 BURK
NEVER MET A MAN HE DIDN'T LIKE?
I read a lot of boards and try to keep up with what is
up in the world of racing. Some of the DRO articles make me yawn, however,
one thing is
for certain! I am always anxious to read Burk's Blast. It never fails
to be truthful & entertaining! Keep up the good work :-)
I hereby pronounce Burk as the Will Rogers of Drag Racing!
Bob Rieger
SHARING A 'GREEK' MEMORY
I enjoy (Chris Martin's) article on Chris's "Chizeler"
performances over the years.
The year 1964 Bonneville Nationals August meet closing
we said our farewells to our associates from California & Nevada
that were taking our other cars & trophies with them. Dave Babler
and I (David Gilliland) set off to the East with our AA-Fueler loaded
on an open air trailer and a handful of performance dates with small
guaranteed show-up money and a chance to compete in the elimination
programs, throughout America's Bread Basket.
Dave Babler's ("California Woody") of Lake Minnetonka, Minn.
previously of Santa Monica, California 1964 and I spent this summer
/ fall in Chicago, Ill. During our stay there we were afforded use of
Chris's facilities for repairs and maintenance. Then in the weeks that
followed we had some races with Chris's second car locally around Milwaukee,
Wisconsin while he was on the West Coast. The promoters billed our competition
as the West Coast's "California Woody Vs Mid West Champion Karamesines."
We would confer at the TV station for confrontations weekly with as
much disdain as we could muster, being that we spent the week working
in the same garage and cruising the river night dinning & clubbing.
Everyone was so nice & accommodating, providing garage,
equipment & quarters with nothing in return. I mean stayed with
families of other racers that wouldn't let us pay a dime and would have
been offended if we pressed our efforts. Many, many people don't believe
that California racers or anyone else would be treated with all this
compassion but it stands alone in my memory as a brush with this large
group of gracious people.
All in all, we couldn't have asked for a better time as
that summer we won some, lost some and purchased some 471 windmills
for resale in the West. Oh yes, also a spare Chrysler engine. Forty-seven
hours later we were rocketing down the San Bernardino Freeway now know
as "Interstate 10" to Santa Monica and home again, again,
where Route 66 ends.
Now close to forty years later here we are, older and
some wiser but there is a burning fire for the competition of wanting
to make that machine do more than it was designed to do!
Sincerely,
David Gilliland
TRACTION CONTROL
YES, we do need some kind of traction control and I think
a good start would be a real RACING TIRE.
Frank Oglesby
NHRA BORROWS IDEAS
The pyrotechnics at NHRA events are a direct rip off of
the original Night Under Fire that IHRA has had for years. They say
that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this is just one
example of NHRA flattering IHRA. The taking on of Pro Mod is another
example, plus NHRA division 2 trying out Top Dragster is another attempt
to kill off some of IHRA's local Division 2 track revenue by stealing
some of their thunder.
I like an expanded venue for the racers to take advantage
of, but do not act like NHRA thought up all these things, they just
borrow the best, like every body else.
Thanks,
Richard Burbick
INDY THOUGHTS
Chris Martin sounds genuinely shocked at the INDY food
prices. Chris needs to speak with someone who attends MLB or NFL. Prices
from Hell are part of the profit equation at all large events. Special
fun when the food is cardboard.
The most astounding bit of information Chris imparts is
the lack of improved lighting. The NHRA fuel drivers brought great pressure
on all major event tracks to upgrade their lighting. To go backwards
at INDY is truly amazing. What happened to the MUSCO equipment?
Anyone providing press coverage, spectator dollars or
competition participation at NHRA races must remember rule #1: No good
deed will go unpunished.
Norman Hechtkoff
MORE INDY THOUGHTS
Got a big kick out of your (Indy) coverage. Couple of
responses to Chris.
First, you were right, they didn't add the thousandth
until this year. As a
matter of fact, on my last visit to IRP before the Nats in June, the
old
scoreboards were still up, as I recall.
Second, the Musco temporary lighting hasn't been in place
since the permanent lights were installed a few years back. IRP usually
brings in some
supplemental lighting for the end of the track because of the higher
speeds and
more cars going all the way down at the Nats, but maybe that wasn't
in place.
I didn't make it up there this year for that event because
we were busy all the
way through Sunday. However, we were dark this past weekend and I got
out to
the track to see all my old friends at the E.T. Finals. Those "weekend"
racers
are my favorite people, anyway, and they're the ones who made my time
at IRP so
enjoyable.
The comment I heard most from them was, "Nobody here
seems to really care about the racers anymore." That's a shame,
because these week-to-week competitors are the ones who keep your facility
going.
On the plus side, I talke to Gary Rowe of the London (Ky.)
Motorplex, and he said he'd be glad to use me as an announcer if he
runs any Sunday specials next year. That's cool, because he's right
between our two tracks and we don't run many Sundays, and that will
allow me to keep my membership in the NHRA Announcers Guild alive.
The comments about the event getting too, shall I say,
homogenized, were very welcome and as far as I'm concerned, right on
the money. Maybe the same thing applies to NHRA as a whole. The "When
you pay peanuts, you get a monkey," quote hit home. Steve Earwood
told me a couple of years back that they were hiring kids who didn't
know the big tires go in the back.
Very enjoyable was Dale Wilson's recollection of his first
U.S. Nationals.
1964 was also my first year, and I was standing in front of the North
Tower
(then the Ford Tower) past the finish line in (I think) 1965 when the
beer
bottles started flying back and forth on the East side. Looked like
a swarm of
mosquitoes. I didn't know a bottle landed on the track. I thought the
race
stoppage came when the fight started and the mob broke through the fencing
in a
free-for-all. There was an Indiana State Trooper standing right beside
me, and
I asked him if he didn't think he ought to be over there helping. Classic
reply: "They stationed me right here, and I'm staying here until
ordered
otherwise." Who said all cops were dumb?
And if you had to park in Lot 3A, I know there is a downside,
but one good part is the attendant, if it was the same guy. It has always
been a guy named Sonny Moore, who also handles a VIP gate at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, and he can make your stay in that lot a bit more enjoyable.
Hey, keep up the good work and I'll keep reading.
John Potts
BLASTING INDY
Man, (Burk) hit it on the head in the blast! However,
I only noticed empty seats on Monday. We were sitting in Sec. B, and
Monday the seats around us were empty! As far as IRP? I think it's a
joke! I wish I had a digital camera, some of the restrooms were a disgrace!
I'd like to Email some of those to Tom Compton. I wish NHRA would be
more pro-active in preventing Oil-downs! Sunday's Pro sessions were
the pits!
Joe
IRP RETURN ROAD IS THE BEST
I've directed this letter to several recipients, because
my goal is to offer my observations on drag racing without favoring
one sanctioning body over the other. I can write from the perspective
of a fan who has sat in the stands. I can also write from the perspective
of a nostalgia match racer. I've traveled the country and driven at
many tracks and events; from the US Nationals and Norwalk's Night Under
Fire to small, local events.
My letter is prompted by comments in Jeff Burk's column
in
www.dragracingonline.com ("...IRP...worn-down facility") and
Aaron Polburn's column ("Return Road") in the Aug. 30 "Drag
Review".
My all-time favorite facility, as a fan and as a racer
is Indianapolis Raceway Park. Why? In two words: traffic flow. The best
feature of this track is the return road, where racers have a chance
to take a parade lap in front of the crowd. Sitting in the stands, I
always enjoyed having a chance to cheer for the drivers and crews when
they came towing past. You just can't get much satisfaction doing that
when they're on the track. As a racer, there is nothing more rewarding
than having fans cheer for you and it's valuable exposure time for your
sponsors, as well. Every article talks about the emotions of the US
Nationals. It's because there is a stronger connection between the racers
and fans at this event.
This relates to the traditional popularity of the stick-and-ball
sports. The fans can see the competitor's faces, creating an emotional
connection. This connection cannot be made with a fully-suited driver
hidden in a car, but it can happen on the parade lap. Why take the stars
of motorsports and make them disappear at the end of the track?
IRP will be remodeled someday. Let's hope that the best
features do not get removed.
Eric Larson
Driver & co-owner of the "Grocery Getter"
MORE INDY THOUGHTS
First, let me begin saying, my wife and I have been attending
the U.S. Nationals since 1987. We also have been attending the RT. 66
race since its debut. This year at Indy was the earliest we ever got
out of that track. Something to be said for T.V. scheduling. Did anyone
notice that the water fountains on the west side seating were off on
Saturday? You could always buy water at $3.50 a bottle or a Powerade
for the same price. Speaking of Powerade- No Free Samples. I was amazed
that we the fans can't even get a 6 oz. taste of this stuff. At least
with Winston I got some free stuff. Did the stands look empty on Sunday
or what? We had the good furtune to get a suite on the circle track
for the day. We had a good view of the west side stands, they were empty
by 3:00. I think the T.V. crew did a GREAT JOB. Mike Dunn looks so relaxed
and comfortable now. Parker Johnstone ( I hope that's right ) is GREAT.
The way he gets behind the scenes and finds out what else is going on
ids refreshing. Everything is new to him and he brings a wide eyed wonder
with him. GOOD JOB to all the people who are involved with the ESPN
coverage. Alan Schuette
Fort Wayne, IN.
WHERE'S THE 'GOOD NEWS?'
I decided to read all of your editorial coverage of Indy
and NHRA. I know that you and your guys have some past issues with NHRA,
but I was appalled by the negative coverage.
This is the biggest drag race on earth; most cars, most
TV, most spectators. It is the super bowl. If somebody can only attend
one race, this is it. Every driver wants to win it. In order for you
to say something is bad, then there must be something good to compare.
What race is that?
Nobody really gives a damn where you had to park your
car, where you could ride your golf cart, etc. I know that negative
journalism is practiced in many areas, but this is a spectator business,
and when people attend an event, have a good time, then see some self-styled
expert tell them it was a bad thing, it doesn't do any good for anybody.
You guys need to lighten up. If you don't enjoy the races,
don't go; report on something you do like.
Best regards,
Stan Ray
BURK'S REPLY:
I would agree with you, Stan, that our coverage of this
year's edition of the U.S. Nationals was in general negative. The reason
was that the people who write for this magazine agreed that it was one
of the worst that we can remember. I've been at every U.S. Nationals
except one since 1976 as a competitor or reporter. Chris Martin covered
the race for National Dragster for almost 25 years. I fell that qualifies
us to judge the race.
We found this year's race to be lacking in most respects.
Of the 25 U.S. Nationals I have attended, I have written up many of
them as great races. Some of my absolute best memories in drag racing
have come from attending this event. Unfortunately, the U.S. Nationals
no longer is the biggest and best that NHRA has to offer the racers
or the fans. It is not the best facility or the best track, it doesn't
get the most cars, and in recent years Pomona is outdrawing it as far
as spectator count. It didn't used to be that way.
As to the negative journalism, I would just say this:
from the first issue of Drag Racing Online four years ago to the present,
our credo has been and remains that we report drag racing from a different
perspective. We'll stick to that and let the chips fall where they may.
You're absolutely right when you say this is a spectator
sport and that people should attend races to have a good time. Judging
from the number of empty seats at this year's event - and we can show
you photos if you wish - people are simply not coming to the Nats like
they used to. Monday's lack of attendance was a disaster from anyone's
point of view. Too expensive a ticket for too little entertainment.
We hold the U.S. Nationals to a higher standard than the
rest because it is supposed to be the showcase of NHRA drag racing.
All of us who work here love drag racing and the U.S. Nationals. The
point here is, if everyone praises a race that is, in reality bad, why
should the management try to fix the problems?
As for a better race, read our reports on the World Series
of Drag Racing at Cordova. Other races that we have enjoyed include
NHRA events at Pomona, Sonoma and Las Vegas, the IHRA event at Rockingham,
and the World Street Nationals at Orlando. Most of the race reports
we put up for all sanctioning bodies are favorable. But, we are not
here to be cheerleaders for NHRA, IHRA or any of the other sanctioning
bodies. They have their own publications for that.
-Jeff Burk, Editor
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