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chris718

Active Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2002
Messages
5,356
with the amount of people on this sight and those who have purchased products from us in ny nj pa conn. delaware etc i was surprised to see such a small turnout for the event.it was good to see that not everyone decided not to show however.for us at ckperformance the fastest buick running our transmission went a 9.80 and the fastest mustang running our transmission went 8.46 and then threw a rod on a later pass.anyhow for us it was not a let down as we had one of the fastest qualifying runs of the day with a true street car going in the low 8 second zone no turbo.thanks to everyone who showed up and raced giving the fans a view into what makes us tick.:confused: :confused: :D :D :) ;)
 
Originally posted by chris718
with the amount of people on this sight and those who have purchased products from us in ny nj pa conn. delaware etc i was surprised to see such a small turnout for the event.it was good to see that not everyone decided not to show however.for us at ckperformance the fastest buick running our transmission went a 9.80 and the fastest mustang running our transmission went 8.46 and then threw a rod on a later pass.anyhow for us it was not a let down as we had one of the fastest qualifying runs of the day with a true street car going in the low 8 second zone no turbo.thanks to everyone who showed up and raced giving the fans a view into what makes us tick.:confused: :confused: :D :D :) ;)
Excuse me? I went 9.60@143 then backed it up with another 9.6 run. Don't tell me you missed it!!! It was about 20 minutes after we were hanging out in the pits and you said you were going to watch some racing.
 
sorry art.i guess i was in the bathroom too long. congatulations on your pass .i bet youll go quicker when it cools down a bit.
 
big disappointment indeed may never go to one of those again. When they say buick vs mustang they should just invite everyone because it doesnt seem like a buick or ford day. only few vendors were there cottons,nit wits from esp selling car covers,trey crease and few other people. All in all was a real bad day except for the wheather.
 
Originally posted by ulose2av6
big disappointment indeed may never go to one of those again. When they say buick vs mustang they should just invite everyone because it doesnt seem like a buick or ford day. only few vendors were there cottons,nit wits from esp selling car covers,trey crease and few other people. All in all was a real bad day except for the wheather.

A big disappointment? I'm not really sure how you can say that. Were you racing or spectating?

Granted, some of the faster twin & single turbo Buicks weren't there, but there were a lot of street of "street/strip" Turbo Regals racing. I'd be willing to bet there were more than last year.

Not enough vendors?? How were ESP being "nit wits" by actually being there and selling product? With comments like that, it's a miracle that we get ANY to show up. We're lucky to even have a event held at a track like that. Without THOSE vendors SPONSORING THE EVENT it probably would of never happened!

How about this guys... Does anyone have any ideas on how we can improve on the event for next year?

I'd like to start by suggesting:
- Better organized and informed track staff.

- More emphasis on the Buick vs. Mustang classes. They used to have a Quick 16 and a Junior 16. We had enough cars to do this, and it is REAL fun for the spectators to watch. Let's do that again!!

- A lot of the "slower racers" want to watch the "big guys (quick 16) run. Is there any way that they can delay the racing to do this?


What'cha think???
 
Originally posted by J Banning
A big disappointment? I'm not really sure how you can say that. Were you racing or spectating?

Granted, some of the faster twin & single turbo Buicks weren't there, but there were a lot of street of "street/strip" Turbo Regals racing. I'd be willing to bet there were more than last year.

Not enough vendors?? How were ESP being "nit wits" by actually being there and selling product? With comments like that, it's a miracle that we get ANY to show up. We're lucky to even have a event held at a track like that. Without THOSE vendors SPONSORING THE EVENT it probably would of never happened!
Good post Banning! Missed you down there this weekend. I agree on the class mix up. Guys at the gates had no idea about classes and the same at Tech. I ended up in the brackets because all they told me about was B1, B2 and Quick 16, I even asked about the shootout but they had no idea what I was talking about. Didn't want to race in Q16 so ended up in the brackets which was still fun.

In addition, they should keep a closer eye on the car numbers. I ended up having to change my NHRA Comp number because someone else was using the number. I showed the tower my comp license with the number on it and they still wanted me to change the number because they said the guy was a sponsor. I was in a good mood so I agreed but next time I’m definitely not changing my number unless they call the other guy up with his valid comp license listing the same number. To add insult to injury, my number is permanent on my car and his was written with shoe polish. I should have gotten the guys full name to check with NHRA, all I know is the guy’s a pretty nice guy named Willie and has a red 1971 GS 455 and was running in Bracket 1.

We are a small group and E-Town is a big track that makes lots of money on a weekend. It would take a lot more entry fees and a whole lot more fans to dedicate the morning to just Buicks. If you owned the track and could make 10 times more money by running your regular Sunday program, wouldn't you?
 
Suggestions

I'd make several suggestions, all related to organization:

(1) Print the classes on the event flyer so people are informed ahead of time. Sponsor or other interested party could then give this flyer (or just an explanation of the classes) to the tech folks so they know what is going on. The tech folks have been clueless about this for the past couple years so we obviously need to take additional steps to inform them!

(2) Agree on consistent terms for the classes when calling them over the loudspeaker. I heard the Buick v. Mustang bracket class called about 10 different things; never did hear it called by the most simple and clear description: "Team Buick v. Mustang brackets". Same for the Quick 16.

A few small and costless efforts around simple organization could do a lot to get rid of the few frustrating things about this event.

I was glad to see some vendors there, Cottons in particular had some nice new products on display. Don't forget, they're in it for the business and I have a feeling that they know what they'll sell vs. what it costs (in time and otherwise) to drag the inventory down to an event.

Also nice to see some of the fast Buicks run.

Scott
 
I agree with Banning and Fartie 100%. I was there last year and it sucked, i thought this year was much better and i think this board has helped getting us all pumped up:D Dale, Fartie and Jack had nice runs. Sucks Dale blew a head-gasket but oh well that is racing. :eek: :cool:
 
hey chris, its gabe from s-k. dont worry next mustang/buick shootout ill be running your tranny! dont let me down ;) . My car hopefully be ready by then, this weather sucks i havent had a good day off
 
Excuse me? I went 9.60@143 then backed it up with another 9.6 run. Don't tell me you missed it!!! It was about 20 minutes after we were hanging out in the pits and you said you were going to watch some racing.

I saw the 1st one Artie. Great job. I was shocked you came right out running those numbers.:cool: Someone had to tell me it was your car because it was the black GN.:) Good thing you had your name in your window. After that I went and bought a window sticker too.
 
Originally posted by GNSCOTT
I saw the 1st one Artie. Great job. I was shocked you came right out running those numbers.:cool: Someone had to tell me it was your car because it was the black GN.:) Good thing you had your name in your window. After that I went and bought a window sticker too.
Glad you caught it Scott. The car really runs on a string. Pull in, change tires, change plugs (cause the street ones foul out during the 25 miles driven to the track) and then run 9's. I use to make my first run on the same plugs and blow them out on the first run to clean them but then I'd waste a run and only go a mid 11 first time out. This year I've decided to just carry an extra set of plugs with me and spend the extra 10 minutes and change them.

Can't wait for you to finish your car so I can check it out. You should definitely pull some good times with it!
 
Sounds like you got it down Art. My car is literally running on a string. My throttle cable won't be in untill late this week at the earliest so we rigged up a wire (12 guage) to the throttle so I can move the car. We fired it up yesterday. As soon as we turned the key it fired and I was suprised to see no runs drips or errors. Jack did a great job going over everything before start up and had a good program in the lap top. I'm gonna try a few track rentals first to get some time under my belt. TTYL..Scott
 
Originally posted by GNSCOTT
Sounds like you got it down Art. My car is literally running on a string. My throttle cable won't be in untill late this week at the earliest so we rigged up a wire (12 guage) to the throttle so I can move the car. We fired it up yesterday. As soon as we turned the key it fired and I was suprised to see no runs drips or errors. Jack did a great job going over everything before start up and had a good program in the lap top. I'm gonna try a few track rentals first to get some time under my belt. TTYL..Scott
Literal definition of "running on a wire" :D
 
I was not aware that Todd (fastest Mustang at Etown) was running your trans. Hes a long time friend of mine.. nice..


Originally posted by chris718
with the amount of people on this sight and those who have purchased products from us in ny nj pa conn. delaware etc i was surprised to see such a small turnout for the event.it was good to see that not everyone decided not to show however.for us at ckperformance the fastest buick running our transmission went a 9.80 and the fastest mustang running our transmission went 8.46 and then threw a rod on a later pass.anyhow for us it was not a let down as we had one of the fastest qualifying runs of the day with a true street car going in the low 8 second zone no turbo.thanks to everyone who showed up and raced giving the fans a view into what makes us tick.:confused: :confused: :D :D :) ;)
 
Venders at events

Hello,
First I'd like to thank the guys with positive things to say about the event and vendors.
Second, the guy with the "nit wit" comment - they were fender covers, not car covers. Maybe you missed the turbos, 4" MAF pipes, Rear girdles, tubo oil feed and return hoses, and more. It's always what vendors didn't bring that they want.
Third, the ideas of improving the event(s) are fine, but you need to consider this. The weather was questionable at best; The Buicks and vendors bring each other(Vendors DO look at it as business). The Buicks are just not there. It's a Turbo effect, you could say. The Vendors (exhaust) drive the events(engine). But the Buicks (Boost) are not there; without boost which creates power and more exhaust, there is no power (a good event).
Vendors sponsor the event and the event is organized by the N.E. Chapter of the GSCA, ask for John or Rick. As a business vendors don't like to lose money. The expense of getting there, being there, and getting back (along with the other details), shutting down the shop for a day or two, and more; make it unattractive to some vendors. They need cars to be there. Vendors are waiting for the Buicks to show and the Buicks are waiting for the vendors. If YOU voice your OPINION to the N.E. Chapter (NOT YOUR BEEFS or COMPLAINTS) I'm sure they would be open to suggestions. This is also work for them, so make the suggestions reasonable.
Suggestions such as HIGHER PURSE ; VENDOR COMMITMENT ; BETTER DEFINED AREAS (food, vending, Buick only parking, car show); BUICK ONLY EVENT ; and COOL CLEAR WEATHER are a few. The track also has a play in this. They want cars too. They get paid by every person that comes in. Back in the day (1987-94) 300+ Buicks would show. Everyone was happy then. Now you are lucky to get 50. It's all a numbers game.
Good luck, it's not easy.
John @ ESP Products
 
Thanks for the comments John, and thanks for the support in the vendor area at the track.
 
Originally posted by J Banning
I'd like to start by suggesting:
- Better organized and informed track staff.

- More emphasis on the Buick vs. Mustang classes. They used to have a Quick 16 and a Junior 16. We had enough cars to do this, and it is REAL fun for the spectators to watch. Let's do that again!!

- A lot of the "slower racers" want to watch the "big guys (quick 16) run. Is there any way that they can delay the racing to do this?


What'cha think???

And how about Knapp getting the big boys to come.....no, not by NOT telling them there are free passes at the GATE, but maybe calling them and telling them. I know thats why most of the fast cars didnt show.

12 sec regals are fun and I respect them, but I like seeing the 9 sec and faster cars...
 
Originally posted by TurboDiverArt
in, change tires, change plugs (cause the street ones foul out during the 25 miles driven to the track) and then run 9's.

Sounds lie someone needs to work on part throttle mapping :P
 
Originally posted by TurboJim
Sounds lie someone needs to work on part throttle mapping :P
Yeah, that and the really annoying off idle bog.... Maybe we can squeeze a few more MPG out of her too. You know, always trying to save a buck when tooling around town on $7.25/gal gas... :-)
 
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