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Post by SKR on Jan 28, 2011 10:04:15 GMT -7
HO US NATIONALS
Just curious to see IF there was a HO Slot Car Drag Racing US National Event say every year or two, who would try to attend and what would they like to see. Here is what I'd like to see. A weekend of nothing but HO Drag Racing from a big bracket bash, Index, Heads up, stock, full blown Neo classes, low volts and high volt racing. An event with a couple of tracks like a HODRA and a USDRA spec track and ? An event that offers something for all enthisiast. Where would an event like this have the most potential for the best turn out? Just off the top of my head I was thinking TSS Hobbies would be a great place or maybe the hobby show that Kdog attends every year. There is no right or wrong answers and there is nothing currently in the works, It's just something I've always thought would be cool being able to meet everyone and seeing all the disciplines of HO Drag Racing run in one weekend.
Thoughts?
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L_Brown
Pro Stock
Larry Brown - North Texas
Posts: 347
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Post by L_Brown on Jan 28, 2011 11:30:40 GMT -7
Man, that would be cool. Dont know if I would be able to attend but I sure would like to try.
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Post by allstarhr on Jan 28, 2011 14:00:17 GMT -7
If Mr. Wizard comes up with a relatively inexpensive timing system for the AW tracks it would make multiple tracks at one location an easy proposition. That way one routed and high voltage track could be in place for the fast movers and multiple AW tracks for the various classes and brackets.
Neat idea Sam.
By the way, you can bracket race with a heads up tree. You just have to do the math after the pass and it eliminates the fun of "driving the finish line". You write down the dial ins for each car, run the race and do the math that pops up after they cross the finish line. Not that hard.
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Post by mobydidit on Jan 29, 2011 9:20:38 GMT -7
Me & Steve Geary tried to get something like this going a few years ago & it never worked out. Hope you can get something going. I would be there & my track is portable if its needed. The timing system will also do sportsman or pro tree in both bracket & heads up racing. Plus the tree speed is adjustable. Would like to see some neo classes for this event. I vote for DRHOE Funny Car & Pro Mod. Eric www.mobydiditperformance.com |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2011 10:15:23 GMT -7
sure, let's see what develops
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Post by sjracer on Jan 30, 2011 14:43:30 GMT -7
What about the concept of having a March Madness style of an event. Something along the lines of 3 or 4 regional venues being run simultaneously with identical set ups ( or as close as one could get) tracks and timing systems. If each venue has internet access results could be reported immediately. It may go over a little easier that way travel cost isn't so extreme. Also, it may allow for last minute entries. I remember going to the one at Solanco years ago but because it was necessary to pre-qualify I wasn't allowed to enter. I was a newbie at the time and found that a bit discouraging. Also the atomosphere was real intense not a place where you're going to pick up to many pointers. From what I read you still want it to be newbie friendly, just my $0.02.
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Post by mobydidit on Jan 30, 2011 17:26:21 GMT -7
What about the concept of having a March Madness style of an event. Something along the lines of 3 or 4 regional venues being run simultaneously with identical set ups ( or as close as one could get) tracks and timing systems. If each venue has internet access results could be reported immediately. It may go over a little easier that way travel cost isn't so extreme. Also, it may allow for last minute entries. I remember going to the one at Solanco years ago but because it was necessary to pre-qualify I wasn't allowed to enter. I was a newbie at the time and found that a bit discouraging. Also the atomosphere was real intense not a place where you're going to pick up to many pointers. From what I read you still want it to be newbie friendly, just my $0.02. Daryl that race was invitation only & we only ran the DRHOE full neo cars. Those were the only classes we ran. The Friday night bracket bash was a preregister but open to anyone. That was advertised for at least 4 months. Going to a big national event is not a place to try & get pointers. Not trying to sound rude but the local venues that are NOT being supported is the place to learn. I have only 4 confirmations of racers coming to my race this month. Its hard to get people to travel any distance. Its an 1 1/2 hours extra travel to Tim's or my place & the same couple guys show up. I say hold a national event for the hardcore guys & cover it really well & show the newbies how cool it is. Eric www.mobydiditperformance.com |
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Post by SKR on Jan 30, 2011 17:35:02 GMT -7
Heck it's hard getting guys to drive 20 minutes anymore  One event with multiple tracks. Keep one track off limits for nothing but the Pro Classes. Use the other tracks for Bracket, Index and other class racing throughout a weekend. |
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Post by mobydidit on Jan 30, 2011 18:02:08 GMT -7
Heck it's hard getting guys to drive 20 minutes anymore One event with multiple tracks. Keep one track off limits for nothing but the Pro Classes. Use the other tracks for Bracket, Index and other class racing throughout a weekend. Sounds like a good plan  Eric |
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Post by sjracer on Feb 1, 2011 4:17:37 GMT -7
Eric,
I understand it was a national event. I thought that is what we we were discussing and you just echoed what I said a national event is no place to learn. I feel multiple venues would work best is we are truly interested in a grassroot campaign. Even though you are less than 2 hours away I never saw any ads, I most likely bumped into people at Great Traditions who spoke of the event. Not to mention people throw around different titles such as "nationals" to make things sound more imortant. Perhaps, try it out as a regional thing for a couple of years then have a national event. Travel has to be a concern ,I'm not aware of all the events of the different drag race organizations but it doesn't seem as though any drag racing group has shown longevity. I know Steve went to Tim's but it would be a hard sell for me to tell my wife we're going to California so I can race my slots in a "national" event. Hey some people may not nbe able to get time off of work to travel such a distance not to mention cost, hey I'm a school teacher run it in the summer time and I'm okay (smile). Even Hank's events are his not ECHO, didn't HODRA cancel their last event. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner about your event Seth and myself will be there, about 4 others are waverinng it's no fun just looking unless you are learning something
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2011 7:00:09 GMT -7
invitationals are just that. I have been NOT invited many times. don't know why? it could be my manners? LOL. so far I have avoided attending a race I was deliberately NOT invited to. if I am not permitted to race, my agenda would not be conducive to everyone having a good time. back to this idea of having a centralized race with a couple sanctions and length track with associated rules. this might be accomplished by working with one of the roundy/circuit sanctions for their annual big bash NATIONALs to keep the costs of the venue and rooms down. this would need to be arranged at least two years before attempting. I, for one, would try to support and attend such a race. but the idea of making it invitational or having to qualify by having certain race criteria before hand might put a damper on.
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Post by mobydidit on Feb 1, 2011 12:38:16 GMT -7
So there is no confusion I agree this race should be open to everyone. The race Daryl brought up was an invitational event. While I also agree not everyone can travel for such a race. The classes & location should be determined by the people who will travel. As for the longevety of Drag race groups. They are not going to remain if no one supports them. This is why Tim has not been hell bent on having races at his place. Very few people show up out here.
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Post by SKR on Feb 1, 2011 19:08:30 GMT -7
Some good ideas and thoughts being tossed around. I would agree that if an event was planned that there would need to be about 2 years of planning to have such an event. Obviously only the die hards that could afford to go would be the ones attending besides the local area guys. Does anybody know if there has ever been a true HO Drag Racing National event open to everyone similar to a HOPRA event? I would like to see a couple of tracks to say HODRA and DRHOE specs at an event with timing systems that have been calibrated to insure that the timer and mph are acurate. Then I'd say you'd have some true National ET and MPH records for whatever classes are ran. I would open up such an event to everyone and not have a regional race to qualify for it. I'd try to attend if there was an event.
Sam
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Post by sjracer on Feb 1, 2011 19:37:22 GMT -7
I'll defer to Al as I have never been to a national event and raced. How far are people willing to travel I know Al used to travel and race with HODRA, I never did. I've traveled 2-3 hours to a slot car show and to pick up my TKO track from Todd in Dover,PA any furhter than that would seem just to much to me. I favor the regional because you could ultize people who are already active with this group. Put out feelers even perhaps use track already being used. There are no shortage of professionals tracks in eastern PA,DE&NJ. I can think of at least 6 -7 depending on the specs perhaps this should be considered when looking for regional locations.
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Post by falcon on Feb 1, 2011 21:29:16 GMT -7
I have been to a national HOPRA race as well as the G3 championship in WA. I found at both the amount to be learned is tremendous. At both like Sam suggested there were tracks for rookies and experts. I feel that it should be somewhere in the middle like TSS. This way travel for most would be the same. It might also work back east if the nearby airports are larger and fares are cheaper. I also work for the schools so summer would be best for me also. It might be easier to get a kitchen pass if there is something for the wife to do. Read " shopping " Bob |
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