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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 1, 2011 15:06:46 GMT -5
2010 NSS Drivers Attendance in NMCA In 2009, there were I believe 129 NSS drivers to have run at least one NMCA race -- according to the NMCA 2009 points spreadsheet posted at the end of the year. I just looked at the 2010 spreadsheet www.nmcadigital.com/points/NMCA2010finalpoints.pdfand was I surprised to see that only 64 drivers (less than half as many) competed in at least one race in 2010. The actual events looked to have had a couple fewer NSS drivers (the Dark Horse 3-car team didn't make any races, nor did Bud Cochran, Ava and a few others) -- but half as many total drivers to make at least one-race really surprised me. NSS was still the 2nd largest class in NMCA -- behind Open Comp. Most of the other classes were light too. Seeing some of the threads on the racing forums -- I think the different classes were light for different reasons -- so I don't know if you can read anything into that. I know a couple of classes were complaining on rule changes, mostly weight penalties and rewards -- and it is too expensive to be competitive in the super fast classes. I wonder if fewer NSS people competing had anything to do with the points system (which changes this year), if it was the economy, the weather from the first two races, Memphis in 2009, or if there was some other reason. Maybe it worked out that way because 2009 was the first year NMCA didn't have competition and in 2010 there was Midwest (NMCAs stomping grounds) competition for NSS racers. The three east coast races were the most lightly attended -- but two of the tracks are being replaced with other east coast tracks. The economy has gotten better for a some people -- and worse for others. Gas and diesel appear to be on the rise again -- and I hope all of the economists making their $5 gallon predictions for 2011 are wrong. I'm wondering on what 2011 will be like? |
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Post by fastdiesel on Jan 1, 2011 15:53:33 GMT -5
We're planning on making three NMCA races this year, (Commerce, BG and Indy).
Only planned on two (due to distance) in 2010 (BG - flood and St. Louis - made it to one).
Had to open up my self imposed 300 mile travel limit, to make it to more than the BG races and Chandler for 2011.
If the money and the vehicles hold out, I plan on seven events this year:
NMCA - Commerce
Beat The Mopars At The Plex - Dallas
Hot Rod Reunion - BG
Santa Clothes - Chandler (This one's a maybe, due to no pro tree this year. May just make a donation at Monster.)
NMCA - BG
Monster - (if it's no farther than Indy - hopefully BG!)
NMCA - Indy
Tentative plans for now. All subject to change. One a month is about all I can swing.
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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 1, 2011 18:04:32 GMT -5
I'm about 75% sure we'll run NMCA this year
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Post by fastdiesel on Jan 1, 2011 20:38:13 GMT -5
Who has a NSS roster? Might help if someone made a master list, from NMCA, Doug, and the other associations, and make a email/snail mail/phone list, for all those who don't check the websites. Remember, a lot of the racers aren't computer savvy (and at our age, don't care to be!)
Looking at the schedule (so far), and I can see how individual events are shrinking. There's a lot of competition for the casual racer (I would consider myself a casual racer).
I'm wowed at the dates, stacked together in the summer (when I personally don't care to race!). I know tracks are anxious to get events in the hot summer months. Anything to draw a crowd.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Economy dictates discretionary spending.
Every event won't be a Monster. I wish there was 40+ cars at every race, but it doesn't seem like it's gonna happen.
Then, there is always the cars (like mine) that aren't legal in some venues. Seems like promoters would be pitching for every possible entry, but that's a dead horse......This is my only whack at it!
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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 1, 2011 22:37:12 GMT -5
I just wish we could get more NSS cars down here in the South -- and have a series in the South. I'm finding it hard to scrape up the money to bring two cars to races so far away -- only to have others (not any of the NSS racers running NMCA) give me so much crap for making the effort to make all of those long hauls. Contrary to popular belief -- I find it hard to afford to do this -- and this might be my last year for the whole series.
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Post by poppaj on Jan 2, 2011 19:11:45 GMT -5
Seems to me that they would get a better draw if they kept the events Centrally located for the most part (at least five). It would be a 700-800 mile drive for us Northerners, about the same for the bunch down South as well as the mid-atlantic coast guys. And the few that come from out West it would be a makeable drive. That would make more racers want to run the points instead of just running one or two races.
poppaj
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Post by nssguy on Jan 3, 2011 18:06:46 GMT -5
I would say the drop in NSS was the locations of the races, "most NSS" racers are in the midwest. The Florida and east coast races are not easy drives for those racers. I was planning on the BG race until the rain, and couldn't see driving twice to Gateway, both tracks are 7hrs for me. The Milan race conflicted with a local Chrysler race. 2011 I'm looking at BG, maybe Milan, and Indy.
I'm hoping those 3 races will screw up all the point chasers. lol ;D
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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 3, 2011 19:29:37 GMT -5
I would say the drop in NSS was the locations of the races, "most NSS" racers are in the midwest. The Florida and east coast races are not easy drives for those racers. I was planning on the BG race until the rain, and couldn't see driving twice to Gateway, both tracks are 7hrs for me. The Milan race conflicted with a local Chrysler race. 2011 I'm looking at BG, maybe Milan, and Indy. I'm hoping those 3 races will screw up all the point chasers. lol ;D No doubt will -- especially with the Indy race being double points and my closest race 900 miles away. |
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Post by nssguy on Jan 3, 2011 20:10:08 GMT -5
My opinion again, the Bowling Green race will impact the points the most, probably double + the entries of any race. It will be interesting, especially if gas prices rise.
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Post by torquer on Jan 3, 2011 22:23:47 GMT -5
Gas prices will rise, but there will be cars in Bowling Green. I have never complained about a 7 or 8 hour drive. Have make several. The 14 to 16 are the ones that get me and I live about as central as you can. Would like to work on a deal to haul 2 or more cars to split cost.
Jim N.
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Post by fastdiesel on Jan 3, 2011 23:47:28 GMT -5
Gas prices will rise, but there will be cars in Bowling Green. I have never complained about a 7 or 8 hour drive. Have make several. The 14 to 16 are the ones that get me and I live about as central as you can. Would like to work on a deal to haul 2 or more cars to split cost. Jim N. That's how we used to do it with Jr. Dragsters. Load up 2 cars, 2 pit bikes, split gas, 4 to a motel room, split a Pizza hut family meal. Only way we could afford to do it back then.....But, Jrs. don't take up near the room as a pair of door cars. If it gets to where I can't afford it, I'll just stay home.... Maybe catch a bracket race once a month to keep the moths out..... |
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Post by wedgedave on Jan 13, 2011 14:27:55 GMT -5
Looks like it will be 3 for me. Bowling Green, Indy, Joliet. I'm thinking about Columbus Chrysler show, went 4 years ago and had a bad experience, a run in with one JO worker that I wont go into on these pages ! I might try to get to Cordova,IL a175 mile pull for the mid summer nostalgia meet, haven't looked up the dates just yet, but always a great show, and one off the oldest tracks in the country, late 50's early 60's was host to Big Daddy, the Greek, Socks and Martin,Kalitta bounty hunter. I saw a classic drag race at Cordova between the Greek and Kalitta there in 60's that the Greek won, they both beat Garlets butt that weekend. The good old days. I'm 6 miles from Gateway International Raceway in Madison, ill shire gonna miss that place
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Post by torquer on Jan 13, 2011 20:50:36 GMT -5
Not 100% yet, but thinking strong of going for another one.
Jim N.
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