Sonoma Changes

[GrapeApe7575]

Anybody know the truth behind the rumors rurrounding Sonoma Raceway? Apparently the tower is being demolished and I've heard various opinions that it's just being relocated or replaced in another location, etc.

We certainly can't afford to lose any more tracks on the west coast but if any were to go away this would seem to be the most likely....at least for drag racing.

[Barry Polley]

Morning Mark. I’ve sent a message and haven’t heard anything yet. Supposedly they are looking at options for the National.

[Drew7082]

I was told that tower operations are moving to the media center on the left side next to the garages. The tower crew should be able to see car #’s and dial ins just fine if we were to line up in front of the main grandstand like we do at the national event. Or they would likely have to radio every pair to the tower if we continued to use the normal staging lanes. The dragstrip manager was given VERY short notice that this was happening and is working on a plan for the (few) bracket races and wednesday night drags happening this year. Still doesn’t make sense to spend the time and $ on a demo and give up the revenue from the tower suites, all just because it was obstructing the view of a small section of their precious road course.

[Barry Polley]

Originally Posted by Drew7082

I was told that tower operations are moving to the media center on the left side next to the garages. The tower crew should be able to see car #’s and dial ins just fine if we were to line up in front of the main grandstand like we do at the national event. Or they would likely have to radio every pair to the tower if we continued to use the normal staging lanes. The dragstrip manager was given VERY short notice that this was happening and is working on a plan for the (few) bracket races and wednesday night drags happening this year. Still doesn’t make sense to spend the time and $ on a demo and give up the revenue from the tower suites, all just because it was obstructing the view of a small section of their precious road course.

Should??
That’s quite a distance and I’d need binoculars to see the dial from there..
There’s no view of the track ( only maybe starting line or second floor) from the Media Center.
Things went downhill from the covid years and continues..
Certainly hope things improve..

[Barry Polley]

Message sent Drew.

[Dan Bennett]

I worked at a lot of tracks for DRC, small, large, and sometimes a bit scary.


Sonoma was the worst major event track I ever saw. The media center was totally blocked from seeing much of the track at all. Though it was a great location, it was clear they weren't that interested in drag racing even back then.


Others that come to mind are Seattle and Norwalk. The building at the starting line was suites only, and if you were covering the race you were working in a rented construction trailer at the end of the track. Even if you stood at one of those high, narrow windows you could only see the tops of the cars over the wall. That made it hard to add any useful content on any run.

Norwalk was a special case that at least made changes. For years, there was no media center at all. Story I heard (totally unconfirmed) was that Bill Sr. was not a fan of the press after he read an article he didn't like. Things got a bit better years later when he rented an RV which was parked alongside the spectator side grandstand. And eventually he created a real place to work and give good coverage.


So a bit off the topic, but maybe some insight into why some reports are pretty dry and only include numbers from the clocks.

[Barry Polley]

Wanted to test both cars at the upcoming bracket races this weekend and the 4th. Found out they said no time runs! You have to enter a class. ��*
I didn’t think it could get worse? I was wrong again.

[John Winslow Jr]

That sucks was gonna take the boys up to license in my truck, well guess not going now, John

[Drew7082]

Originally Posted by Barry Polley

Wanted to test both cars at the upcoming bracket races this weekend and the 4th. Found out they said no time runs! You have to enter a class. ��*
I didn?t think it could get worse? I was wrong again.

I didn't realize that making time runs and writing a dial on the window negates any data you might get from going down the track.

[GTS340]

We have E.T. races here when it's well over 100. That is the best time for me to test unfortunately. I get two time trials and first round. If I need another run. I better win! Regular Shangrila!

Paul H