Pro Warm-up???? (1 Viewer)

[Toejam]

I noticed it's in Florida this year, when did they decide not to run Phoenix or Vegas? I remember around 99-01 they used to run Tucson, and drivers quit going because it was NOT a Natl. Event track! So how does Palm Beach make the cut?

 

[MM]

Palm Beach is one of the smoothest tracks I have ever been on. All concrete, and they let Chad Head prep the track for the fuel racers. Track conditions are optimal. It's been a hot spot for the last few years. Also, with most of the teams based out of Indy, it makes for easier transport.

 

[Raconteur]

I noticed it's in Florida this year, when did they decide not to run Phoenix or Vegas? I remember around 99-01 they used to run Tucson, and drivers quit going because it was NOT a Natl. Event track! So how does Palm Beach make the cut?

Here you go Joe, always glad to help!

LAS VEGAS TO HOST PRESEASON TESTING

 

[Jeff]

Here is my opinion:
1. low personality track ... very smooth
2. if you get bad weather, it generally lasts a very short period of time
3. much closer to where your trip started
4. cheap place the fly people in and out of
5. cheap place to house/feed them while they are there

Summary: great bang for the buck.

 

[the zone]

Tucson never gave a true NHRA tune up because of the elevation. Only track close was Denver. Not being a Nat'l track had little to do with it. Track conditions, and even the cost per team (Likely free at Palm Beach) where as Vegas has a fee. Most will run there as well, but they won't spend as much time there.
Third year for Palm Beach.
Dean

 

[mike]

It was in Florida last year as well Joe. You don't remember?

 

[vegasnitro]

We are not expecting very many fuel cars here in Vegas for that pre season warm up ... in fact, the last couple of years it has been 2 or 3 cars max. The only car I see talking about it is Clay Millican, on the tow to Pomona he will stop in Vegas to test.

 

[mick]

Palm Beach is one of the smoothest tracks I have ever been one. All concrete, and they let Chad Head prep the track for the fuel racers. Track conditions are optimal. It's been a hot spot for the last few years. Also, with most of the teams based out of Indy, it makes for easier transport.

and it's in jupiter; i'm sure there are a few personalities involved with
the test that may have an interest in jupiter.
spectacular setting / air strip next to track / golf, golf and more golf
great restaurants & bars....guanabanas...square grouper...pineapples
too much fun

 

[HEMI6point1]

Here is my opinion:
1. low personality track ... very smooth
2. if you get bad weather, it generally lasts a very short period of time
3. much closer to where your trip started
4. cheap place the fly people in and out of
5. cheap place to house/feed them while they are there

Summary: great bang for the buck.

I agree with everything except the weather part. The area where the track is located is like a black hole, once a rain cloud covers the place it.... just.... doesn't.... leave.

 

[MM]

great restaurants & bars

The West Palm Beach Hooters.......Spectacular scenery!

 

[Huge]

The West Palm Beach Hooters.......Spectacular scenery!

Oh yes, the Hooters in West Palm Beach.

 

[vegasnitro]

Just thinking out loud here, but anyone who thinks they test at PBIR because it is closer to Indy is poppycock. It is 1100 miles from Indy to PBIR ... one way. From a sheer logistics standpoint, it makes much more sense to drive from Indy to Vegas or Phoenix, and then continue on to Pomona.

Vegas is chilly in Jan/Feb ... and the track does not resemble what they will race on at Pomona or even either Vegas National event. PBIR is at sea level and there is humidity in the air, and the teams can prep the track however they choose. The opportunity to gleen meaningful data for Pomona (and other tracks like Gainesville and Houston) is much greater at PBIR.

The issue with Phoenix was the teams could rarely run when they wanted or were ready. They got frustrated with sitting in the staging lanes up to an hour to make a run. Not an issue at PBIR.

Also, PBIR is not free for the teams. They rent out the track, and the cost is shared between the big teams. I am not sure how that cost is shared between the smaller teams that show up, or if it is at all. I would guess that is the main reason they let the fans in to watch, to recoup the cost of the track rental. If you remember the first year they went there to test, it was closed to the public.

And of course, the West Palm Beach Hooters, can't forget that!

 

[Jeff]

Chris I've rented a drag strip at least 10 times, and every time I wanted to send the car down, the track was amazingly empty. Now typically we try to get 4 or 5 cars together to have the right combination of track prep and rubber for the majority of the day ... but you get my point, what causes the hour delay exclusively in AZ? When you rent the track they generally do what you ask. You act like that's the only reason for avoiding Phoenix. Further, when negotiating the rental fee, if there is any doubt about track prep I take that out of the equation and pay for the PJ1/M1 we use ... no use spending a bunch of money to learn and not be happy with the track prep because of a few hundred bucks.

I think these guys are not going to test and make 5 or 6 hits, they are making a western swing worth of hits and trying a bunch of stuff. I'm guessing, that even with multiple rigs, the main rig is probably heading back to the shop to freshen up. Aren't they testing from the 14th through the 21st? Anywhere they test for that many days would likely result in a return trip for nitro teams. Don't ya' think?

Maybe the two of us just apply overall decision making in significantly different manners. Of course, I'm not a mind reader and don't know the combination of factors those guys consider, but I guarantee that it is not just mileage.

I'm also pretty comfortable that there are no geographic (nor Bermuda triangle) features to cause bad weather to park over PBIR more than any other place ... they just tend to not have a front come through at that time of year that causes multiple days of cold weather. Therefore PBIR over Houston or SGMP in mid February.

Maybe my "poppycock" is closer to ready to be thrown like a frisbee.

 

[Toejam]

Oh yes, the Hooters in West Palm Beach.

I'll need proof with pics! Lol

 

[Huge]

I'll need proof with pics! Lol

I couldn't hold a candle to you when it comes to pic's. Joe you are the king of pic's.

 

[vegasnitro]

I think these guys are not going to test and make 5 or 6 hits, they are making a western swing worth of hits and trying a bunch of stuff. I'm guessing, that even with multiple rigs, the main rig is probably heading back to the shop to freshen up. Aren't they testing from the 14th through the 21st? Anywhere they test for that many days would likely result in a return trip for nitro teams. Don't ya' think?

This is a good point Jeff. If they are going to make that many hits, I am sure they will need to go back to Indy and reload/freshen their parts supply. In that regard, PBIR is half the distance that Vegas or Phoenix is. I still think it has more to do with conditions they could potentially see at several early tracks and the fact they have the track to themselves pretty much prepped exactly however they want it.

Phoenix was not a track rental, it was an open test organized by the track. Not all the time, but there were times when they were sitting in the lanes waiting for other cars to run, or for the track crew to get the track ready for them. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but when you are expecting to get 3 or 4 hits and you only get 1 or 2, it can be a big deal.