Thoughts/Feedback on an Index race at Island Dragway (NJ)

[drag-girl]

Wow! That's twice you made the big time racer comment. That's coming from YOU not ME. You need to get over it. And I can speak for myself, I don't need coaching from my husband. You should know me well enough by now to know that! Oh, and here's your love, once again!

Melissa, I'm sorry this topic was steered in the wrong direction.

[LETHALRAT]

none of the index classes running in the area allow delay boxes or any driver or electronic aids

i would try to stay with 1/4 mile, every time a track goes to 1/8 every one complains

at the last 10.0-12.0 at Atco there were19 cars in 10.0 and i think around 30 in 12.0. Atco has good payouts because of sponsors.

keep the rules simple, DOT tires,no electronics or driver aids, and a reasonable minimum weight if you want

most 10.0 and slower indexes are run a .500 pro tree

schedule race days on the weekends if possible to make it easy for the racers to get there

At this track I would recommend 1/8 mile because of the short shut down. Every track in the area has these classes like you said. I would open it up and allow the guys who would love to try an index class but there cars don't fit in. This would give alot of guys a place to race. Especially at Island, where there are cars racing there now that can run these classes. Your right, I would make it a .500 pro tree for the 6.00 and 7.00 guys and .400 for the 5.00 cars. Make the minimum weight 2500 lbs. Any tires, very little rules.

Just some ideas.

[racerlee]

i know that most of the guys i race with prefer 1/4 mile, maybe make 8.50 and DR run 1/8 because of thier speed. i don't have a problem stopping my 134 at Island

Cecil's rules are looser than Atco's and it is a good series. E-town rules are the most relaxed but they have been having car count problems due to low payouts and then they moved the dates to friday night just when they were starting to get some cars for sat nights.

i like DOT tires because it makes it more of a drivers race to hook to the track rather than a bunch of bracket cars running big slicks that can hook to a oil slick. same same for electronics, let the driver drive the car not just sit there and steer it while it does everything for him/her

[THE ROC]

I am definately in for this one.. I think it is great that another track is jumping on board with an index program. Also very nice that they are not trying to re-write the rules that have worked well up to this point.

People remember, this is a trial race. If we can make the turnout big then everything will get better.. payouts, number of dates, sponsors, etc. etc. I think it takes a certain amount of intial output of money and sweat equity from both the track and the racers to get any new series up and running. As far as the payouts, seriously, if we were doing this for profit we would all be screwed, we race for the fun and bragging rights, the money is just a nice bonus as far as I am concerned..

The shut down? I was just at Island for the first time a couple weeks ago, brought my 3480lb Camaro that goes through the top end at 142mph. Stopping with the stock front brakes and Ford drums in the rear wasnt a problem, sure it was not like Atco but there was no panic braking or anything like that. There was also a blown alcohol pro mod there that day that seemed to be doing well going through at 200+mph..

The bathrooms were clean and food was good too!

If there is anything I can do to help make this happen let me know..

Josh
JS Performance
215-783-4645

[Smooth]

I run in the 12.00 at atco, I would like to see a sunday race . Alot of slower cars I think would like to run index .You could have 13.00- 13.50 -14.00.I know these guys don't like imports but there the racers of tomorrow.Try on a test and tune day to have a lane for 12 sec cars 12 .50-13.00 -13.50 -14.00. See what happens what ever lane get the most cars is you new class. Dont need any pay outs for them they do it for FUN.Maybe a Trophy.

[melissa@island]

Thanks for the feedback.

As was mentioned, as a trial race it's difficult to acquire sponsors that are not sure what to expect, ESPECIALLY in this economy, and ESPECIALLY for a race that has a history of low car counts elsewhere. The more people show up (racers or spectators) the better a chance we have of sponsors for next year.

Addressing the return road, yes, it is only one lane wide with grass on either side. The grass borders a sod field so its well maintained, its not high there's no gravel to speak of in it.. Even the lowest cars have no clearance issues as there is no serious lip to the pavement.

I also like the idea of running a slower index for a trophy so it's a strong possibility, I'll update you all one way or the other.

[ss69ss]

Thanks for the feedback.

As was mentioned, as a trial race it's difficult to acquire sponsors that are not sure what to expect, ESPECIALLY in this economy, and ESPECIALLY for a race that has a history of low car counts elsewhere. The more people show up (racers or spectators) the better a chance we have of sponsors for next year.

Addressing the return road, yes, it is only one lane wide with grass on either side. The grass borders a sod field so its well maintained, its not high there's no gravel to speak of in it.. Even the lowest cars have no clearance issues as there is no serious lip to the pavement.

I also like the idea of running a slower index for a trophy so it's a strong possibility, I'll update you all one way or the other.

Sounds good Melissa! I wasn't trying to popo the lower pay outs for this upcoming trial one. I just think they should be on par with the other tracks for next year which will require sponsorships of the classes for next year. I say this not because I wouldn't come, but others who may have to travel further may choose not to, and of course car count is key to the classes surviving. I know that is easier said then done but it does appear to be generating alot of interest.

As far as those who may wonder about the shutdown and return road. As was said no its not Atco or E-town, but plenty of heavy door cars have made 8 sec passes there and have had no problem stopping or pulling off to put their chute in their car. I hope this goes through Melissa it would be a lot of fun to have Index racing so close to home.

[RDub355]

excellent..i was hoping you guys would start leaning towards heads up style racing!! as far as 1/8th mile...i think the fast index would be fun at 8th mile..but i dont think u could have a 5.00 class..ive seen 5.70 classes down south..or we can conveter 8.50 to whatever it is in the 8th and go from there...u should try to get a radial race up there too..maybe the 275 guys would come up..id love to see that!!

[Hickrocket1258]

I think the reason for the low payouts guys was because of the tough times on trying to get a sponsor, otherwise they payouts would be a little higher probably. I just went to Island for the first time for the Wally day. I thought the return road was a little narrow. Maybe if you had just a big patch of pavement for all the cars to pull to the side. Not the whole way down but most of the way down. But that's great to see another track getting involved.

[RDub355]

most guys just pull on the grass to pack chutes etc..

[REDGAR]

Sounds like a good idea.

As mentioned above, I would like to see deep staging allowed, on driver's own risk especially for the non-quickest classes.

As for 10, 11, 12 vs. 10, 11.50, it is a toss up....I always thought the gap is too big between 10 and 12 and leaves a lot of racers in the middle no place to go. When racers are stating out, they will tend to hover around the roll bar break before committing to a roll bar but once they have the bar, they will go deeper into the 11's since they have the bar. Offering Open comp helps to bridge that gap but its not exactly the same thing.

I would like to see you give a shot at the 11.0 in addition to the 10 and 12.

I would also suggest you try and poll your existing racers as they are going to need to be your base of racers.

[Hickrocket1258]

Sounds like a good idea.

As mentioned above, I would like to see deep staging allowed, on driver's own risk especially for the non-quickest classes.

As for 10, 11, 12 vs. 10, 11.50, it is a toss up....I always thought the gap is too big between 10 and 12 and leaves a lot of racers in the middle no place to go. When racers are stating out, they will tend to hover around the roll bar break before committing to a roll bar but once they have the bar, they will go deeper into the 11's since they have the bar. Offering Open comp helps to bridge that gap but its not exactly the same thing.

I would like to see you give a shot at the 11.0 in addition to the 10 and 12.

I would also suggest you try and poll your existing racers as they are going to need to be your base of racers.

But wouldn't trying to close that gap up with the 11.00 class take away from some of the other index classes as well? I could be wrong but that's my opinion.

[THE ROC]

I think if we just get this first race off with the classes and rules that have been working well up to this point it would be a good idea. As the series progresses it can adapt to fit the track better if need be.. Right now our focus should be on packing this race with the biggest car count possible to show Island that index racing is a worth while investment for the 2010 schedule.

[LETHALRAT]

Rough 1/8 to 1/4 mile conversion:

5.00 = 7.90
6.00 = 9.50
7.00 = 11.00

[casper]

island is a great track race there every weekend for many years 850 cars i suggest 1/8 mile the shutdown area is just to short...

[E107]

all i can say is i talked to a few guys/girls @ atco this past weekend and got a few to show up, i will be there, $65 is fair price. lets see how it goes and what kind of turn out then maybe work on some class money for next year. as i read on the back of a car this weekend "RUN YOUR CAR NOT YOUR MOUTH". people are gonna bitch reguardless, you cant make everyone happy so lets see what happens,

[THE ROC]

Can't wait for this one!

[REDGAR]

Sounds like a good idea.

As mentioned above, I would like to see deep staging allowed, on driver's own risk especially for the non-quickest classes.

As for 10, 11, 12 vs. 10, 11.50, it is a toss up....I always thought the gap is too big between 10 and 12 and leaves a lot of racers in the middle no place to go. When racers are stating out, they will tend to hover around the roll bar break before committing to a roll bar but once they have the bar, they will go deeper into the 11's since they have the bar. Offering Open comp helps to bridge that gap but its not exactly the same thing.

I would like to see you give a shot at the 11.0 in addition to the 10 and 12.

I would also suggest you try and poll your existing racers as they are going to need to be your base of racers.

But wouldn't trying to close that gap up with the 11.00 class take away from some of the other index classes as well? I could be wrong but that's my opinion.

it is a very valid concern yes however, how many say 10.40 - 11.20 cars are sitting out because they are not going to spend money now to go quicker and are just refusing to slow the car down around a second to run 12.0. Let's face it, as good as the 10.0 group has gotten in our area, you are not getting the 10.40 guy to dump cash into getting spanked in 10.0 like they might have two years ago or more when you did not have 5 guys going within .02 of the index? I could be wrong or influenced by the fact that I have a 10.40 car and used to enter 10.0 but now it is to the point where I am giving half a second to everyone in the class.

I actually went to Island to test last weekend. 10.50, stuck in the middle and am not slowing 1.5 second to 12.0.

Maybe next year.

[REDGAR]

By the way all, I don't recall if it was announced but it is officially on for Nov 1
http://islanddragway.com/shootout.html

[small block notch]

By the way all, I don't recall if it was announced but it is officially on for Nov 1
http://islanddragway.com/shootout.html

i'm in for 10.00