Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods Arizona nostalgia drags what the hell happened???

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by gasser-a-go-go, Dec 8, 2018.

  1. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    I wish there was more nostalgia and Gasser racing in Arizona. Seems like everyone left the state that actually had a car and raced it. The last nostalgia drags had very few cars show up. Applecrate on here, Steve he put it on but it was no way his fault cuz the racetrack didn't even have it on their website. Southwest nostalgia drags is not doing it anymore. Plus we lost one of our dragstrips so now we're down to one besides the one in Tucson but that's a long haul from Phoenix. The only one that still puts it one on is Steve and it seems like he is fighting an uphill battle with the people who run the drag strip. Our Gasser is almost ready to go and I'm afraid that we are not going to have a place to actually race it with other Gassers. Seems like nobody cares anymore but Steve. But he can't do it all himself plus he's running the Pontiac drags which I know that's his brand, but maybe drop the Pontiac drags and just do the nostalgia drags. Put all 100% effort behind just that one show instead of splitting it up. Just my .2
    If it wasn't for Steve we would have zero nostalgia drags for Shure, but if nobody shows up because the track can't get their head out of their ass and actually put it on their website then we will have no nostalgia drags at all.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
    els, loudbang and chryslerfan55 like this.
  2. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    The nostalgia drags is all me and my family look forward to we could care less about NASCAR and any other kind of racing or anything else going on we had nostalgia drag racing 2 or 3 times a year if we were lucky and it was great for a few years but now I feel like we have nothing to look forward to. It has to change I don't understand why in Arizona we have the best weather to do anyting all year round and we can't get people out in their cars. What happened to the Southwest nostalgia drags why did they discontinue it? I know it sucks that we lost speed World but we can't give up on the style to drag racing in Arizona. you know and I know some people from the Gasser magazine are based here in Arizona and it would be nice they help promote the nostalgia drag racing here.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
    els, loudbang and chryslerfan55 like this.
  3. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,947

    squirrel
    Member

    you kind of have to go to the midwest to get the action you're looking for....sorry, it's a fact of life.
     
  4. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    I can't travel like that and it sucks. I love Arizona but I'm tired of the lounge chair go home early car Show crowd, I can't stand it. I'll never understand why it's so hard to get people to do stuff in Arizona. Even going out out and driving their cars, cruising around everybody's just a dead head. and it's even worse for me cuz I've always been the young kid and nobody my age is into this stuff that I know of. I have always hung out with the old timers b/c they had cars but even then they didn't want to go cruising or racing all night. It's so frustrating living in the wrong era.


    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
    exterminator, els, wraymen and 6 others like this.

  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,947

    squirrel
    Member

    I wish I had a good answer for you. I'm in the same boat.
     
    els likes this.
  6. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,615

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    Do it the traditional way, call someone out, meet on a long stretch of road on the out shirts of town, say around midnight...............................................................
     
    FlynBrian, Jet96, els and 5 others like this.
  7. Tin Lizzie
    Joined: Oct 19, 2010
    Posts: 1,663

    Tin Lizzie
    Member
    from Ohio

    The Midwest is best !!! Well other than the 5 months of winter !!!
     
    nochop and els like this.
  8. Sorry to hear you're having trouble. We were down to one 1/8th mile strip here but a new one opened last summer. It's about 35 miles from Omaha and so far it's only 1/8th mile but if interest is shown, they said they'll open up the 2nd half for a 1/4 mile track. Hope it happens.
    Maybe you can get the local car clubs together to show a force of hotrods/racecars/gassers to the strip owner. Sounds like you may have to join forces with some other kinds of competition cars to get enough cars to make it profitable for the track's owner.
     
    els, pitman, loudbang and 2 others like this.
  9. bob b.
    Joined: Aug 30, 2009
    Posts: 231

    bob b.
    Member
    from peoria az.

    yep most people here think 8:30 AM is early .
     
    els, czuch, loudbang and 1 other person like this.
  10. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    Trust me I got a few spots between some corn fields picked out to do some "testing". Still not really a replacement for a proper nostalgia drags.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
    els, 19Eddy30, loudbang and 1 other person like this.
  11. oldsman41
    Joined: Jun 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,556

    oldsman41
    Member

    During the summer the Midwest circuit is still great racing.
     
    els likes this.
  12. old sparks
    Joined: Mar 12, 2012
    Posts: 414

    old sparks
    Member

    it`s unfortunate but the nostalgia racing thing is going thru a bit of a lack of interest. on the west coast we have 3 tracks that still put them on. sears point ( infinion ) wants nothing to do with us, sacramento is in limbo, so all we have is redding and famoso. all of which are a 5 hour tow for me. i do anra which puts on 4 races a year and is the best organization i have ever raced with. the march meet and the hot rod reunion are a circus. i suggest you try anra, you wont be disapointed. the door car classes average 40 plus cars
     
  13. I love nostalgia drag racing and the Ca events are so popular. Phoenix has great history of drag racing and we deserve our own 'Reunion'. That is why I started it in 2014 after Speedworld closed. Before that, I offered the Nostalgia Show and Go. Have been running nostalgia events almost each year in Phx since 2003.
    My relationship with Wild Horse Pass is very good and my next event weekend is November 8-10, 2019. The 6th Phoenix Drag Reunion will run Fri/Sat Nov 8 and 9. There were glitches with their web site as mentioned but, I cannot control that. It was brought up and hoping that can get corrected.
    I actually ran 2 Phoenix Drag Reunions this year- Feb and Nov. That was hard on me as it takes huge amounts of time. Feb did very well but, it rained the day prior and we had 40mph winds the day after. It was a gamble as any outdoor Feb event is in the Phx area. November is much more predictable, weather wise, and a great time to run an event in Phx. Many thought I should continue to run them in Feb but, November is better. So, with all that in mind, the decision had to be made-
    1. do I wait until Nov 2019? That would mean a 21 month spread between events. or
    2 run a second Reunion in 2018? The 2018 dates were avail, it gave me much less lead time to promote and some would not want to travel to Phx twice a year but, I decided to run the 2nd event for 2018.
    Another thing at this last months event was they were tearing out the grass and putting in new sod and it did not get completed in time. They suggested me having the show in the pit area but, people like the seating and shade of the show area, etc. Plus , I also had a band booked to play there, etc. We decided to have it anyway where we did but, there is already new sod down and will be nicer and less dusty, next November. Wild Horse Pass officials work with me for a successful event and each one has been. Of course, there is room fore growth and the cars are out there. Some choose to attend, others do not.
    One way to kill The Phoenix Drag Reuion is to not attend. Doing that lessens the chance of it continuing.
    This year, have expanded several classes and payouts as well including- Quick 8 for the fast ones, NE1-3, A-E Gas, A/FX, Nostalgia Stock/Super Stock plus Hot Rod ( dial in ). Having more formal classes , plus the 2nd day, will expand the event and attract more nostalgia racers from out of state.
    For now, Friday gates are open all day and I offer a half day of track time just for nostalgia cars. If/when car count goes up, it will be easy to have more needed track time on Friday.
    This is all in planning for potential growth of The Phoenix Drag Reunion.
    Many who show up with race cars do not want to enter a class and race. They just want to make test and tune runs. That is fine but, we will need more cars to enter classes to get payouts higher.
    My plans are to run the Phoenix Drag Reunion each year in early November, normally the 2nd weekend. It is a very nice time of year to race and visit the Phoenix area. The Wild Horse Pass area is tops for anyone traveling from out of state as it offers so much for all ages and intersts. There is Rawhide 1880s town, casino gaming, golf, horseback riding, outlet mall shopping, food court and places to dine for all budgets.
    Our host hotel is very nice and only a few years old and works well with me for a room block and special prices.
    Have also recreated the original Beeline Tower and it is a ton of work to put down and up and haul but, it helps add to the event.
    I offer live music at the Sat car show, swap meet spaces are free with admission. The location, time of year are excellent. Still , people purposely do not attend. If they only knew how much work it was to do this. If it was not for the passion of nostalgia drag racing, I have better things to do. It takes a lot out of me but, I and my staff do the best we can. They are all volunteers helping me put this one. Any proceeds benefit my Pontiac Heaven Museum project in eastern Arizona.

    Anyway, I am very appreciative to those who do attend and support The Phoenix Drag Reunion and hope to see you all in November 2019. Steve Barcak
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
    els, loudbang, gasser-a-go-go and 2 others like this.
  14. BamaMav
    Joined: Jun 19, 2011
    Posts: 6,713

    BamaMav
    Member
    from Berry, AL

    I think a lot of it is the liability issues. Tracks can't afford a serious accident, so they stay away from the nostalgia stuff in favor of more modern safety equipment. As much as we dislike it, Insurance companies run the country, what they say goes. All it takes is one serious accident where somebody gets hurt, a Philadelphia lawyer, and a huge lawsuit to put a track and it's owner out of business. Sounds as though APPLEKRATE has a good handle on things and is at least trying to put on a good show. Enjoy what you have got there. many areas don't even have that much.....
     
  15. Dino the weirdo
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 891

    Dino the weirdo
    Member

    WOW.... As old Bill used to say " I feel your pain"...I'm here to help you any way I can. Have run the Dover Drag Strip Nostalgia Drags for ten years at Lebanon Valley Dragway (last 8)and the the first two years at Island Dragway. Sure ...Every year ya get a new bump in the road. We attend immediatly to any problem, then a new one pops up. Last two years Good & Bad. Big turnout = Good...Bad was we ran too late. Went into repair mode the next day and for weeks after fine tuning and disecting evey hic-up with a solution. From promoting-organizing-planning-finainces-scheduling features-sponsors- staff- It's a monumental undertaking. Not my first rodeo and I went into it blind....learning curve. Heres some of my materials from last year 2018 Flyer Rear J.jpg . 2018 Dover Sponsor flyer.jpg 2018 Flyer FINAL  J.jpg Call me anytime 910-997-4444 and I'll see if my meager experiance is any help at all. Marketing 101...find your market & meet it. or when your going fishing -go where the fish are. ( Race Cars -Spectatators)First get the "show" on the stage...then pack the audience. You'll need a good Track manager ...and a "plan'
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
    Jet96, els, loudbang and 2 others like this.
  16. 150J/F
    Joined: Jan 2, 2010
    Posts: 239

    150J/F
    Member

    Success story: Southwest Heritage Racing Association (SHRA) Check out their website
    and contact Chris Graves to find out how they came up with a program that works.

    Mike
     
    els, loudbang and chryslerfan55 like this.
  17. Some of you might have missed this on another thread:

    Sorry, I love this stuff too, but I just can't deal with the Tribe at Wild Horse.
    I tried, but just can't work for 3 mos. for a few hundred bucks, plus the possibility of losing thousands.
    I don't know how Steve does it. He must have some really helpful sponsors.
    This is a tough market . No two ways about it. You've got from Oct. to maybe mid April to work with..minus all the holidays, minus the NHRA stuff, Goodguys twice, and who knows how many free cruise nights , that fit right into the retirees' budget.
    We're lucky we even have two tracks left in the state,..and one is on shaky ground , from what I hear.
    Wish I had the answer for you..I just don't.

    * Steve's deal is a great program..It just needs more support.
     
  18. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,214

    sunbeam
    Member

    els likes this.
  19. Sky Six
    Joined: Mar 15, 2018
    Posts: 9,480

    Sky Six
    Member
    from Arizona

    In Steve's comments he hit the nail on the head in one sentence...
    "One way to kill the Phoenix Drag Reunion is not to attend."

    If you feel that strongly about this form of racing, get the word out and attend, bring friends, bring relatives, neighbors. I'll be bringing guys from the West Valley. If it goes away it won't be because of me.
     
    MO_JUNK, applekrate, els and 3 others like this.
  20. I hope so too..for all involved. It doesn't sound like there will be much nostalgia racing going on there , though.
     
    els and chryslerfan55 like this.
  21. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,863

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'd think that one issue might be that Nostalgia drag racing might be more of a participant event than a spectator draw event. Meaning that the pits are reasonably full but the bleachers have a lot of elbow room.
     
  22. Unfortunately, you are going to have to do the leg work on this. Get a group together that will support a series , 5-6 times a year, at the two tracks, and I'll see what I can do.
    It won't be a stand alone event, I can promise you that much.
     
  23. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    thank you Steve I really do appreciate what you do. Like I said if it wasn't for you we wouldn't have nothin going on out here. It is the one thing I look forward to every year. And every year seems like life gets in the way and our cars are don't get done, so we can't come out and race. That's got to change though and me and my family and anybody else I can get involved need to help you. We need to get this thing bigger and work toward having it more than once a year, that would be amazing.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
    applekrate, els and loudbang like this.
  24. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    You're right I'm going to try harder and try to promote this and help Steve, he definitely has the passion. It would be cool to do one in Phoenix and Tucson I can make the travel to Tucson. I went down there for an event they had for the nostalgia drags and it actually was pretty good.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
    els and loudbang like this.
  25. gasser-a-go-go
    Joined: Dec 14, 2012
    Posts: 167

    gasser-a-go-go
    Member

    Thank you for your kind words and helpful tips

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
    els and loudbang like this.
  26. mopacltd
    Joined: Nov 11, 2008
    Posts: 1,044

    mopacltd
    Member

    I keep saying and trying to get out to Steve's events, but it seems something just keeps happening. Whether it's a health situation, family funeral or I just don't have one of the cars running. Hell, my Colt hasn't been out in over two years now, the FED isn't finished, the '55 is way to slow and the Model A is a Street Rod that I don't want to break the Hemi. But the wife's Cuda is done now and I will make the extra effort to bring at least one car out for this event in 2019.
     
    applekrate, Hombre, els and 1 other person like this.
  27. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,181

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    Nothing to do with your dilemma - but, here in California the Nor-Cal Nostalgia Drag Racing Association (that lost everything in the fire that wiped out Paradise) is putting on a Camp Fire Benefit Race Car Show in Folsom this Saturday at the Lakeside Church - more on facebook
     
    Hombre, els, czuch and 1 other person like this.
  28. landseaandair
    Joined: Feb 23, 2009
    Posts: 4,485

    landseaandair
    Member
    from phoenix

    The last reunion was probably way down because it was at the same time as the annual Valley Speed open house before Goodguy's.
     
    els and loudbang like this.
  29. Dino the weirdo
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 891

    Dino the weirdo
    Member

    Crowd 2 shot.jpg When you hold a party ...remember to send out the invitations...we're up to 25000 flyers for 'direct' mail in Goodie bags at events leading up to our Race at Cruise nights, car shows, race tracks , businesses and thats for the "non-computer" guys .Then we back that up with display print ads in auto publications and do heavy internet. Our track manager says now (after 10 years ) we get more spectators at our event than a Div. 1 points Race . I understand the demographics are apples & oranges to your local. ...also we have a large Racer base to enter.( Southern N.Y -N.J -Mass. - Ct. ) CROWD SHOT.jpg .But . do your homework for your area...
     
    els, Sky Six and loudbang like this.
  30. BigDogSS
    Joined: Jan 8, 2009
    Posts: 979

    BigDogSS
    Member
    from SoCal

    Oh, all of the "nostalgia" cars have to meet modern (read: current year) safety rules, typically NHRA safety rules. So safety equipment should not be a problem. You can't just dust off an old race car and run it --> it will need to tech'd to current standards.
     
    els likes this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.