Hearing bad rumors. Doesn’t look like 2026 for us! They hosed all Sportsman/ bracket racers anyway so it was already pretty much over!
They hate drag racing it’s very clear!
They aren’t doing anything for or youth here. No Wed nights, no test n tune. No bracket races..
I sent our local representatives a letter just for a heads up. We all thought a Motorsports park was just that but obviously just nascar, scca , private rentals and carts.
Yeah I know, California….

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BP758,

Now that Sac has closed and Sonoma isn't interested in drag racing, maybe Samoa? At least it's not smokin" hot.

Bob

I think were in big trouble in the West. I'll wait and see what the NHRA 2026 schedule has in it. If it sucks, I may just sell the NHRA cars and go bracket racing. (or no prep, since you can run that anywhere on a sat night...)

I cant say I have any faith in NHRA doing the right thing with sportsman racing. They screwed us with T/D in California this year, now with the possibility of Sonoma National going away, there's no way a D6 or D7 car will compete for world points without major major travel.

I hope they figure it out....

The one good thing is the Phoenix track is still open. If that was gone I would definitely retire from drag racing. From what I've heard Marcus Smith is not a drag racing fan like his dad was. To bad!

Considering the number of teams that have skipped parts or all of the western swing the last few years (yet, still make the idiotic playoffs), it wouldn't surprise me if changes to the schedule are brewing.

The GM of the Seattle track is already on record as being kind of pissed off at the short fields and I don't imagine the Smith family feels much different.

Maybe if/when the Bandimeres get up and running again, it can make a comeback.

Well sort of Charlie. When Covid hit Sonoma used it to remove divisional racing contracts stating it allowed them to get out of NHRA original agreement; if you have a Nat event you must support a divisional race. That started the ball rolling. Downhill since! They don’t have a weekly program, they don’t support bracket racing , there is no test and tunes and they don’t support JR racing either. Where is our youth to go now? THE STREETS! Thanks Sonoma Raceway!
I removed myself from Classracer before I did something not in agreement! I wish I was there , I would start the Sonoma thread again!

The folks who think if we don’t support them then they will close. Guess what? They closed anyway.

We might lose Top Gun dragstrip located in Fallon Nv next year if they don't find new Managment.

Just a thought.

Perhaps taking a few minutes to voice your appreciation, or writing to your local Track Manager/Ownership might go a long way. All they hear are constant complaints. A friendly "Thank You" can't hurt. Most of these folks work their tails off morning, noon and night and all they get is belly aching. All that does is to develop a bad attitude.

I doubt none of them are setting personal income records. Make a call, thank them or sooner or later they'll find another way of paying the bills, one without all the grief.

Bob

^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^

When Georgia ran the show, there was a clear sense of community and respect for the sportsman side of the sport. Now, it's shifted toward corporate priorities and profitability, and unfortunately, Drag Racing isn’t the moneymaker.

Kyle worked very hard to keep things alive, but without support from ownership, racers and enough financial return, it was hard to win that battle. The shareholders and upper management see events in terms of ROI—not in terms of passion or legacy.

quote:

The shareholders and upper management see events in terms of ROI—not in terms of passion or legacy.

That is the reality in a capitalist system. We are so use to losing efforts being propped up by subsidies and such we have lost sight of a healthy market place. What the masses support thrives otherwise it gets weeded out if it's to stay healthy. The law of the jungle vs the bleeding heart.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Yeager:
When Georgia ran the show, there was a clear sense of community and respect for the sportsman side of the sport. Now, it's shifted toward corporate priorities and profitability, and unfortunately, Drag Racing isn’t the moneymaker.

Kyle worked very hard to keep things alive, but without support from ownership, racers and enough financial return, it was hard to win that battle. The shareholders and upper management see events in terms of ROI—not in terms of passion or legacy.

Kinda makes you sick. I spoke with all the gang at Sonoma Mark. They were correct.
I’ve written some letters so we will see the response.
For Sonoma management to pull this is beyond money. Their management skills are lacking.
Dave Smith could have filled the stands as well as the Georgia/ Kyle regime!
We were set up! For the last few years, no advertising for division racing, no wheel standees or jet cars! What would you expect? Failure at the top!
Yesterday took kids to SF via Ferry. Three families behind ( saw race shirts) us all had reserved starting line trailers, none offered reservations for 2026?…. Hello! They were pissed!

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Towing long distance (Vegas/Phoenix/and beyond) just got to be too much for me. If NHRA can't develop more 1/4 mile tracks in California, (or within a reasonable towing distance) other then Bakersfield. There is no reason for me to renew my license, my chassis certification and my membership, they offer me no benefit, they are of no value.

This is like charging me for cable TV when I don't have a television set.

It's easy for me to spend this much money on a million other things and actually see a benefit. When I run my car at our local 1/8th mile track I can do that, (slowing it down) so it does not require - a NHRA competition license, a NHRA membership or a NHRA chassis cert.

I've been a NHRA Member for many, many decades, but that is about to change.

Bob

Bob, NHRA does not develop or build racetracks but honestly I doubt that there will ever be another purpose built racetrack of any kind in Southern California, just not cost effective

Mike:

I agree, from a Sportsman perspective they are done in California.

That's the reason that after nearly 60 years I'm dropping NHRA, entirely .

Bob
ps: I'm not alone.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike English:
Bob, NHRA does not develop or build racetracks but honestly I doubt that there will ever be another purpose built racetrack of any kind in Southern California, just not cost effective

NHRA may not build tracks, but they could sure help the cause by working with local government, sponsors, racers and track owners to keep the sport alive.

You are correct that no one will build a track in California with our current business model. Land is too expensive, Liberal politicians don't like motorsports, NHRA wants to much money to put on a race, the racers don't pay enough to enter, The racers don't support the track when the tracks/promotors stick their neck out. Its a disaster....

I hope this is all for nothing, and NHRA puts out a schedule we like for 2026. I'm trying to have faith

They would and have in the past but until someone steps up not much they can do. We all know that unless it’s on a Indian reservation it’s not gonna happen and even there it’s doubtful

Maybe IHRA will buy it, they have said they are looking west

quote:

Originally posted by eric doukas:
We might lose Top Gun dragstrip located in Fallon Nv next year if they don't find new Managment.

Hate to hear this too! John is still running it?

Nascar uses Sonoma and so Indy Car and Formula 1.
It wouldn't make since to close it. What would they do with the land?