New auxiliary pit vehicle rules effective immediately (4 Viewers)

[Von Halen]

I would think they'd be much better served putting the effort towards policing the proper use of the vehicles rather than the number.

Impossible. The best way to police them, is to limit them.

With an estimated crowd of 40,000 at the Norwalk Night Of Fire last night, it was an absolute abortion trying to walk around the pits with all the carts running around. Honking and mowing through walls of people, like they are someone special just because they are on a cart. My 9 year old Son and I walked the pits from one end to the other, several times. There is no reason 90% of those people on those carts can't do the same. I mean, come on, it takes what, a few minutes or so to get from one end of the pit to the other?

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, Vaughn, because when it comes to getting around a National Event, or National Event type atmosphere, it sucks. But with the precedent that has been set over so many years, limiting the number of them now will be just about as impossible as policing the way they're being utilized.

It borders on being a no-win situation as far as I'm concerned.

Sean D

 

[BB]

This should have been done long ago. I have probably walked enough miles in the pits to wear out a couple pairs of shoes. I would consider myself a sissy if I rode.

 

[slicky]

Sounds like a liability issue in the pits with the carts . I believe there has been just as many accidents with spectators getting in the way with tow vehicles and getting hit at times .

This is heading towards limiting the # of fans in the pits . I think we will see an additional ticket fee to roam the pits very soon . I remember as a kid we had to pay an extra fee for a "pit pass" . Impounds , fees , fines , and the like add up to one thing . Greed at the top of the NHRA trying to squeeze a little bit more from anyone they can at their whim . Your ticket already has a disclaimer for the nhra's liability , what are they worried about ?? If you get ran over by a racer or team owner , then the driver of said cart or scooter is the one liable any ways .

I agree with one post here saying the fine could be steep depending who you are .

 

[Al smith]

Why doesn't NHRA provide a 10 or 14 passenger electric cart shuttle like they have at some amusement parks? Have about a dozen of them on a circular route and you need a pass or badge to jump onto during its route.

1) shuttle
2) shuttle passes
3) ??????
4) Profit!!!

Sounds like a liability issue in the pits with the carts . I believe there has been just as many accidents with spectators getting in the way with tow vehicles and getting hit at times .

I can remember towing through the staging lanes at the pedestrian cross walk at Maple Grove when a security officer held back pedestrian traffic so we could pull up in the staging lanes. This Moron spectator who was held back says to the security guy "but i though pedestrians had the right of way?'

 

[hellfirejim]

I wonder if I can get two stickers?????

One for each shoe...................................

 

[Nemo]

Personally I think it's a bad policy, it's obvious that there is a reason for this change, but you address the individuals and not the group. We hit the national at HPT every year, we take my father, my wife, my 9 yo son, and my twin 3 year olds. It's around a mile from the sportsman pits to the starting line/stands area. Since it's a "family" sport I really ENJOY bringing my whole family, which don't fit on A golf cart. Luckily we walk allot, but you still need to get back a forth a bit, especially to watch the pros with the kids. At HPT they don't allow carts or other motorized vehicles into the pro pits so there is not issue with that (a great rule), so I don't see the problem. There is already a rule about "kids" driving them, enforce it when you see it. I personally cruise around the pits (sportsman) all race long to catch up with other guys I see at one event a year. My boys LOVE to take the skates and go for "walks" with me and dad in the evenings at the track and look at the trailers and such, they are careful and respectful, now that will end (no skates or razor type scooters). It's become a tradition that we go onto the empty grassy area at HPT and play catch in the evenings, maybe NHRA in their anti-family wisdom can get rid of that as well. Maybe they just need more 70yo guys to sit in their $90k RV's and drink all night, thats were they want the sport to go.....I think it's BS.

 

[The Swegian]

I don't think the new rules will apply to the campground at BIR. People who camp in the ZOO have never been allowed to drive their scooters/pit vehicle/ATV/etc. into the pro or sportsman pits anyway. (as far back as I can remember anyway)

I realize it says "non- participants are not allowed to bring pit vehicles onto the property" but I doubt this will apply to the ZOO at BIR. They charge $25 for every golf cart, atv, scooter, garden tractor, home made contraption, etc. that goes into the campground and I'm sure Jed (the track owner) won't just give up that revenue without a fight. Keep in mind, the campground is run completely separate from the pits. Sure, you need a ticket for the race to get into the campground but I don't think the NHRA has any say as to what goes on in there.

I could be dead wrong, and if I am, they better call out the National Guard to Brainerd Minnesota because you're probably right.... the riot will be huge!

I thought the same thing Brian. I don't see the rule applying to the Zoo.

 

[DLB]

Boy the coverage will be exciting on ESPN this weekend!
GG - "So John, with that great pass, what do you think of the new auxiliary pit vehicle rule?"

JF - "(John speaks on the subject for a few minutes)...Castrol Old Spice Brand Source Mustang in the show, and Ol' Coil can do it."

You know they will bring it up, and John will be one they ask, and he'll use it to his advantage. It's what he does. I just hate that we can't watch a race anymore where it is all about the races. But hey, at least there is still a winner and loser to every round, and they show us who that is! HA!

DLB

 

[Toejam]

Personally I think it's a bad policy, it's obvious that there is a reason for this change, but you address the individuals and not the group. We hit the national at HPT every year, we take my father, my wife, my 9 yo son, and my twin 3 year olds. It's around a mile from the sportsman pits to the starting line/stands area. Since it's a "family" sport I really ENJOY bringing my whole family, which don't fit on A golf cart. Luckily we walk allot, but you still need to get back a forth a bit, especially to watch the pros with the kids. At HPT they don't allow carts or other motorized vehicles into the pro pits so there is not issue with that (a great rule), so I don't see the problem. There is already a rule about "kids" driving them, enforce it when you see it. I personally cruise around the pits (sportsman) all race long to catch up with other guys I see at one event a year. My boys LOVE to take the skates and go for "walks" with me and dad in the evenings at the track and look at the trailers and such, they are careful and respectful, now that will end (no skates or razor type scooters). It's become a tradition that we go onto the empty grassy area at HPT and play catch in the evenings, maybe NHRA in their anti-family wisdom can get rid of that as well. Maybe they just need more 70yo guys to sit in their $90k RV's and drink all night, thats were they want the sport to go.....I think it's BS.

Keith I told myself 10 years ago I wouldn't go back to HPT unless I could splurge for a Golfcart! You walk your socks off at that place!

 

[Nemo]

Yea I really like the place, especially the new pits, but they are VERY far away. Thats one of the best parts (he exercise), but when they change up the schedule (NHRA=happens allot) and call S/C up, I drive down, but my dad and wife/kids want to get down there in time to watch (kids=herding cats) then it's nice for dad to have his small pit bike to head down to the line and he kids/wife take the cart to the stands. We are responsible, they don't go through the pro pits, they don't drive fast (we even put a speedo on it to keep under the max speed), and then they park it and walk over to were the bleachers are. Like I said, get the people that are "abusing" it and warn/fine/eject them. The numbers for the car are on there, call them to the tower if they don't get them stopped. Don't mess with all the hard working, respectful people that pump $500 bucks average/car (times however many HUNDRED entrants you have).

I wonder what they are doing with bikes, I suppose dad could ride a pedal bike instead, not sure they were addressed.

 

[JFrechJr]

I have mixed feelings on this rule. When I was younger, I would take the pit bike out all the time and go for a "joy ride" to check the ladders for my dad in between runs. It seemed like every National Event, I was stopped and kicked off the bike by the track officials. They would follow me back to the trailer and make sure my parents knew that kids under 16 were not allowed to take pit bikes around. EVERY national event it happened. Divisional events they could have cared less. Wasnt just me either, it happened to a few of my track friends back then.

It seems to me that NHRA must have quit attempting to enforce the old rule in the last 7-9 years. Once I turned 16 and got my license I actually had to show it to a few track officials to prove i could ride in the pits. When I was 15 my permit actually worked at a few tracks. Now-a-days there are kids flying around on pit bikes, golf carts and 4-wheelers all the time. So there obviously is not a "police" force enforcing the "rules" like there used to be.

So if there is a pit vehicle problem; keep the kids off! Which all-in-all is not a fair statement to make because it is not just the kids who fly around the pits. Case in point- how often do the show John Force on TV flying back to see Ashley run? No way hes only going 5 MPH

Personally, I think people should be able to keep more than one. We always used the truck as a tow vehicle and the 4-wheeler (pit bike when we had it) to do the running. It is a big enough PITA trying to get the car up to the lanes with the masses of people in a truck compared to trying to make parts/fuel/schedule errands with one. Plus the sport caters across generations and there are a lot of edlerly people that are not able to walk to the couple of miles to get to things around the track.

I dont think the amounts of fans are too big of a problem, to an extent, that pit entry should be limited. In the pro pits, the pros have escort most of the time to and from lanes to help with this problem. In the sportsman pits, there usually isnt a great number of people in the way to deal with. Now with that said; the fans need to pay attention to where the hell they are walking. Understandable that the track is loud and there is a lot to look at which I have found myself guilty of a few times. I can count the number of times I have been driving the tow vehicle from the sportsman pits through the pro pits to get to the staging lanes and there would be big groups of spectaters that acknowledge your presence and not move out of the way. Maybe not something i should admit but i took some joy out of bumping people in the arm with the dually fender that would give me the "stink eye" and not move for honking the horn when I am trying to get a race car up into the lanes.

Having a hard time enclosing what I think. But the basis is - this rule like others wont be enforced. People have drove around for a long time w/o class designations and numbers on their pit vehicles and that has been allowed to continue. What difference is this going to make other than another whip strike against the sportsman racers because the pros will have amunity againsts soemthing else.

 

[FABMAN]

Sounds like a liability issue in the pits with the carts . I believe there has been just as many accidents with spectators getting in the way with tow vehicles and getting hit at times .

This is heading towards limiting the # of fans in the pits . I think we will see an additional ticket fee to roam the pits very soon . I remember as a kid we had to pay an extra fee for a "pit pass" . Impounds , fees , fines , and the like add up to one thing . Greed at the top of the NHRA trying to squeeze a little bit more from anyone they can at their whim . Your ticket already has a disclaimer for the nhra's liability , what are they worried about ?? If you get ran over by a racer or team owner , then the driver of said cart or scooter is the one liable any ways .

I agree with one post here saying the fine could be steep depending who you are .

I hate to say it Corey but i think your right. One of the best things about our sport is fan interaction with the drivers and teams. Before long it will cost you to get in the pits or even worse an invitation only like Nascar. If Graham sees a way to put money in his pocket it will happen. I mean who at NHRA is going to stop him, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS!!!!

 

[Suzie Q]

There should not be golf carts allowed in the area of the stands! These morons park along the fence and really cause a hazard! If there was an emergency and you had to be able to get out, you would be screwed because of all the golfcarts that would be blocking the way out.

I have seen the people who think that they are like a motorhome and put chairs on the top of them. I can't wait for the day when one falls thru! I will have no other choice but to laugh my a$$ off!

Maybe there should be a "golfcart only" route at the tracks. Waaaay outside of the perimiter!!!

 

[T-Bone]

Terry B, JRod and myself were at standing at the fence at Sonoma.
(Where the "comcast" sign used to be)

These older gentlemen fans in a golf cart with two chairs on it's roof parted the crowd, drove thru and parked at the fence.
They had brought a folding aluminum ladder to lean up against the back of the cart and climb up on to it's roof.
That was kinda too much.
Just as they were setting up the ladder, an official came by and said "No".

Musta mixed up Infineon with Famoso.

Yeah that was kind of stupid...I mean he should have known track people would come and tell him.."Ahh..no ya can't do that"...

T

 

[Jenn]

Sounds like a liability issue in the pits with the carts . I believe there has been just as many accidents with spectators getting in the way with tow vehicles and getting hit at times .

Spectators tend to think that because they paid so much money they can walk everywhere without looking. That's just stupid. They should carry more responsibility in the pits than they do.

I've had to park my ATV outside the midway to carry heavy parts into it because I didn't think I could navigate my ATV safetly through the pedestrian traffic.

 

[T.Smith]

I've been on both sides of this...as a racer and a fan. I don't disagree with the new rules...but with that being said, it will be obvious that some teams won't have to abide to these rules.

 

[d'kid]

I'm ducking while I type this, but I also believe that no beer should be sold to ANYONE who can or may go into the pits, until after the 'Toys' are put away for the day.

Personally, I don't believe Alcohol should be sold at the track at all. After hours, yes, but not during racing operations.

d'kid

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

I'm ducking while I type this, but I also believe that no beer should be sold to ANYONE who can or may go into the pits, until after the 'Toys' are put away for the day.

Personally, I don't believe Alcohol should be sold at the track at all. After hours, yes, but not during racing operations.

d'kid

I'll duck right with ya', Karl, because I feel the exact same way........

Sean D

 

[BF]

I'll duck right with ya', Karl, because I feel the exact same way........

Sean D

Do any of the National Events have "alcohol free" sections in the stands? Every short track race I go to does.