Is Bob Lang

[pentastarrail]

As an observer, I'm just curious if anyone actually spoke to Bob about this issue.
We all know that E-town has a curfew, mix that with the strong number of Stk/SStk cars not to mention the possibilty of weather (I know at my house it rained on and off several times during the weekend with pop-up storms) and the unforeseen (track clean ups).

I guess what I'm saying is, if I have an issue with someone/something I talk to that person, in person, and not bring/bash it on the internet.

Asking who's in charge is fine, critizing something, you need to find out the facts first, in person.

Don't get me wrong, I know the track was less then optimal but I think "asking" first may help find the answer.

OK, now you guys can bash me. ;-)

[Jim D'Amore]

"OK, now you guys can bash me. ;-) "

pentastarrail,

I'm sure no one up here wants to bash you. This thread is not about bashing.

Bob Lang has been invited into this thread to tell us what he thought about the track prep and the Schedule. It is best for everyone to hear this not just one individual that either went up to and spoke with or called him on the phone. There is an extreme amount of intellegent racers out there, we have doctors, engineers, contractors, speciailists in all kinds of feilds. Maybe there is something we can do to help.

If you walk around the pit area most all the stock and super stock guys that I meet are more than willing to help each other with their cars, feed each other, there is a big comradery at every event. The only time that changes is at the starting line. Then its every man for themselves. Thats what makes this a unique sport. We are not on the starting line right now so maybe Bob Lang can tell us why so many people had trouble with traction and the schedule this weekend. Like I said, maybe there is something we can figure out together. Bob has more experience with starting lines than I do, so what he can explain to us about last weekend can only help. Besides he is the boss of Division 1. I think it would be cool if he reached out to his racers here.

Jim D'Amore

[1320racer]

we got a better chance of seeing god and moses!

[Festus]

Just curious, what IS good track prep? I was in attendence at Maple Grove for the LODRS event and the prep looked pretty standard to my untrained eye - spray, then drag. It must have worked since I didn't see any spin from anything 8's and slower. TAD qualified a 5.2x and TAFC a 5.4x so it was obviously good for them as well.

So is the trick to use the right compound, then drag?

I remember last fall at the Dutch, I saw a lot of scraping at the starting line and can't say there was much of that if any last weekend. So I guess there's a sweet spot for the right amount of rubber as well.

So again, what's ideal for a Stocker and higher HP cars (excluding nitro) that works for both?

[Ed Wright]

Might ask the Div 4 track prep guys. Only reason I had my car back-halved was for out of div races. I was fine on 10.5" tires at all Div 4 races. And, we do have hot starting lines when it's over 100 degrees around here.

[Bruce Noland]

Jim,

Hang in there bud you're doing a good job in the rough'n tumble world of no name posters.

By asking you to set up a network of advertisers and sponsors, I did not mean to conduct business as usual. I would like to see you gather up all the advertisers and sponsors you can to develop a group that can work with the racers to identify common issues with the way nhra is conducting its business. We have a great group of dedicated racers who are willing to work hard to help change the way this organization conducts its business. The starting line is an important tip of a very big iceberg. nhra has squandered a fortune on bad business decisions while enriching the executives who have caused these blunders in the first place. In just one horrendous decision, they arrogantly squandered millions of dollars on the Pro Stock Truck case while their executives fly around the country in leased jets. All the while, raising the cost of racing and not increasing the payout. They subvert their own rule structure to accomodate the huge OEM egos while puking on the men and women who have supported this sport for 40+ years. Sure, they will eventually run it into the ground and leave town but it is our job to prevent that from happening. And that's what you can do by setting up a network of advertisers, sponsors and racers. Thank you for your concern.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Jim D'Amore

"OK, now you guys can bash me. ;-) "

pentastarrail,

I'm sure no one up here wants to bash you. This thread is not about bashing.

Bob Lang has been invited into this thread to tell us what he thought about the track prep and the Schedule. It is best for everyone to hear this not just one individual that either went up to and spoke with or called him on the phone. There is an extreme amount of intellegent racers out there, we have doctors, engineers, contractors, speciailists in all kinds of feilds. Maybe there is something we can do to help.

If you walk around the pit area most all the stock and super stock guys that I meet are more than willing to help each other with their cars, feed each other, there is a big comradery at every event. The only time that changes is at the starting line. Then its every man for themselves. Thats what makes this a unique sport. We are not on the starting line right now so maybe Bob Lang can tell us why so many people had trouble with traction and the schedule this weekend. Like I said, maybe there is something we can figure out together. Bob has more experience with starting lines than I do, so what he can explain to us about last weekend can only help. Besides he is the boss of Division 1. I think it would be cool if he reached out to his racers here.

Jim D'Amore

Jim - Yes , Mr.Lang has been invited to discuss with this group but after reading most of the posts if you were him would you join in ? I doubt it - sounds more like a lynch mob than a discussion group .Many racers who were actually there are upset and it seems to me that they want to blame someone and hang 'em high .Sure , even I wasn't happy as I didn't make it down the track once but to blame all of it on someone who for many years has prepped tracks all over the country successfully . I really don't know exactly how hot the track surface got at its highest point by I personally witnessed 134 degrees - and that by any standards is way past good adhesion .

I doubt very many of Mr.Langs' critics have his experience ............We all know how easy it is to be a Monday morning quarterback .

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Ran into Bob Lang and Dave Glick this morning who were working on the track into the wee hours last night and tell me its in terrific shape for today - thanks for your efforts boys .

So jack since you were so quick to take them at their word and thank them, now since you've experienced their efforts, not hooking once and losing first round because of the deplorable track conditions, what you got to say now?

[Bob Bender]

Originally Posted by JC@atiracing

Bob if you can defend that schedule at all then you are a glutten for punishment! Also your car will hook being the first car out.....ours will not and we need wait for a little bit of rubber. We where not able to get parked wed night since they stopped at 6pm, with 2 hours of daylight left. Then why would anyone only put one class in between Stock when there was plenty of others to run? Someone who either doesn't like Stock or doesn't have a clue about actually racing a car had to make that schedule. Although I can say the sched was out early, I even printed it a week earlier and never said a word or thought about it. So shame on me. After killing ourselves to get the stocker down 3 times (or once and spun twice), it was time for Super Stock and the COPO never was able to move an inch even leaving at 2900 off the foot brake. Twice due to track and once my own fault. 4 days at the track, two cars, and 3 solid passes total. I can think of better things to do with 4 days.....

JC, I was not defending the schedule. I was just being a smart *** to Pete. I know the fast cars all had problems. Sorry.

[Signman]

Ed, you just "stirrin the pot" for fun or do you have actual input here?