At small and/or local tracks, I am seeing fewer and fewer bracket race dates/events. I am also seeing more and more heads up type dates/events. It makes sense. The bracket events draw little or no spectators and the heads up events draw BIG crowds (so much for the theory that there is simply no interest in drag racing).

Many of the heads up events also have a gambler's bracket at the same time. This also makes a lot of sense, because while they draw a spectator crowd, there is plenty of downtime without the bracket racers. I would like to see more of these events where both types of competition take place at the same time, on the same track. And not just a gambler's bracket race, maybe something a little bit more structured for the bracket racers.

I see it as a possible way to keep brackets alive at local/small tracks. As things stand, it is looking like only a matter of time before brackets simply fade away through fewer of them on schedules every year, on the local level (in this area anyhow). Please discuss. Take care. Tom Worthington

Bracket races will become extinct because some think it's all about the purses.
There's no profit for the track in racers coming in to give each other their money.
There may continue to be big bucks extravaganzas, as long as sponsorship money keeps flowing.

Where have I ever heard anything like that?

Heads up crowds don't bring grills and coolers, they patronize the concession stand.

If you can put up with the circus crowds, that's where the smart track operator is focused.

Our local 1/8 mile track XRP runs both a very well supported and successful Bracket and index programs. One of the nicest and best prepped 1/8 tracks you will ever go to
This past weekend they had over 100 tech cards in SP alone and it was 105* out!!
The index program is extremally competitive with 35-50 cars normally in the 5.80 and 7.0 classes and also pays very well.
To try try something new I am leaning very hard toward giving the index racing a try next season.

I've heard similar conversation about working on something out in the West, on the thread topic. I listened & thought it was a good idea.

2BKING times are changing!

Love the index class/races above EXCEPT..."door cars only"

And that's why I am looking at door cars...just way more versatile

Piedmont has gone to bracket race first of month. Two races back to back with a T-N-T the Friday before. It does cut travel cost for some I guess. They have a fun day Sunday once month,along with another T-N-T. Usually one or two NT and /or no prep race Along with their Big Dawg race.

All seem to do ok with car draw. Bracket race sucks hind tit on fan draw while other races do fair. Big Dawg is about the biggest fan draw.

Back when I first bracket raced it was every weekend and 2 or 3 others had race on the same weekend and on different days. You could race 3 days a weekend if you wanted.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
And that's why I am looking at door cars...just way more versatile

Tube chassis, back half or stock chassis?

To be competitive on .400 Pro Tree, you should have a tube chassis. Might get it done with a back half. Anyway, around it needs to be light & have plenty of power. I'm sure you already know this.

As for a stock chassis it can be competitive on a .500 Pro Tree.

What cracks me up is the no down track throttle stops.

2BKING

Why does no down track T stops crack you up?
It puts the driver back in the race, I have seen many with fast cars get out to 1/2 track and wait for the slower car and wheel race them and win.
Preset fixed stops allowed.
Also no left steer SG roadsters allowed.
Back half cars do very well in 5.80 and 7.0 class
I have my eye on a 6.0 cert tube chassis PS truck

At what point is it considered down track. In a 1/4 mile race you could state no throttle stop use after the 1/8th mile. At what point do you they/them determine where the cut off is for either 1/8 mile or quarter mile. They/them throw that rule out there, but never specify at what point it's considered down track.

While I have raced in TX. I want to know the rules up front, before I travel.

"Preset fixed stops allowed." it should state that in the rules if that's the only type of stop allowed.

2BKING

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
Why does no down track T stops crack you up?
It puts the driver back in the race, I have seen many with fast cars get out to 1/2 track and wait for the slower car and wheel race them and win.
Preset fixed stops allowed.
Also no left steer SG roadsters allowed.
Back half cars do very well in 5.80 and 7.0 class
I have my eye on a 6.0 cert tube chassis PS truck

Well now you’re just being mean.

Small track near me attempts a bracket program weekly. It’s a weak turnout.. short track, narrow groove, not much track prep (due to cost I’m sure).

If I owned the track I’d do a once a month points series no prep race with a healthy purse, May through Oct, get a liquor license and make sure the concession stand is stocked with food AND the labor to pump out some product. No way I’d deal with a weekly bracket program to barely break even.

Bracket racing isn’t dying, it’s evolving.. The people that want to race for 3 days in a row is much higher than it was 20-25 years ago. Cars are faster, tow rigs are better.. etc

now agree with Curtis. Is there an unfair advantage for the roadster?
Personally never understood why center-steer roadsters run dragsters and left-steer run door cars.

quote:

Originally posted by B KING:
At what point is it considered down track. In a 1/4 mile race you could state no throttle stop use after the 1/8th mile. At what point do you they/them determine where the cut off is for either 1/8 mile or quarter mile. They/them throw that rule out there, but never specify at what point it's considered down track.

While I have raced in TX. I want to know the rules up front, before I travel.

"Preset fixed stops allowed." it should state that in the rules if that's the only type of stop allowed.

2BKING

Down track TS is anything the is activated after you break the starting line beam, hence TS timer.

I fixed stop could be a plate stop with no activation, a restrictor plate or a bolt under the pedal. The rules are simple and easy to understand.
If someone dont like them then go race somewhere else.

Alls I did was post a VERY successful well supported local program and now getting complaints about the rules

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Ticket:
Small track near me attempts a bracket program weekly. It’s a weak turnout.. short track, narrow groove, not much track prep (due to cost I’m sure).

If I owned the track I’d do a once a month points series no prep race with a healthy purse, May through Oct, get a liquor license and make sure the concession stand is stocked with food AND the labor to pump out some product. No way I’d deal with a weekly bracket program to barely break even.

Bracket racing isn’t dying, it’s evolving.. The people that want to race for 3 days in a row is much higher than it was 20-25 years ago. Cars are faster, tow rigs are better.. etc

I know the small/local bracket programs are hurting and big buck traveling stuff is doing fine. I was just thinking of a way to stave off the inevitable (the end of local stuff completely) as long as possible. I keep seeing the local heads up programs doing really well and would like to try and be pulled along with that success. Take care. Tom Worthington

You call it complaints; I call it discussion.

Glad it's a well-supported program!

2BKING

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
Our local 1/8 mile track XRP runs both a very well supported and successful Bracket and index programs. One of the nicest and best prepped 1/8 tracks you will ever go to
This past weekend they had over 100 tech cards in SP alone and it was 105* out!!
The index program is extremally competitive with 35-50 cars normally in the 5.80 and 7.0 classes and also pays very well.
To try try something new I am leaning very hard toward giving the index racing a try next season.

That is a really good track and I like running there.

XRP is my favorite track that I get to frequent. It was built by racers for racers and a lot of thought was put into its design. There are nights it gets a little wild and loud for me, but the juice is worth the squeeze.

quote:

Originally posted by Little Chief:
XRP is my favorite track that I get to frequent. It was built by racers for racers and a lot of thought was put into its design. There are nights it gets a little wild and loud for me, but the juice is worth the squeeze.

My only complaint about XRP is sometimes it seems to take forever to get through a race. Still my favorite track since Crandall closed.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:

quote:

Originally posted by Little Chief:
XRP is my favorite track that I get to frequent. It was built by racers for racers and a lot of thought was put into its design. There are nights it gets a little wild and loud for me, but the juice is worth the squeeze.

My only complaint about XRP is sometimes it seems to take forever to get through a race. Still my favorite track since Crandall closed.

Thats because they have so many cars supporting it, they have always ran at a very fast pace and wore this old guy out trying to stay ready