Make Divisionals Great Again

[Bobby Fazio]

Bader literally told me in our podcast together that Maple Grove's location is the best, in fact much better than his.

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Bader is successful because of that track's location, there's no magic to it. He couldn't move the needle in his stint at Maple Grove.

There's no manufactures midway to speak of anymore at national events because the NHRA chased them all away with their unreasonable fees, sane fees would apply to divisionals that have far less racers and no fans in the stands.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

Bader literally told me in our podcast together that Maple Grove's location is the best, in fact much better than his.

if so why did he FAIL? Answer because it's NOT!

[RKelliher]

Bader did not fail at Maple Grove, he was brought in as a consulant not track manager. That was 2018, they did fairly well there without a track manager. They sold out sat. of National event that year. not bad, so he didn't fail. Get the facts straight.

[Doug Hoven]

Unfortunately I can't see Maple grove participating in any sort of "Free Spectator" day at any of their events. After the series of events and conversations that went down at the Dutch, it seems that we almost weren't even wanted due to the low car count. The new MG policy seems to be, if there's no guaranteed lump sum of profit, they aren't interested. I understand its not a good business move to host events that don't make money, but it seems like when a track is run solely from a businessman's approach, they soon realize that the land is more valuable than the track....

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

Unfortunately I can't see Maple grove participating in any sort of "Free Spectator" day at any of their events. After the series of events and conversations that went down at the Dutch, it seems that we almost weren't even wanted due to the low car count. The new MG policy seems to be, if there's no guaranteed lump sum of profit, they aren't interested. I understand its not a good business move to host events that don't make money, but it seems like when a track is run solely from a businessman's approach, they soon realize that the land is more valuable than the track....

Ouch, but rings true given the decline of the car culture most racers grew up in.

[1320racer]

Bader absolutely did fail on his promises and that’s why he wasn’t bought back.

As to MG, Kyle told me last year that they have a 5 year plan and after 5 years if it’s not turning the profit they expect, it will be for sale.

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

Unfortunately I can't see Maple grove participating in any sort of "Free Spectator" day at any of their events.

Maple Grove is open to the idea when I spoke with Kenny Koretsky a few times this year. They hosted a carload special at our divisional in May and brought in a much higher spectator count than in recent years. Only problem was it started at 3pm which I hate because it doesn't get anyone in the gate early enough to watch us sportsman. We run our E1 around 3pm and make way for Top Alcohol the rest of the night which is the main draw. They qualify and run all eliminations and then there were fireworks at the end. Sunday is a ghost town when we complete our eliminations. I say qualify Top Alcohol on Saturday evening as an attraction and then run their eliminations on Sunday as another attraction to get people in the gate both days. Track is paying their entry fee and purse so they should be open to it.

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I say qualify Top Alcohol on Saturday evening as an attraction and then run their eliminations on Sunday as another attraction to get people in the gate both days. Track is paying their entry fee and purse so they should be open to it.

How much time will this add to a Sunday schedule? Not everyone is self employed or can burn vacation time with ease. Depending on where you live...you're burning a half or whole day on Thursday for travel, Friday for time runs, and then potentially Monday for travel if the race runs late due to added time from track prep, any oil downs, etc. Don't forget weather delays either. Cecil County, 2018...around 50 racers left because they couldn't stay for Monday eliminations.

I agree that we need spectators in the seats, but it shouldn't come at the expense of the racers.

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Steve Stasko

How much time will this add to a Sunday schedule? Not everyone is self employed or can burn vacation time with ease. Depending on where you live...you're burning a half or whole day on Thursday for travel, Friday for time runs, and then potentially Monday for travel if the race runs late due to added time from track prep, any oil downs, etc. Don't forget weather delays either. Cecil County, 2018...around 50 racers left because they couldn't stay for Monday eliminations.

I agree that we need spectators in the seats, but it shouldn't come at the expense of the racers.

To run an 8-Car Alcohol field on a Sunday would be 3 rounds. According to NHRA.tv Maple Grove D1 the first round of alcohol was roughly 30 min and there was some delay in there someone hit cones, E2 was roughly 11 min, and the final round was 6 min. This included dragging, spraying track before they came out. I don't think that would kill your travel time. Most racers on this forum long for the 1970s when there were 1000 cars at a divisional with packed stands, top fuel, pro stock, etc. Did you finish on Saturday back then?

Originally Posted by Steve Stasko

Super Gas E1 got pushed off until Sunday morning...but the point is...we weren't the show, and the place was packed with spectators. Most of the afternoon and evening was spent running "fast" cars down the track

Super Stock was part of the show at Norwalk D3 if they went out at 4pm. It also looks like Alcohol ran eliminations on Sunday since all I see is Qualifying on that schedule. I guess Bader and I think alike.

Why pay for for a wheelie exhibition when stock and super stock provide that free of charge? Could give that money to the best wheelie... hmm I just had another idea...

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

To run an 8-Car Alcohol field on a Sunday would be 3 rounds. According to NHRA.tv Maple Grove D1 the first round of alcohol was roughly 30 min and there was some delay in there someone hit cones, E2 was roughly 11 min, and the final round was 6 min. This included dragging, spraying track before they came out. I don't think that would kill your travel time. Most racers on this forum long for the 1970s when there were 1000 cars at a divisional with packed stands, top fuel, pro stock, etc. Did you finish on Saturday back then?

Most racers long for the 1970's because there was a specific set of rules with fair and equal application of tech inspection. That's a whole different discussion though.

If we're going to run Alcohol on Sunday, then there's no need to have a three day divisional. Turn it into a Saturday-Sunday event...Time Runs Saturday, Eliminations on Sunday.

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

Super Stock was part of the show at Norwalk D3 if they went out at 4pm. It also looks like Alcohol ran eliminations on Sunday since all I see is Qualifying on that schedule. I guess Bader and I think alike.

One time run of wheelstanding door cars is much more exciting to watch than one time run of Super Comp. I'm sure that was planned on purpose to have those cars runs as filler at that time, even Super Gas...again, fast door cars. You missed my point on the Alcohol Time Trials on Saturday. 12 dragsters and 10 funny cars in two sessions, as opposed to 8/8, 4/4.