Event Coverage Sunday, Sunday, Sunday Niagara - Who's Going

Lancaster NY, Dunn Tire Raceway Park - July 30th to August 1st 2010, nostalgic drags, who is going?

I have heard rumblings the new owner (?) and the Gasser Gang of Western NY / Willys Home Run event will not be participating? I notice everything appears fine on the web site, however; 1980 cars and down... Ummmmm

 

I'll be there to spectate in my little A roadster! I haven't heard anything about those rumblings...

 

Just rumblings, I don't think "Dick Collins" (if I remember the name, I'm getting old, runs a T/F FED) will be organizing the event...... Hope I am wrong, this has grown into a awsome event....

 

You are right, Dick Collins is not running the event but the track is. The Gasser Gang is going to be there but only as racers. The rumbling is that they are putting the gassers behind the oval in the back stock car pits.
Part of the reason for the rumbling is that they have it opend up to 1980 and all regular weekly racers will be allowed to keep their pit spots for the entire weekend. The front oval will not be reserved for the gassers and all parking is first come first served excluding the regular weekly racers. Since the majority of the weekly racers are pre 80 you kind of get an idea of what is going to happen.
I started a thread about this on our local car forum trying to draw out the track managment and their side of the story,they haven't responded as of yet.

 

Excellent Phil: I was going to send you a PM wondering if you have heard anything..... I can imagine what will occur, too bad for the event and the track. I will be there this year, as I am sure the new owner has made the decisson for everyone easier, to move the event to the other track just down the road......

 

The James Boys Gang will be there! It'll be my first year there, sounds like I may have missed the best years though

 

I'm still going, but just as a side note even when the Gasser Gang race their series race there, they are put in the back behind the oval and they don't even have the p.a. turned on back there.
I think you are right about it moving down the road, hell they used to run the nationals at that place.

 

Ralph gettin greedy?

 

hmmm...WTF! I might as well just go down there any other weeknight then! booo....

 

Wonder if they are going to have blind boy's finest out in the street helping him balance the state budget? The Clutch Artists are a big help on this event ,too!! Went from a great event, with tits cars and racing, to a money grab. Might as well leave my car home and bring a 4-door pickup truck to impress the little girlies.

Did I mention this track PISSES me off.-MIKE

 

I'm hearing rumors that Vito will be getting NY Int. back in the fall. It would be nice to move the nostalgia racing to that track for next year. There's a lot more room and the track conditions are good--plus it's 1/4 mile. Are the GG boys thinking in that direction? There was mention of it last summer. It doesn't have to be called Sunday Niagara. Any name tying Niagara into the race would be good.

 

I will still go, I just wont look at the late model junk going down the track.

 

That's the rumor with the GG (gasser gang), so much so that they are looking into who has the rights to the name. The car show on Sunday is put on by the Clutch Artist car club, so they will be doing what they will with that.
I haven't heard anything about Vito returning, Metcalf did rename the track this year from New York International to Empire Dragway which had something to do with Vito's association/ownership.
Dick Collins is not suposed to be having the Willys Home Run either this year, not sure what's going on with him.
It's less than a week away so lets hope for the best ! Here's a link to last years thread with pictures http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378596

 

Just got news tonight that all Gassers will be in the infield, regular Friday night racers will forfiet their spots for the show.
Also you can park your trailer on Friday to get your spot and as long as you are out of the gates by 4 p.m. you will get your 12 bucks refunded to you.
It seems after several unreturned e-mails the head of the Gasser Series caught up with the track owner and he agreed to that.

 

Well that is one step in the right direction...... I hope the car count is not down....

 

Well something else I heard is that Dick Collins had the contact info of all the guys out of state. He was suposed to sell the list to the track owner but the owner never paid for the list so Collins never gave up the info.
Hopefully those that have came in the past will be there again, being contacted or not. Also heard rumor of a 30 thousand dollar pay out.

 

For the FIRST year in many, Brenda and I are sitting this one out..

Looking at their schedule,you will still have gassers classes (WNYGG),a supercharged program (Oddy Purse),and a centre steer ,altered dragster deal.
Looks like other cars will be allowed to run in Little Eliminator,Street Elim. etc..JUST like other years.
Only real differences appears to be ,that it's open to 1980 and older cars. That would seem to be catering to the local bracket runners,and IMHO takes away from the whole concept of a "nostalgia" style event.
And the the fact there is NO pre registration,(as advertised in Gasser War Magazine). If someone pre registers for an event, in all likely hood,they WILL show up. That may not be the case now !

So,I know many of our ONDR racers still plan to attend,( 34 cars last year,31 prior year) I wish them all "good luck,and a safe ,fun weekend".

Rick
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Thats too bad the ONDR will not be represented....

 

Hi Candy Man;
DON'T think I said ONDR would not be represented.

I said Brenda & I weren't going..

(quote:So,I know many of our ONDR racers still plan to attend,( 34 cars last year,31 prior year) I wish them all "good luck,and a safe ,fun weekend".) unquote

I do know, Spanky,and his fellow racers,Opie,Sponge Willy, James Boy car (wthout Paul).and several others ARE planning to attend.

Could Luck.play safe.

Rick
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I'll be there with my Falcon. It will be interesting to see who comes from outside NY. Hope it's a good turnout.

 

I wouldn't put anything in to the "Rumors". When you never owned something, you cant get it back.

I agree that it would be nice to have a Nostalgia event at Empire, especially now that its Empire once again. The Gasser Gang will be there on August 7th, 14th & 28th for there point series. Every one should come out & catch some real "old school" race cars, its a blast.

 

Killer Ken;
There is a group if us from Ontario who are making plans to come to Empire Aug 7..
Hopefully , a nostalgia style event can't be held there in the future.

Rick
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Deffently would be cool. My uncle races with the Gasser Gang in his 55' Chevy. I'm looking to find somthing myself to run in it. Stop by and say Hi when your there I have a black 70' Chevelle.
We were going to go up this Sunday for the Niagara race but with the way things have been panning out I' in serios doubt about going.
See you there.

 

Killer ken;

will stop bye..Look for the car in my avitar..
I know a few of the guys in the NYGG,so should be a 'hoot"

Rick
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Rick sorry to hear you and Brenda are not coming down this year, we'll miss ya.
I'm thinking of bringing the 41 truck out as a static display, not ready to race but may make a lap or two around the oval...lol
They are calling for 78-80 degree weather so that will be good.

 

Swade;

Hope it all works out..It's been a success for quite a few yrs..
sometimes track owners think they know what 's best for us nostalgia guys..

Rick
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Well I'll see you on the 7th anyhow if you make it to Empire, I'll drive the bucket out.