Gators

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Quo Pro Joe

Let's say there was NO quota and NO grade point requirements for the Gatornationals.Anybody that wanted to race in Stock Eliminator was free to compete.

How many cars would be there? Probably about 60.

There were 103 Stockers at the Baby Gators a week before the Gators. I probably would have stayed and run the Gators if I could have. I was already there! How many others would have also? Jim


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[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

Barry,
I agree with you about racers who have supported the Division and Open races. Apparently it has not dawned on the track owners that these new nhra quotas will hurt them in the long run as racers begin to figure out that only the wealthy and retired folks can regularly attend 8 or more grade point races a year. nhra has been dangling the National Event entry in front of all of us for decades and sooner or later the guys/gals will give up if these quotas are not remedied.

How many racers are running divisionals exclusively for the grade points, which seems to be your assumption here?

Divisionals might be my favorite events. I run them because I enjoy the style of racing, enjoy the pace, and like to compete for a division championship.

They even have class racing at some of them now.

[Bruce Noland]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

How many racers are running divisionals exclusively for the grade points, which seems to be your assumption here?

Divisionals might be my favorite events. I run them because I enjoy the style of racing, enjoy the pace, and like to compete for a division championship.

They even have class racing at some of them now.

Tony,
My point is nhra entices racers to get grade points to enter it's National Events. It's obvious that a lot of racers go to get grade points when the Gators fills with 8 grade points and racers come here upset about it and then later making requests from any racer who may have to drop out. This is getting old and I believe it will cool the enthusiasm for the divisional races and reduce car counts and profitability for the track owners. But your response really says it all. You appear to be saying I'm all set so I have no need to support the racers efforts to get increased quotas at Natiinal Events. I'm glad you are happy with your racing program.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

Tony,
My point is nhra entices racers to get grade points to enter it's National Events. It's obvious that a lot of racers go to get grade points when the Gators fills with 8 grade points and racers come here upset about it and then later making requests from any racer who may have to drop out. This is getting old and I believe it will cool the enthusiasm for the divisional races and reduce car counts and profitability for the track owners. But your response really says it all. You appear to be saying I'm all set so I have no need to support the racers efforts to get increased quotas at Natiinal Events. I'm glad you are happy with your racing program.

A few things:

Yes, the current structure works for my program, but there are a couple good reasons for that. First, my Super Street car is #1 and Super Comp is just something else I do to keep busy. So national events just aren't any kind of priority for me, even if they have Super Street running there. Secondly, I never ran NHRA events of any type in the pre-quota era so I don't know any differently.

With those points stated, I value my objectivity and am willing to put the greater good above what is good for me. When I compare a national event to a divisional, I see the national taking more time, costing more to enter, no shootout race, a smaller field (could be good or bad), getting to compete against some drivers that you wouldn't normally see in that area. Most of those are negatives and so I don't view national events favorably.

If I try to put my S/SS hat on, most of those still apply although there usually aren't bonus races at divisionals and at a national there could potentially be class racing, which is a big deal and maybe the biggest allure which puts national events on another level. They could have just taken that away from more events, but introduced the viable alternative to run class at some divisional events. Almost sounds better to me because the fields can be much larger which increases the likelihood of actual class eliminations and fewer in the combo.

My point wasn't that low quotas are a good thing; I was simply questioning your theory that lower quotas will kill the divisional events and the tracks that hold them. The LODRS seems to have enough to offer in its own right. Maybe I see it differently because my division is so geographically large that attending far-flung events to earn grade points to race national events that are just as far-flung wouldn't be worth it.

I've also learned over the years that complaining about anything racing-related doesn't do any good. I was a longtime NHRA hater and still don't love the organization, but I enjoy the style of racing and knew what I was getting into. When I don't enjoy it, I'll stop doing it in favor of something else that I enjoy.