So...................

John DiBartolomeo · 03-19-2009, 06:00 AM

I sort of have to agree with Jack... How did this go from SRAC to doom and gloom? First of all, I was in Gainesville and I have to tell you that I saw the same thing Kenny did. Six, seven and eight deep at the fences and full stands. Car counts down slightly, but I think that's what we're going to see in the future. SRAC? Gotta agree that it sort of went downhill but I think part of the problem was they (NHRA) had good intentions but are now faced with survival. Bigger fish to fry kind of thing. Although I believe you still have to keep your sights set on the future and regardless of the fact we have been told the sportsman are financial losers, they are STILL the backbone of the sport and what it was built on. The SRAC has lost some of it's punch but when you want something done, "they" still return phone calls and are willing to listen. And like Kenny, I too like to drink from the glass and would rather think it's half-full, which it is. Don't put your faith in the what the media tells you. Cause there the ones who put us in the position we're in today.

Bruce Noland · 03-19-2009, 06:29 AM

John,

Thanks for allowing Billy and me to use your computer. You have a very nice rig.

Just a couple of points of respectful disagreement. The car count was down over 20% (over 100 cars) from the already reduced quota. That's not a little bit. The back lots have been jammed full in the past and they were not this year.

The media, which you are part of, did not put us in the position we are in today. The media may be telling us about our problems on a non stop basis, but the media did not make the decisions that have brought this country to it's knees.

It's important to cautiously examine both sides of the coin when we are confronted with unprecedented financial pressures.

Ken Miele · 03-19-2009, 07:48 AM

John,

I thought I was imagining the crowds, thanks for telling the folks the same thing that I had seen.

Me and Bruce are totally on the opposite ends of what we see at the track. The quota might be off 20%, but the actual car numbers are only down 10% from last years gators. I don't think that is all the bad given the slower economy we have now.

As I said to Bruce in a email, examining both side of the coin is fine, but the majority feel the sky is falling. My view, like John's, is things are not as bad as we are lead to believe, and feel it should noted.

John, I have to plead guilty in taking this thread off topic. SRAC was something we needed, hopefully in the future it will be better.

CBS · 03-19-2009, 07:50 AM

Remember Bruce.....Super gas was not contested....that contributed to the low car count......

and cut with the doom and gloom....

I agree with John.....

I still get plenty of SRAC questions....and they are answered quickly by NHRA....

Rock Haas

Bruce Noland · 03-19-2009, 08:36 AM

CBS,
The reduced quota accounted for the dropped category. So they were still off over 100 cars and down over 200 cars from years gone by. And bye they are!

Cut with the doom and gloom?????

Kenny and I agree that these discussions are important for the racers.

partsbob67 · 03-19-2009, 10:21 AM

could it be the fault of those damn cobra jets? half full or half empty things are bad for some folks. others are doing better. could it be in their attitudes? i don't know. i think the media makes mountains out of negativity and sucks alot of people in it. everybody is worried about tomorrow, back when things were good they didn't seem to worry, just get another loan and buy something else they didn't need. now they have to pay for how they played.

SC1317 · 03-19-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBS

Remember Bruce.....Super gas was not contested....that contributed to the low car count......

and cut with the doom and gloom....

I agree with John.....

I still get plenty of SRAC questions....and they are answered quickly by NHRA....

Rock Haas

Alot of super gas cars entered in s/c. If I'm not mistaken, all the other sportsman classes were only 75% full or less. I think that counts as low car count. So the question is... has the SRAC addressed the issue of not dropping a class so maybe more cars that can't switch classes may enter?

Bruce Noland · 03-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Partsbob 67,

On March 21, 08 I started a thread " According to Alan Greenspan", it had 57 replies and over 5,000 views. I don't think any of the Ford Guys or anyone connected to the CJ's were upset about that one. The thread won't open now for some reason, but my post basically stated that we should watch our money because hard times are coming. I don't think the thread was controversial - that was one year ago.

partsbob67 · 03-19-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

Partsbob 67,

On March 21, 08 I started a thread " According to Alan Greenspan", it had 57 replies and over 5,000 views. I don't think any of the Ford Guys or anyone connected to the CJ's were upset about that one. The thread won't open now for some reason, but my post basically stated that we should watch our money because hard times are coming. I don't think the thread was controversial - that was one year ago.

i read that thread and i thought you were correct in your prediction.

Ken Miele · 03-19-2009, 02:58 PM

I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but I can't help myself. I'm sure most will agree that 2006 was the pinnacle for the stock market and home values, with a good economy. Fuel prices were around $2.60, higher, but not $4.00. Well I looked up the numbers from the gators in 2006, 451 total car count, 2009, 424. The reason for the car counts being down from many years ago is there is one less class. Stock and Super Stock no longer run class together. I could easily see another 100 to 125.

I will keep looking for the bright side of things even though others may not see it. A good friend of mine once told me, "We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time". Try to enjoy life and not dwell on the negatives, they will always be here, good times and bad times.

03-19-2009, 06:00 AM	#1
John DiBartolomeo Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Beaver Springs, PA Posts: 494 Likes: 1 Liked 1,282 Times in 159 Posts	Re: So................... I sort of have to agree with Jack... How did this go from SRAC to doom and gloom? First of all, I was in Gainesville and I have to tell you that I saw the same thing Kenny did. Six, seven and eight deep at the fences and full stands. Car counts down slightly, but I think that's what we're going to see in the future. SRAC? Gotta agree that it sort of went downhill but I think part of the problem was they (NHRA) had good intentions but are now faced with survival. Bigger fish to fry kind of thing. Although I believe you still have to keep your sights set on the future and regardless of the fact we have been told the sportsman are financial losers, they are STILL the backbone of the sport and what it was built on. The SRAC has lost some of it's punch but when you want something done, "they" still return phone calls and are willing to listen. And like Kenny, I too like to drink from the glass and would rather think it's half-full, which it is. Don't put your faith in the what the media tells you. Cause there the ones who put us in the position we're in today. __________________ John DiBartolomeo DRC Race Products DragRacingActionOnline.com

03-19-2009, 06:29 AM	#2
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: So................... John, Thanks for allowing Billy and me to use your computer. You have a very nice rig. Just a couple of points of respectful disagreement. The car count was down over 20% (over 100 cars) from the already reduced quota. That's not a little bit. The back lots have been jammed full in the past and they were not this year. The media, which you are part of, did not put us in the position we are in today. The media may be telling us about our problems on a non stop basis, but the media did not make the decisions that have brought this country to it's knees. It's important to cautiously examine both sides of the coin when we are confronted with unprecedented financial pressures. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK

03-19-2009, 07:48 AM	#3
Ken Miele Live Reporter Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 4,862 Likes: 456 Liked 16,560 Times in 1,523 Posts	Re: So................... John, I thought I was imagining the crowds, thanks for telling the folks the same thing that I had seen. Me and Bruce are totally on the opposite ends of what we see at the track. The quota might be off 20%, but the actual car numbers are only down 10% from last years gators. I don't think that is all the bad given the slower economy we have now. As I said to Bruce in a email, examining both side of the coin is fine, but the majority feel the sky is falling. My view, like John's, is things are not as bad as we are lead to believe, and feel it should noted. John, I have to plead guilty in taking this thread off topic. SRAC was something we needed, hopefully in the future it will be better.

03-19-2009, 07:50 AM	#4
CBS VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Commerce, Mi Posts: 1,387 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: So................... Remember Bruce.....Super gas was not contested....that contributed to the low car count...... and cut with the doom and gloom.... I agree with John..... I still get plenty of SRAC questions....and they are answered quickly by NHRA.... Rock Haas

03-19-2009, 08:36 AM	#5
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: So................... CBS, The reduced quota accounted for the dropped category. So they were still off over 100 cars and down over 200 cars from years gone by. And bye they are! Cut with the doom and gloom????? Kenny and I agree that these discussions are important for the racers. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK Last edited by Bruce Noland; 03-19-2009 at 09:58 AM.

03-19-2009, 10:21 AM	#6
partsbob67 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rohnert park,ca Posts: 414 Likes: 11 Liked 79 Times in 11 Posts	Re: So................... could it be the fault of those damn cobra jets? half full or half empty things are bad for some folks. others are doing better. could it be in their attitudes? i don't know. i think the media makes mountains out of negativity and sucks alot of people in it. everybody is worried about tomorrow, back when things were good they didn't seem to worry, just get another loan and buy something else they didn't need. now they have to pay for how they played. __________________ bob beals 7244

03-19-2009, 12:37 PM	#8
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: So................... Partsbob 67, On March 21, 08 I started a thread " According to Alan Greenspan", it had 57 replies and over 5,000 views. I don't think any of the Ford Guys or anyone connected to the CJ's were upset about that one. The thread won't open now for some reason, but my post basically stated that we should watch our money because hard times are coming. I don't think the thread was controversial - that was one year ago. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK

03-19-2009, 02:58 PM	#10
Ken Miele Live Reporter Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 4,862 Likes: 456 Liked 16,560 Times in 1,523 Posts	Re: So................... I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but I can't help myself. I'm sure most will agree that 2006 was the pinnacle for the stock market and home values, with a good economy. Fuel prices were around $2.60, higher, but not $4.00. Well I looked up the numbers from the gators in 2006, 451 total car count, 2009, 424. The reason for the car counts being down from many years ago is there is one less class. Stock and Super Stock no longer run class together. I could easily see another 100 to 125. I will keep looking for the bright side of things even though others may not see it. A good friend of mine once told me, "We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time". Try to enjoy life and not dwell on the negatives, they will always be here, good times and bad times.