2007 IHRA Division-2 Bracket Finals

[Mike Bradley]

Well it's confirmed the IHRA Division-2 2007 Bracket Finals will be held at Alabama International Dragway(www.alabamainternationaldragway.com) in Steele, Alabama. I had spoken with Skooter Peaco at IHRA in November asking if it would be possible for us to compete at Rockingham in the Division-1 Bracket Finals if we so choose. At that time his answer was yes. IHRA had planed to realign Division-1 and move MIR and a few others north. Well, that deal has fallen through and we're locked into A.I.D. for the 2007 B/F. This, among many others, will be topics of discussion at our drivers meeting sometime next month. Everyone be thinking about what they would like to do at the conclusion of the 2007 racing season. If you don't want to go to Alabama for the B/F then we'll do something here at Pageland. You collectively represent us, the track, at the B/F.

The Summit Super Series is expanding and it looks like Pageland Dragway is going to be participating. This is a great deal for you, the racer, as each tracks box and no-box champ wins $1,000 plus is in the running for the 8 car SSS Shootout in Rockingham in October, 2007. If you plan to compete in the IHRA SSS you'll need to contact Donna Harper (IHRA) at (419) 660-4219 and she can walk you through the process.

Proposed format change for 2007 bracket races. The shift will be from buyback to a reentry format. The proposed format change will be first round looses in each class wishing to have a chance at reentering the main event will run each other, Top Eliminator vs. Top Eliminator, and the winners will proceed into the 2nd round with the 1st round winners. (Example; 50 Top Eliminator cars entered, 25 1st round looses, if all 25 want to enter the reentry program the 25 will race each other and 13 will transfer into the 2nd round of eliminations making for 38 cars at the beginning of 2nd round) This will make for all 2nd round entries will have won a round to transfer into the main event. Having consulted many people in the racing industry the common belief is a true elimination of buybacks would hurt the less experienced racer to make it past the 1st round. I'll confess, I'm not 100% sold on this commonly held belief. If I could come up with a good way to evaluate it I would have one event like example #1 and then have a no buyback or reentry into the main event but have a 2nd chance race starting 2nd round with box/no-box together keeping them separate in the lanes for as long as possible.

I want to thank Michael Beard, former IHRA World Champ, featured writer for DRM and he's worked with many other tracks along the way, for allowing me to pick his brain for new and thought provoking ideas about program structure. Michael is a racer and business man and can switch hats in a seamless transition. If at all possible he hopes to attend our drivers meeting next month and race with us in 2007 whenever his schedule allows. His insight is most appreciated.

Our programs and events will only be as good as YOU, the racers, help make them. Without you none of this will matter in the grand scheme of things.

Mike

[staginglt]

The move from a buyback to a re-entry type program will sometimes reduce the number of elimination rounds, therefore putting you one round closer to the finals in many cases. I don't speak in any capacity for the track, but you're probably looking at an increase in round money as well. Everybody wins.

Looking forward to racin' with y'all a little this summer. And hey... if I can make 5+ races, *I'LL* go to Alabama with ya, if some guys want to mope on the porch! ;) It's only one long trip a year. Mapquest says about 7 hrs from Pageland... heck, I had to drive 16-1/2 hrs to get to the national event in Epping, NH!) I *do* wish they would've had the common sense to let you run at Rockingham, though... What does "fall through" mean? Did they even talk to MIR?

I won the NHRA Div. 1 Bracket Finals in 1994, and it still one of my most meaningful wins. One of my buddies told me, "You'd better enjoy it, because you know you'll never win another one!" I won the Gambler's race at the IHRA Div. 3 Bracket Finals several years ago, but I still want that Iron Man!

The Summit Super Series pays the Top 3 on a local level. $1k/$500/$100. Costs $10 to get a SSS competition number through IHRA. Short version: The track your win/loss percentage for your first 30 rounds of eliminations. Piece o' cake! I didn't get to enough races at Farmington last year to get 30 rounds in, and still finished 2nd... got $500 coming!

Mike -y'all going to be using/promoting the Summit Super Series weekly contingency program?

[Mike Bradley]

Yes and I've spoken to Jackie Ressa with Contingency Connections regarding their 2007 program. They pledge a minimum of $50,000 in awards and possibly $100,000 for member tracks. This might be something our weekly racers would like to see added to our program as well. She's passionate about helping the weekly racer in any way possible. She's worked for Ford and also IHRA for a brief stint. Michael this might be before your time at IHRA.

Mike

[staginglt]

FYI, I was the announcer for IHRA the last time that Alabama Int'l hosted the Bracket Finals. Also worked the gate, did some photography, wrote the race coverage, the whole bit. Ralph Abraham, owner from Hub City Dragway in Mississippi, was the other announcer. OMG, laugh to tears! Ralph's a very fun guy. He had a remote headset mic, so I was announcing from the 60' mark, doing whoever I could remember, and Ralph would pick up the other guy off the computer in the tower. You could hear the guys whomping on the other end, and you could play with the crowd in the stands right behind you. It was a blast! Maybe I'll get to see my girls from English Mountain again! :cool:

The owner at Alabama, Jason Collins, was a hitter in IHRA Pro Stock, although he's taken some time off. There was enough paved parking for several teams when I was there last, and I understand they're doing more track improvements. It's actually a 1/4-mile track, so there's more than enough shutdown area. They used to host an IHRA National Event "back in the day".

[staginglt]

Yep, before my time. You might want to check and make sure the requirements of each contingency program doesn't preclude the other. I know that the SSS stuff, although only posting for a few products, is definitely cash. (I think I usually would make another $80-$100 for a race). I haven't looked into the Contingency Connection in several years, but I think a lot of their stuff was product certificates and such. But hey, mo better gooder, right? :)

[Mike Bradley]

It is split between cash and product certificates. My thinking is if it helps just a little then something is better than nothing. Kind of like matching 401-k money. If at all possible you should invest in your company's 401-k program the amount to get the corporate match. Heck, my way of thinking is that's free money lying on the sidewalk waiting to be picked up.LOL

Michael is there anything you've not done drag racing wise? It wouldn't surprise me to hear you say you were helping Goodyear develop a new tire for stock eliminator or something.

Mike

[staginglt]

Hey! No cursing! I'm a Mickey Thompson man. They said to expect about 80 runs out of the radials, but I got over 115 before I finally wore them out (and I wasn't very nice to them in the burnout box, either...) Picked the car up .13 in the 1/4-mile though! A worthy investment for a Stocker. Done testing for K&N Filters, too. The K&N air intake system on my '00 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7L was worth .20 in the 1/4-mile! (ran a 15.99!) I miss that truck.... :frown:

I've never worked concessions (at least at the track... worked short order in college though. Love a good flat grill!), time slip booth, burnout box. Never scraped the track either. That probably about covers it. :eyeroll:

Yeah, I know, I talk too much. I get it from my mother. :whoops:

[Mike Bradley]

I was wondering if you had your early child hood immunization done with a phonograph needle the way you like to talk.LOL Like I have any room to talk.:cool:

[Rick Rafferty]

The proposed structure changes and the SSS in 2007 are great!:cool:
I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

[furr980]

Im Excited About The Possibility Of Going To Alabama To Race. It Will Cost Me In Fuel But Ill Try To Survive Somehow (no Creditcards Here). I Hope At The Driver's Meeting We Can Get Enough Support To Go. Mike, Would There Be A Local Gas Station There In Jefferson-pageland Area That Would Be Interested In Sponsering Some Gas Money Or Gas Card For The Racers Attending That Event To Help Off-set Some Of The Cost For Fuel Because That Probably Would Be The Biggest Deturrant To Going. Im Also Excited To Hear The Other Mike Coming To Compete At Your Track. Thats A Big Plus For You A Jp. I Havent Seen If You Are Goin To Turn The Driver's Meeting Into A Lil T-n-t And Gambler's For The Peoples Attending. Looking Forward To Meeting You Next Weekend At The Atv Bash.

Allen Furr
62 Chevy Ii Fb
Honda Recon Yellow

[S-10 08]

"My thoughts on the Bracket Finals"I think that going to Alabama is crazy,but thats my opinion.My friend brought a great idea to my attention today.He said that I should talk to the owners at JPD and see what they thought about getting together with the tracks in South Carolina and having our own little Bracket Finals.I mean,there is a track not too far from Jefferson that is big enough to have such a race.I mean,there is enough tracks in South Carolina to put on a three or four day race just like we did at Carolina.I think it would be something to look into and I think it would be a great idea.Just a thought,hope to see everyone at the Drivers Meeting."Thanks Tom for the idea!"

[Mike Bradley]

Me personally, I would entertain the idea of a Carolina Clash or whatever you wanted to call it. One thing we'll need to look at is the Summit Super Series. With each tracks SSS winners competing at their respective B/F the track champs get slighted seeing as how they'll miss an opportunity to race at Rockingham in October. It would be a travesty for someone to win the SSS at their home track and not be able to carry that momentum forward to the B/F and who knows maybe to the World Finals in October.

On a side note; Chub did you and Tom get my anvil powder coated? I'll need that for next weekend.

Thanks,

Mike

[BHicks9411]

I know that some tracks give each racer money to go to the bracket finals to offset the cost. I heard that just last year Carolina gave their bracket final drivers $300 a piece to attend(at their HOME track!). Money is always gonna be the biggest turnoff. I'd be taking off Wed, Thurs, Fri and Monday to go. Four days of work is alot of money to me. Then you add the cost of the trip. Man, put that money together and I just won 4 races in a row here at home. All of this for a early bird race(80% payback), gambler race(top16 finishers) and a $5000 race, silver card and pat on the back, thanks for coming. Hummnn, we do have a good time though! But we can do that at home!:biggrin2:
Alot of people's equipment isn't good enough to pull that far either. But, with all this said. I agree with Mike. I'd hate to win the SSS at our track and not go to the bracket finals and have a chance at winning some real money. I wouldn't be too happy. I've bitc-ed about this for 2 years and apparently IHRA doesn't give a rats as- about JP. MIR is a northern track. PERIOD. There the only one's that talk differnt than us at the bracket finals:smile: . The reason we can't run at Rockingham is because the NATIONAL EVENT track, Maryland Internation Raceway and their owner Royce Miller don't want to change. Not saying they should be made too either. But common sense and a map show's me JP is 1 hour from Rockingham and MIR is well I don't know exactly but it's probably 6-8 hours. We as racers need to just suck it up and race. Let our owner's worry about this one.

[BHicks9411]

All that being said, I like Furr980's idea and Chubb's. Maybe the track could get a gas sponsor. I think 80% of our racers stop off at Phillips 66 in Pageland on their way to the track or going home. Big parking lot and plenty of room for us to get in and out. They don't want to help we'll stop stopping on Saturday's:eek: .
Maybe we can help ourselves too. The JPD POINTS program didn't work to good last year, I think its safe to say. How about the same deal but the money goes to the Bracket Finals pot, to be given out equally to the 40 bracket finals drivers. Half the 50/50 ticket pot and add $1 to every entry fee for the whole year per entry. Then put all that money in the pot too. I'd give a $1 a week. The track keeps it during the year, puts it in the bank, grows some interest on it, very little I know and then divides it up and give's it to maybe not the 40 bracket final drivers but the one's who do GO to Alabama. 40 probably won't go. Just some ideas.

[staginglt]

Back home, funding for the Bracket Finals was drawn from
1) Points Membership Fee
2) half of 50/50
3) half of Run for the Money (ours is different than yours, though... optional on last time trial, $3 entry, half to the winner, best *package* wins. Not handicapped start either.)

That paid team entry to the Bracket Finals, and all team members got really nice winter jackets, embroidered. Many times, our Bracket Finals was 5-6 hrs away.

While I'm sure the track won't be able to cover everything, it's likely that some programs like you've suggested can help offset the costs.


Iron Man, Silver Card (don't get me started on that though... there's no reason it shouldn't be a Gold Card. Different subject for another day), coverage in Drag Review magazine... prize money, contingency (if your car is stickered right, the race could very easily be $8K-$12K to win instead of $5K!).... altogether, priceless.

You couldn't put together a regional bracket race for that kind of prize, and it undermines the whole purpose of the Bracket Finals. If you added up your expenses for the Steele trip, minus expenses to go to a centrally located SC track, and applied the remaining money as an entry fee, say $200... you're only going get enough cars to pay the same as what the Bracket Finals does (if you're lucky)... only you don't get the contingency money, Iron Man, Silver Card, magazine coverage, and most importantly it's simply NOT THE BRACKET FINALS. They have a regional Carolina big money race. It's called the Carolina Coalition. Would you rather win a CC race, or the Bracket Finals? There's no question.

I had some suggestions on DRR on how the SSS could be used as a greater motivator for tracks to get their guys to go to the Bracket Finals.

[Rick Rafferty]

Good points on the significance of the Bracket Finals, MB.
Also some good dialogue about the SSS on the DRR thread.

With JP participating in the SSS this year, there is a lot more at stake
for everyone's opportunities at the Bracket Finals.
Hopefully, there will be enough racers to support sending a team in 2007.

[BHicks9411]

Our points membership fee is $25, which I don't know if it might be better for the track to waive that fee. More racer's will be entered in the points then. Then if they do good and see they have a chance to compete they may come more. Then again you never know.
We have a 50/50 but people don't get motivated for it to often. Need to really push that I guess. I'm not one to talk though as I may buy 2 tickets a year.
Half the run for the money sounds good too. Our's is $10 in TOP and $5 in MOD and JD. Anything above what I paid to enter would be nice to win to me, so that wouldn't bother me as long as it helps us in the long run.

Michael, you said that paid for your team's entry. Do you mean that paid for the entry into the Bracket Final($50 a car) or ya's trip?

I've won a early bird race at the bracket finals in 04(toot toot:biggrin: ) and runner-upped a CC race in 03. I loved them both:biggrin2: . I quit racing the CC reguarly after 2003 because of gas prices and a new baby. I loved racing the CC in 02 and 03 and miss it. I hear alot of negative talk about it at the tracks, as I've went to a few since then, and on DRR but I plan on running the full schedule in 07 as well as the PRO AM schedule. I don't think you can beat the CC myself. You'll find bigger race's but for $5k a day the structure isn't bad.

But the CC or other big money race's are not for everyone. I think that JPD can cash in on that somewhat by being the budget track for racer's in a sense.

[staginglt]

>> Michael, you said that paid for your team's entry. Do you mean that paid for the entry into the Bracket Final($50 a car) or ya's trip?

For Beaver Springs, our entry fees were paid for, and we got really nice jackets. No gas money, food, etc. At Rockingham this year, we had to pay our entry fee, but we got two embroidered long sleeve shirts each, and they fed us *crazy* good. At 44 miles from the house, gsa really wasn't an issue.

>> I think that JPD can cash in on that somewhat by being the budget track for racer's in a sense.

BINGO! :) Everybody else has been trying to become a semi-big money bracket race on a weekly basis, and you can quickly saturate (drain the wallet) of your customer base. Keep it affordable, keep it fun.

[furr980]

I Wouldnt Mind Paying $1-$2 More On My Enrty Fee. It Might Be Aggrevating At The Gate But Ill Get Over It. Ill Like It Come Bracket Final Time. I Want To Go To Alabama Because It Will Be Something Totally Different For Me And I Like Change Most Of The Time If Its For The Good. Im Really Looking Forward To Running At Jpd And Maybe Lord Willing Put It On The Map With The Sss. I Also Wish My Other Fellow Competitors Much Luck In The Same. I Really Dont Care Who Wins It Because We Are All On The Same Team In The End. Maybe Mike Can Work Something Out This Year That Can Benefit Us Come Time For The Bracket Finals.

Allen Furr
62 Chevy Ii Fb

[Rick Rafferty]

Have we received a final decision from IHRA on Div 1 or 2?

[Mike Bradley]

Rick I missed your post previously. Right this second things are still very much in limbo. There is several scenarios in play that could effect our final destination for team finals. #1 scenario could give us the option to attend Div.1 Team Finals at Rockingham with possible 1,000 or more entries. (*Not our best option in my opinion for racing*) #2 scenario is Div.1 at Rockingham with about the same number of entries as last year which was around 830.
#3scenario is Steele, Alabama for Div.2 Team Finals.

I want everyone to think through the whole Team Final concept. If you want to possibly have a completed early bird race, gamblers race and Team Final race over the course of 4 days do the math. Another question is why in the world would buybacks be allowed with 300 to 400 cars per class? Another point to ponder. How would *you* feel if your home track was selected to host the Team Finals and then have 25% of Divisional tracks defect to another Division? All things to consider.

Mike

[BHicks9411]

When do YOU think they'll make their mind up Mike? You mean they're thinking of moving some tracks out of Div. 1 Team Finals(scenario#2)?

[Mike Bradley]

When do YOU think they'll make their mind up Mike? You mean they're thinking of moving some tracks out of Div. 1 Team Finals(scenario#2)?
Brian at this rate probably about September 1st. Skooter had asked Royce Miller (MIR) and a few other tracks if they would consider running their team finals at Pittsburgh.

In conversations this morning it appears they, MIR and the other tracks, aren't willing to change team final location. That being the case if you have the 18 Div.1 tracks returning to Rockingham and 3 new tracks, one being us, that would put the car count at 1008 if all 21 tracks brought a full field of participants, not including 2 alternates from each track. I spoke at length with Ronnie Siders (Darlington Dragway) last night about the Div.1 team finals in Rockingham. He has made the decision to attend Steele, Alabama for the Div.2 team finals.

We may have a conference call between Pageland, Low Country/Midway, and Orangeburg to address some concerns about our 3 team' final destination.

I'll keep you posted.

Mike

[BHicks9411]

Thanks Mike. It'll all work out. Maybe IHRA needs to think about adding a Division. Glad to hear you guys are working together. The SC tracks are forgotten sometimes you think:confused: ?? :biggrin2:

[Mike Bradley]

I'll have to say Team IHRA has been soliciting dialog from all sanctioned tracks of late. Whether or not they act on any of our suggestions remains to be seen. The Carolinas are a BIG strong hold for them sanctioning wise. I'm sure this is one of the reasons they are trying to be so accommodating.

We'll have a great team final regardless if it's at Rockingham or Steele. Team spirit will carry the event.

Mike

[Rick Rafferty]

Thanks for the update, Mike.
As you said, we will make it a great year!

[furr980]

are there buybacks at the bracket finals now? i thought id heard that they allow buybacks now. could anyone help me out here?

allen furr
62 chevy II FB :propeller:

[Mike Bradley]

Just the Gamblers race portion. Not in the main event of the Team Finals race.

Part of the confusion stemmed from the post I made on DRR about buybacks being available at Div.1 Team Finals at Rockingham with the possibility of 1,050 entries. I just couldn't see allowing buybacks with this kind of car count hoping to get more than 1 round in per class but this is just my opinion.

Mike Baker, IHRA comp. director, did a time study on the Div.1 Team Finals but I haven't seen his findings. Personally I can't see how it could be run in the alloted time.

Mike

[Tom 396]

"...Just the Gamblers race portion. Not in the main event of the Team Finals race..."


At the 2005 IHRA Division 1 Team Finals, held at Virginia Motorsports Park, there were b*ybacks in the main event. Believe me, I'll not forget it. And yes, those individuals who bought back, after losing in the first round, continued to earn Team points.

Don't let anybody tell you it didn't happen or that it couldn't happen again. In an e-mail exchange that I had with Scooter Peaco of IHRA, he indicated that if he had it to do over, he would do it again. I'd love to hear some assurance, for somebody at the top, that it isn't going to ever happen again. I'd really like to go to the Team Finals again, but not with a fair chance of them using b*ybacks again. Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396

[BHicks9411]

WOW:eek:

[Mike Bradley]

I've had my share of blunders :paperbag: the last two seasons but Buybacks in the Team Finals? Now that even shocks me.

[Bartlett]

Tom is correct, I was there, lost 1st round, bought back and made it to the 5th round before losing buy .002.

[BHicks9411]

Was that the year/race that ya had terrible weather and you had to finish up on Monday, or the threat was there, or something. If I'm right that makes terrible sense. Knowing it was gonna rain, having to many cars and still have a buyback, IN THE MAIN EVENT. Wow. Money makes people/companies do strange things. Its the root of all evils. But its what makes the world go round.

[Bartlett]

I think that was the year before. I have never seen a race weekend there where it didn't rain out at least one day or more. That place was terrible that time of year for wet weather.

[BHicks9411]

I think you're right. Seems like my brothers were their that year for Piedmont. That's why I remember that. I remember the one year JP went to VMP, it wasn't the rain as much as the dew falling every night. Nice facility and track but sucky weather. Sense IHRA is THINKING about the situation at Rockingham maybe they're learning a few things. Maybe that was just a hiccup or oops year. I read in the DRM that all the tracks in NC are now IHRA tracks except for the Outlaw tracks and SC isn't far behind. Hopefully they'll take care of they're supporters.

[Bartlett]

I would like to see IHRA make a new division for the Carolinas only. It would probably still be one of the larger divisions. Guess I'll just keep dreamin.....:sleeping:

[Rick Rafferty]

Has the date been set for the Finals?
Any further discussion on the Division issue?

[Mike Bradley]

IHRA Division 2 Summit Team Finals in Steele, Alabama
September 19-23, 2007 (Wed – Sun)
Alabama International Dragway
1245 Crump Road
P.O. Box 426
Steele, Alabama 35987
Track Phone: 256-538-RACE (7223)
http://www.alabamainternationaldragway.com/

Rick the issue with Team Finals for 2007 got kind of complicated. Division-1 already has so many tracks in it that it just didn't make since for IHRA to allow Pageland Dragway, Darlington Dragway, Orangeburg, and or Midway to participate at Rockingham in October. That would have put 1104 cars on the grounds for D-1 and that just doesn't lend itself to a pleasant race experience. Granted you'd have plenty of bench racing time to get to know the other competitors as you would be very lucky to have very much track time. I spoke with Jon and Ivey Johnson, owners of Outer Banks Speedway, late last year and they weren't real happy with the number of cars on the ground at Rockingham in 2006 or the way the event was run. I talked with Ronnie Siders and Billy Wilson from Darlington Dragway and we knew the best thing for D-2 was for us both to support Jason and Team Alabama. Ronnie and Billy hope to be able to bring the D-2 Finals back to Darlington in the near future so it makes since for them to support Alabama. I still stand by my belief that for the health of a Division a centrally located track bodes well for the overall participation. I pitched the idea to Jeff Miles, Carolina Dragway, to host the D-2 B/F again for the best location for all D-2 tracks. For Jeff one of the tough things to over come is the lost revenue he suffers when he host the Team Finals. IHRA can/will only compensate the host track X amount. For Jeff this ends up costing him money.

I understand that with the D-2 B/F being in Alabama this year it will not be a popular destination for many racers. Plain and simple there just isn't anything we can do about that. Good luck to all the racers in 2007.

[staginglt]

The Bracket Finals is the Bracket Finals. If I'm fortunate enough to make the team, just tell me where we're going! :rambo: (rhetorical on the destination... I just mean that for that event, it's worth traveling to wherever it may be, to me.)

It'll be good to see Steele again. I got to announce/photog/report/work the gate there at the last Bracket Finals they hosted.

[Mike Bradley]

I focused on the fact that it's one race a year. I've seen how dedicated many racers are to supporting the team and feel like we need to be a team player within IHRA. Jason, A.I.D., deserves our support as a D-2 track. Yea I probably could have called in a favor or two and been able to compete at D-1 team finals but sometimes you know what's right and you make the hard, sometimes unpopular, decisions and make the best of them.

[Rick Rafferty]

Thanks for the update, Mike!
I agree that we need to support the tracks in our division and I, too, will look forward to going to Steele if fortunate enough to qualify.
Let the 2007 season begin!

[Tom 396]

This new posting by Bobby Smith, operator of Kinston Dragstrip, may further muddy the waters swirling around the Bracket Finals:

http://www.kdsmotorsports.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56

If true, that would leave the remaining 11 Division 1 tracks going to Rockingham, instead of 19. The IHRA site doesn't mention any change.

I skipped last year's Bracket Finals because of b*ybacks in 2005. If this change is really going to happen, maybe the possibility of b*ybacks will go away too. It would make a big difference to me, personally. Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396

[Tom 396]

Oops. That was the wrong link. Try this one, instead:

http://www.kdsmotorsports.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569&sid=69818d5087baba08b433b9add70c777b

[Mike Bradley]

Tom it's my understanding that this has been in the works for a while. During our last conference call with all D-2 tracks and IHRA Skooter mentioned there was a core group of tracks that was looking to form their own Team Finals. I spoke with several D-1 track operators that said the experience they had at Rockingham in 2006 was horrible. Given the number of tracks in attendance and the number or cars per track (48) it just didn't add up to a pleasant racing experience. It is very difficult to run a Team Final format the way IHRA has laid out with 1,000 plus cars on the grounds.

We knew going into the 2007 once the announcement was made that the D-2Team Final was going to be in Alabama it wouldn't *help* us in any way to market the Summit Super Series to our weekly racers. Many of our weekly bracket racers just don't want to travel this far for a Bracket Final. Hopefully things will be realigned for 2008 and make the team finals something the weekly racers look forward to each season. I hope for the sake of D-1 this group can put this new program together.

[Tom 396]

Mike, I'm now wondering if the remaining 11 Division 1 teams will be competing at Rockingham? If so, maybe (this year or next) JPD could become a part of that group, rather than the group going to Alabama. Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396

[Mike Bradley]

Tom we will continue to look at our options and try to put together the best case scenario for "our" program. Yea we probably could have pulled off switching to Rockingham for 2007 Team Finals but in the big picture it wasn't going to help us *long term*. The concept of team applies to both our individual track as well as team IHRA. If Billy and Ronnie at Darlington continue to lobby IHRA for the D-2 Team Finals it may help them and us if we collectively lobby for a location change for 2008 and beyond. I hate to sound like a broken record but Carolina Dragway still is the best location for the D-2 Bracket Finals in my opinion. The track is somewhat centrally located for the Division, is a beautiful facility, and has the layout to host a 500 car event.

With Steve focusing more and more on special events it really wouldn't surprise me to see him want to move away from hosting the D1 Team Finals at Rockingham. He doesn't really have a bracket program that supports the IHRA weekly racing series. Since he pulled the plug on the Carolina Coalition his bracket program will be even smaller I would guess.

[Mike Bradley]

Mike, I'm now wondering if the remaining 11 Division 1 teams will be competing at Rockingham? If so, maybe (this year or next) JPD could become a part of that group, rather than the group going to Alabama. Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396
Man, the silly season phrase used to be for the NASCAR teams and drivers looking to make changes in the fall for the up coming season. I sincerely thought the Team Finals destination and composition was pretty much set for 2007. There is still a tremendous undercurrent of realignment posturing. There seems to be another group of D1 tracks that are looking to put together another deal and are looking for support from other Divisions and tracks. Time will tell if this other group can gel and pull together for another Team Final program. I can't see IHRA sitting on the side lines for very long if this gains a head of steam. If the D1 Bracket Finals as we know it got down to 8 or so tracks I can't see this flying at Rockingham. It might go the way of the Carolina Coalition, into the history books.

Tom keep your ear to the ground and let us know what you hear from your sources.

[Rick Rafferty]

Yeah, Mike - there sure still seems to be alot of activity going on with this.
The talk of a Farmington Bracket Finals sure has heated up. Has anything really been decided on this? That sure would take a lot of cars out of the current structure. IHRA surely has something to say about all of this.:confused:

As you said earlier, THE ROCK has long not had a bracket program and continues to demonstrate that it has little interest in the weekly bracket racers.:eyeroll: The limited schedule they had to begin with and now bailing out of the CC leaves them with essentially NO Bracket Program. I, too, would be surprised to see Steve want to continue to host the finals.

Thanks for keeping us posted on the developments of this topic.:cool:

[Tom 396]

I wouldn't advise anyone to hold their breath waiting for the IHRA to make an official announcement about this situation, one way or the other. I suspect this will all be old news before that happens. :sleeping: Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396

[Bartlett]

I would think that an event like the Bracket Finals would be something to get the word out ASAP for any changes so racers can plan for the event. How could IHRA possibly benefit from keeping it a secret if, in fact they are going to create a new division?:banghead:

[Rick Rafferty]

Great point, Bobby! I have oftened wondered why the leadership of the IHRA
seems to sit back on their heels and watch all of these things take place.
Surely, they see the same things we do and know that changes need to be made for the benefit of everyone, including themselves. I'm sure they do a lot of things the average guy like me and you have no idea about, but that's where communication should come in. Let us know what is happening. Many of us are eager and willing to do things to make things better. Don't keep us in the dark! Synergy only comes from people working together.

[staginglt]

>> The limited schedule they had to begin with and now bailing out of the CC leaves them with essentially NO Bracket Program.

I heard that Earwood was still going to have bracket races on his Coalition dates. I think the primary reason for bailing on the CC as an official series was due to the cost of the extensive points fund. Personally, the CC points fund was never an issue... I just raced the events individually. Anyhoo, Rockingham's track points program is unaffected by the CC changes. They only have 3 points left, which are the three days over Memorial Weekend. Works good for me, as I can qualify for Rockingham, and then I hope to get in enough races to qualify for the Div. 2 Finals for Pageland.

In terms of IHRA 'keeping a secret', sometimes they'll keep things like this close to the vest so that other regions don't try to do the same thing, such as the Jr. Dragster program that has been run for years at IHRA Division 4 Pro-Ams. Don't quite understand it, but that's just the way they do things sometimes.

It's just my opinion, but I think they needed to step up and say, "Here's the way its going to be" instead of relying on a group of track ops getting together to forge their own solution. While the split does present one solution to the overbearing car counts we've experienced at the Div. 1 Finals, I personally would have rather seen them reduce the number of entries per track, and move some tracks to different divisions. They're somewhat painted into a corner however, as they have a 3-yr contract with Pittsburgh to host the Div. 3 Finals, and the deals they do with the host track(s) have left Carolina not wanting to continue, and MIR not wanting to start.

But, bottom line for this season, Rockingham should be good this year, and I'm looking forward to Steele, AL as well.

[Tom 396]

"....at the Div. 1 Finals, I personally would have rather seen them reduce the number of entries per track..."

And I personally wholeheartedly agree!

They could have killed several birds with a single stone. The event would have "meant something" just to qualify for, and maybe it would have done what it was supposed to do...get more folks to take their hometrack points series seriously. It could have made the event go much more quickly and smoothly. And it might even mean that you'd have more full teams, instead of some teams that are never gonna fill.

But that's just me...and maybe michael. :biggrin2: Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396

[Tom 396]

The IHRA has made their decision: http://www.ihra.com/article/781.html Take care. Tom Worthington.

http://www.hotrodder.com/Tom396

[Mike Bradley]

Thanks Tom for the link. I think in the future "the tail wagging the dog" syndrome must be overcome at IHRA. If it's better for certain track(s) to move to a different team final location then so be it. Tell us where we're going to be eligible to compete for our Bracket Final and if we don't have enough interest in going then we won't go.

[furr980]

Has There Been Any Talk To The D-2 Tracks About Moving To The Rock Or Not?

Allen Furr
62 Chevy Ii Fb/no-box

[Mike Bradley]

No nothing formal. I was contacted by another D1 track as they were gaging interest in whether we would be interested in forming another small 8 track type alliance to have our own Team Final. I talked with Billy Wilson, Darlington Dragway, about the pros and cons of doing our own deal. He is looking at the big picture and feels like if he doesn't support D2 in Alabama it would hurt his chances of possibly hosting a Bracket Final in the near future. For Team Pageland we're committed to Alabama for 2007 as it stands right now. We'll continue to look at all of our options for the 2008 season and beyond.