2023 Dutch Classic Experience

[James Perrone]

The Dutch Classic has lost some luster when I started it as the place to be to go fast and race badass car . It had got watered down by including jr dragster and bracket cars
But it’s back to the set up just Nhra classes
But the end of along season take atoll on entries
Weather is the main problem when forecast is iffy
But like every year I meet new people and make friends
Good to meet Jeff unfortunately I couldn’t wait to leave 😂
Also love Kim’s car. Pleasure to meet you sir

[CMcAllister]

I expected the remaining class to be run in front of and as part of the Saturday morning Q run, with everyone one else called in behind them.

I also didn't expect it to get done Saturday night.

Took time to get the track dry and there's only so many hours in the day I suppose.

[KimRhoads426]

Hi Jeff check out auto city classics for rad

[Ryan Horensky]

It was great meeting you Jeff. Your car is beautiful. It was nice chatting with you in the lanes. In my opinion, I think the right call was made to cancel the remaining rounds of class, give everyone a time shot, and run the race to completion on Saturday. It was windy and cold on Saturday. The forecast was colder with worse wind on Sunday. I live less than 2 hrs from the track and Sunday was miserable weather without a doubt. If the race was finished Sunday we may have been put in the situation of running 1/8th mile to even finish the thing. October races in D1 are definitely at the mercy of the weather. Some years it’s good, other years it is not.

[BKSG1198]

Originally Posted by James Perrone

The Dutch Classic has lost some luster when I started it as the place to be to go fast and race badass car . It had got watered down by including jr dragster and bracket cars
But it’s back to the set up just Nhra classes
But the end of along season take atoll on entries
Weather is the main problem when forecast is iffy
But like every year I meet new people and make friends
Good to meet Jeff unfortunately I couldn’t wait to leave ��
Also love Kim’s car. Pleasure to meet you sir

I can agree with you on this James, the Dutch used to be one of my favorite events of the season. I think mainly because it was the last "Hoorah" to see a lot of friends from far distances before we packed it in for the winter and see them in March / April. I still remember when it was a 5-day event with it starting on Wednesday. I know I spoke to Kyle Friday Night and he told me they had a total of 249 cars (150 were Stock / SS) because he asked me my thoughts on going right to R1 Saturday Morning. I basically said if no new entries were coming in (Can tell by the online tech cards to qualifying sheets) then go to R1 but, I don't get paid to make those calls. I know Kyle couldn't believe all the other events that were on top of the Dutch (Rockingham, PDRA VMP, Indy Open) and then the weather forecast didn't help. I told him that's where car counts were for a lot of other classes. I mean I'm not sure what the future of the Dutch holds but, I think over the past two years it hasn't been as popular as it was before.

I'm not sure if they need to do a points series like they used too, I mean they have proven at LVD & Epping the car counts are not worth a standalone weekend, do we do something like D2 with Sunday being an Open race? I mean Canada is doing one, look into getting sponsors to help the purse? I mean they had a killer purse for the Hemi's that was originally $5,000 and I think topped at $7,250 and only 5 cars showed up. Hate to see the Dutch go by the wayside but, we all know if it was a legit D1 points race, the place would be packed because we all know to hit the popular National Events you need 8 to 7 grade points to get in, can get lucky at some other less popular tracks or someone drops you get in but, for places like Gainesville, Norwalk, Vegas, Pomona you need high GP.

[littlemanjoe]

Maple Grove is a great track!

The staff is the best as far as I'm concerned.

We will be back next year!