Note to those who are involved with snow drags

[Freak]

Every drag Ive been to is run the same way. Start with the slowest sleds and then work your way up to the big hp guns. I understand the thinking of saving the best or crowd pleasers for last but the problem is that there are always so many classes that these things go on forever. The biggest crowds are always there at the first of the races and by the time the Big open mods run most of the people have grown tired of watching sleds run and they have left. There needs to be some change in this area both to keep interest up for the fans and the racers. Really, who wants to see a stock 600 race a 660' drag? Im not saying put the mods sleds first but if you really want to race your stock 600 I think you should be willing to wait til the end as well. Mix it up, rotate between stock classes and big cc mod and dont just run the order.
The other problem is that by the time the big hp runs the track is usually hammered to death and these are the sleds that need a safe track to run on. just my .02 on drag racing.... (freak steps down off soap box)

 

[AndrettiDog]

Thanks for the input. We have been discussing this. First of all, for the Eagle Valley Drags we will set up the track so that we can keep moving it over. We are aware of how beat up it gets so we have some additional room. Also, we will have our club groomer onsite so that we can take a 15 minute break and groom if we need to.

I agree on moving the open class around a little. I'll discuss this with the other organizers and see if we can move that class up a little and maybe move things around to keep the energy flowing. Maybe have the open class at "high noon". Has a ring to it.

 

[mod03rmk800]

stagger the races ie 600-700-800-900-mod-open mod-little guys then repeat.
towards the end you may have to double up the larger classes but mixing the big guns in keeps more people around longer. Also try to keep the breaks to a minimal. They pretty much don't do drags much anymore around here but when they did they mixed things up and held drawings for things throughout the day to keep people around. And when you give a racer a courtesy time limit to get ready, squeeze in a couple larger class runs. All those 5 minutes really add up in the end. My .02 cents.

 

[mattymac]

we would run say one side/round of the ladder of each size/class then move to the next size/class up. Really mixes the diffrent sleds up but the biggest problem was with people not paying attention and then your waiting on them alot.

 

[AndrettiDog]

We were going to do each class at a time. This makes sense because we don't want every sled out in our staging area. We only want one class in the staging area (say 600 stock) then the next class gets called to the staging area once the other is racing. What I think we can do though...is mix up the classes a little. We will set a schedule (so people can eat, test, tune, etc.). I like the idea of moving up the open class to maybe a set time like 1:00 PM. It might have to wait for whatever class is running to finish, but that way the people don't have to watch that class at 4:00 PM and the track won't be destroyed.

 

[ArcticBoy]

The reason we run the open sleds last was at the request of the racers at West Yellowstone. Since in the open you can run nitrous, some guys were running in the smaller classes then putting on their bottles to run the open. It would be a pain to keep putting them on and off. Personally, I don't care. Áll I know is it takes a lot longer to run them at the end all in one group. Cooling, recharging bottles and just plain not paying attention does take up time. BugIto we have tried that format and didn't have much success. I know places like Haydays runs it something like that but they run 4-5 classes at a time in blocks then bring up the next block. Usually it goes faster doing what most racers are used to. Anyway, I do like hearing input and having discussion is good. Keep it up! Also we are still trying to do some other things for spectator interaction such as ET boards and better ways of letting people know who won and such. It all takes $$$$$.

 

[THEPOWDERHOUND]

Every drag Ive been to is run the same way. Start with the slowest sleds and then work your way up to the big hp guns.


and all this time i thought you were popular and thats why you always ran in the first group at the drags----lol

 

[Freak]

The reason we run the open sleds last was at the request of the racers at West Yellowstone. Since in the open you can run nitrous, some guys were running in the smaller classes then putting on their bottles to run the open. It would be a pain to keep putting them on and off. Personally, I don't care. Áll I know is it takes a lot longer to run them at the end all in one group. Cooling, recharging bottles and just plain not paying attention does take up time. BugIto we have tried that format and didn't have much success. I know places like Haydays runs it something like that but they run 4-5 classes at a time in blocks then bring up the next block. Usually it goes faster doing what most racers are used to. Anyway, I do like hearing input and having discussion is good. Keep it up! Also we are still trying to do some other things for spectator interaction such as ET boards and better ways of letting people know who won and such. It all takes $$$$$.

Arctic boy West Yellowstone is the biggest example of what I was talking about. By the time the biggest hp sleds ran most of the spectators had gone home, that just doesnt make any sense.
Also I stood around for 2 days and watched other classes waiting for open mod. I dont want to have to come up and register on friday, go to inspection and drivers meeting on saturday, only to race on sunday. I know the yellowstone chamber wants me there for 3 days but my time is too valuable to waste 3 days for 4 or 5 runs down the track. Last year I raced my improved stockers to help pass the time but with my weight that turned out to be a joke when I hit the lake that had formed at the end of the boards so I dont think Ill do that again. Please let me know when the open mod nitrous class will be run so I know whether or not to plan on attending.

 

[AndrettiDog]

We have decided that we will set the time for the Open class to be at 1:00 PM the day of the race. We will finish whatever class we are currently racing, but then we will interrupt whatever is next and start the Open class. We are also doing 100% payback on that class and we are going to push for an Open Class only sponsor for additional money.

 

[ArcticBoy]

Arctic boy West Yellowstone is the biggest example of what I was talking about. By the time the biggest hp sleds ran most of the spectators had gone home, that just doesnt make any sense.
Also I stood around for 2 days and watched other classes waiting for open mod. I dont want to have to come up and register on friday, go to inspection and drivers meeting on saturday, only to race on sunday. I know the yellowstone chamber wants me there for 3 days but my time is too valuable to waste 3 days for 4 or 5 runs down the track. Last year I raced my improved stockers to help pass the time but with my weight that turned out to be a joke when I hit the lake that had formed at the end of the boards so I dont think Ill do that again. Please let me know when the open mod nitrous class will be run so I know whether or not to plan on attending.

OK Freak, as of now the open will be run as it has been. However, if you get your entry and money to us by the deadline (March 10th.)you do not have to show up till Sunday morning (in time for tech and drivers meeting) if that is the only class you run. That way you"ll be in the class and if you don't show up and race it's easier to scratch you than to add you in. Perhaps we could run them early but that would be up to the racers at the drivers meeting. Be aware pit passes will be issued on Friday night, after that you will need to purchase them as you get into the pits. We have nothing to do with this. PS If everyone agreed we could start the class on Sat. and run finals Sun. like the rest of the classes. This might make things go quicker and allow some work to be done that night.

 

[racingpit]

Honestly, I think that the best time to have the open races is during lunch time for snowcross. I think this will allow the most fans to see the coolest sleds. Maybe they could setup 4 lanes, and just use 2 of them for the open classes (because the open sleds tear up the lanes), and run all other classes on the other 2.

I have lots of respect for what the WSSRA does, and I think that they do a great job. I have seen them improve this race, and make it the best race that I have raced at. They really have their stuff together, and they are a class act in my opinion. They really are willing to work with the racers, and listen to concerns that racers have. Last year was the biggest turnout I have seen.

 

[mod03rmk800]

I would think that running open prelims on saturday could create a 'buzz' that night for a sunday showdown. Gotta keep the big guns entertained as well.

 

[mtnmodviper]

Is the reward higher if the class I'm in is ran when the most people are there, or is it just an ego award?

 

[AndrettiDog]

Is the reward higher if the class I'm in is ran when the most people are there, or is it just an ego award?

We are not charging for general admission. I think the point is to keep the general interest of the people that come out to the event.

 

[ArcticBoy]

The way we run West as far as payback is, we take the added cash divide by entries.$2000 added say 200 entries = $10 per entry. So if a class has 20 entries we add $200 to that class plus the 100% entry fee. So that the bigger the class, the more $$ there is to win.

 

[plumnuts]

the reason Hay Days and other back East races can run through pretty fast is.. one they run four lanes, you finish 3 or 4th you are done for the day.. secondly when they call your class to the lane and you miss the call.. you are done for the day.. no "do overs".. We showed up at one race, registration was at noon, racing at 1.. we were done by 6 PM.. and they passed out the CASH at 6:30.. by 7 we had a cold beer..it was great

 

[ArcticBoy]

the reason Hay Days and other back East races can run through pretty fast is.. one they run four lanes, you finish 3 or 4th you are done for the day.. secondly when they call your class to the lane and you miss the call.. you are done for the day.. no "do overs".. We showed up at one race, registration was at noon, racing at 1.. we were done by 6 PM.. and they passed out the CASH at 6:30.. by 7 we had a cold beer..it was great

Ahh yes single elimination, 5 guys in a class 6 or 7 rounds.