team summit and the pit "curtains" (1 Viewer)

[Sandy]

or maybe the team has been loosing focus and the curtains keep out outside distractions allowing the team to focus better.

 

[foamy]

Hey Foam... Don't you have some gears to make or something.....
Point is, is the NASCAR pit access the same as NHRA/IHRA?

I'm at lunch, so here I am. No, nobody has pit access like the NHRA.
You need to pay to get in. Like I mentioned before, a lot of the Purse paid out comes from Pit gate fees.

Last I heard you have to buy what's known as a "garage pass" (for $250) and even then, you still have a slim chance of actually meeting anybody.

The Lumster was talking about the weekly races, I would guess Irwindale or Orange Show. Pit passes at the weekly venues are about 5-7bux more than a regular grandstand ticket.

Cup Race Pit passes can be up to a grand depending on the event, and some events don't even offer them fro sale.

 

[possum]

Probably not much there, just a way to recharge the "fire" bottles.

 

[Sandy]

I'm at lunch, so here I am. No, nobody has pit access like the NHRA.
You need to pay to get in. Like I mentioned before, a lot of the Purse paid out comes from Pit gate fees.



The Lumster was talking about the weekly races, I would guess Irwindale or Orange Show. Pit passes at the weekly venues are about 5-7bux more than a regular grandstand ticket.

Cup Race Pit passes can be up to a grand depending on the event, and some events don't even offer them fro sale.

I am giving my age away again but I remember paying $10 extra for NHRA pit passes.

 

[whyisthisarequiredfield]

I'll just get to the point...

Anyone who feels entitled to be in full view of ANYONE'S pit area, equipment, etc. should feel equally entitled to write their sponsorship check. And no, that $80 set of valvesprings you bought from Summit just doesn't cut it.

- When it's YOUR millions of dollars that annually fund a team, then you can dictate what goes on.
- When YOU'VE put thousands of hours into engine R&D, feel free to give it away.

They're paid to WIN...Period. Personally, I've heard many fans who express interest in their team (AND others) who have a certain shroud of secrecy. It helps develop a sense of intrigue into the technology between the sheets.

Oh, and you people that say "Hmm...Wonder what they're hiding", and imply that they're cheating, need to STFU. I'd like for you to say that to GA, JL, or KB face to face.

 

[Cymon Sez]

Oh, and you people that say "Hmm...Wonder what they're hiding", and imply that they're cheating, need to STFU. I'd like for you to say that to GA, JL, or KB face to face.

I don't think they are cheating, but I would love to say that face to face to any of them. Simply put....I would like to know "What they are hiding". I really don't see a problem with that.

As for telling everyone that they need to STFU. I don't really feel that comment was necessary. We are all entitled to our opinions which obviously includes you.

What they do is a JOB kinda like the guy at the local parts store. They are there to represent the employer. If you ask the guy behind the counter a question and he flat out ignores you that reflects on the employer as well.

 

[ProStockJunkie]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, but I'd venture to say that their 'employer' is ok with these teams.

I'm not sure why some folks seem to think that drag racing set ups should fall under the Freedom of Information Act.

 

[hellfirejim]

There seems to be some misunderstanding as to what their actual job is. There JOB is to win races, get as much TV time as possible AND represent to the fans that come around. I saw the fully covered pit photos and particularly didn't like that. However the small curtains around the front of the cars while they are working, I have no problem with. These people work their butt off to get an additional horespower or two and why should they share it with anybody?

Why do people think the have the RIGHT to see everything going on with the car? These are race cars first and with the amount of time and effort it takes to produce a winning combination, just ask the Yellow car team, Johnsons [GM & Dodge] and EE just how easy it is to get to the top.

The Pro stocks have always shrouded their work to keep prying eyes off their secrets. Give them a break. When you can do better and are willing to show the world what you have done to get there let me know and I will be first in line.

jim

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

I'm not sure why some folks seem to think that drag racing set ups should fall under the Freedom of Information Act.

Jackee, I agree with you and Jim to a point, but don't you think full coverage of the pit area is risky? I get the point of how tough it is to gain an edge in racing, and when you do, wanting to protect that. However, fan access is, and has always been a staple in the NHRA and obviously one of the primary focuses of the Marketing Department @ Glendora. I know it's one of the major reasons I enjoy the NHRA over NASCAR.

I'm not saying there should necessarily be unlimited access. I guess I'm just saying that we need to be careful about taking away one of the biggest attractions our sport has to offer.

Just my .02

Sean D"

 

[ProStockJunkie]

Jackee, I agree with you and Jim to a point, but don't you think full coverage of the pit area is risky? I get the point of how tough it is to gain an edge in racing, and when you do, wanting to protect that. However, fan access is, and has always been a staple in the NHRA and obviously one of the primary focuses of the Marketing Department @ Glendora. I know it's one of the major reasons I enjoy the NHRA over NASCAR.

I'm not saying there should necessarily be unlimited access. I guess I'm just saying that we need to be careful about taking away one of the biggest attractions our sport has to offer.

Just my .02

Sean D"

Let me give you an example Sean. We were at a race in Montreal one year.... Grand Nationals. We had the car up on a jack, warming up the rear. Out of a group of spectators watching us, one of them steps forward, opens the door and sits in the car behind the wheel and starts shifting gears. When I recovered from the momentary stun of this action, I asked him to step out of the car telling him no one is allowed to be in someone's vehicle without permission. He then pretended that he did not understand English. Apparently the Canadian fans seemed to think that the price of pit access entitled them to get into someone's race car.

NHRA is different from NASCAR and most all other forms of racing because of pit access. That access never did, nor does it now, include free run of and access to everything and every area of the pits.

It's my opinion that drag racing fans should be satisfied that they can watch the crew work on their favorite race car and get to meet their favorite drivers and get an autograph and a picture taken with them.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Pit access has always had limitations. Some rope off their area to avoid wanderers and others just hope folks will know to keep their work area clear. Nearly every team, despite the use of ropes, curtains, armed guards, whatever will tell you some pretty disturbing stories of fan behavior. Theft, sabotage, unwanted problems of every kind have and will occur. We'll just have do deal with the best we can from the inside and respect the boundaries from the outside.

 

[mick]

this is what really worries me about 'taking the sport to next level'.
we'll have a lot more 'newbies' roaming around in the pits, including
the sportsmen pits. they will not know what to think about this
form of racing that virtually let's you roam around the entire property;
and most importantly they will not know any history of the sport;
specifically our privilege to pit access that we have all enjoyed
and respected for years.
maybe they already do, but NHRA should start handing
out 1 page 'race edicate' forms to every fan through the gate at
nat. events - even put signs at prominate locations reminding people
of the dos and don'ts while at the races.
i know this might sound stupid, but i'd rather try to educate new
fans so as to not lose privileges we've come to expect.

 

[Stroker]

No matter what the "team summit pit curtains" represent.....

It sure has everyone talking about them!

 

[ProStockJunkie]

this is what really worries me about 'taking the sport to next level'.
we'll have a lot more 'newbies' roaming around in the pits, including
the sportsmen pits. they will not know what to think about this
form of racing that virtually let's you roam around the entire property;
and most importantly they will not know any history of the sport;
specifically our privilege to pit access that we have all enjoyed
and respected for years.
maybe they already do, but NHRA should start handing
out 1 page 'race edicate' forms to every fan through the gate at
nat. events - even put signs at prominate locations reminding people
of the dos and don'ts while at the races.
i know this might sound stupid, but i'd rather try to educate new
fans so as to not lose privileges we've come to expect.

Sounds like a great plan Mike. Please don't hold your breath waiting for NHRA to take action on it however. We don't want to lose a mater.

NHRA has seldom put the racers needs and desires first. It has been about the almighty dollar. It has been that way for at least most of the last 4 decades if not longer. I wasn't around at the start of the sanctioning body so I cannot speak to much longer.

Before anyone jumps to the erroneous conclusion that this is 'NHRA bashing', settle down. There is good in NHRA. However, this is MY observation of the reality of drag racing from the inside over the past 40 years. Most people who have actually been or are involved with the sport as racers, owners, crew etc., have made similar observations.

I have no intention of getting into a p'ing match with anyone because they may have a different opinion. You're entitled to it. Period.

NHRA needs more people who have been past participants in the sport, on it's board. Not just corporate 'suits'.

It should be interesting to see what happens when the new owners of the Pro series take over.

Sportsman racers, make your voices heard on issues which are important to you and your well being in the sport.

If only from the liability standpoint, NHRA should consider taking some further action to protect the racers if pit attendance increases much more because of additional exposure to the public.

 

[DLB]

Either Paul Page reads the Mater and thought he would stir this up some more - or he noticed the curtains to be prohibitive enough to mention on the telecast. Anyone else catch that yesterday?

DLB

 

[Sandy]

Either Paul Page reads the Mater and thought he would stir this up some more - or he noticed the curtains to be prohibitive enough to mention on the telecast. Anyone else catch that yesterday?

DLB

I did hear him mention them! must be a lurker

 

[Jeremy Hershey]

i caught that also

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

Let me give you an example Sean. We were at a race in Montreal one year.... Grand Nationals. We had the car up on a jack, warming up the rear. Out of a group of spectators watching us, one of them steps forward, opens the door and sits in the car behind the wheel and starts shifting gears. When I recovered from the momentary stun of this action, I asked him to step out of the car telling him no one is allowed to be in someone's vehicle without permission. He then pretended that he did not understand English. Apparently the Canadian fans seemed to think that the price of pit access entitled them to get into someone's race car.

NHRA is different from NASCAR and most all other forms of racing because of pit access. That access never did, nor does it now, include free run of and access to everything and every area of the pits.

It's my opinion that drag racing fans should be satisfied that they can watch the crew work on their favorite race car and get to meet their favorite drivers and get an autograph and a picture taken with them.

Wow!!! That's unbelievable!!!

That story being said, I can completely understand your position, but wouldn't you say that is more of a freak, one-time kind of thing that is likely to never repeat, rather than the norm? Don't get me wrong, there's pretty good arguments to both sides, I just think we need to be careful.

Sean D

 

[farmje]

Either Paul Page reads the Mater and thought he would stir this up some more - or he noticed the curtains to be prohibitive enough to mention on the telecast. Anyone else catch that yesterday?

DLB

And did you hear him say that when tv people go over there they get even tighter?? I don't remember exact words, but I thought that was interesting.

 

[Professor Dave]

If any of you are ever turned off by an unwillingness of any team to talk to you, stop by our trailer in the comp pits at a race. If I don't have anything to do, I'll explain anything you want to know about our cars or our class. And if you have a kid with you, bring along your camera-we'll let him or her sit in the car and you can get a picture. That's of course if we don't have a run to get ready for.