Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series

Ed Fernandez · 10-04-2010, 04:09 PM

Michael,it wasn't a sunny day at all.The sun came out sporadically and the wind was constant for quite some time.When I finally left at about 2 PM it was dead cloudy and the wind calmed down a bit.The weather plain sucked and was not conducive to allowing
high HP cars,whether hitting the starting line or throttle stopping down track,getting good bite.
Someone made a point about the super categories expecting to hit that surface with 800+ hp and hooking up.I was also told,by someone who's opinion I fully respect,that
some of the recent rash of crashes are due in part to parts failure,due to a lack of
preventive maintenance.
I totally agreed with the decision to postpone the event before any more incidents happened.By condolences go out to the three racers who had mishaps during the weekend.

Bryan Worner · 10-04-2010, 04:35 PM

If they can't make the track good enough to race on in cool dry weather, then we need to not race there in the fall and race somewhere else that can handle all race cars.......like Maple Grove or Englishtown!!! I've raced at Hagerstown on colder days and nights and never had an issue!!!

Joe Hertline · 10-04-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan Worner

If they can't make the track good enough to race on in cool dry weather, then we need to not race there in the fall and race somewhere else that can handle all race cars.......like Maple Grove or Englishtown!!! I've raced at Hagerstown on colder days and nights and never had an issue!!!

I don't know if anybody else noticed, but a couple of Top Fuel teams pulled in Sunday morning as I was leaving - I wonder if they planned on testing Monday, and if so, how that worked out for them given the condition of the track....

Ed Fernandez · 10-04-2010, 10:17 PM

Michael,the sun never stayed out long enough to put any heat on the track.Period.And the wind didn't let up till after 1:00PM.When I left at 3:00 it was dark and cold.That track would have never come around.It seems it was a combination of the water in the track surface,the traction compound and the lack of tremal warmth that doomed the weekend.NHRA and Joe made the right decision.

Michael Beard · 10-05-2010, 10:05 AM

Well, the extended forecast says that Saturday the 16th, the high is supposed to be 58 degrees in Atco. Don't bother going back then. Everybody here has run on colder tracks (MUCH colder, for many of us). But if the temperature isn't the problem, then you're back to 1) traction compound or 2) water. Given the wrecks that have happened all year, I'd look there first. And if it's not traction compound, then you're left with water, in which case they would've canceled leading into the weekend -- I'm sure it's not the first time that they've encountered this set of circumstances. Either fix the root of the problem, or understand the limitations of what can reasonably be done. Not picking on Atco -- I hear nothing but the best about their regular program there. Norwalk has dealt with it too (and continues to deal with it).

Bryan Worner · 10-05-2010, 10:24 AM

Where is the schedule for the make up dates??? If they scheduled it for Friday, I'm going to blow a gasket!!! It will make me really believe that the division directors do not give a damn about their racers! The same racers that are paying their salaries!!!

BKSG1198 · 10-05-2010, 11:03 AM

Bryan,
If you have not seen it, here you go....and by your post at the top of the thread you have seen the schedule. Remember they did the same thing with Cecil, put it right on top of the Presidents Cup at MIR when it got rained out. Don't know if I'll make it back since I don't have any days left at work to take off.

October 04, 2010

Thursday - Parking begins at Noon for those returning to the Event. Gate will be staffed all night, 24 hours.

Friday - 1 time run session for all classes - Begin with Stock, Super Street, Super Stock, Super Gas, Super Comp, Comp, TAD, TAFC.

Eliminations continue following time run and will continue into Saturday.

Sunday will be the weather date.

Byron Worner · 10-05-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Michael,the sun never stayed out long enough to put any heat on the track.Period.And the wind didn't let up till after 1:00PM.When I left at 3:00 it was dark and cold.That track would have never come around.It seems it was a combination of the water in the track surface,the traction compound and the lack of tremal warmth that doomed the weekend.NHRA and Joe made the right decision.

I've raced on cooler, cloudy days at this track and others and had no issues. There was something done or not done that affected the track. My hunch is cheap traction compound that does not work in cool weather. I know this from racing at Pomona and the sad story of Phoenix.
We have the most expensive entry fees and the lowest payout of any division and the money isn't going to track prep. It shows!!! The only people getting f'd is us the racer! When will enough be enough.
Just my opinion. If anybody has any FACTS otherwise please share.

Ed Fernandez · 10-05-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byron Worner

I've raced on cooler, cloudy days at this track and others and had no issues. There was something done or not done that affected the track. My hunch is cheap traction compound that does not work in cool weather. I know this from racing at Pomona and the sad story of Phoenix.
We have the most expensive entry fees and the lowest payout of any division and the money isn't going to track prep. It shows!!! The only people getting f'd is us the racer! When will enough be enough.
Just my opinion. If anybody has any FACTS otherwise please share.

Byron,like you I just gave an opinion,not scientific fact.Irregardless I think everyone gave it their best shot and the reschedule was the right decision.
Incidently,thought my snail only 60's 1.75,I won Stock at Atco in 2006.I was the last car down the track after everybody,including most of thr Div 1 personnel bailed (about 10:30PM) and it was coooold.My 60' was the same as all the others that day.So I guess what you and others are saying about the new compound might have merit.
Sorry for injecting previous tales of earlier accomplishments.:>):>):>)

Byron Worner · 10-05-2010, 02:33 PM

No problem Ed. I just wish certain people would "MAN" up and tell us the truth to the issue and not what they want you to hear.

10-04-2010, 04:09 PM	#1
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series Michael,it wasn't a sunny day at all.The sun came out sporadically and the wind was constant for quite some time.When I finally left at about 2 PM it was dead cloudy and the wind calmed down a bit.The weather plain sucked and was not conducive to allowing high HP cars,whether hitting the starting line or throttle stopping down track,getting good bite. Someone made a point about the super categories expecting to hit that surface with 800+ hp and hooking up.I was also told,by someone who's opinion I fully respect,that some of the recent rash of crashes are due in part to parts failure,due to a lack of preventive maintenance. I totally agreed with the decision to postpone the event before any more incidents happened.By condolences go out to the three racers who had mishaps during the weekend. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

10-04-2010, 04:35 PM	#2
Bryan Worner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Duncannon, PA Posts: 825 Likes: 136 Liked 535 Times in 86 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series If they can't make the track good enough to race on in cool dry weather, then we need to not race there in the fall and race somewhere else that can handle all race cars.......like Maple Grove or Englishtown!!! I've raced at Hagerstown on colder days and nights and never had an issue!!!

10-04-2010, 10:17 PM	#4
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series Michael,the sun never stayed out long enough to put any heat on the track.Period.And the wind didn't let up till after 1:00PM.When I left at 3:00 it was dark and cold.That track would have never come around.It seems it was a combination of the water in the track surface,the traction compound and the lack of tremal warmth that doomed the weekend.NHRA and Joe made the right decision. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

10-05-2010, 10:05 AM	#5
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series Well, the extended forecast says that Saturday the 16th, the high is supposed to be 58 degrees in Atco. Don't bother going back then. Everybody here has run on colder tracks (MUCH colder, for many of us). But if the temperature isn't the problem, then you're back to 1) traction compound or 2) water. Given the wrecks that have happened all year, I'd look there first. And if it's not traction compound, then you're left with water, in which case they would've canceled leading into the weekend -- I'm sure it's not the first time that they've encountered this set of circumstances. Either fix the root of the problem, or understand the limitations of what can reasonably be done. Not picking on Atco -- I hear nothing but the best about their regular program there. Norwalk has dealt with it too (and continues to deal with it). __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

10-05-2010, 10:24 AM	#6
Bryan Worner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Duncannon, PA Posts: 825 Likes: 136 Liked 535 Times in 86 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series Where is the schedule for the make up dates??? If they scheduled it for Friday, I'm going to blow a gasket!!! It will make me really believe that the division directors do not give a damn about their racers! The same racers that are paying their salaries!!!

10-05-2010, 11:03 AM	#7
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,631 Likes: 96 Liked 1,286 Times in 393 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series Bryan, If you have not seen it, here you go....and by your post at the top of the thread you have seen the schedule. Remember they did the same thing with Cecil, put it right on top of the Presidents Cup at MIR when it got rained out. Don't know if I'll make it back since I don't have any days left at work to take off. October 04, 2010 Thursday - Parking begins at Noon for those returning to the Event. Gate will be staffed all night, 24 hours. Friday - 1 time run session for all classes - Begin with Stock, Super Street, Super Stock, Super Gas, Super Comp, Comp, TAD, TAFC. Eliminations continue following time run and will continue into Saturday. Sunday will be the weather date.

10-05-2010, 02:33 PM	#10
Byron Worner Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 231 Likes: 15 Liked 37 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Live from Atco , NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil Series No problem Ed. I just wish certain people would "MAN" up and tell us the truth to the issue and not what they want you to hear.