What lies ahead in 2005?
1/7/05
I feel like there are some great things ahead
for 2005 and bracket racing in general. I know from the
response to last month’s “Dead-On” that
there are a lot of racers who are tired of the Divisional
Point races, both IHRA and NHRA. Entry fees are way too
high for such low payouts. The way they schedule is conflicting
to say the least.
I think we are returning to a period of time
where bracket racing flourishes again. Thousands of new
faces are showing up at drag strips across the country for
“Street Legal Drags”, “Import Night”
and test and tunes. There is also a large contingent of
Jr. dragster racers who are looking at moving into regular
bracket races. Right now a lot these racers do not show
up for regular bracket races. They prefer the heads-up atmosphere
and fun. I predict, “not for long” as they will
find out the simple truth: “Nothing wins in heads-up
racing better than money”. The reason bracket racing
exploded onto the scene was when class racing got so expensive
only a couple guys won every week. Bracket racing is the
cure for that. Any racer that cuts a better light and runs
closer to the dial-in wins. Doesn’t get any simpler
than that. Four-link dragster, tube chassis door slammer,
leaf spring car with no roll cage to a streetcar-- it is
all the same really. Cut the better light, run closer and
you can beat anyone at any time.
I also get the feeling the super categories
are beginning to have run their course. Now it is seemingly
required to have a 7.50 second dragster throttle-stopped
down to 8.90 for S/Comp and the 9.90 cars are really getting
crazy, as there a lot of 7.90 door cars out there throttle-stopping
it down to 9.90. The goal is: They want more top end speed.
No matter the cost it seems. I know I am glad to be out
of that part of the sport for now. If they want to improve
the whole Super Class deal and make it tolerable to watch,
just take one second off the indexes and allow nitrous.
More and more NHRA and IHRA class and super
category racers are turning to different bracket racing
series across the country. The fast-growing Citgo/BTE Series
is spreading from coast to coast. George Howard is still
packing them in to his B&M Series down South. These
series require a lot of traveling and the racers who are
leaving the IHRA and NHRA series are leaving because they
want to race for more money AND they just want to do more
racing and less time runs. Three days at a Divisional Point
race for one race, that might pay $2000 with the right decals
is pretty weak compared to two days at a bracket series
where you can win $5,000 each day.
From my point of view and where I live bracket
racing is getting better and better. This year I can race
at home, four miles away at Cedar Falls Raceway, for $2000
to win at every Summit Series Point Race. The thing I really
like about this is the events are all two-day events. They
also have several “Short track” (1/8 mile) events
planned that pay $1000 to win and a three-race Fall Series
for $1000 to $1500 to win each week. Needless to say I won’t
be traveling very far this season.
It is going to feel good to support a local
track that has decided to upgrade their program to the level
that Cedar Falls Raceway has. I hope you all have that same
opportunity and take advantage of it.
Why the comeback in the bracket racing programs
around here? I don’t think anyone knows for sure but
you have to start with the obvious, track management. The
track managers have decided to get back to supporting the
biggest division in drag racing, bracket racing. There will
still be test and tunes and import races but it looks to
me like bracket racing is coming to the top again.
You have heard my ranting and raving about
decisions coming from the “suits” at IHRA and
NHRA headquarters. This month I want to thank them for not
messing with their successful local / divisional and now
National Champion ET Programs. It is grass roots
and it is a great thing for local racers and local tracks
as well. I know the NHRA Divisional ET Finals champions
get a chance to travel to the NHRA World Finals and race
for a National Championship. That would be way cool. IHRA
is supposedly getting something similar drawn up and it
would be a great addition the outstanding money their Summit
Series World Champions can win. Now if those winners could
square off at some race we could determine a real World
Champ…… O.K. I am conscious again-- I know that
won’t happen.
Have a safe off-season and don’t work
out in the garage too late!! 
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Dead-On
[12/8/04]
Status-quo
for Sportsman racers or Not?? |
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