Only 48 Stockers at Epping?!?

[Jim Whitehead]

Originally Posted by James Perrone

Have 2 national events at Maple Grove
New England is so far away and. Small
Besides just 2 pro classes. Kinda short changed the paying customers
Oh they can just hang out in the Manufacturers Midway.

Again if you think it’d to far DO NOT come. For the racers in Canada, Main, New Hampshire and Eastern Mass Maple Grove is to far. Besides VMP a D1 track 12 hours for me and 24 for my friends in Canada. I Don’t see anyone racer from Northeast complaining. If it doesn’t work for you don’t go DON’T complain.

[Jim Whitehead]

Originally Posted by RKelliher

Adam again,I am talking about many years,not just this one. And only tracks with the room let in VIP parking. Letting people pull out without allowing others to get in is a mistake by NHRA. The VIP parking is mostly stock holders and family. NED not NHRA issue. The weather was a factor this weekend as it has been around the country. Part of racing.But when quotas are very low, drop outs make a bigger difference.

How do you let other racers in when people are deciding last minute, and the day of to pull. WEATHER was the issue. As stated tittle was 48 cars at Epping. NOT to beat the track up, and what improvements should they do. Lots of track need improvements, and last minute withdrawal is a new thing. DON’T bash it. Before we now it no tracks will survive. Support it or STOP COMPLAINING.

[1347]

Originally Posted by Jim Whitehead

How do you let other racers in when people are deciding last minute, and the day of to pull. WEATHER was the issue. As stated tittle was 48 cars at Epping. NOT to beat the track up, and what improvements should they do. Lots of track need improvements, and last minute withdrawal is a new thing. DON’T bash it. Before we now it no tracks will survive. Support it or STOP COMPLAINING.

Classic example of " If I ran the racetrack! " by everyone on the internet.

[tstickff]

Bob, I’m very surprised to hear you say just shut this race down, especially coming from someone who lived here and got to enjoy some very great races/nationals at Epping yourself. I think asking to shut this race down for good is a huge mistake. Also we should be careful what we wish for. Before we know it we won’t have any place to race. Don’t think people from NHRA don’t read this site?

Charlotte this year had the same situation before the race started, I was entered, but the forecast was terrible so I withdrew, not worth the 17 plus hour ride. I know you live very close to Charlotte now I did not see you entered at that race? They actually had a larger quota at 60 cars, and only had 53 on the final Q sheet, about the same numbers comparing to Epping.
Charlotte is a track that only operates 2 times a year, should they consider closing down that race also? I know your answer I’m just making a point that the negativity is already very fluid in this sport, let’s just be happy we have a place to race, or sit in the rain and hangout with our closest friends!

Hope all is well
Tim Stickles

[rboyle]

Just my opinion but being the original poster let me clarify my point.
I LOVE Epping and the National event they put on there. So in no way do I wish it relocated or cancelled.
I wish, NHRA would go to a qualified field for all class cars but ESPECIALLY if you are contesting Class eliminations at that race. So for example at Epping this year for Stock only open up the entries to say 75 but only the 55 quickest Qualify, at Maple Grove this year open up Super Stock to say 100 entries but only the Quickest 65 (i think that’s the quota there) Qualify for the race.
As far as pulling out goes after Monday regardless of the weather (barring a national disaster or 9/11 type event or pandemic) then I do NOT think NHRA should give a credit to a future race. Like my late great friend always said, if you want to racs then you have to be there. Monday elims suck but I called in sick enough Mondays in even my racing career to understand that, even a few Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
My personal race season has been in flux much of the last couple of years so maybe I’m a little more whiny. Sorry.

[RKelliher]

I think you are all missing to point, NHRA doesn't need to limit
the pro field as they do at NED and a low sportsman quota. plus no comp.no alcohol dragster or funny cars were not even allowed. Not a weather issue. Low top fuel and funny car show up.No pro stock or pro motorcycle were invited. these are also not weather issue. this has been a trend for years. The fans pay a lot of money for half a event. A couple of years ago NHRA didn't even bother with the nitro mall or event shirts and hats. NHRA needs to step up at NED ,a place with one of the largest fan bases in the country. So does NED.

Good to hear from you Tim,hope you and your dad are doing well.

[SuperStock fan]

I'm confused about the track drying at Epping because all I see is a bunch of people using leaf blowers and other people standing around like it's a state job. The money nhra charges shouldn't they have their jet track dryers out? Talk about milking a job!

[BG56]

N.E. Nats Pros postponed to next weekend in Bristol, TN. Alan did mention where Sportsmen will contest. Maybe Lebanon Valley?

[M120]

I've never been to Epping nor raced a Divisional/National event.

But I'm curious about the discussion about the Epping event. How does it compare to Atco in parking(racers & spectators), amenities, racer experience, access to get to the track,..

Atco can't host a national event due to acreage, amenities and most of all, access. Etown could get people off the two lane road in a somewhat timely fashion because of size of property. Just trying to compare the tracks. Atco has huge backups for smaller events, though an NHRA national would have more localPolice/County/State involmemt.

Not that it matters much coming from me, but people dropping out for weather is a very valid reason in my opinion. They saved a decent amount of dead dinosaurs . I think Stock, S/ST & S/Comp got first round in. If I entered any class not completing 1st round, it's money in the bank.

I wouldn't want the event to be dropped. It gives the NE racers an event in their own backyard.

And it's hard to think of a process to replace racers not attending at the last moment.

I had another reason to log in and thought I'd post my worthless reply.
Have a Great Day!

[Jim Whitehead]

Originally Posted by M120

I've never been to Epping nor raced a Divisional/National event.

But I'm curious about the discussion about the Epping event. How does it compare to Atco in parking(racers & spectators), amenities, racer experience, access to get to the track,..

Atco can't host a national event due to acreage, amenities and most of all, access. Etown could get people off the two lane road in a somewhat timely fashion because of size of property. Just trying to compare the tracks. Atco has huge backups for smaller events, though an NHRA national would have more localPolice/County/State involmemt.

Not that it matters much coming from me, but people dropping out for weather is a very valid reason in my opinion. They saved a decent amount of dead dinosaurs . I think Stock, S/ST & S/Comp got first round in. If I entered any class not completing 1st round, it's money in the bank.

I wouldn't want the event to be dropped. It gives the NE racers an event in their own backyard.

And it's hard to think of a process to replace racers not attending at the last moment.

I had another reason to log in and thought I'd post my worthless reply.
Have a Great Day!

Epping is directly off a 4 lane East to West highway. Fitted 10 miles from I-95, and About 15 Miles from I-93. Access is very easy. They have adequate parking, and pit space. Like most tracks their is room for improvements. They do have a large area that was not used for pit space at the top end of the track. No doubt they could have raised the car count.