Remember when we had to leave the pits ? - Page 2

Rich Erickson · 10-25-2009, 06:12 PM

Stock Eliminator 70 Winternationals

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

Hi,

I remember back in the 70's at the WinterNationals.

That was when the NHRA liked the racers, not like now

Bob

Rich Erickson · 10-25-2009, 06:14 PM

Another shot at the Winternationals

larrylomascolo · 10-25-2009, 10:38 PM

1981 u.s nats we stayed at a campground near the track ,what a zoo,we changed a set of lifters in a k/sa 68 chevelle that night with 2 trouble lights till 2am some people never slept at that place.it is a memory i will never forget,good times

George Fitzpatrick · 10-26-2009, 05:56 AM

Back then even the bag boys had to work in the motel parking lot.

7820 · 10-26-2009, 08:11 AM

What was the reasoning behind not being allowed to spend the night in the pits??

Dick Butler · 10-26-2009, 08:26 AM

Security issues I believe. My first nationals was INDY as spectator 1961. Hitch hiked over and slept in a garage across the street under the Drive in Movie screen. Sneaked into the track the first night and picked up by security to take us back out. Beer Burn outs were supposedly done on the road outside the track. Hayden Profitt supposedly ran down the street that night from his Motel to test it out.
Motels trashed by guys working on Motors in the rooms... Sad but interesting history. Touring the Motels was a big deal then when ALL cars went back to the Motels at night..
The entire area outside track was camping and Beer and etc...

njk53 · 10-26-2009, 09:15 AM

I remember a story my neighbor Maynard Rupp (Top Fuel) told me when they were in Tulsa for the World Finals. They carried up all of the parts and pieces to build a long block in a second floor motel room. They put the whole motor together and realized the motor was too heavy to carry down the stairs so they took a bunch of matresses from the rooms and threw the engine over the side rail onto the matresses. They also used the bath tub as a parts washer.

TOM KASCH · 10-26-2009, 10:10 AM

The reason was ;
NHRA made you leave the pits, BUT when IHRA didn't after a couple of yrs guys said it doesn't make any sence why not let us stay.........
Plus motor homes were coming in to play.

cicero819 · 11-24-2009, 08:29 PM

anyone else with pictures from Hotel Parking lot Jamboree, these are from OCIR.

W J · 11-24-2009, 09:45 PM

I remember driving out to the 1967 Indy Nats w/3 good friends. We stayed at some big Holiday Inn in downtown Indy....it was simply wild. From people working on racecars in the parking lot to carting motors/transmissions into rooms for service and even overnight re-builds....Hardly anyone got any sleep for sure---some partying hard and some working hard for tomorrow's qualifying or eliminations.....will never forget those fun days.....

WJ

10-25-2009, 06:14 PM	#12
Rich Erickson Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 246 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? Another shot at the Winternationals

10-25-2009, 10:38 PM	#13
larrylomascolo Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario,canada Posts: 440 Likes: 70 Liked 66 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? 1981 u.s nats we stayed at a campground near the track ,what a zoo,we changed a set of lifters in a k/sa 68 chevelle that night with 2 trouble lights till 2am some people never slept at that place.it is a memory i will never forget,good times

10-26-2009, 05:56 AM	#14
George Fitzpatrick Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Babylon, NY Posts: 344 Likes: 119 Liked 94 Times in 24 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? Back then even the bag boys had to work in the motel parking lot. Attached Thumbnails __________________ George Fitzpatrick 426 HEMI STK, SS

10-26-2009, 08:11 AM	#15
7820 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 201 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? What was the reasoning behind not being allowed to spend the night in the pits??

10-26-2009, 08:26 AM	#16
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? Security issues I believe. My first nationals was INDY as spectator 1961. Hitch hiked over and slept in a garage across the street under the Drive in Movie screen. Sneaked into the track the first night and picked up by security to take us back out. Beer Burn outs were supposedly done on the road outside the track. Hayden Profitt supposedly ran down the street that night from his Motel to test it out. Motels trashed by guys working on Motors in the rooms... Sad but interesting history. Touring the Motels was a big deal then when ALL cars went back to the Motels at night.. The entire area outside track was camping and Beer and etc...

10-26-2009, 09:15 AM	#17
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? I remember a story my neighbor Maynard Rupp (Top Fuel) told me when they were in Tulsa for the World Finals. They carried up all of the parts and pieces to build a long block in a second floor motel room. They put the whole motor together and realized the motor was too heavy to carry down the stairs so they took a bunch of matresses from the rooms and threw the engine over the side rail onto the matresses. They also used the bath tub as a parts washer. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

10-26-2009, 10:10 AM	#18
TOM KASCH VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TOLEDO,OHIO Posts: 1,735 Likes: 0 Liked 241 Times in 100 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? The reason was ; NHRA made you leave the pits, BUT when IHRA didn't after a couple of yrs guys said it doesn't make any sence why not let us stay......... Plus motor homes were coming in to play.

11-24-2009, 08:29 PM	#19
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,086 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? anyone else with pictures from Hotel Parking lot Jamboree, these are from OCIR. Attached Thumbnails

11-24-2009, 09:45 PM	#20
W J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Paxton, Massachusetts Posts: 638 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Remember when we had to leave the pits ? I remember driving out to the 1967 Indy Nats w/3 good friends. We stayed at some big Holiday Inn in downtown Indy....it was simply wild. From people working on racecars in the parking lot to carting motors/transmissions into rooms for service and even overnight re-builds....Hardly anyone got any sleep for sure---some partying hard and some working hard for tomorrow's qualifying or eliminations.....will never forget those fun days..... WJ