mikebcurve
Nitro Member
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NHRA CONSIDERING CANADIAN TRACK AS PART OF THE WESTERN SWING?
- Thread starter mikebcurve
- Start date
That's a long trek to Edmonton. If I recall correctly, when it was an IHRA track there was a big dispute between the Pro Stock racers and then-president Aaron Polburn over the cost of getting there. Polburn told Pro Stock to get lost and they did. That was a big piece in IHRA's unraveling.
It's a long tow to Edmonton - 1,800+ miles from Indianapolis. Only 1,300 miles from Denver. I can't see that making teams very happy.
It's a long tow to Edmonton - 1,800+ miles from Indianapolis. Only 1,300 miles from Denver. I can't see that making teams very happy.
glofria
Nitro Member
"Our question is... what about Bakersfield"?
Better check the temps in July beofre considering the San Juaquin Valley. Today it's going to be 101 degrees in Bakersfield, so no not a good option. And besides, don't ruin the mystic of the place with monster grandstand lining both sides of the track
Better check the temps in July beofre considering the San Juaquin Valley. Today it's going to be 101 degrees in Bakersfield, so no not a good option. And besides, don't ruin the mystic of the place with monster grandstand lining both sides of the track
Dennis
Nitro Member
Not trying to derail the thread, but since we're talking Canada, why hasn't NHRA gone back to Sanair? NHRA decision or Sanair?
I know the leaded fuel prohibition was the initial reason for the exit but apparently there is an exemption for race cars.
In any event, would love to see Canada a stop on the NHRA tour. I don't know that mileage makes it prohibitive - if the teams are already in Sonoma and Seattle already. I guess it all depends on what changes, if any, NHRA makes to the proceeding and following events.
I know the leaded fuel prohibition was the initial reason for the exit but apparently there is an exemption for race cars.
In any event, would love to see Canada a stop on the NHRA tour. I don't know that mileage makes it prohibitive - if the teams are already in Sonoma and Seattle already. I guess it all depends on what changes, if any, NHRA makes to the proceeding and following events.
HoodooVoodooAngus
Nitro Member
Well in years like this where the US dollar goes a lot further in Canada, I could see it make sense from a business standpoint. I know firsthand how important of an event Edmonton was in the old IHRA days for ticket sales. And besides the drive, racers loved coming here. RAD Torque Raceway is literally on the the International Airport property so it is very convenient for flying folks. The closest event for most of Western Canada is Seattle, so there would be NO problem for ticket sales. I can almost guarantee that.
Not to mention it may re-ignite a dwindling professional drag racing scene since IHRA petered out...
Not to mention it may re-ignite a dwindling professional drag racing scene since IHRA petered out...
Remember that it was adding the race in Edmonton that led to the fractured relationship between IHRA and pro racers. That, in turn, led to IHRA pulling out of big race weekends.
The pro stock wanted tow money from IHRA to drive to Edmonton. They did not get it. Then Aaron Polburn told them if they did not show up at Edmonton with the tow money, they were not welcome at other IHRA events.
HoodooVoodooAngus
Nitro Member
I think you're comparing apples to oranges.
1. There was no other IHRA events out west. Seattle to Edmonton to Brainerd or Topeka is a haul but it certainly doesn't compare to Milan, MI, to Edmonton then back to Southern Ontario (Cayuga)
2. There is the possibility of a travel premium. Unlike most stops, An NHRA event would be a big ticket event for Western Canada. There isn't a lot of competition for the event in terms of other events, let alone ANY race events.
3. Unlike NHRA Pro Stock (brand name and recognizable names), no one noticed that the Pro Stock cars weren't there
4. Dallas Glenn is sponsored by RAD Torque and showed up at the most recent Rocky Mountain Nationals to race Top Dragster
5. Teams used to come here to match race back in the 90's between Seattle and Brainerd all the time. It was a good way to justify Seattle for many low budget teams.
Topfuel386
Nitro Member
Unless Edmonton is completely redoing its track surface it isn’t a possibility.
HoodooVoodooAngus
Nitro Member
I'm sure they would inject a lot of money into it. There was a time when it held some pretty stout runs as you would recall. Wasn't one of your first races up here?
I think Clay holds the track record in the 1/4 at 4.56 and speed was somewhere around 325. 15 years ago.
nwspeedshots
Nitro Member
What about Mission...?
T.Smith
Nitro Member
That place would need a lot of work. On track and off track. I remember there being barely enough room to hold a IHRA national event. Also, I believe we have the track speed record there at 326.16 mph. (1/4 mile)
z28
Nitro Member
looking at it on Google Map paved parking looks pretty slim. Could be a 3 pro class event at best. Sure wouldn't be much room for non pro classes.
Topfuel386
Nitro Member
It was one of my earlier events that I was fortunate to do.
The one negative about racing in Canada is the hassle crossing the border, I don't know what it's like now but back in 2006 two of Gilby's crew weren't allowed into Canada because of past arrests. Plus you had to have a complete inventory of everything in the trailer which is checked when leaving to make sure you didn't sell anything to avoid the duty & taxes. If you want to talk about low car counts hold a race in Canada and see how many teams show up.
Al
Nitro Member
IF my memory serves me correctly, the Molson Grandnational at Sanair was lost because the Mulroney government in power in Canada at the time, took too long deciding on an exception for leaded fuels. NHRA gave them a deadline and I believe a couple of extensions, which they missed and NHRA moved the event to Topeka for a second race there. Months later, the exception was put in place for race cars (it was already in place for boats !) I had read in several magazines that Sanair was not a popular event with the pro racers, due to issues with crossing Canadian customs, the language barrier (the province of Quebec is bilingual, speaking French and English) and other issues. That was then and this is now, but I don't know if coming into Canada to race is any easier at the border. I think Bob is correct in his assessment on this being an issue which would effect car counts.
It looks like Sanair is still in business, but at a much smaller capacity.
When Edmonton hosted an IHRA National event, I believe it had the best attendance on their circuit. And with some improvements, maybe it could be capable of hosting the event. But you need a lot of acreage to hold a present day National Event. But one benefit there, is that there is an awesome bulk distributor for race fuels right in Edmonton. And the track's sponsor, Rad Torque, is a very racing oriented company and I could see them doing whatever is necessary to make this happen.
When we used to go to the Mission Regional/Divisional (which they no longer host) to race my son's Super Comp dragster, the car count for the alcohol cars was weak. Once. when we made our annual trip to Seattle for the NW Nationals (as spectators), I chatted with Chris Demke and I told him he should run (TAD) in Mission. He said that he was the only guy on the team with a passport, so he didn't see his team ever going there. I can see that being an issue with ALL teams. For many years now, you need a passport to go between Canada and the US, and vice versa.
Living in the middle of B.C., going to Edmonton is 100 miles closer than Seattle, so it would be nice to go there. But I have been going to Seattle since 1970 (and FOX Sports even used my Prudhomme photo on their TV coverage twice this year), so it would be a hard decision to make if I had to choose which event to go to. Bottom line, I'll believe it when I see it.
It looks like Sanair is still in business, but at a much smaller capacity.
When Edmonton hosted an IHRA National event, I believe it had the best attendance on their circuit. And with some improvements, maybe it could be capable of hosting the event. But you need a lot of acreage to hold a present day National Event. But one benefit there, is that there is an awesome bulk distributor for race fuels right in Edmonton. And the track's sponsor, Rad Torque, is a very racing oriented company and I could see them doing whatever is necessary to make this happen.
When we used to go to the Mission Regional/Divisional (which they no longer host) to race my son's Super Comp dragster, the car count for the alcohol cars was weak. Once. when we made our annual trip to Seattle for the NW Nationals (as spectators), I chatted with Chris Demke and I told him he should run (TAD) in Mission. He said that he was the only guy on the team with a passport, so he didn't see his team ever going there. I can see that being an issue with ALL teams. For many years now, you need a passport to go between Canada and the US, and vice versa.
Living in the middle of B.C., going to Edmonton is 100 miles closer than Seattle, so it would be nice to go there. But I have been going to Seattle since 1970 (and FOX Sports even used my Prudhomme photo on their TV coverage twice this year), so it would be a hard decision to make if I had to choose which event to go to. Bottom line, I'll believe it when I see it.
Gone Dead Train
Nitro Member
And if you have a DUI or any of your crewmembers or fans have a DUI in the past 10 years.
Can You Go To Canada With a DUI?
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allcleared.com
And leave Mary Jane at home. Canada has got you covered in every Province.
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