2012 Santa Pod Main Event (1-4 June)
Discussion
Rat_Fink_67 said:
Every year sportsman racers complain about how they're treated at FIA events, yet that's always where the biggest fields are??
My only complaint is that I no longer get to run at the FIA events. Maybe someday soon I'll be back in a class that still runs at them. I'd love to do so again, even knowing that there's every likelihood of getting bumped on the pro days. That never used to bother me. I either got to race or I got to watch the pro classes. That always seemed like a win/win to me.Burndown said:
I don't believe that teams turn up to an event with a budget that can only satisfy a certain amount of passes. That would mean they would throw a race in eliminations if they came to the end of their quota of runs.
I can't make you believe it, but it's true. And of course no one's going to throw a race. But we used to turn up knowing we could only afford to run 2 of the 4 qualifiers, and knowing that if we made it through to the final, the prize money would go some way to covering the costs of the extra runs. Running in the pro classes on such a limited budget is crazy, but it can just about be made to work.I always assumed that test days were less well attended because of the extra day off work, so with most teams there I was hoping for a big turnout.
It would be a shame if there was only a few participants as it would be good to help the track come round.
Let's hope everyone gets licenced that needs to.
It would be a shame if there was only a few participants as it would be good to help the track come round.
Let's hope everyone gets licenced that needs to.
Burndown said:
I always assumed that test days were less well attended because of the extra day off work, so with most teams there I was hoping for a big turnout.
It would be a shame if there was only a few participants as it would be good to help the track come round.
Let's hope everyone gets licenced that needs to.
well being that its free i expect there will be more than usual, and of cource licencing has to be done, thats not the same as testing testing is a luxury licencing is a necessity so any unlicenced teams will of cource trake the oppotunityIt would be a shame if there was only a few participants as it would be good to help the track come round.
Let's hope everyone gets licenced that needs to.
im sure it will be good and whatever it is ...it is a bonus...wouldnt you agree?
Edited by Turbobird1 on Sunday 20th May 10:03
Hmmm. Don't want to be seen as a whinger but I feel I need to put a couple of points... Sorry.
1 - "Sportsman racers have their dedicated events"....
The Summer Nats is the only meeting that Super Pro can run at that doesn't have the Pro's. And we've been bumped at that race to make way for Pro Mod (who I consider a Pro class) and, in the past, the Fuel Altered's (again this year) and Top Alcohol as well as the FIM/MCU classes.
2 - We accept that, at the FIA rounds, we take a back seat. But, we always had the Friday (this Main Event) or Thursday (most other events) to ourselves. We have accepted the waiting around for the rest of the weekend without knowing if we're going to get a run. And even this year, being called with no chance to warm up because the pros weren't ready at their scheduled time (5 minutes after being told we definitely weren't running).
It's amazing how much the track comes round on day 1 after the sportsman classes have put up to 7 passes on it. It will be interesting to see what it is like this year as this number will have to be lower as the Pro Test session will have to complete before the dew point is reached.
Martyn
1 - "Sportsman racers have their dedicated events"....
The Summer Nats is the only meeting that Super Pro can run at that doesn't have the Pro's. And we've been bumped at that race to make way for Pro Mod (who I consider a Pro class) and, in the past, the Fuel Altered's (again this year) and Top Alcohol as well as the FIM/MCU classes.
2 - We accept that, at the FIA rounds, we take a back seat. But, we always had the Friday (this Main Event) or Thursday (most other events) to ourselves. We have accepted the waiting around for the rest of the weekend without knowing if we're going to get a run. And even this year, being called with no chance to warm up because the pros weren't ready at their scheduled time (5 minutes after being told we definitely weren't running).
It's amazing how much the track comes round on day 1 after the sportsman classes have put up to 7 passes on it. It will be interesting to see what it is like this year as this number will have to be lower as the Pro Test session will have to complete before the dew point is reached.
Martyn
MartynJones said:
2 - We accept that, at the FIA rounds, we take a back seat. But, we always had the Friday (this Main Event) or Thursday (most other events) to ourselves. We have accepted the waiting around for the rest of the weekend without knowing if we're going to get a run. And even this year, being called with no chance to warm up because the pros weren't ready at their scheduled time (5 minutes after being told we definitely weren't running).
It's amazing how much the track comes round on day 1 after the sportsman classes have put up to 7 passes on it. It will be interesting to see what it is like this year as this number will have to be lower as the Pro Test session will have to complete before the dew point is reached.
Martyn
Thanks Martyn - you just basically said what I was trying to say over my previous posts but failing at miserably! We all still turn up and race and accept that we take a back seat over the rest of the weekend - which is fine. But if we lose runs on the first day and then are spending the rest of the weekend not knowing if were going to get a run that day then that changes things. It has not happened yet though - and Graham your right I am really writing essays about something that hasnt happened (yet) - just hopefully putting my opinion out there as im sure there are other sportsman racers who feel the same.It's amazing how much the track comes round on day 1 after the sportsman classes have put up to 7 passes on it. It will be interesting to see what it is like this year as this number will have to be lower as the Pro Test session will have to complete before the dew point is reached.
Martyn
Also talk of investment levels is OK - we know that the pro racers invest heavily - but for most sportsman racers we are already investing every penny we can (just the same as you guys). Our budgets may be different but please understand that we still invest a lot of time, money, effort and emotion into our racing. Ive invested all my money in my racing, and im sure in terms of the total investment i have made im not necassarily even on par with the others in the classes that I race - but its still everything I have. Trust me if I could afford to invest more then I would.
Although the sportsman racers running all day definitely improve the track, the criticisms of the track from certain corners, will not be put to bed until we see Pro Cars (more specifically "Pro Door Cars") running the numbers down there. I think at this particular event under these circumstances it is the right decision to run this test session.
As a side note the first day at the Main Event is usually "tricky", because for many it's the first time they will have run this season. I expect some who struggle in Q1 and Q2 will immediately blame the track, even more so this year because of the negative comments that have been about. Then almost by magic the track will start to come around. This wont all be down to the track though, it will also be down to people getting their tune up's sorted.
As a side note the first day at the Main Event is usually "tricky", because for many it's the first time they will have run this season. I expect some who struggle in Q1 and Q2 will immediately blame the track, even more so this year because of the negative comments that have been about. Then almost by magic the track will start to come around. This wont all be down to the track though, it will also be down to people getting their tune up's sorted.
Have the FIA event rules changed as I'm pretty sure at one time the reason cited for pro cars running at press days (and in private testing) the day before events was that there was a rule in place that cars entered in FIA competition couldn't run outside of the qualifying sessions once the event had started and was being run under the sanction? This I believe was to maintain a level playing field regardless of available funding.
mrmr96 said:
Fingerers crossed for the weather this weekend:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2640184
Sunday will be a washout, give them a ring if you've got tickets and you can use them on another day.http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2640184
(Written Sunday morning, having had a good day on Sat)
Oh My F*****g God!!!
That was amazing! I think it's fair to say that TV cannot prepare you for what it's like sitting between the staging beams and the christmas tree, in the front row, when a Top Fueller takes off down the strip!
It's a bit like being in an earthquake. The wall of noise hits you and I found I couldn't breath until the pass was over.... I was basically sitting there with my mouth agape for the whole run.
I've also never experienced as much adrenaline as just a SPECTATOR of a sport! I was quite literally shivering in my seat, not from the cold, but from the pure rush running through me, during the start up and burnout. Then I was just on a real high waiting for the cars to come into stage... becasue you know what happens next!
AND... that's only when there's ONE OF THEM! When there's two, I think it's fair to say that that really does translate into being twice as intense.
And the crazy thing is that all that is happeneing just from the AIR coming out of the exhausts! Those guys who strap in and pilot these things are really heros! It must be insane being sat in the middle of all that craziness!
They are also fast (obv!) but I never realised just HOW FAST they would look in real life. I was sat between the stage beams and christmas tree, then imagine someone to your left calls your name so you look over 90' to see them... well that's how fast you have to turn your head to watch a top fuel run!
The day started slowly due to rain in the air, but got underway about 1pm or so. We spent the morning walking the pits and watching the stunt show (terry grant could do with spending more time driving and less time chatting IMO!), which was a good way of passing the time but not really what we were there for. Was starting to feel a bit dissapointed, and wondering what the refund policy was! But when the action got underway, starting with the sportsmen and working up, the day just kept getting better.
We had intended to leave about 5pm, but we'd got chatting so some old hands who were sat near us, and kept us up to date with what was happening (and why) and some background on the rules and racers. Thanks to those guys we got a lot more out of the day. The best bit was probably watching the top fuellers for the 2nd round of Sat qually, because I knew what to expect... and also had been furnished with a couple of free cans of lager by one of my new friends by this point so ended up staying right until the 9pm curfew. (Track can't run beyond 9pm due to noise I think.)
The day ended up being far better than I could ever have imagined... was tempted to buy a tent and stay over, but I think the wife (who was at home) would change the locks and start selling my stuff if I'd tried that one! So no more racing for me this weekend, but I undertand there's another event in September... so might have to go seek out some tickets for that!
Cheers all!
Oh My F*****g God!!!
That was amazing! I think it's fair to say that TV cannot prepare you for what it's like sitting between the staging beams and the christmas tree, in the front row, when a Top Fueller takes off down the strip!
It's a bit like being in an earthquake. The wall of noise hits you and I found I couldn't breath until the pass was over.... I was basically sitting there with my mouth agape for the whole run.
I've also never experienced as much adrenaline as just a SPECTATOR of a sport! I was quite literally shivering in my seat, not from the cold, but from the pure rush running through me, during the start up and burnout. Then I was just on a real high waiting for the cars to come into stage... becasue you know what happens next!
AND... that's only when there's ONE OF THEM! When there's two, I think it's fair to say that that really does translate into being twice as intense.
And the crazy thing is that all that is happeneing just from the AIR coming out of the exhausts! Those guys who strap in and pilot these things are really heros! It must be insane being sat in the middle of all that craziness!
They are also fast (obv!) but I never realised just HOW FAST they would look in real life. I was sat between the stage beams and christmas tree, then imagine someone to your left calls your name so you look over 90' to see them... well that's how fast you have to turn your head to watch a top fuel run!
The day started slowly due to rain in the air, but got underway about 1pm or so. We spent the morning walking the pits and watching the stunt show (terry grant could do with spending more time driving and less time chatting IMO!), which was a good way of passing the time but not really what we were there for. Was starting to feel a bit dissapointed, and wondering what the refund policy was! But when the action got underway, starting with the sportsmen and working up, the day just kept getting better.
We had intended to leave about 5pm, but we'd got chatting so some old hands who were sat near us, and kept us up to date with what was happening (and why) and some background on the rules and racers. Thanks to those guys we got a lot more out of the day. The best bit was probably watching the top fuellers for the 2nd round of Sat qually, because I knew what to expect... and also had been furnished with a couple of free cans of lager by one of my new friends by this point so ended up staying right until the 9pm curfew. (Track can't run beyond 9pm due to noise I think.)
The day ended up being far better than I could ever have imagined... was tempted to buy a tent and stay over, but I think the wife (who was at home) would change the locks and start selling my stuff if I'd tried that one! So no more racing for me this weekend, but I undertand there's another event in September... so might have to go seek out some tickets for that!
Cheers all!
That's a great write up, always good to see the reactions of a first timer and that comes across really well! There's always experienced people around happy to answer questions and explain things. Glad you enjoyed it.
I've been coming to the pod my whole life and nitro never gets old!
I've been coming to the pod my whole life and nitro never gets old!
haha, he's HOOKED,
Welcome to our world.
Run of the day for me yesterday was Esko's 2nd pass, got loose half track, pedalled lifted the front wheels by a good 2 ft, controled is and kept his foot in, i nearly fell of the bin i was standing on.
My only Gripe was that new FENCE, cheers for that. Means we get to see loads of racing between rounds now NOT!!! Cause we really have time to sit on the bank and get back to the pits in time if we get called.
Welcome to our world.
Run of the day for me yesterday was Esko's 2nd pass, got loose half track, pedalled lifted the front wheels by a good 2 ft, controled is and kept his foot in, i nearly fell of the bin i was standing on.
My only Gripe was that new FENCE, cheers for that. Means we get to see loads of racing between rounds now NOT!!! Cause we really have time to sit on the bank and get back to the pits in time if we get called.
MajorLucky said:
haha, he's HOOKED,
Welcome to our world.
Run of the day for me yesterday was Esko's 2nd pass, got loose half track, pedalled lifted the front wheels by a good 2 ft, controled is and kept his foot in, i nearly fell of the bin i was standing on.
Yeah, definitly hooked!Welcome to our world.
Run of the day for me yesterday was Esko's 2nd pass, got loose half track, pedalled lifted the front wheels by a good 2 ft, controled is and kept his foot in, i nearly fell of the bin i was standing on.
I remeber that pass you're talking about... I though he was gonna bin it, or at least kill it early... But he got it down and then got back on it!! Crazy!
i remember my first real event at the pod, had done lots of RWYB's etc so know the format layout etc
we went to a full event and the first time a fuel car did a burn out at the start line we were about 1/2 track on the bank looking at all of them idiots with hands over their ears, wimps......
car did burnouts to about 1/4 track it was loud wimps wiht hands over ears blah blah
then the cars went on green, bang I was dear so were my mates, now we know why these wimps had their hands over their ears, and so did we from then on, the feel as the cars pass I cna only describe as like haveing the earth shake while mike tyson punches you in the chest and you are deaf wollowed up with standing in the barn as the jet car did its funky thing
on way home from that event we stopped on M1 services, 5 sun/wind/fuel burnt blokes who were all shouting cos we were dear, we were asked to leave the services, it was only when home did I realise how dear I was
been going ever since and loved every moment of it
we went to a full event and the first time a fuel car did a burn out at the start line we were about 1/2 track on the bank looking at all of them idiots with hands over their ears, wimps......
car did burnouts to about 1/4 track it was loud wimps wiht hands over ears blah blah
then the cars went on green, bang I was dear so were my mates, now we know why these wimps had their hands over their ears, and so did we from then on, the feel as the cars pass I cna only describe as like haveing the earth shake while mike tyson punches you in the chest and you are deaf wollowed up with standing in the barn as the jet car did its funky thing
on way home from that event we stopped on M1 services, 5 sun/wind/fuel burnt blokes who were all shouting cos we were dear, we were asked to leave the services, it was only when home did I realise how dear I was
been going ever since and loved every moment of it
Gassing Station | Drag Racing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff