Solution for our sport

[savoyracer]

Originally Posted by Superfan1

I am not an active racer, but I attend 8 - 9 National events each year including Indy, 3 - 4 Division 1 LODRS events each year, and the Dutch Classic; so I am definitely a hardcore fan. I had always heard great things about the Bader family and their "customer friendly" attitude, so I attended the National event at Norwalk in 2007 and 2008. I was very impressed; in 2007 on Thurs, Bill Bader Jr. was in the stands greeting the fans who were there on "hardcore Thurs". Bill Bader Sr. did the same on Fri. and Jr was back on Sat. and Sun. There is a customer service booth on both sides of the track, and there are track employees constantly picking up even the smallest pieces of trash to keep the grounds clean. Every track employee that I interacted with was cheerful, polite, and helpful. The fireworks show on Friday night at the conclusion of the racing is second to none, and the pound of ice cream for a dollar is great. Also the prices at the concession stands were lower than at other National events.
From what I understand, the Bandimere family in Denver operates in the same way as the Bader family, and all of the Bruton Smith owned tracks are "customer friendly". I went to Bristol in 2007, and to the new Z-Max Dragway in 2008 so I can attest to that. Pat Jeoffrion, the Bader family, the Bandimere family, and Bruton Smith "get it"; unfortunately the majority of track operators do not.

Bill Seabrooks - superfan1

............... would like to add the New Family to that list, the way they operate Firebird Raceway at Boise Idaho, is heads and shoulders above the other tracks here in the Northwest.

[Whalen3186]

Pat, I have heard nothing but good things about you and No Problem Raceway and am looking forward to making the trip down for the Sportsnationals this spring. It will be my first national event and to say I'm excited about it would be an understatement. When I saw the date and realized it is during spring break I circled it and said that's what I'm doing (I'm a senior at Illinois). Good luck and keep up the good work.

Drew Whalen

[randy wilson]

i run a independent drag strip. even though it does not make you rich, you can fill the seats with no break out racing. go to www.headsup-racing.com.

[Steve OB]

For years Norwalk was a track where Bader Sr. would roam through the pits & hug & kiss all the wives & children. He knew everyones name & their whole family. Over time some of that has changed. Sometimes the beast gets so big you have to treat it as a business & forego fun. The track is now run by Bader Jr. Through the sheer fact that the tower is now 50' above the pits it has taken some of that personal feel away. Also the fact it takes more money to keep the place running due to it's size. There has to be more shows & less Grass Roots type racing. There is all the intention in the world to keep it fun @ NRP but this year & last. The weekly racer that goes for fun & friends feels a little left out. All shows & Test & Tune nights? Even the Fri. test & tune has turned into work with the addition of Door Wars (fast heads up classes).
What will the future bring?

Thank you for your post Pat I agree with all you said. This should be fun not work.

[CycloneFE]

Pat,

You are SOOOO right! I remember my first years attending my local track and they were fun. The track my be gone but my memories are not. I continue to look else where to race and I do plan on visiting you someday.

I also know you do care. What other reason would you be here posting on Christmas eve trying to improve your business and get ideas? Good luck to you, your track and our sport.

Happy Holidays

Steve

[Dragsinger]

I have noticed that Pat makes no mention of changing rules nor reorganizing the sanctioning bodies nor creating a new Union.

What he does talk about is returning to a program that creates good will. In addition, returning to a program that both racers and race fans will enjoy, a program that folks can look forward to being a part of.

To me, one of the key pieces missing from today's world is stability. All parts of our lives are changing rapidly. Most of this dynamic change is out of our control, most of it on a Global scale is driven by politics and money, there is very little that an individual can do about it.

However, even as individuals, we have areas of power. One areas is how we spend our personal income. This is the key to local and regional race programs. A program that attracts the personal income will thrive.

Larry Woodfin

[Dick Butler]

Don Kennedy, A union in a factory has the advantage of wanting a more common agenda. Do we think S and SS and Comp racers could elect a person/group/committee that would be accepted to "do whats best" for the overall Drag Racing? So many factions, brands, agendas surface when our sport is discussed.
We dont all want a higher salary for our work and benefits. More money to win yes!
The common desires of the vast numbers of racers would be tough to negotiate under one "Flag".
Who would be allowed to make decisions BEST for the vast numbers of racers? When someone can no longer race a turbo 3 cylinder Aveo in stock with no boost rules will the Lawyer card be played to topple the whole idea of doing whats BEST for the sport?( Tried to be non- biased using non existent car)
Within our common sport, desire for advantage of rules and level playing field (when it affects others) and limited cost winners are issues of verbal concern.When would the Democracy of Stock and SS be allowed to be governed down to a managable,profitable , attractive package, for National meets. All racers are equally important but in every current form? At the expense of the whole?

[63corvette]

Just a note on FUN.
I attended the Tucson AZ Division race a few years ago after going to the Chandler event a couple of weeks before. I am not sure whether it was at the Division race or the ET race the weekend before but the track put on a Big Wheel race for the kids between the early regular race rounds.
It was more of a show than anything else but it was FUN to watch and the kids had a blast.
The track furnished the Big Wheels and anyone under a certain age could compete.
They used the regular tree usually with parents or track personnel holding the kids on the starting like until the tree came down then it was a race for 60 ft. with win lights and all. It was a real hoot for the kids and I enjoyed it as much as the kids did and the bigger race was back to the starting line after the finish to do it again.
It drew fans from the pits of racers, friends, and even grandma and grandpa. I can't say for sure but the stands were as full for the kids racing as any other class it looked like to me.
It was FUN for the kids and me and I did not know a one of the kids competing. That is the only place I have seen it run but I would go to watch it again.
It JUST WAS FUN to watch those small kids having so much FUN.
My 2 Cents

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Don Kennedy, A union in a factory has the advantage of wanting a more common agenda. Do we think S and SS and Comp racers could elect a person/group/committee that would be accepted to "do whats best" for the overall Drag Racing? So many factions, brands, agendas surface when our sport is discussed.
We dont all want a higher salary for our work and benefits. More money to win yes!
The common desires of the vast numbers of racers would be tough to negotiate under one "Flag".
Who would be allowed to make decisions BEST for the vast numbers of racers? When someone can no longer race a turbo 3 cylinder Aveo in stock with no boost rules will the Lawyer card be played to topple the whole idea of doing whats BEST for the sport?( Tried to be non- biased using non existent car)
Within our common sport, desire for advantage of rules and level playing field (when it affects others) and limited cost winners are issues of verbal concern.When would the Democracy of Stock and SS be allowed to be governed down to a managable,profitable , attractive package, for National meets. All racers are equally important but in every current form? At the expense of the whole?

There you go again Dick knocking the oddball combos
Well quess what in 1974 I ran a very oddball combo (a street hemi) everybody knew (even Chrysler) it could never be competitive because you had to run street tires and you could never get it to hook with the tires available at the time. To bad they didn't ban the darn things then? What seems odd to you now might be common place in the future.
If in your book whats best for the sport is telling someone their car can no longer be raced. PLEASE go have a discussion with some of the Pro Stock truck racres and tell them you thought it was okay to obsolete their cars (trucks).
I don't need anyone to represent me I can do it myself.

[Pistol Pete]

Pat
I wish we could get Stock, Super Stock, and the 90's classes to form our own organization, comp if they want to join in as well.

You know NHRA caters to the pro's and what happened to Jack Matyas at the end of the year is a great example of that.

Why cant we organize our own points races and sportsnational events.

Also Big Buck bracket races like what David Ley ran at ATCO this year.

I wish all sportsman racers wouldn't go to NHRA meets in 09. then they'll see the difference in what holds the sport together.

Pistol Pete
1374 STK