Bye Bye Pontiac... (2 Viewers)

[Bobby Bennett]

You knew it was leading up to it

THE GENERAL ISN’T HAPPY
(9-5-2006) - Numerous sources report that GM drag racing honcho Fred Simmonds, one of the most highly respected and well-liked corporate representatives active on the quarter mile, is less than pleased with the move of the Pontiac Nationals from Columbus to Norwalk Raceway Park. Simmonds was reportedly informed of the move via a voice mail on the day of the announcement, and if true, this would be far from the first instance in which NHRA has handled a delicate matter in this manner. The rumor mill is churning with some wild ones on this subject, including the possibility of GM asking for the return of their loaner vehicles, which would include all of the GMC trucks used for the Safety Safari.

 

[Jim]

Full disclosure ...I know NOTHING!!!

I've never been to Norwalk or Columbus but, I seem to recall people complaining about Columbus almost every year.
Parking in the mud seems the common thread.
On the other hand, my perception is that most folks RAVE about Norwalk and have often said it should have been an NHRA track. Is this an IHRA is great (to the racers) and NHRA is the great Satan-thing?

 

[lmhb oyf]

Jim,

Columbus IS a $hithole. Period end of story. By far the worst NHRA facility I've been to.

 

[Shazam]

Jim,

Columbus IS a $hithole. Period end of story. By far the worst NHRA facility I've been to.

Second that!

 

[hellfirejim]

Jim, In response to your question the answer is NO. You can not believe the difference until you have been to both tracks. Norwalk is by far the better of the two tracks. Then you add in the Bader factor on how you are treated and the answer is clear.

jim

PS: They are right, don't EVER get caught in Columbus when it rains unless you have a 4 x 4 with big mudders......

 

[SST2096]

Jim,

Columbus IS a $hithole. Period end of story. By far the worst NHRA facility I've been to.

Never been to Columbus, but enough of my friends have to agree with you. My vote would be for Indy, personally.... talk about an overrated facility (and I'm speaking as a racer, not a spectator), but Orlando comes in a close second.

 

[winr]

Summit is going to sponsor Norwalk Race.

 

[.]

That's JEG'S country.

 

[None]

As a current Pontiac owner and life-long GM guy, I'd like to know why they are leaving if this is true. Surely it can't be because of NHRA's change of venue. C-Bus is a legendary track that has not kept pace with the times. Norwalk will be a better deal for the teams and fans - certainly a better place to promote Pontiac Motorsports. GM needs a presence in drag racing and Pontiac needs the Pontiac Excitement Nationals.

Gosh, ever think that since the GTO is going away and GM's financial problems are leading to belt tightening that maybe NHRA drag racing isn't a big winner for them?

 

[Harry Mannback]

How long do you think it will be before we see the TOYOTA Nationals?
If they are doing a Funny car body, how long before we see a pro stock Celica? They built a pushrod motor just for NASCAR. Do you think they will do one for NHRA? They got cubic money and want to play.

Dan

 

[draggin3]

That's JEG'S country.

Summit is just an hour up the road from NRP.

 

[__]

Gosh, ever think that since the GTO is going away and GM's financial problems are leading to belt tightening that maybe NHRA drag racing isn't a big winner for them?

Actually, no. I seriously doubt the $$$ to sponsor an NHRA national event was an issue at all. If that were true, they would be bailing out of the NHRA altogether. They still support numerous funny cars and pro stocks, including WJ and KJ's cars directly.
FWIW, GM's stock has been steadily rising for the last 6 months and is only a couple bucks away from doubling its value in that 6 month time period. As important as the NHRA may be to us, I'd venture to say the whole of GM's involvement in drag racing is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to their bottom line.
Something else drove this change. I don't know what. As a life-long GM guy, I can honestly say I don't like GM's decision. For once, the NHRA clearly made a great call. Norwalk is a vast improvement over C-Bus for the racers and fans. Hopefully Pontiac will be back next year at a different race track.

 

[rollemup]

Just a guess......But I wouldn't be suprised if GM's financial woes don't play into this?

...........that's what I was thinking Joe. On some of the financial radio shows I 've listened to lately, the host and guests on the show are claiming that GMC will be fililg for bankruptcy in 2007.

 

[jpee]

How long do you think it will be before we see the TOYOTA Nationals?
If they are doing a Funny car body, how long before we see a pro stock Celica? They built a pushrod motor just for NASCAR. Do you think they will do one for NHRA? They got cubic money and want to play.

Dan

NHRA is after cubic $$ if you have Pro Stock & a "GREAT ENGINE DESIGN" its tough you gotta go by "Their" rules... however if you have Toyota's $$ and design a PS motor you can bet the ranch NHRA will accept it !!

 

[.]

Summit is just an hour up the road from NRP.

oops, sorry, I thought summit was in Nevada.

 

[Toejam]

Imagine any Major sponsor defending C-bus over Norwalk????

 

[None]

oops, sorry, I thought summit was in Nevada.

It is. They have a warehouse there and in Georgia plus Ohio.

 

[Mooseman]

I still say the pontiac firebird trans am funny car bodies have allways been one of the best looking even with the recent aero bodies they still look cool . My fav funny cars will always be the skoal bandit trans ams of don prudhomme those looked cool . I may be a mopar fan but the pontiac bodies have always been cool , way better then most of the other recent funny car bodies . I hope pontiac stay with drag racing .

 

[BB]

Pontiac's loss is Summit's gain. From what I've been hearing, Pontiac may soon join Oldsmobile, who also once sponsored the Columbus race. Too bad, my last 4 cars have been Pontiacs and Olds.

 

[None]

Summit is just an hour up the road from NRP.

Jeg's is just an hour down the road from NRP.