Drivers Meeting Saturday February 9

[Mike Bradley]

We will be having a drivers meeting at the track on Saturday February 16 for the footbrake/No Box racers to discuss the upcoming season for Modified Eliminator. Topics of discussion will be special events for MOD, entry fee and purse structure for points races and IHRA NO BOX rules. Please make plans to join us as we value your input on how we can work together to make the program the very best. If you have any interest in this class I challenge you to be a part of this meeting. Thank you in advance for your support.

Doug will be meeting with you all at 2:00 at the track.

[Rick Rafferty]

Any chance of having a TNT before/after the meeting?

[Mike Bradley]

Any chance of having a TNT before/after the meeting?
Yes by all means. That's the reason for having it at the track next Saturday @ 2:00. We're open each Saturday for Test-N-Tune 12:00-5:00.

[Rick Rafferty]

OK, so this would be a good time of year to begin reading the posted schedule?

[Mike Bradley]

OK, so this would be a good time of year to begin reading the posted schedule?
Ahhhhhh, yea, I would recommend that you peruse the website from time to time. I'm always adding things here and there to make sure people are looking. It's kind of like the forum I've not advertised it's back on-line but people have flocked back to it.

[Mike Bradley]

Racers I apologize but we've had to move your meeting with Doug back a week. The new corrected date is Saturday February 16. The time is will remain 2:00. Sorry for any inconvenience.

[Rick Rafferty]

Great! ~ cuz I will be out of town next weekend.
Long range forecast shows the weather to still be good then.
Hope it holds true!

[Mike Bradley]

OK racers you're going to think we can't look at a calendar before posting something...LOL

Doug informed me today that he's actually going to be out of town on the
16th instead of the 9th. So, we're going to move the bottom bulb drivers meeting to Saturday February 23rd. Doug really feels bad about the confusion but those kinds of things happen.

The meeting will be at the track at 2:00. Again, we apologize for the mix up(s). If it's raining we can still meet at the track.

[knightracer11]

why not just have it at the 1st race(looks like it will be then anyway)confusion as nornmal:banghead:

[Mike Bradley]

why not just have it at the 1st race(looks like it will be then anyway)confusion as nornmal:banghead:
Looks like you may be right...LOL Maybe I should have gotten Doug a calendar for Christmas and then had Gayle make out his schedule for him.

All joking aside we'll have the meeting on the 23rd at the track rain or shine. Doug wants to discuss the options you have available to you this season and with your help and input mold a program to best suit you and Pageland Dragway this season and beyond.

[furr980]

well since i wont be there for thats the rocks 1st points race, ill go ahead with my thoughts. i really dont care weather or not there is 'no-box' rules in the class. the only thing id like to see is policing the type of buttons used. none of those '5-hundeths' buttons should be allowed because its considered a mechanical delay device. as far as purse structure, i really dont have to run for $1000-$1200 every week. id actually liked running for the
$600 purse from last year. i dont think you get the money hungryness with pageland footbrakers like you would somewhere else. they are just there to have a good time and race. the only thing id like to see with the purse structure is paying more round money earlier. i personally believe, the more people you pay the more that will keep coming back week end and week out. just a few thoughts for right now.

[knightracer11]

I agree! But I thankk that the footbrake racers would enjoy the 1000 to 1200 dollar purses! I thank thats a good Idea. I am 100000% with you on the button thang because it is considered delay. I am really with the bigger purse structure..:confused:

[bryn1]

With the bigger purses is gonna come the larger entry fees and less round money.The track can only eat this for a short time if the car count does'nt offset the amounts so you gonna be in this tug o war over purse or entry fee and round money there can only be one winner so i can see furr's point its better to take home something than nothing you not gonna get rich doin this if you take it that serious than you've outgrown pageland you can't have it all as soon as the purses go up than people fuss because the entry fees went up or the round money is not enough be happy that you have a nice place to race that it dont take 2 days to get there and people who atleast try i mean we can always go to the winner take all no round money no runner up no splits and the lets make the purse $1500 the track keeps all buybacks and round money to cover the purse then we all can quit having a good time and forget about the nice things they do for us all



JMO
:banghead: bryan

[383nova]

For the bigger purse, against the trans-brakes, etc...

[staginglt]

I raced against the "No-Box" cars in PA/Ohio/Michigan... even where they're allowed, usually seems to be around 20-25% of the cars actually bother to use the 2-step/transbrake. Don't matter to me if they're allowed or not, I would continue to footbrake. If it brings more cars to the class, I'm for it.

While I preferred last year's race structure and payouts, the $1,000/win program they've offered for Modified this year is a *really* strong payout, with the $40 round money. Most Carolina tracks start paying out 4th round loser... but only $20-$25. Getting your entry back by 4th round: thumbs up!

[McGee9X73]

Even though I do not bottom bulb race I have noticed that Pagelands pay out structure is in a leauge of it's on. The local tracks around here pay $25 per round after you win 3rd round. Entry fee is 50, so if you do not buyback you still have to win 4th round to get your entry back. If I am not mistaking, with Pageland, after you win 3rd round you get your entry back and if you win 4th round you have already doubled your entry. The Winner/Runner Up payout is not as much as around here, but it seems 20% of the racers win 80% of the races. Pageland is doing the correct thing in my opinion. Most folks will be able to get their weekly entry fee back and that gives them a warm cozy feeling when they take the ride back home. That helped in my decision to race at Pageland this year.

[Mike Bradley]

Guys I really appreciate your encouraging words. When we (Doug, Tim, Jeff and myself) sat down to look at revising our bracket program for 2008 we wanted to continue to put an importance on round money which allows money to be put back in the racers pocket at an earlier time. This is something we agreed on from the very beginning. Like Hank points out 20% of the racers collect 80% of the purse in all classes. This does challenge the rest to become better racers but we want to ensure the economic vitality for the overall health of the collective program(s). I thought Doug did a great job at the banquet of highlighting that most importantly we should be having fun drag racing at the weekly racing series level.

Bryan you bring up a very valid point. The possibility does exist for the head hunters to swoop in and try to pick up the larger purse and round money. This is something we've discussed at length while molding the 08 program. Honestly I don't know if racers are going to travel any distance for another $400 to $600 added to the Mod purse and the beefed up round money. Interestingly enough I have had some Division-1 racers in the store that have been keeping a close watch on the Mod program.

In regards to the adoption of a true IHRA "No Box" format for Modified Eliminator we see this as a positive direction to grow this class. We don't foresee a huge increase in numbers the first year but do feel like it'll pay long term dividends with participant growth in the years to come. As many of you know by now the majority of D-2 East track operators voted last week to keep the Mod class a Footbrake class for our Team Finals. Interestingly enough not 30 minutes later the tracks in D-2 West voted to change their program(s) to mirror IHRA and make it a "No Box" class for their 2008 Team Finals. Hopefully we'll be able to use their program as a bellwether for "No Box".

I'd like to see our classes restructured a little to possibly help transition a new racer. In a perfect world we'd have 3 IHRA classes. We'd have "Top Eliminator", 0-7.49 E.T., delay box and all types of cars. "Modified Eliminator" which would be "No Box" 0-7.99 E.T., doorcars or left steer roadsters with fenders, transbrakes, 2-steps and shifters allowed. "Street Eliminator" would be 6.99 and slower, No electronics a true footbrake class. It would be challenging to plug in the 3 class scenario with the expected entry fee/purse structure people expect in our area plus the limited number of participants in a given area.

Having said all that, regardless of format or purse structure 2008 is going to be a great year for drag racing. Thank you for helping make Pageland's program enjoyable.

[bryn1]

having the different classes would be cool then it gives everybody somewhere to fit in i'm like michael regardless of the class i will stick to footbraking whether its letting off a button or a brake pedal you still gotta see the bulb

[383nova]

If you change your car over to a trans-brake and two-step how are you gonna go race at any other track who supports footbrake such as darlington?

[McGee9X73]

Pretty easy, just unhook the brake. The only problem with that is if you use your transbrake to back up. I had a fella FB my car a fair amount of races last year, and I would yank the delay box, electric shifter, and the buttons out of the car. No question ever brought up. Passed tech at Bristols 50Ker.

[383nova]

Ahh thts to much trouble, we'll stick with footbraking it.

[furr980]

now it seems kinda silly how D2 east voted one way and D2 west voted the other. mike, i feel sure you voted for the no-box rules? id really like to see ihra step in and say that no-box is allowed for all tracks, because when you win your race of champions and go to rockingham you cant whine about someone having a transbrake because thats what the rules call for. it seems to me that (no putting anyone down) no one on here thinks that they can make to rockingham to run for a world championship. thats something i shoot for every year is to make that event, but in order to do so i have to do all the in between stuff to get there.

[383nova]

Really don't matter to me, can't afford the stuff no ways, so i guess i'll be at a dis-advantage.

[knightracer11]

The way i look at it is its been a FOOTBRAKEclass and If you are to scared to let off the break with ya foot and race in footbreak then stay at home! If your to scared to put if the entry fee to run for bigger money because your afraid you wont make it down to split and wont get any money then stay at home as well after all its not about the money now is it?? "IF YOUR SCARD GO TO CHURCH"!!:mad:

[383nova]

The way i look at it is its been a FOOTBRAKEclass and If you are to scared to let off the break with ya foot and race in footbreak then stay at home! If your to scared to put if the entry fee to run for bigger money because your afraid you wont make it down to split and wont get any money then stay at home as well after all its not about the money now is it?? "IF YOUR SCARD GO TO CHURCH"!!:mad:
Agree

[MTODD358]

Its Like This Fellas........its A Whole Lot Harder To Leave Off The Bottom Bulb With A Transbrake...on These "led"..lights....but Truth Of The Matter Is ...its Not Called Footbrake Class. Its Called Modified...i Can Promise This Though If Pageland Decides To Give The "no Box" A Shot..... The "Sinclair Mafia" Will Be There!!!!!!!.....so Bring On The "No Box"

[383nova]

Well if its a whole lot harder then why do it?

[bryn1]

I think people are forgetting no matter if its a button or brake pedal you still gotta wait on the bulb so either way set it up raise the entry fee raise the purse raise the round money might as well raise the buy back or re entry and lets see who complains first my bet is it will come not long after the season starts no matter what you do someones gonna get mad next thing that will happen those people will leave anyway so in the end it will all workout

[Mike Bradley]

If you change your car over to a trans-brake and two-step how are you gonna go race at any other track who supports footbrake such as darlington?
Ryan a good many footbrake cars today have transbrakes installed in them but don't have the transbrake solenoid wired to be operational. It wouldn't be very difficult to make the transition. You're not going to see the current footbrake participants changer their cars over to incorporate the transbrake because there is no added advantage to having the transbrake. I would venture to say even the footbrake cars that have transbrake valve bodies installed won't start using them. The potential new growth in Mod would most likely be Index cars, Super Stock cars or Pro class racers that have no love affair with a delay box.

I will stick to footbraking whether it's letting off a button or a brake pedal you still gotta see the bulb
Bryan that really is the irony to bottom bulb racing. It really doesn't matter how you leave but when you leave.

now it seems kinda silly how D2 east voted one way and D2 west voted the other. mike, i feel sure you voted for the no-box rules?Alan after presenting to the group what I felt like was reason for us to consider adopting the current IHRA rules for Mod along with ample discussion when the time came to cast our vote I voted in favor of the "No Box" at the Team Finals. Please read that very carefully "voted in favor of the "No Box" rules for Modified Eliminator at the Team Finals".This would have allowed each individual track to decide for themselves whether or not they wanted to adopt the "No Box" rule for their weekly racing series or leave it the way it is now. Ultimately the track has the final decision making authority.

id really like to see ihra step in and say that no-box is allowed for all tracks.
I personally like the fact that IHRA is affording us the flexibility to mold our programs to best suit our individual track(s). It's our responsibility to have a vision for our programs and then the challenge is for us to make it work. Prime example is the Summit Super Series. Now we have the ability to incorporate our weekly racing series into the SSS to be a seamless program. This allows each individual track to format their bracket program to best suit their track and racers.

One example is comparing two D-2 East tracks bracket program. Carolina Dragway has 6 weekends of bracket racing for the 2008 season. The SSS is a smaller part of their overall season. This frees them up to do more test-n-tune, grudge racing or heads-up programs. Now flip that around and look at Pageland where bracket racing is a larger part of our season then we need to make sure we use all the tools available to us make the program the best it can be. For the weekly bracket racer the SSS is an awesome program and now with everyone who is entered in the track points program being automatically entered in the SSS it keeps everything simple and I've grow to realize the more simple it is the better it is for us all.

Honestly from my perspective it probably isn't worth the effort to adopt the IHRA "No Box" rule this season for Pageland. Talk with Doug Mayhew and let him know what you'd like to see now and in the future as he's the point man for the bracket program.

[Mike Bradley]

I think people are forgetting no matter if its a button or brake pedal you still gotta wait on the bulb so either way set it up raise the entry fee raise the purse raise the round money might as well raise the buy back or re entry and lets see who complains first my bet is it will come not long after the season starts no matter what you do someones gonna get mad next thing that will happen those people will leave anyway so in the end it will all workout
LOL...I hear ya Bryan. It's going to be a great season for Pageland and D-2 East. I guess the real test will be if Doug asks to be in charge of the bracket program for 09.:nailbite:

[bryn1]

Mike is doug gonna have the final say so you know so that when theres unhappy people and you know there will be they can go straight to doug instead of getting on here and bad mouthing the track

[Mike Bradley]

Mike is doug gonna have the final say so you know so that when theres unhappy people and you know there will be they can go straight to doug instead of getting on here and bad mouthing the track
ABSOLUTELY, after Doug has sought the input from you the racer(s) he'll set the 08 program in motion. Doug has been given the latitude (support) and tools to put the bracket program together. It doesn't behoove me to allow him to put the program together and then me micro manage it. Doug is a bracket racer, thinks like a bracket racer and has been a fixture at Pageland since 1996 so that should afford him a less skeptical eye. Bryan I'm a realist, no matter what Doug or anyone does they're never ever going to please everyone. I challenge the racers to support Doug, and the track, to make your program the best it can be. If the bracket racer(s) don't support Doug they've missed a golden opportunity.

It's no different that the opportunity IHRA has given the D-2 East track owners to make our division the best in the country. We have a rare opportunity in that we're starting with a clean sheet of paper. If we don't capitalize on this opportunity shame on us.

This also will allow me to spend more time expanding and starting new programs.

[383nova]

I haven't never seen any of the footbrake racers on here bad mouthing the track so i dont think there will be a problem with that, we support the track either way.

[bryn1]

pay attention to the car count and the forum if theres no compromising on payuts,entry fees,and other things that concern this class you'll see it for yourself

[furr980]

guys, id really want to encourage you to incorporate the no-box rules in the 2008 program. i truly believe it will enhance and grow our program to a whole new level that no other track could reach or achieve. this could help bring our car counts up to rival those in pro or even excede those in pro. also it can let us do a big money race like no other track can do. it can allow us to bring those guys from around the country who use the no-box philosiphy. nobody is making or telling you to put a button, transbrake, shifter, two-step in your car. if what you have works then stay with it. all this is doin is allowing us to grow our program to new heights. so please try and be open minded to this philosiphy.

[barry laney]

I don't run footbrake, but listening to the guys talking in the garages, their not to pleased knowing that their having again to change something. The avarage weekly racer wants it as simple as possible. These guys take their little bit of spending money and put it in their racecars and want to get out as cheap as they can.If you keep changing things they will get discouraged and look elsewhere. BELEIVE IT OR NOT. Remember guys this is pageland,not mooresville or rockingham,or a track where money isn't a issue. These guys are shade tree mechanics that just want to have fun. I think that you need to keep it as simple as possible. Just my opininon. good luck to everyone in 08.

[Mike Bradley]

I don't run footbrake, but listening to the guys talking in the garages, their not to pleased knowing that their having again to change something. The avarage weekly racer wants it as simple as possible. These guys take their little bit of spending money and put it in their racecars and want to get out as cheap as they can.If you keep changing things they will get discouraged and look elsewhere. BELEIVE IT OR NOT. Remember guys this is pageland,not mooresville or rockingham,or a track where money isn't a issue. These guys are shade tree mechanics that just want to have fun. I think that you need to keep it as simple as possible. Just my opininon. good luck to everyone in 08.
Barry you are dead-on. I think for Pageland we should focus on keeping things like they've been since 1996 as far as rules are concerned. Maybe at the end of 08 we can sit down and analyze the data from D-2 West to see how things are going there with their new format and build upon that data.

Thanks for the post Barry. Good luck this season.

[Mike Bradley]

Doug met with the Footbrake drivers that were in attendance yesterday and the overwhelming majority voted to keep the class for 08 a Footbrake only class and to mirror the Pro class in purse structure. Doug is wanting to have a quick follow up meeting when more racers are in attendance to get a collective agreement on purse structure and buyback format. At our banquet he didn't have an opportunity to discuss the buyback format due to the deteriorating weather conditions and time constraints at the restaurant.

Doug wants to hear from you whether you would like only 1st round buyback, 1st or 2nd round buyback or 1st and 2nd round buybacks. From the tracks perspective I would prefer 1st round only as this keeps the race one (1) round shorter and helps us to be able to pay 3rd round winners round money to mirror your entry fee or 1st and 2nd round buyback helps us as well. We'll support any of the three proposed formats as the round money will mirror your entry fee.

This is going to be a great season and I'm going to go out on a limb and predict and new, never won one before at Pageland, track champion in both Pro, Footbrake and Jr. Dragsters. Looks like Anne, Calvin and Trevor have their work cut out for them...:nailbite:

I hope everyone has a safe enjoyable 2008 racing season.

[furr980]

i actually prefer the original purse structure, and just one round of buy backs. just my $.02

[staginglt]

I'm ok with any purse structure that's been discussed -- last year's purse, the proposed FB and/or Top purse, and I also like the new Farmington/Mooresville programs.

Buybacks - 1st round only please.

1st *OR* 2nd costs the track money rather than making them money, given the proposed payout structure(s). While 1st *AND* 2nd does make more money for the track, in my opinion, it just costs the racers more money as everyone that can buyback will feel like they have to, plus it lengthens the race considerably. With the higher entry and buyback costs, 1st AND 2nd round buybacks will drive the cost of racing even higher. I'm ok with the higher entry and buyback costs on a "1st round only" buyback, due to the much higher round money figure.

$.02,

[barry laney]

In response to the comment that staginglight posted,it will cost the same for racers if you have 1st round buybacks or 1st or 2nd round buybacks, because the racer will only be allowed to buyback one time. Also my opinion on the pay-out structure,I think footbrake shouldn't be the same as pro. I feel that you should keep them seperate, so people won't lose the urge to want to advance. If the money is the same, they won't need to. Just my opinion.

[383nova]

Advancing? Some of us choose not to run electronics cause we like footbraking so why should we not run for the same thing if we prefer footbraking over the other?

[staginglt]

In response to the comment that staginglight posted,it will cost the same for racers if you have 1st round buybacks or 1st or 2nd round buybacks, because the racer will only be allowed to buyback one time.

That's correct, but the track makes less money with 1st OR 2nd versus 1st round only. My note about increased cost was intended for 1st AND 2nd round.

1st round only - good for everybody
1st OR 2nd - bad for the track, given the proposed payout
1st AND 2nd - bad for the racer

Just my opinion,

MB

[barry laney]

You are exactly right. I think i read it wrong. I think you are correct when it comes to both the track and driver to benefit from this. I think maybe one round buy-backs may be good enough for everybody. I't don't matter to me personaly,I'll do whatever the majority of the rest of the guys do. Good luck to you in 08.

[Mike Bradley]

The things I would like to focus on are the things that are beneficial for both the track and the racer(s). Sometimes people think the track and racers have to be on opposite sides of an issue but most often that isn't the case. I may not have a huge voice in the decision making process this season but the 1st and 2nd round buyback really would scare me. With the way the season and purse structure is designed it's crucial that we have a good consistent car count each week. We have tremendous exposure whenever you have a guaranteed purse like we do at Pageland.

In regards to the Box and No Box racer I think it boils down to personal preference. For some it's the appeal of leaving off the bottom bulb and using the least amount of bracket racing aides as possible. I'm thinking that if we're going to stay purely footbrake in D-2 East we should eliminate the electric shifter and put it back on the driver but that's another discussion all together.

[D.pooff]

hope everyone fish well over there. i really wanted to fish the river again, but i cant this year. my grandfather has past on and the service is this saturday. im doing good.