Do you think the divisional doubles are a good idea?

[e vassar]

I love them!
If we lose anymore tracks in D4..we might have a triple.

[JeremyDuncan]

Not a Fan of the doubles. Bigger car count divisions should not be having doubles. Especially Wednesday to Saturday.

Also it makes zero sense to run Alcohol Car at doubles. Norwalk usually draws a crowd at Divisonal races. There couldn't have been 100 paid non crew/family spectators for the whole week and weekend at Norwalk. After extensive rain delays they still gave Alcohol cars three qualifiers on Friday and completed their eliminations on Saturday. While SST, STK, SC,SS,& SG only got one qualifier for second race.

Many people bring up an aging participant base, however if you cater to retirees you can't expect younger racers to join the divisional races.

[GTS340]

We are blessed with out west weather. Very few weather delays. We have class run offs in Vegas and Bakersfield. Life is good!

Paul

[Lenny5160_v2]

I like them, but I can certainly sympathize with arguments against them. Vacation days being one, but especially one qualifier for the second event for classes that have non-qualifiers going home without racing.

[BIGG18c]

Other than Brainerd my closest divisional is 550 miles one way, doubles are the best option for me cost wise.

[Perko]

Wonderful idea.
When considering my travel distances from central Wyoming, closest divisional is Acton Montana. Any others at least 450 to 900 miles away.
Weather and days off are always a problem regardless of location or event.
But the two grade points in two races without additional travel expense is a plus.
Steve

[Julie Jordan]

We have so few tracks out here in the west, doubles are pretty much mandatory. Our travel costs are already high in D7, the doubles give us more bang for the buck.

[J.R. Haddad]

I'm with Julie. I live in Canada, and with the dollar exchange, fuel, lodgings
once in a while, it costs me 3500.00 to 4000.00 to go to a race. Example:
Winnipeg to St. Louis-1050 miles x 2 = 2100 miles. Winnipeg to Earlville Iowa, 725 x 2 =1450 x 2 =2900 miles. Earlville is twice a year, no double.
Brainerd is a cake walk 350 miles x 2 = 700 miles. Now that only gets me
6 grade points, you need 8 to get into the Brainerd National Event, and I consider that my home track. And if your doing good in points, you have
to find 2 more LODRS races. Give us four doubles every year, and a lot of people would be very happy.

J.R.

[Speer Drag Racing]

I feel this is a very real situation that should be discussed. I totally see both sides of it. I do not believe it is a one size fits all dilemma and prior points have been made regarding each division specifically. Division 5 now only has 2 tracks that can host a Divisional. Thankfully for us they are both close.

For us, taking multiple weeks off for doubles and nationals just won't work. It was "OK" to have one double and couple 4 day nationals but now we pretty much have to leave Monday night for these Tuesday-Saturday doubles. We have three doubles that are close to us and two 4 day nationals. I don't quite understand why Chicago was a 4 day national but not the point here. I also agree with the Thursday-Sunday and save Monday as a rain day. If you start on Wednesday, it affects everyone. Usually if it has to go into Monday at least half the people are gone and unaffected.

In my business, if I'm not at work I don't make money. If I want to afford to go to these races, I have to work. Especially now since you can't even make your money back at a race unless you literally win the race. Missing 4-5 weeks of work and then if you end up doing good and chasing points you are missing even more traveling at the end of the year. For me, I will gladly travel a few more weekends and not have doubles that I have to miss a week of work for.

The schedule over the past couple years definitely caters to the retired and people who's business revolves around racing. It absolutely amazes me how many people show up to some of the doubles. But I really don't know how 20-40 year olds are making these schedules happen while trying to work and raise families. These past few years attempting to go to as many races we can has taken a toll on our family. Last year ended great and had an awesome time out in Vegas but physically, mentally and financially we were wore out!!

I really don't see doubles as a way to sustain and grow for the upcoming generation. For sure not Wednesday-Saturday. But like I said, it amazes me every time we go to a double how well attended they are so I think I'm in the minority here.

[TOSTO RACING]

Double divisonals are great have more!