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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 18, 2011 16:37:34 GMT -5
just a little of the excitement I've been to 20 NMCA races now -- and have seen them take on as much as they took on this weekend -- with the bad weather. It is all about the track personnel. Take the Monster for instance. I'll bet 2-3 times the number of cars go down the track and there never was an issue -- because Gateway had a good staff. Milan has a good staff. Joliet has as much racing without issue because (while not overly-friendly) -- the track staff know what they're doing. Bowling Green has a good track staff. Zmax's staff sucked. I really believe that NMCA busted their ass and the track screwed them. It does appear that the NMCA was irritated that the NSS guys didn't want to risk wrecking their cars on a shitty track -- but by then the straw that broke the camels back had long ago been lobbed on them. I can only imagine the shit they took from racers all day long as the track people shucked and jived during the clean ups. I've been critical of NMCA in the past -- so it should be known I don't carry their water for them. But I want to be fair and put where I think the blame belongs. I saw Lynnwood, Charlie, and Trey (among others NMCA guys) busting their ass hard -- while at the same time I saw the track people look like the 12 Road workers looking in a hole one guy was digging. This would not have been a problem at most tracks. Take Friday morning for instance. The rain stopped at 2AM but little was started until 9AM and it went slow. The first car went down the track 3 hours late and the track was shit. I personally think the NMCA shouldn't get the heat this time. They're wrong if they think NSS racers are pussies and need to go to bed early. The four racers left were Doug Duell, Brian Merrick, Steve Wilson, and Kurt Neighbors. All have won NMCA races and at least two have won championships. They should know if one or more lanes were unsafe -- but the boiling point had been reached much earlier in the day, and you can't really hold that against them.
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Post by nssracer on Apr 18, 2011 16:53:19 GMT -5
Ok here is the story at the NMCA race in Atlanta. My observation that the NMCA fell into "The Perfect Storm" of putting on a drag racing event. First putting on a NMRA/NMCA event on your first visit to a new track was a mistake. The track which is owned by NHRA was not staffed for this event. They did not have the ability to prep the track or clean up any fluid spills. Of course with a poorly prepped track lots of crashes occurred. Next heavy rains came into the area Friday night and into Saturday morning causing a late start putting the program behind. Normally first round of NSS happens on Sunday about 10 oclock. At this race it was 3 oclock. 2nd round was at about 7 oclock. As we were called to lanes for 3rd round the sun was setting and track temps where dropping. NMCA made the choice to run there 3 fastest classes before they lost the track. The left lane was junk all weekend and it was getting worse at this time at night. Of course a SS car got out the groove and scrapped the wall. Minor but the track cooled as they checked the track. Then NMCA ran three classes in front of NSS. When NSS pulled under the tower OC was racing. Brian Merrick and I were to be the first set of NSS cars to run after OC. Brain was in the left lane and we watched both OC spin and almost lose control of there cars at about the 330 mark. At that time the track decided to tractor prep the track further. At that time I did not think it was safe or fair to send Brain down the left lane. I ask Bambi Merrick to come over to my car and ask Brian about racing in these conditions. We decided to talk to the other pair of drivers Kurt Neighbor and Steve Wilson. We discussed all options and decided that we did not feel safe racing under these conditions and would split the prize money and leave it to NMCA to deal with the points. At that time we informed the head of staging and I headed to the tower and informed Lynnwood of our decision. Charlie and Trey came to the tower and I explained our position. They said if we were not comfortable racing we did not have to. I know they are not happy with our choice but it was our decision. They ask to move our cars back to the trailer. The 4 of us split the $1900 purse getting $ 475 each. I think the bracket cars also choose not to race and few other racers. All the classes did run there finals except NSS. Did we make the right choice...are we grumpy old men??? Well Im only 49 years old and I saw 4 very nice NSS cars that are hard to replace if they are wrecked. Also what if one of us where hurt from a bad crash, to me for a few bucks and some points I dont think so. I have sent a email to to Steve, Charlie and Trey to discuss this race. This race could have only worked under perfect conditions and they where not. I am sure NMCA intentions are good to all there classes and they did not want these results that took place at this event. Remember all these classes that run are important to the class sponsor, the racers and as revenue steam the NMCA. Everyone likes to question the bracket racers at these events but they have there place there also. So as unhappy as we are about this event I ask that you support the NMCA. They work hard for class and all the classes in the NMCA. Putting on a race is hard work and even harder when the track is not ready for this type of event. I will be attending all the NMCA races this year. Just remember at the "Dave Duell Classic" you will be the stars of the show and the the other racers will be saying those damn NSS guys are slowing the show down. NMCA does care and will make the proper changes to make this right.
Thank you, Doug Duell
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Post by fastdiesel on Apr 18, 2011 17:34:31 GMT -5
Doug, Thanks for the FIRST HAND report!
Glad they paid the full payout! Hope they do you guys right on points.
I commend you guys for sticking together and doing what you thought was safe for all the remaining NSS/ers.
I wasn't aware that the event also included an LSX shootout. I was wary of a double event.....I'd never showed-up if I knew they were trying to squeeze in three races!!!
I did get some much needed runs on the new suspension set-up!
See you guys at Bowling Green for the Hot Rod Reunion!
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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 18, 2011 17:51:09 GMT -5
Dick Morris' saga
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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 18, 2011 18:59:19 GMT -5
Atlanta 2011 track photos
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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 18, 2011 20:44:05 GMT -5
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Post by fastdiesel on Apr 18, 2011 21:34:31 GMT -5
Gabe watched the live feed at dragstory.com. He said it was awesome! Here's a good one of the Malibu: Attachments:
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Post by texoutsider on Apr 18, 2011 22:21:43 GMT -5
Well, is guess that I own the NMCA an apology............but it was the same deal 2 years ago...this was not thier first hurrah in HOtLanta.
Mark
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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 19, 2011 6:57:06 GMT -5
Yup -- 2008 was a bad deal with the bracket racers. There were no where as many of them this time
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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 19, 2011 10:09:54 GMT -5
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Post by torquer on Apr 19, 2011 21:22:34 GMT -5
I guess I have no business saying anything here as I was safe at home. I had fully intended to be there but the stars did not align for me either. The reason I wanted to be there was that Atlanta has ALWAYS been a GREAT track for me. I have been to at least 3 finals there and the win in 2007 was what got me the World Championship. My car has always went down that track in either lane. And my only problem in 2008 was a few thousands redlight to Mark in the second round, and the car still could run under on that pass with a great 60' time. I hate that people had such problems. We are in this for the fun and if it's not fun, what is there? It's sure not money. I was just thinking today, fuel is twice what it was a few years ago and prize money is the same and there are fewer decals I can collect on now too. I will still race and thanks to the NMCA for a place to do it. Mark and some others remember another organization we supported and went all over the world to run with and they could not make it. Be thankful for what we have. If I can't do this my next move will be to NHRA and I know how that is as I have been there before. Ramblings from a grumpy old man. Jim Netherland
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Post by fastdiesel on Apr 19, 2011 22:36:49 GMT -5
Jim, We missed you (not a single Buick representing GM!). I know he reasons you had to stay home were not good, but trust me, you were a lot better off at home! Don't get me wrong, I DID have fun this weekend, it just wasn't much FPH (Fun Per Hour). NSS could have had all their fun in one day! Got some testing on the new set-up. Finally got close on the 1/4 mile index. See you soon! It's about this Grumpy Old Man's bedtime (like Sunday night!!! ;D)... I think we need a race day curfew!
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Post by poppaj on Apr 20, 2011 0:43:02 GMT -5
Well it is good to hear that the NMCA was trying but I still can't imagine why they (The track) would try to hold an event with that many groups there at one time. This had to be a big event for them so I would have assumed they would have had it booked for only the NMCA/NSCA race. I know that local bracket racing is the track's weekly bread and butter but at most tracks the bracket racers have the track to themselves 75% of the season. Also, I completely agree with the final four drivers left in NSS, absolutely the right decision.
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Post by Dave Schultz on Apr 20, 2011 10:04:23 GMT -5
I hate to argue the point for NMCA as it ain't my job man -- but almost all of the NMCA events have the bracket racers coming -- I assume it is part of the price negotiation for the track. Also the LSX racers are going to be at 4 of the races. This race replaced the Zmax race -- which with Maple Grove had the lightest attendance. The car counts for all classes was light -- very light.
Joliet also has the NMCA/NMRA combined -- and my guess is that it has twice the car count.
I think it is strictly the case of Economics.
My personal opinion is that they must know that only having a Friday morning Test and Tune, and then go right into two of the qualifying runs; then the last Qualifying early Saturday morning and then Eliminations starting afternoon -- and finally finishing up very late Sunday night is killing car counts, and the NMCA has to know it. We have to load up on Tuesday, leave early in the morning Wednesday and drive 15-20 hours non-stop to arrive in the middle of the night Thursday morning. If we get to leave the track Sunday evening -- then we have to drive all night to get home Monday night. That is a solid week off work (no longer a weekend deal) 7 times a year, $2000 in diesel, $300 (minimum) to get in the gate, $400 in groceries and beer -- and all of that is if nothing goes wrong like the rig breaking down or having a flat. After the race it costs $100 to clean the rig in an out, a day to unload and clean/service the cars (if nothing broke), half day to change the oil and all filters in the generator that just ran 200 hours, and there is always some other drama that needs to be dealt with before the next race. Most people can't take that kind of time off to travel, race, and service their cars. NMCA knows that -- but the tracks are too expensive ,and NMCA's costs are too high (think of all of the people flying in from the West Coast, and the trailers carted to the races) to not include local bracket racers. A rain out like Bowling Green kills them. They appear to be in a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. They're really the only act in town -- and if we lose them -- then there is no National circuit for NSS. It is just down right tough being a drag racer in today's world -- as it isn't as popular with the number of people it was in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
I was talking to someone at the NMCA (can't blow them in by saying who) -- and they're kicking around the idea of regional series of races in regions they can get a decent car count for the weekend. Houston and California are experiments. It would be nice if we could get a 5-race series for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado. I about shit when they felt like Texas would fit in a west coast series with New Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California -- as that's even worse that what Texans have to endure to get to their Northern Midwest and South East races.
Texans need to get their NSS cars ready -- as we might have a South Central US regional series if we can prove to them we actually have racers down here.
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Post by nssracer on Apr 20, 2011 12:40:30 GMT -5
This happens could run for the Texas Thug Trophy! Attachments:
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