GS Nationals attendance been dropping

That is the first I heard that explanation. At one time, drag racing began to wane and tracks adopted bracket racing as a way to get more involvement. Bracket racing was meant to entice new participation because anyone could enter with any car and stood a chance of winning. But the "run what ya brung", no car spec rules of bracket racing sure would have made it easier to police compared to the previous classes they were using.
 
That is the first I heard that explanation. At one time, drag racing began to wane and tracks adopted bracket racing as a way to get more involvement. Bracket racing was meant to entice new participation because anyone could enter with any car and stood a chance of winning. But the "run what ya brung", no car spec rules of bracket racing sure would have made it easier to police compared to the previous classes they were using.
I will try to remember word for word what those racers opinion was of bracket racing that they were saying to me back then. They were claiming that so much cheating was going on in heads up racing that bracket racing was created to solve that problem. They for their own reasons did not like bracket racing to race in. That was the explanation I always heard from the racers at those 2 tracks and my co workers. I have never heard of any other explanation. Maybe that was their sarcastic opinion of bracket racing. I thought at the time they were talking factual about the cheating but maybe not.I just never gave bracket racing creation any thought over the years since I didn’t participate in it. I will bring this up to one of the now old boy who’s now 76 that said that to me years ago. He’s been battling throat cancer. I will ask what he has to say nowadays about bracket racing. That’s if I can hear him clearly and understand what he’s trying to say to me from what’s left of his vocal cords for him to speak. His wife should be able to translate his whispers.
 
I think the main reason why bracket racing was created was TO GIVE EVERYONE FAST OR SLOW, RICH OR POOR, A CHANCE TO WIN. There was also an added benefit to it as you could "run what you brung", and not having to go through tech (except for safety rules). Everyone was accepted and again, had a chance. That is still valid today, unless you want only big bucks racers to show up and the "little guys" to stay home...
Claude.
 
I can say when I first stated attending the Nats in 1994 the Turbo Buick owners and fans couldn’t wait to see the likes of Kenny Duttweiler, Frank & Pete Barton of ANS Performance, Kenne-Bell Buick & Driver the late Jim D’Alessandro, Lawrence Conley in Tweaked all run. And if I recall correctly it does seem like Buddy Cox and Ron Fruchey came a few times in the early years also. It was then the biggest drawing event for Bowling Green back then. But that was 35-40 years ago.
What could possibly help now to draw more attendance? If we’re throwing ideas around with the premise that any suggestions are a good suggestion to consider here go’s in no particular order:
I numbered them simply as a referral to identify each suggestion.
1. Ask Cal Hartline or another master tuner to set up a service by appointment to offer tuning on your pride and joy. Naturally this tuner would pay a vending fee and this tuner would charge his fee for tuning your car.
2. Ask Julio to set up as a installer of his ally kit on your pride and joy. You buy Julio’s ally kit, Julio pays a vending fee, and Julio charges his fee for professional installing his new alky kit for you. Have a current problem with a older Julio alky kit, make an appointment to have Julio repair it.
3. Yes have a Dyno company come in for anyone who wants to run their car on the dyno. Dyno company pays vendor fee, and charges for their service.
4 GM Heritage Center’s Buick Collection of Buick’s, both past production collection & their Concept Buick collection. GM, Buick, The Heritage Center, Flint Buick Gallery-Sloan Museum, somebody had GNX 001 & GNX 002 at the Nats in the past. That was always a popular attraction.
5. Daryl Waltrip’s has extra time on his hands nowadays. Dial him up and invite him to come to the Nats. Set him up to sign autographs and charge a fee for that. Have him bring his most winning car he ever drove to wins & championship’s. His #11 Mountain Dew Buick sits on display at one of his dealerships the last time I seen it. He will tell you that he won a lot of races in that car. He loves to talk & reminisce.
6. Bobby Allison. Do the same with him. Have him come up to sign autographs. Maybe he would like to attend with Richard Clark. Bobby Allison does quite a bit of autograph appearances still nowadays. His #22 Buick Miller Beer Grand National Championship car would be a popular attraction.
7. An organized car cruise outside of Bowling Green. A few years ago my wife & I went for a cruise leaving the host Ramada and drove East for about 15 miles or so to a town. I turned around an we eventually turned South and with no plan we came upon an old store still open in the town of Alvaton KY named Boyce General Store. It’s advertised as having Car Show, Live Music, Great Food, & Hang Out. Of course we stopped and had a bite to eat an a soda. So as someone said all ideas are a good idea to consider, and no ideas are well no help at all. This is just a rough drawn list of ideas that would need some tweaking to make happen in the future but a start.
All good ideas there. I will work on some of those but it will be for the 2023 event as we are about 2 1/2 weeks out now. As far as Cal coming out, Holly and I were discussing it when I ordered my new double pumps and Cal is under contract to attend another event on that weekend every year, so unless we get lucky and Nationals are put into a week when is is available, we won’t be seeing him there. I know there are some good tuners in this community though so…
 
Never been able to go mostly due to the distance. Attended the event at Silver Dollar in Reynolds GA every year but a couple. Same deal it just dwindled off.
Maybe do a pinks style race. Let everyone dial in and set up brackets like 10.0-10.25/10.25-10.50 etc. then let each cluster ho heads up. Only 2 cars best 2of3. More than 2 let final 2 go 2 outa 3
 
I've been involved to some degree since the mid/late 50's. Gassers, modified roadsters, top fuel, Funny cars, modified production.
Was involved with all of them at some point in time.
I've seen the racing go from the street to class racing with the gassers, mod production, pro stock, jr fuel, to the top fuel nitro ban, the "blacky carbon" gas dragsters.
Lots of "evolution", and back sliding.
With the advent of the "electronic warfare" crap displacing real racing, I pretty much reverted to hot street cars, TnT, etc.
Nothing clears the grandstands quicker than the announcer's call for super gas, super comp to the lanes. TOTAL bullshit.
I've no interest in seeing a dragster leave the line, go into shut down, then take off again.
Last time to BG was in 2020. First was about 89-90, AIRC. Pits were full clear to the timing shack, there were no vendor spots left. The staging lanes were full. Lots of KILLER BBB'S making lots of noise, pulling obscene wheelies! :cool:
Fun times!
I won't be making the trip this yr as my g'son is graduating HS.
My collection of NHRA rule books pretty much tells the story of the changing times.

Back under my rock...
 
I've been involved to some degree since the mid/late 50's. Gassers, modified roadsters, top fuel, Funny cars, modified production.
Was involved with all of them at some point in time.
I've seen the racing go from the street to class racing with the gassers, mod production, pro stock, jr fuel, to the top fuel nitro ban, the "blacky carbon" gas dragsters.
Lots of "evolution", and back sliding.
With the advent of the "electronic warfare" crap displacing real racing, I pretty much reverted to hot street cars, TnT, etc.
Nothing clears the grandstands quicker than the announcer's call for super gas, super comp to the lanes. TOTAL bullshit.
I've no interest in seeing a dragster leave the line, go into shut down, then take off again.
Last time to BG was in 2020. First was about 89-90, AIRC. Pits were full clear to the timing shack, there were no vendor spots left. The staging lanes were full. Lots of KILLER BBB'S making lots of noise, pulling obscene wheelies! :cool:
Fun times!
I won't be making the trip this yr as my g'son is graduating HS.
My collection of NHRA rule books pretty much tells the story of the changing times.

Back under my rock...
I like to hear the history from everyone that is willing to tell me. It is a shame that the Nats fall on graduation weekend for over half the Country.. And Cal is busy that weekend every year as well. Looks to me that since He and Holly are One of, if not the largest most consistent sponsor of this event, Maybe the GSCA can talk with Cal and Dallas at the same time so they can work out a slightly different weekend. I do like the relatively cool air in May but a couple weeks later is ok too. I maybe shouldn’t even talk about any ways we can help but maybe we should too..
 
Did any news ever come of maybe getting a toober out to provide some video exposure to the online community?
 
About 3 days ago his right hand man and tuner Matt was in an accident at the track and changed all their plans for a bit. He’s doing ok which is all that matters. It’s on YouTube if you want to look it up but I don’t feel right bringing his name up because he didn’t commit to this.. I’m gonna keep working on The ideas folks have offered between events. Go get famous on YouTube if you have the personality to do it and enough content to keep a following, those guys are making bank. ✌️
 
BTW, look what just showed up in the mail.
 

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I've been involved to some degree since the mid/late 50's. Gassers, modified roadsters, top fuel, Funny cars, modified production.
Was involved with all of them at some point in time.
I've seen the racing go from the street to class racing with the gassers, mod production, pro stock, jr fuel, to the top fuel nitro ban, the "blacky carbon" gas dragsters.
Lots of "evolution", and back sliding.
With the advent of the "electronic warfare" crap displacing real racing, I pretty much reverted to hot street cars, TnT, etc.
Nothing clears the grandstands quicker than the announcer's call for super gas, super comp to the lanes. TOTAL bullshit.
I've no interest in seeing a dragster leave the line, go into shut down, then take off again.
Last time to BG was in 2020. First was about 89-90, AIRC. Pits were full clear to the timing shack, there were no vendor spots left. The staging lanes were full. Lots of KILLER BBB'S making lots of noise, pulling obscene wheelies! :cool:
Fun times!
I won't be making the trip this yr as my g'son is graduating HS.
My collection of NHRA rule books pretty much tells the story of the changing times.

Back under my rock...

Early Pro Stock was great but I sure miss Modified Production/Eliminator! NHRA made a big mistake killing that class.
 
I will give $100.00 cash to the winner of B1,B2,and B3 this year.. Full 🛑 Since they have no RRA, I will have my beautiful wife hand out the $100.00 bills to each winner. There you go. I am sponsoring TSM and all 3 brackets. At least it will pay for a couple of Big Macs on the way home. Quote this post and I guarantee it! Richie Rocket Racing
Promises made, promises kept. Winner of B1, B2 and B3 were all handed a hundred dollar bill at the end of the Nats on top of whatever else was given to them. The winner of B3 had to be pushing 90 and was the nicest guy at the track. I was also able to sponsor TSM with some e85 parts. Thanks to all that made it out this year! This was my first year there as a racer and I learned a lot. Richie Rocket
 
How was the car count?
Strange, I saw not a single post about the activities, race results.:(
In the yrs past there were daily reports of what was going on.
 
I did not bring our show car this year but spoke to several at the car show and I heard a lot of complaining about how it was changed and the changes were not communicated prior to people making in some cases a long trip. The changes were not for the better by what I was hearing.
 
Robert Wilson won and Walt Judy was runner up. I finally qualified with a 10.6 early yesterday but lifted the driver side head and slightly pushed a head gasket. Car is not hurt other than needing new head gaskets. Good time to do a complete refresh on engine and trans. I was qualifying for TSM and TPB so I was hot lapping. Never had a heat issue because I am running dual fans and an electric 55 gal PM water pump with trans cooler as well. But I should have re-torqued the studs after test and tune. 2023 will be my year I pray 🙏 Amen.
 
My estimate at attendance is that it’s up significantly from the last 2-3 years. The pits were packed.
 
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