Street racing or Drag strip

[phoonerorlater]

I am doing a study to see what things could be done to drag strips to appeal to street racers. I want to know which you guys prefer and what you think can be done to improve on your local drag strip. What appeals to you about street racing or what appeals to you about street racing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Buster]

Street racing's gay, you'll end up in jail. I used to do it until I found that our tracks are doing street legal racing. Track conditions suck, no vht and dirty as hell, but it was still a blast, plus I took 1st place.

I've only been to the track once this year, and it was a street legal event, ran 11.2's and no one said a word about no cage, jacket, loops. I'm pretty much sold on street legal thing, and it'll keep me off the streets.

 

[phoonerorlater]

What do you think your strip could do to appeal to more street racers or even be more appealing to you? Oh btw im saving these responses on my computer. If you would like to not have your responce saved let me know pls. Thanks.

 

[Buster]

Well, a little VHT wouldn't kill anyone, but seriously as long as I can run fast, 10's without turning my truck into a race car (cage) I'm 100% happy. I'm pretty sure if the street racers find out they can run without a cage, it will become really popular.

So:

1. Advertise event
2. Keep it casual (cage stuff)
3. Use VHT
4. Offer money races, like the gambler events.
4. Serve those hugh hot dogs, package 'em up with a pop for $2.

 

[phoonerorlater]

I dont know if the cage thing is feasable wiht insurance and stuff. Ill have to talk to a lawyer about a release of responsiblilty and stuff... I plan on having a dance club next to the strip so that you can watch the races from the club...

 

[sy112]

I think drag strips need to marketthemselves more, cause right now to many people think the frags are for "redneck" racers.....no offense myclone :lol:

my track is pretty good but they allow to many varieties of cars to run. Like on grudge night they allow almost everyone to run, i.e., motorcycles, atv's, street cars, drag cars etc. Just makes for to long of a night having to wait on all the classes to have their turn.

A track I went to in Cali had a real cool grudge night, they only allowed cars in that were considered street car, dot approved tires, basically a true street car. And they always posted the fastest time and name of person and make of car on a lit sign near the actual signs that gives you your time. Made for some pretty cool bragging rights seeing you name at the end of the track and gave everyone something to shoot for, not just outrunning the Taurus SHO next to you 8) . Had a hella turn out and pretty much there is where all the street racing happened. Running on the actual street was rare, I agree, that is just to dangerous to do it often.

 

[Ozrein]

I would also suggest the races be held more often. I'm up in BC Canada, and our local track does have street legal drags, I think every Fri night from mid spring to late summer/mid fall (something like that) I know the weekends tend to be busy with "official" drag racing, etc. But if the strip would be open a few nights during the week, I know a lot more people would go and maybe it wouldnt be as congested than on the ONE day. Just my .02

 

[Buster]

Well, it's one of those things. If they in force the cage thing we're back on the streets.

Now, putting a night club next to a track could work out to be a really good idea, especially if you cater to the import guys. Seems like the're really into the hanging out thing, they even get the little Asian girls to hang. Plus you could add a turbo shop, selling NOS, air filters, tires. Damn your rich.

 

[phoonerorlater]

Thats the plan buster Like I said Ill have to talk to lawyers and insurance about the no cage thing. but cages are only needed below 11.00 right?

 

[warmpancakes]

couple of things
1 turn off the time displays only have the win light
2 get rid of the tree (person with flashlights)
3 no vht and stuff set it up just like the street
4 make it cheap to enter
5 learn to turn your head to the "activites" trackside 8)

 

[hamrhead]

I believe cages are required for anything faster than 12.00. Convertibles are 14.00 I think?

Anyway, what Mark said. Street Legal Racing without a cage. My Sy definitly has 10's in it, but there's no way I'll cage it. Hell I want a street car, not a race car! I'll just sandbag it at the strip until my last run. Then they can throw me out.

Otherwise, I'd just like a track closer to home. Closest one is damn near 70 miles away! :x

 

[phoonerorlater]

Thanks a lot for the input guys. Really appreciate it. If you come up with anything else you would like to see at a drag strip let me know.

 

[Captain Morgan]

let's see, some things tracks could do to make it more appealing.....


1. NOT fuck you in the ass at the gate with their rip off prices (E-Town, NJ)

2. NOT try and run 7 events/classes in the same night.

3. UNDERSTAND that a turbo cars needs time to spool. (not stage and start the tree 2 seconds later)

4. NOT fuck you in the ass even MORE when there is actually a sponsored even going on. (E-Town, NJ)

 

[phoonerorlater]

What kind of prices do you get charged?

 

[sy2206]

Yes, NHRA states the vehicle must have a cage at 11.99 or faster, 13.99 for conv.

Here's the things I think will help keep the street racing down.

1. Frequent racing, once a week or so. Mabey promote it that way. "every thurs night, street legal drags."
2. Keep the big cars out, no tubbed stuff, delay box, ect.. STREET CARS ONLY!
3. Keep cost down, $5 to spec, $10 to race.
4. No time boards, just a win light and just your times on the timeslip.
5. No brackets, kids just want to make runs.

These would definately keep me off the street. But there's not really one that ranks over the others, if the track can provide all the listed items, I think they'd have a great turnout.

Mark Christofferson
91 Sy #2206
12.47 @ 105.6

 

[Syclone#1992]

I think we need more drag strips in my opinion. I know I have to drive a good hour to 2 hours to get to one, that is a very big inconvience.

 

[TURBO TY]

any joe can put a big motor in a stripped out car and throw a set of slicks on it and run at the track. but the feeling of smoking a tt porche on the street is well worth it. the nearest track to me is moroso and the track it self is a joke.

 

[sy2206]

See, my local track here does their "Wed night street drags". Every other Wed night, run from 5-dark, about 9ish. No slicks, DOT tires only. Street cars only, no brackets, you just make passes. No classes, just get in line and go. If you want to race your friend, they will line you up togather. No sleds, no bikes. Pretty much just bring you car or truck and run that mofo. It's $5 to spec, $10 to race. This is where many of my ideas came from, I like going here, it's fun. They should just do it every week, or 3 weekends a month.

Also, if you had questions on the legalities of it, I'm sure the track would be more than happy to answer them. I know all their staff, probobly 6 people, work for free on the Wed races.

http://www.brainerdraceway.com/

Mark Christofferson
91 Sy #2206
12.47 @ 105.6

 

[myclone]

Make it better huh....

As was mentioned loosen up on the cage rules for grudge night only. I hate cages and refuse to put one in (if I wanted a race car Id build one).

Street legal cars only. Waiting on everything from Billy Bobs mud bogging ATV to Mort Foons weed whacker powered skate board to finish running gets old.

Let the racers have the option of having the timing/speed boards operational or not so they can either have just the win light or the ET/speed displayed.

I like the burger/dog and a coke for a coupla bucks deal myself as track food not only will put a hole in your wallet eventually it'll put a hole in your digestive tract. Id really like to spend minimal cash to require a stomach transplant in ~20yrs.

VHT would be nice but not mandatory IMO since you cant get it through the FWD crowds thick skulls not to drive through the burnout box anyway.

I personally dont care about pay-outs for winning as I go to have fun and see who I can out run and who I cant. So, pay-outs for winning isnt at the top of my list.

Entry prices could be 10 or 15 bucks on grudge night if it will cover the cost of running/staffing the track. Most ppl I know of that would take advantage of grudge night dont have a endless supply of cash to pay the normal 35+ bucks they charge around here just to get in the gate on "regular" race nights.

Lastly, more 1/4 mile tracks... Closest one to me is 2 1/2 to 3hrs away and running on 1/8th mi is really not that fun unless youre jonesing for a track fix.

Just my gripes/thoughts/.02 :wink:

 

[Captain Morgan]

What kind of prices do you get charged?

Englishtown Raceway Park charges $20 for 3 passes on a test and tune weeknight. If your lucky enough to not go on a busy night, they might let you slip another pass or two in.

As far as events, I think it depends on the event, but $25-$45 to race is what I have heard in the past.

Also, there spectator fees arent much cheaper.