Anyone going to Vegas or Pomona ?
Discussion
crockett said:
As the title says, anyone going from Essex or London area, looking at prices before I decide which one.
Probably better off going to Vegas. I've lived in Pomona for three months and I frequent the area annually, and it's not exactly the nicest city in the world. Can be violent, but it's mostly gang stuff.
With Vegas, you've got lots more on offer to see and do for downtime.
I'm going to the Vegas race in October. I've been to an NHRA race there before, and have also attended the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School there. It's a great track, good facilities, easy to access, guaranteed sunshine, plus it's relatively cheap to get to (Virgin were doing some good deals last time I looked).
The October race is the bigger of the two NHRA races at the Vegas track and includes the Alcohol classes and Pro Mod (which some NHRA national events do not). Las Vegas Motor Speedway is to the north of the city itself, so you can stay more cheaply in North Las Vegas if you want to avoid all that nonsense on The Strip. A trip to Valley Of Fire state park is also worthwhile if you can tear yourself away from the drag racing for a few hours...
The October race is the bigger of the two NHRA races at the Vegas track and includes the Alcohol classes and Pro Mod (which some NHRA national events do not). Las Vegas Motor Speedway is to the north of the city itself, so you can stay more cheaply in North Las Vegas if you want to avoid all that nonsense on The Strip. A trip to Valley Of Fire state park is also worthwhile if you can tear yourself away from the drag racing for a few hours...
Black-C5 said:
guaranteed sunshine
Don't be so sure, had a huge downpour and flood warnings on my last day in Vegas 
Las Vegas by N-K-Photography, on FlickrI'd go to Vegas
I went to the October meeting a few years ago and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Kiss sang the national anthem, then 4 F117 stealth bombers flew along the length of the strip, then the first two cars out were top fuel. They know how to put on a show.
As stated, Vegas is also better for the rest of a stay in terms of good hotels availability and other stuff to do.
I went to the October meeting a few years ago and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Kiss sang the national anthem, then 4 F117 stealth bombers flew along the length of the strip, then the first two cars out were top fuel. They know how to put on a show.
As stated, Vegas is also better for the rest of a stay in terms of good hotels availability and other stuff to do.
We did Vegas last year, best experience of my life.
We had club nitro premium tickets: that gave us a seat in the shade, as much food and drink as we could eat, VIP parking, freebies, also gives you access to an area right by the start line, some drivers came in and gave talks during dinner, (John Force, Courtney Force and Jack Beckman), tickets covered all four days and was only $300 or $399 each. But it worked out the equivalent of a GA ticket @ Santa Pod for the weekend.
The fan fest in Freemont street was good fun
Hired a Harley and Dodge Charger for the week so the drive up to The Strip from The Strip was pretty cool too
Took in some sights in Vegas on the days we weren't at the track - the place is amazing
Halloween was something else, they really go all out with that!
Stayed in Planet Hollywood which was good enough for us
We are going back in 2017
Enjoy
We had club nitro premium tickets: that gave us a seat in the shade, as much food and drink as we could eat, VIP parking, freebies, also gives you access to an area right by the start line, some drivers came in and gave talks during dinner, (John Force, Courtney Force and Jack Beckman), tickets covered all four days and was only $300 or $399 each. But it worked out the equivalent of a GA ticket @ Santa Pod for the weekend.
The fan fest in Freemont street was good fun
Hired a Harley and Dodge Charger for the week so the drive up to The Strip from The Strip was pretty cool too
Took in some sights in Vegas on the days we weren't at the track - the place is amazing
Halloween was something else, they really go all out with that!
Stayed in Planet Hollywood which was good enough for us
We are going back in 2017
Enjoy
Pomona was great last year, then the following weekend check out some proper racing at Streetcar Supernationals at the Las Vegas strip. Outlaw Pro Mod over the full quarter mile, so 270mph plus runs, plus a full supporting cast of Drag Radial, Outlaw 10.5, 8.5 and Wild Street. You will not regret it
I doubt you will be disappointed by any of the 24 national events currently on NHRA's calendar. Here is a link to THIS YEAR's schedule -- individual event dates are fairly consistent from year to year and this will at least give you a picture of what they do:
http://nhra.com/schedules/2016.aspx
If you want a recommendation of specific time, place, event, etc., I'd suggest you look at the end of the season. There's a veritable bonanza of activity in California/Las Vegas in late October, early November. Again, here is THIS YEAR's schedule, but 2017 will likely use the equivalent weekends. NHRA usually announces its calendar for the following year in September, so check for sure then.
2016:
21-23 Oct.: California Hot Rod Reunion, Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield.
27-30 Oct.: NHRA Toyota Nationals, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
1-4 Nov.: SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Centre (trade show).
3-6 Nov.: NHRA LODRS Division 7 Finals, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sportsman)
10-13 Nov.: NHRA Auto Club Finals, Pomona.
19-22 Nov.: Street Car Supernationals, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
If you can afford the time and money to make all of those events, you're lucky, but it's well worth the trip to get to some of them.
You can never guarantee the weather anywhere, but it is often pretty good in those parts at that time of year. Plus airfares, car rentals and lodging prices are low-season. Plus it's a fantastic region for sightseeing. Plus, if you like planes, the Las Vegas track lies just beyond the runway of Nellis Air Force base and you get an all-day free airshow of the best the USAF has to offer.
What's not to like? Hope this helps.
http://nhra.com/schedules/2016.aspx
If you want a recommendation of specific time, place, event, etc., I'd suggest you look at the end of the season. There's a veritable bonanza of activity in California/Las Vegas in late October, early November. Again, here is THIS YEAR's schedule, but 2017 will likely use the equivalent weekends. NHRA usually announces its calendar for the following year in September, so check for sure then.
2016:
21-23 Oct.: California Hot Rod Reunion, Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield.
27-30 Oct.: NHRA Toyota Nationals, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
1-4 Nov.: SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Centre (trade show).
3-6 Nov.: NHRA LODRS Division 7 Finals, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sportsman)
10-13 Nov.: NHRA Auto Club Finals, Pomona.
19-22 Nov.: Street Car Supernationals, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
If you can afford the time and money to make all of those events, you're lucky, but it's well worth the trip to get to some of them.
You can never guarantee the weather anywhere, but it is often pretty good in those parts at that time of year. Plus airfares, car rentals and lodging prices are low-season. Plus it's a fantastic region for sightseeing. Plus, if you like planes, the Las Vegas track lies just beyond the runway of Nellis Air Force base and you get an all-day free airshow of the best the USAF has to offer.
What's not to like? Hope this helps.
I went to Vegas this year, to the National and regional events. Fantastic events and facilities and it's only a short drive from the Vegas strip. I'd suggest plenty of sunblock but you may also need waterproofs because it lashed it down at the regional event. You certainly won't be disappointed and if you want next year's fixtures then they're normally released around Labour Day
NHRA has just unveiled its 2017 Mello Yello series schedule -- see here:
http://nhra.com/story/2016/6/8/2017-mello-yello-sc...
This is unusually early. Previously, they have always announced at US Nationals time, late August/early September.
http://nhra.com/story/2016/6/8/2017-mello-yello-sc...
This is unusually early. Previously, they have always announced at US Nationals time, late August/early September.
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