[Jim Robertson]

4530 lb Big Chief went a 11.32 at 119.9 mph spinning. Hope the track is prepped better than today.

[Jerry H.]

Agreed that the track prep wasn't very good today, and we've got a 14 second car! Hoping to get it sorted out and get into the 13's tomorrow.

[Rob B]

Track prep? What track prep? I don't think they knew what a broom or a mop was.

[N2RacingV8's]

I just wanted to say we had a blast Friday and Saturday at this event! The show cars and vendors coming to the track Saturday to fill the grass area and the circle track was a fantastic idea!! I think that gave those folks a chance to see some good racing on Saturday and not be separated from all the action.

The Formula seemed to work good both days and although I realize some folks are complaining about traction on Friday I had no issues. The track did get a little greasy late afternoon but considering the rain and humidity I am not sure if it could have been any better.

I ran 6 times Friday and 11 times on Saturday and my 60 foot times and ET’s did not vary more than 2 to 3 hundredths on Friday and on Saturday it was even better. I averaged 1.45 to 1.46 60 ft times the entire day. Both lanes seemed to be working the same with ET’s not varying more then 1 to 2 hundredths between lanes. Let’s try not to talk bad about the track if we come to race without the proper equipment. Please do not take the previous sentence wrong! I have been to tracks where when my car launched the front tires would not come off the ground before it started spinning and it was hanging the front end pretty good both days at this event!

This was a great event and I am already looking forward to next year! I will post up some trackside and in car videos soon!

N2

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by N2RacingV8's

I just wanted to say we had a blast Friday and Saturday at this event! The show cars and vendors coming to the track Saturday to fill the grass area and the circle track was a fantastic idea!! I think that gave those folks a chance to see some good racing on Saturday and not be separated from all the action.

The Formula seemed to work good both days and although I realize some folks are complaining about traction on Friday I had no issues. The track did get a little greasy late afternoon but considering the rain and humidity I am not sure if it could have been any better.

Let’s try not to talk bad about the track if we come to race without the proper equipment. Please do not take the previous sentence wrong! I have been to tracks where when my car launched the front tires would not come off the ground before it started spinning and it was hanging the front end pretty good both days at this event!

This was a great event and I am already looking forward to next year! I will post up some trackside and in car videos soon!

N2

I'm not taking it the wrong way, My junk works and hooks, nothing wrong there, been beating on the thing for over 25 years. I'm just saying, never saw a broom or brush moved at the starting when water was tracked to far from the burn box, rubber chunks swept away, etc etc. Reminded me alot like the first year of PIP at VMP when the track itself maybe wasn't taking the event to seriously because the car count was really low.
I made 4 passes on Friday, 3 of them were within .03. 4th pass was a blow the tires off from a car driving around the burn box and, you guessed it, dropped water at the line.
Saturday mornings gambler I was stuck in the left lane behind a big old white Catalina (I think) that either drug water up, dropped it on the starting line, or leaked something in his run. I blew the tires and became a first round runner up. Made 3 more passes before the actual event race, all within .04. Ended up behind the exact same car in the left lane first round and the same thing happened once again.
I stuck around till the end and the finals was a spinfest. Track prep came for the evening test and tune and gambler race for the locals after everyone was gone from the POCI crowd. Friends of mine stayed today to run in their Sunday program and I'm curious to hear how that went.
I am NOT slamming this event. For a first time event that truly started on Friday with no one really in charge, 2 individuals from 2 Pontiac related business stepped up to the plate to help organize the race(s), run it the rest of the weekend, and did a great job! This is an event with a little more planning and some polishing from the track could grow into a nice little annual race! The track personnel just need to pay better attention to the track and starting line next time.
By the way, I think I know which car you were. I've never seen anyone make as many back to back passes as you giving hot lapping a whole new meaning! Everytime I looked up you were going down the track.
We all thought you were getting ready for a Pinks All Out final! Awesome car though, love those WS6 TA's.

[N2RacingV8's]

Originally Posted by Rob B

By the way, I think I know which car you were. I've never seen anyone make as many back to back passes as you giving hot lapping a whole new meaning! Everytime I looked up you were going down the track.
We all thought you were getting ready for a Pinks All Out final! Awesome car though, love those WS6 TA's.

Thanks the car ran real well, now if only the driver can get his act together on the starting line maybe just maybe it can go to the finals instead of only making it to the semi-finals.

I hear you about making hot laps. I have only had the chance to go racing 5 times this year, 1 time in February, 1 time in March, 2 times in April and this event for July. I figured I had plenty of catching up to do! It is hard for me not to hit those staging lanes when the announcer is begging for racers to come up and make lap.

When I went up to collect the payout they gave me a sheet of paper that said 2nd Pontiac Nationals will be held June 7,8 and 9 2012 at Beech Bend. It stated 3 days of racing, Car show and show and shine! Sounds like a great event for sure!!!

N2

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by N2RacingV8's

Thanks the car ran real well, now if only the driver can get his act together on the starting line maybe just maybe it can go to the finals instead of only making it to the semi-finals.

I hear you about making hot laps. I have only had the chance to go racing 5 times this year, 1 time in February, 1 time in March, 2 times in April and this event for July. I figured I had plenty of catching up to do! It is hard for me not to hit those staging lanes when the announcer is begging for racers to come up and make lap.

When I went up to collect the payout they gave me a sheet of paper that said 2nd Pontiac Nationals will be held June 7,8 and 9 2012 at Beech Bend. It stated 3 days of racing, Car show and show and shine! Sounds like a great event for sure!!!

N2

Surprised they didn't give you a trophy for the most 10 second passes made for the weekend!
We'll be back next year.

[Jerry H.]

I think some are spoiled by the excellent track conditions at Norwalk. We are very inexperienced racers, and after lowering the rear air pressure we had no problem on Saturday! Great event and we were able to put 20 passes or more on the car trying to sort out a tranny problem and get the driver some experience.

Just as a side note, you early Pontiac performance owners- you don't know what you are missing by not participating in the drag race program. It is soooo much more fun than just sitting around in the car show all day long. I've heard all the arguments about scared of hurting the original components, the car is TOO nice to race, etc. but those just don't hold water. We race our 65 GTO with the original engine and rear end. Check out Jim Mino's early Firebird. It's in concours condition and he's out there thrashing it in the Pure Stock races running low 12's and high 11's. And there are many, many others. These cars were made to run hard.

[Brent Flynn]

Originally Posted by Jerry H.

I think some are spoiled by the excellent track conditions at Norwalk. We are very inexperienced racers, and after lowering the rear air pressure we had no problem on Saturday! Great event and we were able to put 20 passes or more on the car trying to sort out a tranny problem and get the driver some experience.

Just as a side note, you early Pontiac performance owners- you don't know what you are missing by not participating in the drag race program. It is soooo much more fun than just sitting around in the car show all day long. I've heard all the arguments about scared of hurting the original components, the car is TOO nice to race, etc. but those just don't hold water. We race our 65 GTO with the original engine and rear end. Check out Jim Mino's early Firebird. It's in concours condition and he's out there thrashing it in the Pure Stock races running low 12's and high 11's. And there are many, many others. These cars were made to run hard.

Amen Brother!!!! Run 'em and have some fun! What good is 400HP if you just wanna go 60mph?

[Ken MacNicol]

Except for first round in the gamblers race, my 60's only varied .015 in 12 more passes. For me the track was fine on Saturday for as hot as it was. I was not there Friday though.

[Robert C.]

POCI event was a blast at the track. Both days had their scare with rain. But Friday work out. Saturday when very well too. From the good turnout, I think that there will be more next year at this track for a early POCI Pontiac National Event. There will be a announcement coming very soon on this subject. I will post a new thread when I know more.

[Jerry H.]

The track announcer said there would be POCI Drags the first weekend in June of 2012 back at Bowling Green. Ummm?

[Old Goat Racer]

David Butler told me there will be 2 days of racing with payouts both days.

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by Old Goat Racer

David Butler told me there will be 2 days of racing with payouts both days.

And that is what this event needs to grow in the future!
With a few tweaks, Which the track itself mentioned, this could eventually and easily surpass their Buick event!
Lets not let this event end up like Pontiac in The Parks did.

[Hooter]

We'll be back next year too. Never enough Pontiac events.

[Robert C.]

Question:

What would it take for a pay out to get a bunch of Pontiac racers to this event next year.

Prize Money?
A big item to give away for King Pontiac? Intake, carburetor, crankshaft, gift card for gas ect.
a large trophy?
Girls?

What would draw a large crowed?

This is the area that Pontiac are prevalent more so then the VMP race. It is placed right in center of Pontiac country.

[BruceWilkie]

Originally Posted by Robert C.

Question:

What would it take for a pay out to get a bunch of Pontiac racers to this event next year.

Prize Money?
A big item to give away for King Pontiac? Intake, carburetor, crankshaft, gift card for gas ect.
a large trophy?
Girls?

What would draw a large crowed?

This is the area that Pontiac are prevalent more so then the VMP race. It is placed right in center of Pontiac country.

Here is a thought!

Might want to do a new twist on brackets.
Best time trial(qualify) equals fixed dial-in for eliminations vs dial your own each round.(Still handicapped like regular brackets)

Add no breakout, no double breakout, no buy back, and things could get real interesting.

Try to group early rounds for close ET match if you can.

Harder to sandbag and less advantage for cars with electronics vs none. Add a .400 or .500 tree. Maybe 3 to 5 groups payed on ET "index".
Could even add a "king of the hill" for the "index" winners. All still based on that qualifying ET vs dial your own.

If payout is fair and "King of Hill" is a nice chunk of $$$ I think you could generate more interest than regular brackets.

Throw in a few heads up classes (NA and Power Adder) and quick 8 or 16, plus vendors and car show should make for a fun event.

Get the word out plenty early and reminders often and on places like class racer and YB. Not everyone hangs out on the Pontiac only sites.

I can help on some of this if you want seeing I'm under 2 hrs from there.

Someone suggested 3 days. It would seem a committed car count might be needed to pull that off. Or open up Sunday to include other brands for a Pontiac challenge of some sort. (could bring a crowd)

[Old Goat Racer]

[QUOTE=Robert C.;4362991]Question:

What would it take for a pay out to get a bunch of Pontiac racers to this event next year.

Prize Money?
A big item to give away for King Pontiac? Intake, carburetor, crankshaft, gift card for gas ect.
a large trophy?
Girls?

What would draw a large crowed?

Good question.

A few years ago you donated $250 & $500 vouchers towards the purchase of an IA II block at Sikeston, Mo. I won 1 of each in 06-07.
But the car count was pathetic. 15 cars give or take in Pro class.
We surely don't want you to lose interest.

[Rob B]

Honestly Bob, Payouts for this weekend were pretty much in line with most weekly purses. Keeping the cost of entry down, paying back more spots, making it a 2 day money race event instead of 1 would attract more racers and I think it would grow rapidly from there. It never hurts to throw other teasers in the pot also if you feel it is neccessary! Extending the racing into Sunday also would help justify the expense of the trip for the ones who didn't come out.
It also would be neat to have a dedicated night race. If you were to do something like that, I'd like to see it on Friday night as a bonus race where everyone is welcome instead of a gamblers where alot of guys choose not to put the money up to participate.When the rain came Saturday, there was only 15 people entered, at Norwalk, less than half the racers get involved in the Friday gamblers which has always amazed me why more don't participate. Maybe do something like pay out a little cash for the top 2 spots or throw in different prizes for the other spots. Just an idea!
But I agree, the location is ideal and shouldn't have any problems drawing more racers next year, and having it in early June helps with not having the extreme heat and humidity we had this past weekend.
Now strippers would draw a larger crowd!

[Old Goat Racer]

Originally Posted by Rob B

Honestly Bob, Payouts for this weekend were pretty much in line with most weekly purses. Keeping the cost of entry down, paying back more spots, making it a 2 day money race event instead of 1 would attract more racers and I think it would grow rapidly from there. It never hurts to throw other teasers in the pot also if you feel it is neccessary! Extending the racing into Sunday also would help justify the expense of the trip for the ones who didn't come out.
It also would be neat to have a dedicated night race. If you were to do something like that, I'd like to see it on Friday night as a bonus race where everyone is welcome instead of a gamblers where alot of guys choose not to put the money up to participate.When the rain came Saturday, there was only 15 people entered, at Norwalk, less than half the racers get involved in the Friday gamblers which has always amazed me why more don't participate. Maybe do something like pay out a little cash for the top 2 spots or throw in different prizes for the other spots. Just an idea!
But I agree, the location is ideal and shouldn't have any problems drawing more racers next year, and having it in early June helps with not having the extreme heat and humidity we had this past weekend.
Now strippers would draw a larger crowd!

Strippers, long as Rob doesn't participate.