Might as well ask now.....is there a snowballs chance in He$$ that we will have drag racing at the 2010 Cruise In?
Seems like no matter what we do...folks are just scared to drag race if they are away from home. We even had a pool going for a tow home if needed and still didn't get enough takers last year.
Our whole group is seriously looking at other events or maybe just show up for a quick appearance before heading on further if there is no racing. It's just something we really enjoy!
__________________ Wayne Clarke 2004 Z16/Z06 Commemorative Edition #473 1968 Road Race Inspired Vette 502/575HP 4SPD Featured in: January 2010 Corvette Enthusiast &
March 2009 Corvette Magazine
2009 CTS-V Crystal Red Sedan (Stock w/DR's 11.94@117.5MPH)
I would have loved a few trips down the track last year, but I was worried about the front seal in my transmission holding up since it seemed to get worse with each trip around town!!! Last year was my first Cruise-In and I didn't really know what to expect!!
I should be better prepared this year!!!
__________________ Wayne Clarke 2004 Z16/Z06 Commemorative Edition #473 1968 Road Race Inspired Vette 502/575HP 4SPD Featured in: January 2010 Corvette Enthusiast &
March 2009 Corvette Magazine
2009 CTS-V Crystal Red Sedan (Stock w/DR's 11.94@117.5MPH)
I always loved drag racing at the GS Nats with my GN even that far from home, but i guess I was younger and more carefree then....lol a broken vette rear could get pretty expensive.
Location: NCM Drag Racing coordinator, Spring Hill, Tennessee
Last years event was almost $1000 in the RED. No one wants to have an event knowing we are not going to break even.
I'm will to do the same as we did last year if someone comes up with the $2500. but know going in you may not get your total investment back.
That's good to hear John. I'm running out of ideas to get folks besides our group to race. I mean our guys LIVE for that day every year! We even lost a motor last year on a recently purchased unknown car....but it was commercially trailered home for not a lot more than the cost of driving it up there and it already has a new motor going together that we KNOW will stay together.
We've offered helmets, tools, parts and everything we have to anyone that wants to race to make it easy for first timers or veterans.
*IF* something happens, know that it's not the end of the world and it was likely to happen anyway. Plus there are good transport Co's out there that won't rape you!
If we can't show folks what Corvette's are known for at Bowling Green..I mean what's the point???
JIM
__________________
WINNER!! "FASTEST STREET VETTE IN TX." N/A-'03
R/U-'04
WINNER!! '05
Multiple High MPH and Low ET WINNER!
All Motor/Pump Gas 540", G-Force 5 speed, Custom Dana 60 IRS/3.07 gears
I would have loved a few trips down the track last year, but I was worried about the front seal in my transmission holding up since it seemed to get worse with each trip around town!!! Last year was my first Cruise-In and I didn't really know what to expect!!
I should be better prepared this year!!!
Wayne, Stan is here this week helping me finish up my bucket of bolts. I'll find a way to give him a jab in the ribs about the front seal today.
I am committed to getting some good "air" shots with my complete car this year so let's make this happen!
Wayne, Stan is here this week helping me finish up my bucket of bolts. I'll find a way to give him a jab in the ribs about the front seal today.
I am committed to getting some good "air" shots with my complete car this year so let's make this happen!
Doug
Thanks Doug!!! Not much you can do about the tranny seal!! If Stan manufactured it, it would have lasted!!!
Your car is looking awesome!!! I can't wait to see more photos!!
Wayne
__________________ Wayne Clarke 2004 Z16/Z06 Commemorative Edition #473 1968 Road Race Inspired Vette 502/575HP 4SPD Featured in: January 2010 Corvette Enthusiast &
March 2009 Corvette Magazine
2009 CTS-V Crystal Red Sedan (Stock w/DR's 11.94@117.5MPH)
Last edited by 68ragtop69; 01-08-2010 at 11:45 AM.
Location: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Sadly, most folks go to Cruise In for one reason---Beer. I really wish this event was more about the cars and their owners rather than simply drinking into the wee hours of the morning.
We used to have great participation in the past up until the one time we had to share the track with a national event and that put a sour taste in a lot of peoples mouths.
Location: NCM Drag Racing coordinator, Spring Hill, Tennessee
Ya Frankie it's sad. That Cruise-in + NHRA event was the reason I got involved with the NCM and it's drag racing program. I feel bad there won't be any drag racing at this years CI but we just don't get the car count we should. I don't know what to do to increase interest.
Ya Frankie it's sad. That Cruise-in + NHRA event was the reason I got involved with the NCM and it's drag racing program. I feel bad there won't be any drag racing at this years CI but we just don't get the car count we should. I don't know what to do to increase interest.
Lower the cost!! I know the track rental is high, but many of the the people I spoke with, including myself, did not want to pay a 100 bucks to make a few runs. Not everyone that goes to CI are "ballers", and a hondo is a good chunk of change for a morning of fun, that can possibly lead into more cost by damaging your car.
Another big "fear" of folks, is screwing the car up, and being so far from home leads to huge problems for some people!!
After seeing the red Z incident 3 years ago, the spun bearing in the yellow Z 2 years ago, the trouble the Chi crew wnet thru to get that car home, and Greasemonkey being stuck in BG for 3 or 4 days last year trying to get his car running (even tho he did not break down drag racing), I would say most people would just rather watch than put theirselves in the position to have that happen!! Just my .02!!
Location: NCM Drag Racing coordinator, Spring Hill, Tennessee
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmb396
Lower the cost!! I know the track rental is high, but many of the the people I spoke with, including myself, did not want to pay a 100 bucks to make a few runs. Not everyone that goes to CI are "ballers", and a hondo is a good chunk of change for a morning of fun, that can possibly lead into more cost by damaging your car.
Another big "fear" of folks, is screwing the car up, and being so far from home leads to huge problems for some people!!
After seeing the red Z incident 3 years ago, the spun bearing in the yellow Z 2 years ago, the trouble the Chi crew wnet thru to get that car home, and Greasemonkey being stuck in BG for 3 or 4 days last year trying to get his car running (even tho he did not break down drag racing), I would say most people would just rather watch than put theirselves in the position to have that happen!! Just my .02!!
Those are all good valid points. The event I ran last year for the CI was not an official NCM EVENT. I had someone put up the money to rent the track (track rental for 4 hours is $2,500) knowing he wasn't going to get all his money back. I know $100. is alot of money but when you figure it out on a per run bases it a fair deal. Sure I would love to charge less and we did that at the NCM events before last year and still could not get a car count at the lower cost to break even. That the reason there are no NCM drag racing events on the 2010 event schedule. The support and interest just isn't there for drag racing for what ever reason. I bet if I ran the event at NO charge I still wouldn't get 40 car.......
I don't know what else to do, I'll take any ideas.
[quote=cmb396;1573416195]Lower the cost!! I know the track rental is high, but many of the the people I spoke with, including myself, did not want to pay a 100 bucks to make a few runs. Not everyone that goes to CI are "ballers", and a hondo is a good chunk of change for a morning of fun, that can possibly lead into more cost by damaging your car.
QUOTE]
For several years when Beech Bend started charging us $2500 we kept the price at $25 per driver and still lost money. Every year drag racing lost $4-6k while every other event and activity covered it's costs. We just look to break even on event costs but can't sustain constant losses. The Z06 people found a sponsor to cover any loss and we just rented the track for that event. If Forum people can find a sponsor just to cover the shortfall we'll be glad to put drags back into the agenda. It is because of this very situation that we have a dragstrip included in our Motorsports Park plans.
^That is a good idea to try to get some sort of sponsorship. Perhaps, one of the supporting vendors/tuners CI attendees could offer some sort of sponsorship. I'm sure there would be some sort of tax writeoff benefits in doing so??
Perhaps folks would be more inclined to participate in dr when there is a more familiar name associated?? Just a though??<shrug>
^That is a good idea to try to get some sort of sponsorship. Perhaps, one of the supporting vendors/tuners CI attendees could offer some sort of sponsorship. I'm sure there would be some sort of tax writeoff benefits in doing so??
Perhaps folks would be more inclined to participate in dr when there is a more familiar name associated?? Just a though??<shrug>
The NCM is a 501(c)3 non profit so donations can be tax deductible. Also vendors pay minimal fees or none at all if they are individual or business members. We can certainly work with vendors and sponsors.
Corvette Store
Cruise In Drag Racing?
Not much you can do about the tranny seal!! If Stan manufactured it, it would have lasted!!!
