NHRA

[vharrison]

Seems we lost our old thread that Jason started. The first final of this year's season is tonight. Coverage starts at 7-7:30 pm est. John Force is back in his car after his wreck from last year. Amazing!

[Jonseredbred]

Where is the race??

[JIML]

I can't wait till september. We go up to the nationals every year!

[Cobleskill]

I've been to the Gator Nationals twice. I think they start off on the left coast don't they?

[vharrison]

Where is the race??

They start the year and end the year in Pamona, CA. Cobleskill, John goes to the Gator Nationals EVERY year, for the last 20 years. What started as an overnight event has turned into a 5 day vacation for him. :what: Fun times are had every year!

JIML, which National event do you go to in September, the US Nationals in Indianapolis? Every year John says we should go to that...course he says we should go to Pamona at the end of the year also! He never misses the GATOR NATIONALS though!

[Cobleskill]

Yeah, it was quite the party. The first time we stayed in a park just south of the strip and it was a zoo. No problems with the law or the crowd. Just a good time for all. Not cheap for tickets though.

[vharrison]

[QUOTE=Cobleskill;205059]Yeah, it was quite the party. [QUOTE]
The stories he came home with in the early days were hilarious. They stayed at a campground operated by the rotary or somebody like that. The party went on all night. They have since rented a motorhome and stay right at the track. Trust me, they still have a ball!

You going this year?

[Cobleskill]

No, my buddy I grew up with in w. new york had a place over by Tallahasse got me going. He died 2 summers ago so I doubt it. His wife and another buddy that went would love to . My son was living in sc and him and his girlfriend met me at the track. We watched from the finsh line in the Mac tool area and I told him he should go check the start line but plug your ears. He listened to the burnout and figured his ears could handle that. Big mistake. You can feel the ground shake under your feet. He woudn't know rich and bruce from w palm beach would he. Rich was a mac tool dealer and bruce a wrench.

[vharrison]

You can feel the ground shake under your feet. .

I know, it's awsome isn't it. Sorry to hear of your friends passing.

[JIML]

They start the year and end the year in Pamona, CA. Cobleskill, John goes to the Gator Nationals EVERY year, for the last 20 years. What started as an overnight event has turned into a 5 day vacation for him. :what: Fun times are had every year!

JIML, which National event do you go to in September, the US Nationals in Indianapolis? Every year John says we should go to that...course he says we should go to Pamona at the end of the year also! He never misses the GATOR NATIONALS though!

oh yah, us nationals. Good time. When I was younger i used to go with dad for the whole weekend. We missed a year but last year made it up for friday qualifying. Watching the top fuel/funny cars at night is a blast...

We brought a couple of my buddies last year. They had never seen them in person before. First run was just a single car. The look on their faces was priceless. :lol::lol::lol: Just couldn't believe something could be so fast and so loud!

[GASoline71]

Cool Gigi... I missed it yesterday if it was televised.

I plan on going to the Northwest nationals this year. I haven't been there in about 5 years. I love the smell of Nitro in the morning!!! :)8)

Gary

[Paul B]

G, is that at Skagit speedway? I think they have an NHRA event up here in Mission most years, I have yet to go.

[GASoline71]

Paully, Skagit is Sprint Cars... 360 and 410 sprints. Dirt track roundy round stuff... still fun to go to it though. If you don't mind a little dirt in your beer!

I went to Mission Dragway eons ago... would like to go again someday. They have the NHRA Sportsman classes points events up there every year. Since they are part of NHRA Division 6. There are 2 other tracks up there in the Division too... North Central Motorsports Park in Prince George BC, and Nl'akapxm (don't ask me how to pronounce it... LOL) Eagle Motorplex in Ashcroft BC.

The closest dragstrip to you here in WA is at Pacific Raceways (PR (http://www.pacificraceways.com/)). It was formerly Seattle International Raceway (SIR). It used to be a shithole... and the NHRA threatened to stop comin' to the PNW years ago. Then about 8 years ago some new investors bought the joint and completely revamped it. They even paved the pit roads! :thumbup: It's waaaayyyyy more better. They got a motocross track, and a road race track there now too... and according to their website they are doing another complete overhaul of the facility. There was a episode of "Pinks" filmed at the track last year, and there was heavy equipment trackside waiting for the film crews to leave so they could start tearing up the entire track and redo it.

If ya feel like makin' a trip to the drags down here, let me know! I'm gonna try to hit the track a few times this year, and also go to the Northwest Nationals in July. 8)

If I get my Muscle Truck runnin' by the summer I will be headed there on one of the test and tune days to see how she runs...

I love the drags mang!

Gary

[Paul B]

whoa, just saw the Pedragon / Force race from the weekend on the highlights reel, whutta bang!
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/99IfK3xQU4I&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/99IfK3xQU4I&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
apparently he is ok with burns to his right hand.

[vharrison]

Yeah, he was back at the track for the finals. It is such a dangerous sport.

[Cobleskill]

With the speeds they are turning today it is incredible how few have been hurt or killed.

[GASoline71]

Yep... the only thing keeping them from going faster is tire traction and clutch management systems.

Gary

[Paul B]

Ouch, street racing incident leaves 8 bodies. Keep it on the tracks folks. :(
http://www.cnn.com:80/2008/US/02/16/drag.race.deaths.ap/index.html

[stehansen]

With the speeds they are turning today it is incredible how few have been hurt or killed.

I think the cars have exceeded the ability of humans to control them.

[vharrison]

Gator Nationals are this weekend. John will make his annual trip, picking up a friend in Winter Springs, then on to Gainesville, Fl.

[Skwerl]

Have him call me when he comes through town, I'll buy lunch. :)

[vharrison]

Thanks for the offer Brian, but he will barely blink going through Orlando, they are so intent on getting to Gainesville.

[Paul B]

so that will be a cheap lunch!:lol:
Hope the races are fun.:)8)

[OTGBOSTON]

Do you guys listen to Bubba the love sponge? He's been hyping the races on his radio show8)

[GASoline71]

Umm... I'm gonna have to go with... no.

Never heard of him... :)

Gary

[Cobleskill]

With a name like that I'm not sure I would want to listen to him. Shock jock? I went to Gainsville to see the Gators twice. Had a good time. Long way from ny though.

[OTGBOSTON]

Never heard of him... :)

Gary

probably 'cuz he's a Florida DJ;) Calls himself a thrillbilly:lol: I hear him on Sirius satellite

[squisher]

Sirius rules!! Faction, Octane, Buzzsaw and pretty much in that order.:D

[OTGBOSTON]

Sirius rules!! Faction, Octane, Buzzsaw and pretty much in that order.:D
You forgot the PUNK channell8) Some very cool, obscure punk on there. Its one up from faction.....

[mryb]

Have him call me when he comes through town, I'll buy lunch. :)

The only thing bad about that is you can't shove the tables together at McDonalds...Rick

[vharrison]

Well, John is on his way up to Gainesville!

[MasterBlaster]

It's Chippendale's time! (http://www.mosesmontefioresynagogue.org/Images/Misc/chippendale.jpg) :rockon:

[Rotax Robert]

I got to meet John Force a few years ago during a interview we did for speedworld. He called us hotsaw guys insane, like going 300+ is'nt ? Anyway he took me through all his trailers for a private tour and a B.S. session. One hell of a nice guy and a real down to earth guy. Another racer there 240 gordy bonnin got me on the track standing behind the guy who trips the lights durring the finals, what a rush. Also got to sit in and start a top fueler (while it was on stands) I gotta tell you it shakes so violently that you're spittin yer teeth out like chicklets when they turn it off. One hell of a weekend I'll never forget. I still talk to these boys often and have stayed at there house from time to time. There's a few stories there fer sure.

[vharrison]

I got to meet John Force a few years ago during a interview we did for speedworld. He called us hotsaw guys insane, like going 300+ is'nt ? Anyway he took me through all his trailers for a private tour and a B.S. session. One hell of a nice guy and a real down to earth guy. Another racer there 240 gordy bonnin got me on the track standing behind the guy who trips the lights durring the finals, what a rush. Also got to sit in and start a top fueler (while it was on stands) I gotta tell you it shakes so violently that you're spittin yer teeth out like chicklets when they turn it off. One hell of a weekend I'll never forget. I still talk to these boys often and have stayed at there house from time to time. There's a few stories there fer sure.

You lucky dog!!! We have been following John's racing for 20 plus years! Give us another story!!

[Cobleskill]

Wizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Mohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Saw this on a t-shirt for sale in
the pits in Gainsville

[vharrison]

They were rained out yesterday, no qualifying. Hopefully the weather will hold today.

[vharrison]

Here is the best race t-shirt I have seen

[vharrison]

All of John Force's cars are in the show! Melanie Troxel and her husband's cars are on the trailer.:( I like Melanie.

[Paul B]

hmmm, racing starts again tonight. :D F-1 2008 season, australian grand prix. F-1 (http://www.formula1.com/)

[vharrison]

Well, none of Force's cars won, Prudome did. My John said Force is walking with a limp, understandably.

[vharrison]

Very sad day in drag racing yesterday. Scott Kalitta died in a horrific crash at English Town raceway.

http://nhra.com/

[NeTree]

I saw that last night. That sucks by itself, but especially when there's small children left behind.

[GASoline71]

I was messin' around with friends at the house last night, and my dad called to tell me what happened. I couldn't believe it. That is 2 deaths in Top Fuel in 2 years... first was Eric Medlen and now Scotty.

I got to meet Scott and his dad Connie back in the early 90's at Seattle International Raceway... :)

Very sad day yesterday indeed...

R.I.P. Scotty (http://www.nhra.com/2008/kalitta/index.html)

Gary

[Bowtie]

Sad to hear about Scott Kalitta. Got to meet him in Denver at Bandimere Mile High Nationals a few years ago. I didnt know he had kids...

[vharrison]

Very nice tribute tonight during finals. Scott's team, the ones that stayed behind, stood as Robert Height ran a slow run down the track. Very sad.

[GASoline71]

I'm recording the race... so don't tell me who wins. :)

I've been out in the garage workin' on my hot rod truck. Lookin' forward to seein' the tribute to Scotty.

Gary

[stehansen]

I have a theory about this. I think that the performance of the cars today has surpassed a human's ability to control it.

[GASoline71]

Actually Steve... it has a lot to do with the tracks they race on too... A lot of the tracks that are on the circuit were built in the 50's and 60's when TF cars were going 200 MPH... now they are going 330 MPH...

The shut down area needs to be a lot longer and the "sand trap" needs to be safer. Scott hit a pole at the end of the sand trap. Those poles should not be there...

Gary

[stehansen]

I hadn't thought of that. So he went all the way through the sand trap and out the back end?

[GASoline71]

Yep... engine explosion, chutes did not open, and was still going 300 MPH when he hit the sand...

Gary

[vharrison]

Actually Steve... it has a lot to do with the tracks they race on too... A lot of the tracks that are on the circuit were built in the 50's and 60's when TF cars were going 200 MPH... now they are going 330 MPH...

The shut down area needs to be a lot longer and the "sand trap" needs to be safer. Scott hit a pole at the end of the sand trap. Those poles should not be there...

Gary


That is the absolute truth.

[vharrison]

Huge news today. After 30 years of sponsoring Kenny Bernstein, Budweiser is terminating their contract in 2010. That sponsorship was the longest in sports history.

[GASoline71]

I read that too Gigi, and was a little shocked... Not only are they dropping Kenny Bernstein... but they are backing out of the NHRA altogether... :(

Might be time to switch beers...

Budweiser drops NHRA and Bernstein Racing sponsorship after 2009 season
Written by Sheila Scarborough · March 16, 2009

Wow, the economy is poking holes into all kinds of formerly rock-solid business assumptions and relationships.

From a Bernstein Racing press release….

“Anheuser-Busch today announced the 2009 season will be Budweiser’s last as official beer sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and as primary sponsor of Kenny Bernstein Racing and the Budweiser Top Fuel dragster.

Budweiser has sponsored the NHRA since the early 1980s and is celebrating its 30th season with Kenny Bernstein Racing. The Budweiser-Bernstein relationship is the longest running in motorsports history, eclipsing Scientifically Treated Petroleum’s (STP) 28-year sponsorship of Richard Petty in NASCAR. Kenny Bernstein Racing, one of the sport’s most consistent winners, aims to continue racing if new sponsorship is secured for 2010.

“The NHRA and Kenny Bernstein Racing have been world class partners and we’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished together,” said Dan McHugh, vice president, Media, Sponsorship and Activation, Anheuser-Busch. “For three decades Budweiser helped grow the sport while its association with the NHRA and Kenny Bernstein provided a unique opportunity to market to adult beer drinkers.”

“NHRA is grateful to Anheuser-Busch for their long association with the sport and Kenny Bernstein Racing,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Their 30-year run with the sport is a testament to the return on investment they’ve enjoyed and Kenny Bernstein’s personal commitment and dedication to the brand and its distributors.”

“Budweiser provided us the opportunity to make a career of doing what we love,” said Kenny Bernstein. “We owe a debt of gratitude to all the Anheuser-Busch employees and wholesalers we’ve worked with, as well as the fans and friends who’ve followed and supported us all these years.”

In 30 years together, Budweiser and Kenny Bernstein Racing captured six NHRA titles, including four consecutive Funny Car crowns (1985-1988) and two Top Fuel titles (1996, 2001). Kenny and son Brandon, who took the keys from his father in 2002, amassed 85 national event victories under the Budweiser flag and in 1992, Kenny became the first driver to surpass the 300 mile-per-hour barrier.

“The success and longevity of our relationship with the NHRA and Kenny Bernstein Racing is a tribute to their understanding of the Budweiser brand over the years,” said McHugh. “For his part, Kenny Bernstein has been nothing less than the ultimate ambassador for the brand. We thank him, his team and the NHRA for a great run.””