New England Divisional

[JP1738]

Genuine question for the guys that are getting there a day or two days early, what is the reason for that? I never ever get to a track a day early for these races, it's not worth whatever parking fee there is or the hassle of taking another day off work.

I get some guys don't like driving at night. It's easy for me to say being a young guy and driving all hours of the day and night routinely to get to the track, but I see no benefit from getting there that early unless you plan to test. When I go to Rockingham next month, I'll probably get there the morning of, maaayyybbee the night before, but well after they close the gate and are done testing.

I get it honest, EP would sooner perish than leave a day early for these races. The man lives to work, then chew tobacco for 8 hours in the middle of the night to get to Orlando in time for a clean up run.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by JP1738

Genuine question for the guys that are getting there a day or two days early, what is the reason for that? I never ever get to a track a day early for these races, it's not worth whatever parking fee there is or the hassle of taking another day off work.

I get some guys don't like driving at night. It's easy for me to say being a young guy and driving all hours of the day and night routinely to get to the track, but I see no benefit from getting there that early unless you plan to test. When I go to Rockingham next month, I'll probably get there the morning of, maaayyybbee the night before, but well after they close the gate and are done testing.

The tracks have realized that the racers like are willing to pay a fee to park early and get some rest so it has become more normal and a revenue stream for the track owners

I used to think this way too when I was young. Work all day. Jump in the truck and drive most of the night. Maybe grab a few hours of sleep in the truck before the gates open. Then run all day Saturday with elimination rounds on Sunday. After a while I realized I could not be competitive against the guys that were fresh and rested. Once I started to get to the track a day ahead of time my driving and round winning ratio became a lot better. If its just a short drive like 3-4 hours I might attempt it.

[BKSG1198]

Not trying to be the voice of reasoning because I had this just happen a few weeks back at one of my events, people got there early, the event for Fri Night got rained out but the track owner and GM were nice enough to open the gates till 10pm to allow racers time to get in and parked but it was a $15 charge and I heard it from a few racers.

You do realize that because you get there early and the track is nice enough to allow you to come in and park, they need to man the ticket booths with employees who are not working for free...depending on the state you're in we all know the Min Wage is insane. I can say NH is one of the highest because it's actually a state that they get a lot of NHRA employees to come work because the Min Wage is sooo high...for those that don't know the NHRA employees are paid via the state you're in and what their MW is, so some states could be $7.50, others $15.00, so when they say Parking is open on Thursday that means to get there on Thursday, not Monday or Tuesday or if there is a Private T&T that you can get in an watch for free.

It's like having tickets for the Rolling Stones but you get there a day early while Metallica is playing, and you try to use the Rolling Stones tickets to get into the event because your already there.

[KennyAnderson]

Originally Posted by JP1738

Genuine question for the guys that are getting there a day or two days early, what is the reason for that? I never ever get to a track a day early for these races, it's not worth whatever parking fee there is or the hassle of taking another day off work.

I get some guys don't like driving at night. It's easy for me to say being a young guy and driving all hours of the day and night routinely to get to the track, but I see no benefit from getting there that early unless you plan to test. When I go to Rockingham next month, I'll probably get there the morning of, maaayyybbee the night before, but well after they close the gate and are done testing.

I get it honest, EP would sooner perish than leave a day early for these races. The man lives to work, then chew tobacco for 8 hours in the middle of the night to get to Orlando in time for a clean up run.

Cause us retard.....errr.....retired guys got nuttin better to do!!!
Seriously, I usually roll in sometime the day/evening before mainly because as you know stock us usually first or second out and I try (try is the operative word here) to have my sheet together and not have to rush around to get to the lanes. If it works out it works out, if not oh well. I'm a little like your pops as I'm usually knee deep in a project when it's time to roll out. The next five or six races we will be in NC working on our property soo that tractor time is important. See u there Keed!

[JP1738]

Originally Posted by KennyAnderson

Cause us retard.....errr.....retired guys got nuttin better to do!!!
Seriously, I usually roll in sometime the day/evening before mainly because as you know stock us usually first or second out and I try (try is the operative word here) to have my sheet together and not have to rush around to get to the lanes. If it works out it works out, if not oh well. I'm a little like your pops as I'm usually knee deep in a project when it's time to roll out. The next five or six races we will be in NC working on our property soo that tractor time is important. See u there Keed!

Believe me I get the rushing around in the morning part of this with a SST and a stocker, I'm first two classes out usually. Makes for very busy morning! Good thing I use an open trailer, I've warmed a car or two up while towing them through the gate!

[KennyAnderson]

Originally Posted by JP1738

Believe me I get the rushing around in the morning part of this with a SST and a stocker, I'm first two classes out usually. Makes for very busy morning! Good thing I use an open trailer, I've warmed a car or two up while towing them through the gate!

I love this!! LMAO!! My kids are complete crack heads and I don't even think they are that hard core! Flock it! I'm not that much of a morning person.... It's all I can do to get some coffee goin and make it to the lanes!! I can't tell you how many buddies bust my stones cause it's final call and my stuff is still sitting outside with the car cover on it!!

STOCK is HARD!!

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by JP1738

Genuine question for the guys that are getting there a day or two days early, what is the reason for that?

Don't like to drive the rig at night, don't want to rush around, want to get a good pit spot and get set up the day before.

[Greg Gay]

My problem is not with the money. When the kid at the booth said $240, I immediately handed him my card. If you asked me what I paid at Numidia 3 weeks ago, I couldn't tell you. It was when he handed me back 2 receipts, one at $225 and another at $15. I asked what the $15 was for and he told me "parking for today". If I know the charges, I'll decide if I want to arrive early. The only notification of this charge apparently showed up on D1 Facebook (not website) and only yesterday. It's a "Gotchya!" What's next, measuring my suitcase to see if there's an extra charge for that? These are the things that drive customers away.

I've been on the other side and our trucking charges were very simple and few accesorial charges. The big carriers have gone the other way with many nit-picky charges. Customers liked that they knew what to expect.

[Rich Biebel]

There are a lot of retired folks or those with the ability to get to a race way early and try to get a more preferred pit spot.

I often used to work till noon and have my rig with me.....drive to the race after work on Thursday and end up parked in the boondocks....

I've raced at Island Dragway a couple times this summer.....You get one time run and if you want a second run, you pay $20.....The entry for Pro is $75 and it's $1500 to win.....and there's always 60+ cars....

We are in an era of getting charged for everything and anything that used to be free.....

[James Perrone]

Racing has never been about the $$$$
I hate my$$ cause all I want to do is race my cars
But I?m gonna be 57 this year I live on Long Island
I have been racing in New Jersey and Nhra since 1993 or so
I am having to look at what?s more important right now
I have nothing to complain about financially I?m not rich but I?ve always done what I want
And the travel is tiresome but I love drag racing and right now I?m a little on the fence
Haven?t raced since Lebanon valley and it doesn?t bother me
Good luck too all
My comments wasn?t about bashing Nhra
Try traveling from where I live 30 plus years straight it sucks