BIR 2023

[sutton]

I got Tony's dad frank P. into funny car's in the 60s. All 3 of the kids Crus,Tony,and frank jr. were there with Sr. I could not tune Wendel Shipmans car any longer due to work issues, I talked Frank Sr. into putting his fuel motor in the Cuda. Yes Tony has forgotten a lot of things about where he came from including what my good friend John Force did for him.
Larry Sutton---Lions Starter and racer (RET.)

 

[Scoe]

Without knowing exactly what occurred with Blake's sitution, Tony P's slam on Jim Head's operation was unprofessional and uncalled for. Perhaps he could use a time out..

If Jim gets wind of it, best believe TP will hear about it.

 

[BaldyLochs]

Has the no lights thing ever been an issue in the past at BIR? Seems pretty strange in today’s world. I mean, it’s a great storied track, great fans and all that…. But you’d think the NHRA has certain basic requirements in order for a track to host a pro national event. But then look at Bandimere - sure there’s lots of lights but no flushing toilets . I just can’t remember it happening in the past. Sucks for the fans, really…. They were expecting 2 sessions. I guess a rainout is no different though.

 

[J. S.]

I don't believe Pomona has much in the way of lights either. As I recall, they bring in rented "MUSCO" lights or similar and fire them up if needed when things go a little long at their two events. Seems Brainerd could do the same thing - at an additional expense, of course. Maybe this issue has never come up at Brainerd before?

 

[.]

Has the no lights thing ever been an issue in the past at BIR? Seems pretty strange in today’s world. <snip>

Not really. Keep in mind, the Brainerd nationals happen in mid August and it stays daylight in Brainerd until roughly 8:30pm at this time of year. Also, previous management wanted nothing to do with running the track after dark. Installing lights was the last thing on their list. In fact, there was always the BS "curfew" ordinance lie that was perpetuated by past track ownership/management. They had zero desire to work late on any given Friday or Saturday night.... they'd rather be sitting at Bar Harbor (for example) having steak and cocktails by 6:30pm. lolol. When Jed and Christie took over, that's when we all found out the curfew was BS from day one. I always thought that one day Jed would install track lighting (considering all the other money he spent on that place) but now that he's gone I doubt we'll ever see new lighting. Don't get me wrong, Christie is still doing a great job with the place after Jed's death but after all these years (decades) of not running after dark, it's probably not a great idea to start doing it. That track has co-existed for decades surrounded by homes and lake cabins, no need to piss the neighbors off now.

 

[z28]

Has the no lights thing ever been an issue in the past at BIR? Seems pretty strange in today’s world. I mean, it’s a great storied track, great fans and all that…. But you’d think the NHRA has certain basic requirements in order for a track to host a pro national event. But then look at Bandimere - sure there’s lots of lights but no flushing toilets . I just can’t remember it happening in the past. Sucks for the fans, really…. They were expecting 2 sessions. I guess a rainout is no different though.

I think the left lane had more to do with it.

 

[Dragracer]

Agree. Can only imagine what Jim's response would be if he was aware of Tony's commrnt.

I think Tony P should probably make sure he stays far far away from Jim Head.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Tony was bashing on Wilk's kid, Daniel and he didn't hesistate busting Tony's balls on T.V.

 

[T.Smith]

Burrr...winter has come early, a lot of snowflakes 🌬 in here.

 

[TSK]

I’m not sure that last remark was necessary.

 

[Dragracer]

Left lane is an issue.

Now some drama in the lanes….

Was it really too dark or was it the poor lane conditions in the left lane that made them call it?

It was getting dark and they have no lights. They would only have had time to get some of the t/f cars run before it was dark. Running only a partial t/f session was not acceptable to the racers so they refused to run at all. It was the racers call to not run, not NHRA - they were not smart enough to make the right decision. Way to go PRO.

 

[Butch]

Tony was bashing on Wilk's kid, Daniel and he didn't hesistate busting Tony's balls on T.V.

I didn't catch it what did Daniel say

 

[turbo ken]

Clay's latest video about BIR qualifing

 

[mick]

other than the friday last session deal, which was a major bummer, the rest of the weekend went well. saturday was a scorcher, although everyone ran well considering the temps.
sunday was great. we all knew when we woke up, and the numbers did not dissapoint. what a great raceday yesterday......a good friend of mine even suggested the track could have
held more yesterday, and i kinda' have to agree, especially after the (6) 3.6XX runs yesterday and mike salinas' booming 3.65 @ 338 in rnd 2.
and most notably a little bluebird whispered in my ear this morning.....someone ran waaaay under low e.t. for FC (from event) already today (monday) testing.

 

[mick]

- kyle wurtzel looked great. solid passes. took out top end cone in losing effort against torrence in rnd1, but until he hit the cone,
he was rite there keeping torrence honest.
- terry totten also with great rnd1 pass in losing effort against ashley. 3.97 straight and clean......i believe in a new chassis as well.
- great job as usual alan reinhart. goes without saying.
- beers were $6. corndogs were $10. had one corndog and a lot of beers
- fireworks were going off, then seemed to be a ground fire of some sort. was cruising the zoo shortly after, then fireworks started again.
never heard what happened. judges corner still the place to be and be seen. sure am glad the bunch that runs that place still has enough ambition to set up
and run it every year. sure would have liked to have been at capps corner last nite for celebration. have friends that stayed and went.

 

[mick]

tried to pan while in 'pano' mode.....came up with this unique result

 

[mick]

saturday crowd

 

[mick]

dallas (and alan, and kristi) ...... ant

 

[mick]

mayor ron - in his moment of victory, ron remembers the people on maui

 

[mick]

just before pro finals