GATEWAY NOSTALIGIA #3
We didn't have an opportunity to attend
this event, but we certainly plan to participate
next year with our meager offering. It's
always been our opinion that this organization/group
is comprised of true enthusiasts that are
in it primarily to enjoy this sport we all
love dearly, and just maybe make some money
to help offset the costs. In many cases,
the folks involved have worked long and hard
to bring something special to the table at
what must be a considerable expense to most.
I know full well how long it's taken Shawn
and me to arrive at this level, and the price
we've paid to get here. We have the
same intention as the rest...to perform as
well as we can, look professional, and maybe...just
maybe, receive a check at the end of the
night.
As a former promoter, I see these events
through those eyes as well. Frankly,
there are many competitors that don't understand
that when they move from "racer" to "show" there's
a different expectation placed upon us. Track
owners/promoters don't put up $$$$$ just
because they like our brand of hot rod. They're
business people that have every reason to
expect a return on their investment. They're
competing for the entertainment dollar that
most families have a limited supply of. We
must never forget or overlook that fact people
have a choice as to where they're going to
spend that money. Will it be coming to the
track to see us? Or will it be going
to a movie, concert, or simply out to dinner
in reasonable comfort? They may opt to come
to the track......once, but better damned
well get the entertainment they paid to see. But
that's another story, eh?
Personally, not having been there, all I
can do is rely on comments like yours, and
others that did attend. I have to agree with
most of the participants when they provide
logical reasons for the lack of 6' header
flames and thunder in the pipes.......we
don't have mags and fuel pumps to support
those. If we did, most of us would go out
once or twice a year and truly hope we didn't
break every part we own. Half-track burnouts
with the gears most of us run isn't in the
cards either. We don't have the 4000+ hp
to sustain the wheel speed to the 660 mark,
or to pull the 3.20 or higher gears that
would make that happen.
If, in fact, the qualifying session took
4 hours, that's not acceptable to any promoter
I know. I can fully understand the regular
competitors' frustration if that truly occurred.
Let's consider a pretty solid premise that
promoters have. They can hold a spectator's
attention for about 2.5 hours. Anything beyond
that, the promoter doesn't expect to sell
the burgers, dogs, and soft drinks...or the
t-shirts, etc. If the first round would take
half that time, we've got a serious problem. It's
our responsibility as "paid" performers
to get it done in a timely manner. We can't
expect any track owner/promoter to pay us
to test.
My opinion is that your coverage of the
event most likely represented what occurred.
I've known you personally more years than
I care to admit...but during that time I've
never know you to not tell it like it is/was.
If we're going to expect to be treated like
professionals, we've got to take the criticism
that fits the performance. The bad press
isn't pleasant, but it has to represent the
truth. Maybe your personal expectation was
a little high.......I want the same experience
with nitro too. I'm confident that the participants
that were there wanted to do well.....no
one wants to do poorly.
Call it like it is, Burkester! We've got
to step up.....
Ron Evans
GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE
Saw (Jeff Burk's) quote in the Hot Rod article
on Pro Late Model. I think this is the best
idea to surface in the last decade. Pro Stock
is expensive, overdeveloped and irrelevant
to today's cars. It's been going down hill
ever since NHRA banned Buddy Ingersoll's
Buick.
Take today's cars, engines and technology
to build Pro Late Model as a replacement
for Pro Stock. EFI (mandatory), turbos, superchargers,
automatics, traction control, active suspension
are all available at neighborhood dealers.
Use the basic factory body and floorpan.
Stock body shapes. Stock contour hood. Weight
breaks between NA, turbo and supercharged
engines.
Open it up to both domestic and foreign
brands. It'll bring new racers to the track
and allow all racers to take advantage of
the best new technology.
A great idea!
Graeme Sackrison
Lacey, WA
