Tierp drag strip
Discussion
Does anyone know anything regarding the Tierp motorpark drag strip under construction. I read the Eurodragster reports some months back but was wondering how far they have progressed with the construction.
Its an exciting prospect, a brand new purpose built Euro drag strip and can only be good for the sport. Would be interesting to find out their intentions... an extra FIA date ? I think the sport is in definite need of a sixth round and is something Keith Bartlett has been talking about for many years now.
Whilst musing on this, anybody know anything about the prospect of Hungary hosting a future FIA event or indeed the long talked about possibility of an Italian round ?
Its an exciting prospect, a brand new purpose built Euro drag strip and can only be good for the sport. Would be interesting to find out their intentions... an extra FIA date ? I think the sport is in definite need of a sixth round and is something Keith Bartlett has been talking about for many years now.
Whilst musing on this, anybody know anything about the prospect of Hungary hosting a future FIA event or indeed the long talked about possibility of an Italian round ?
Hi Tet
You make some good points and I agree with you that it must be punishing for a lot of teams to try and compete in all five rounds, and six would stretch them.
I suppose I'm forever hoping things will get bigger and better... I've never got over my first "Canonball" in the eighties and have forever wanted to tell the world about this sport ! The Tierp project points at a future of growth doesn't it ? I'm actually amazed that in these times of recession we are still achieving these large fields of cars and maybe you are right... with more prosperous times ahead maybe then it can expand. I actually believe that somehow, someway teams would find a way to compete in an additional round and this is something Lex Joon often talked about.. the need for more track time.
Many schools of thought for sure. In the short term, any pics or news on the Tierp project anywhere ?
Cheers
Rob
You make some good points and I agree with you that it must be punishing for a lot of teams to try and compete in all five rounds, and six would stretch them.
I suppose I'm forever hoping things will get bigger and better... I've never got over my first "Canonball" in the eighties and have forever wanted to tell the world about this sport ! The Tierp project points at a future of growth doesn't it ? I'm actually amazed that in these times of recession we are still achieving these large fields of cars and maybe you are right... with more prosperous times ahead maybe then it can expand. I actually believe that somehow, someway teams would find a way to compete in an additional round and this is something Lex Joon often talked about.. the need for more track time.
Many schools of thought for sure. In the short term, any pics or news on the Tierp project anywhere ?
Cheers
Rob
For anyone interested in the development of Europe's next drag strip, here is a link:
http://www.tierpmotorpark.com/eng/index_eng.htm
Early days visually, but it appears that the construction is pressing ahead at a good pace. I think this is a very positive development for European drag racing and if the final facility is as good as the artist's impressions, then I will be making every effort to visit.
It must say something about the future and growing popularity of our sport, if during these recession hit times, such investment is taking place.
http://www.tierpmotorpark.com/eng/index_eng.htm
Early days visually, but it appears that the construction is pressing ahead at a good pace. I think this is a very positive development for European drag racing and if the final facility is as good as the artist's impressions, then I will be making every effort to visit.
It must say something about the future and growing popularity of our sport, if during these recession hit times, such investment is taking place.
Teams will have different agendas depending on the finance and already we see not all competitors getting to all five rounds. However, I think there is a desire to grow to the next level and that must mean another round imo. On a more general level regarding the growth of European Drag racing, from a Top Fuel racer's point of view, the following blog entry makes interesting reading and gives another point of view:
http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/le...
Please read Lex's entry: Thursday 14th June 2007: Getting to the next level
(I would copy and paste for ease of reading but 1. I can't and 2. I would not want to infringe any Eurodragster copyright of course)
Its informative to hear from Lex that the huge investment it requires to race five races means that to do six would require relatively only a small additional expense and that sponsors are more attracted to spend with more and more exposure.
http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/le...
Please read Lex's entry: Thursday 14th June 2007: Getting to the next level
(I would copy and paste for ease of reading but 1. I can't and 2. I would not want to infringe any Eurodragster copyright of course)
Its informative to hear from Lex that the huge investment it requires to race five races means that to do six would require relatively only a small additional expense and that sponsors are more attracted to spend with more and more exposure.
I did say "relative" to the "overall" cost of running a Top Fuel team for a season. If you read the post I referred to you would understand the line of thought here. And, I'm only referring to what a Top Fuel racer has expressed himself. I am a mere fan, not a racer, but I take a keen interest and reading a racer's blog is informative. If you are not going to read the link that's fine. If you want to say £5000 is a lot of money then yes of course it is, I agree.
I'm not trying for one moment to underestimate the huge expense and commitment it must take to run a car in any class: I can only look on in awe and admiration in the pits. I understand your point of view but the discussion I'm really getting at is will the future be an expanded race series ? I think it will, eventually, despite the very real added costs which you describe. Lex may only be one racer, but he is one I respect and one who has expressed a desire to expand the number of races and he makes a good case from his point of view (admittedly expressed in 2007).
Again, just to make it clear, I said "small" in a "relative" context to the point Lex made in his blog.
If I won the lottery I would put up a big chunk as prize money to reward all you racers, if only ! :-)
I'm not trying for one moment to underestimate the huge expense and commitment it must take to run a car in any class: I can only look on in awe and admiration in the pits. I understand your point of view but the discussion I'm really getting at is will the future be an expanded race series ? I think it will, eventually, despite the very real added costs which you describe. Lex may only be one racer, but he is one I respect and one who has expressed a desire to expand the number of races and he makes a good case from his point of view (admittedly expressed in 2007).
Again, just to make it clear, I said "small" in a "relative" context to the point Lex made in his blog.
If I won the lottery I would put up a big chunk as prize money to reward all you racers, if only ! :-)
"95% of traveling teams dont have sponsors to satisfy at least not significant sponsors that give them a life changing deal.....
also remember the tracks have to pay a significant amount to a top fuel team to appear so i bet most tf teams would love to run every two weeks, RF gets his cars out at every oppotunity and no doubt he makes a living by doing this...something few people in europe have managed
most of us have day jobs"
Just to add Nitrofish, this is a good point and thanks for informing me of this. I'm only a fan and happy to learn more through this debate.
also remember the tracks have to pay a significant amount to a top fuel team to appear so i bet most tf teams would love to run every two weeks, RF gets his cars out at every oppotunity and no doubt he makes a living by doing this...something few people in europe have managed
most of us have day jobs"
Just to add Nitrofish, this is a good point and thanks for informing me of this. I'm only a fan and happy to learn more through this debate.
wicked fish said:
iv read all this befour did you notice how old it is???
I know what hes thinking and we all wish this sport would attract the sponsors and we could be truly pro teams making a living like this.................reality check .................drag racing is a poor relation to most other motorsports in most of europe
sweden seems to be a little different as there is a lot of culture left over from all the US airbases they had there and they are far more pro american in there outlook and there are a lot nore swedes working with big time pro teams in the us than there are Brits
i do admit id love to live the dream...i just dont see it comming...look at the massive contingency sponsors speedgroupe have got the pro classes....All american...
i am resigned to being where we are forever i will do this as long as i can like most other drag racers
Good points here and I'm old enough to have witnessed the slow pace but even so very positive changes that have happened in the sport we love. It will be a slow process for sure, I know that much. One thing that I have took comfort from this season is the big crowds at Pod and the excellent TV shows produced for each of the FIA rounds. Also the availability on line as well as TV very soon after the event. This is all positive stuff. One can only hope that we have some momentum going forward and after all we have been in tough economic times too.I know what hes thinking and we all wish this sport would attract the sponsors and we could be truly pro teams making a living like this.................reality check .................drag racing is a poor relation to most other motorsports in most of europe
sweden seems to be a little different as there is a lot of culture left over from all the US airbases they had there and they are far more pro american in there outlook and there are a lot nore swedes working with big time pro teams in the us than there are Brits
i do admit id love to live the dream...i just dont see it comming...look at the massive contingency sponsors speedgroupe have got the pro classes....All american...
i am resigned to being where we are forever i will do this as long as i can like most other drag racers
Edited by wicked fish on Thursday 14th October 18:34
So to bring it back to the question of Tierp, is this a positive step for all European racers and the FIA / UEM classes ? On the face of it I can only see a new purpose built facility as positive, but from the posts above, it also raises a lot of concerns and questions too.
Burndown said:
If you are going to go to all of the effort of organising a cannonball style event outside of the FIA championship, I think you would be better just to run an extra event at Tierp the weekend after Mantorp and include it in the Championship.
The European equivalent of "the Western Swing" !! Not a bad idea, back to back races. They've yet to build the facility yet ! But...
Say they progress well and the strip is ready for next June and the sixth round is confirmed... then on the face of it a brand new 20,000 seater drag strip in Europe is great news. But from what I've learnt from this thread is that all the hard work is yet to come regarding expanding the championship. That is with growth, where do the funds come from to encourage / support teams to participate in six rounds ?
Maybe the best funded teams with decent sponsorship will be able to participate in all six and are ready to go. However, can the sport evolve financially ? Will it get to a point where the "pro" classes have a reward / funding scheme in place that, if not providing full time professional fees (a world away I know), will at least be strong enough incentive to get most players to all six rounds ?
Not expecting all the answers here as this is one evolutionary step, but one in a certain direction.. expansion. Will the drivers and teams be able to compete in all six in coming years ?
Say they progress well and the strip is ready for next June and the sixth round is confirmed... then on the face of it a brand new 20,000 seater drag strip in Europe is great news. But from what I've learnt from this thread is that all the hard work is yet to come regarding expanding the championship. That is with growth, where do the funds come from to encourage / support teams to participate in six rounds ?
Maybe the best funded teams with decent sponsorship will be able to participate in all six and are ready to go. However, can the sport evolve financially ? Will it get to a point where the "pro" classes have a reward / funding scheme in place that, if not providing full time professional fees (a world away I know), will at least be strong enough incentive to get most players to all six rounds ?
Not expecting all the answers here as this is one evolutionary step, but one in a certain direction.. expansion. Will the drivers and teams be able to compete in all six in coming years ?
[quote=Tierp Patrik]Hi guys.
I work with media and information at the Tierp Arena, and I'd just like to tell you a little about the progress building the Tierp Arena drag strip.
Hi Patrick
Many thanks for the update and pictures. As you can see there is a lot of interest in the progress of the new drag strip at Tierp. Please check in to this thread when you can to update us on any news as and when it happens. Its appreciated.
Rob
I work with media and information at the Tierp Arena, and I'd just like to tell you a little about the progress building the Tierp Arena drag strip.
Hi Patrick
Many thanks for the update and pictures. As you can see there is a lot of interest in the progress of the new drag strip at Tierp. Please check in to this thread when you can to update us on any news as and when it happens. Its appreciated.
Rob
"More rounds is surely a positive, shows expansion and growth in European drag racing, and a bigger series promotes more competition, a better championship and ultimately those things can attract better coverage and more sponsorship."
[/quote]
I agree and hope this is the future for FIA European Drag Racing, wether it will be who knows ? However, I see this as a positive and to be fair I think everyone is excited about a new purpose built, high specification facility in Europe. I have never been to another Euro FIA event but would be tempted to visit Tierp (as a spectator) if it proves to be as good as the plans look and becomes a fully supported date on the championship calender.
BUT at the moment this does not seem to be the contentious issue. What is causing concern seems to be the usual and pragmatic problems that come with change and development. British / European drag racing has evolved slowly and has had lots of ups and downs on its journey so far. No need to go into detail on that, see "Crazy Horses" by Brian Taylor for that ! But the major single success IMO over the last decade or so has been the successful development of the FIA championship.
Dates, schedules, financing, points systems (good observation "Burndown") etc. will all have to evolve with the growth in the sport. Its in nobody's interest to alienate or put off racers when we need them more than ever if there is going to be more rounds to attend. Careful planning and co-operation across Europe between all involved surely is what is required. I'm sure people are working very hard behind the scenes and I know KB has always voiced his desire for expansion of the European rounds. If it happens, I'm sure the programme notes at the 2011 Main Event will be expressing excitement at a move to 6 rounds (7 for bikes of course). Lets hope by then arrangements are in place to assist / encourage / as many teams as possible to attend.
Maybe problems that arise in 2011 will be the pre cursor to a better planned 6 (7) round series in 2012 ?
Edited by MotorPsycho on Thursday 28th October 17:37
[/quote]
I agree and hope this is the future for FIA European Drag Racing, wether it will be who knows ? However, I see this as a positive and to be fair I think everyone is excited about a new purpose built, high specification facility in Europe. I have never been to another Euro FIA event but would be tempted to visit Tierp (as a spectator) if it proves to be as good as the plans look and becomes a fully supported date on the championship calender.
BUT at the moment this does not seem to be the contentious issue. What is causing concern seems to be the usual and pragmatic problems that come with change and development. British / European drag racing has evolved slowly and has had lots of ups and downs on its journey so far. No need to go into detail on that, see "Crazy Horses" by Brian Taylor for that ! But the major single success IMO over the last decade or so has been the successful development of the FIA championship.
Dates, schedules, financing, points systems (good observation "Burndown") etc. will all have to evolve with the growth in the sport. Its in nobody's interest to alienate or put off racers when we need them more than ever if there is going to be more rounds to attend. Careful planning and co-operation across Europe between all involved surely is what is required. I'm sure people are working very hard behind the scenes and I know KB has always voiced his desire for expansion of the European rounds. If it happens, I'm sure the programme notes at the 2011 Main Event will be expressing excitement at a move to 6 rounds (7 for bikes of course). Lets hope by then arrangements are in place to assist / encourage / as many teams as possible to attend.
Maybe problems that arise in 2011 will be the pre cursor to a better planned 6 (7) round series in 2012 ?
Congratulations Patrick on getting the sanction to run an FIA round. Hope the building works keep to schedule.
Bg news another FIA round official:
http://tierparena.com/page/
http://tierparena.com/page/event.php?id=7
Bg news another FIA round official:
http://tierparena.com/page/
http://tierparena.com/page/event.php?id=7
Edited by robc3303 on Tuesday 8th February 16:27
More information can also be found in the Tierp facebook site:
Patrik LarssonFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:34am
Subject: A dream coming true!
Hi.
Last night we finally got a positive answer, to our application to be one of the tracks i Europe to run a race in the European Drag racing Championship!
The date is 9-12 of june.
This is a very important step in the development of the whole arena and all of it's wide range of different activities.
At the same time yesterday, we introduced our new and handy homepage! Please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/c5f8dgaeZc0lgC6Ee6ROCJhA... and take a look.
Tierp Arena page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tierp-Arena/17407064...
Best regards// Tierp Arena Crew
Patrik LarssonFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:34am
Subject: A dream coming true!
Hi.
Last night we finally got a positive answer, to our application to be one of the tracks i Europe to run a race in the European Drag racing Championship!
The date is 9-12 of june.
This is a very important step in the development of the whole arena and all of it's wide range of different activities.
At the same time yesterday, we introduced our new and handy homepage! Please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/c5f8dgaeZc0lgC6Ee6ROCJhA... and take a look.
Tierp Arena page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tierp-Arena/17407064...
Best regards// Tierp Arena Crew
Hey WF that's big news. Some listings show both Swedish rounds, confusingly. Sort of takes the impact out of the news a bit.
"The Swedish Automobile Sports Federation (www.sbf.se) has made their decision to inform FIA, the international federation for motorsports, that they have approved Tierp Arena in Sweden to host the second of the total of six races in the prestigious European Drag Racing Championship 2011."
The above is from Tierp's press release. Bemused !
"The Swedish Automobile Sports Federation (www.sbf.se) has made their decision to inform FIA, the international federation for motorsports, that they have approved Tierp Arena in Sweden to host the second of the total of six races in the prestigious European Drag Racing Championship 2011."
The above is from Tierp's press release. Bemused !
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