owners / managers in place and it would be a top 5 facility (location, good air, clean facilities, damn near perfect track, etc). Change the owners or managers and you would have just another Indy. You can always add more pavement, but you cannot add good air or find good owners and good managers.

Just my $0.02

What you say about Indy has been true for the past few years, but as they say, there's a new sheriff in town. Word is a new boss has been put in charge at the track and a house cleaning will possibly come at the end of this season. The company has been taking notes this year. There maybe a new crew and a new attitude next season at Indy.

US 131 would make an excellent Division 3 points meet track but is actually too small for a real national event. It is nowhere near the size needed for a big spectator crowd or for a full field of Professional racecars with their huge entourage. With the normal big field of Sportsman entries that attend a NHRA national event, it would clog up the whole area. It is a shame because US 131 is a nice facility.