Are the HAMB drags going down hill?

I've been following this discussion and I feel a little uneasy posting on this, since it's a pretty established crowd, but KC's post was a real bummer. I have yet to go to the H.A.M.B. Drags myself and I hope if I ever get the opportunity, that things don't reach a point where it can't be reined in. I feel bad saying it, but a good example is a certain Easter weekend car show in Vegas. They promise change every year, though it just seems to keep getting worse. It is what it is, I guess. Somehow though, I do believe Ryan when he says he has it covered.

 

You have a fan NITROFC...

 

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Where either one of you guys there???? I love this event. And dont want it to get ruined because of dirt track dragsters and such. Ryan, I respect any decesion you make. And will stand behind anything you request. If that is worth anything.

 

Ryan
Out in SoCal Insane Diego we have the " San Diego Antique Drags" Pre registered only. Year limit is 1975 I think? There are lots of go fast drag cars but lots and Lots of run what you brung Hot Rods. It is a ball to watch. I make a few runs and spend the rest of the day watching.
Tech is simple by NHRA certified reps. Your preregistered idea is the only way to go.
Keep up the good work, Here and at the Drags.
Fuzzy

 

There is no disputing that the HAMB drags '09 was a great success. Thousands of folks had a great time, saw plenty of what they came to see, enjoyed the perfect weather, visited with old and new friends and most important, got home safely. The obvious problems have been addressed and next year should be even better.

I haven't seen any comments regarding safety, and I have some questions regarding that. First, I looked for and didn't see any emergency medical personnel at the track. Were they well hidden somewhere that I didn't see them? Not only for the sake of drivers, but in a crowd this big all sorts of medical emergencies can come about and I would think that at least 2 capable and equipped EMTs would be needed at minimum.

Another obvious safety issue I saw was excited amateur race drivers firing into the pits from the return road at 40mph+ with kids darting everywhere and elderly folks doing their best to just get around period. I looked for the usual "15mph in the pits or your ass is out the gate" sign and didn't see one. It was a near miss with a little boy that got me alarmed about this. Maybe the number of rookie drivers this event draws would make a drivers briefing a good idea?

 

So that thing was some kind of dirt track conversion??? I looked that monstrosity over and couldn't make any sense out of it whatsoever.

 

77694 members and you're concerned about getting 200 pre-registered racers? I don't think it's going to be a problem. As for who runs it should be first in best dressed, if you've got a killer quick car and you don't get off your ass and register early--TOO BAD.
No I wasn't there, I live halfway round the other side of the world, but one day I do hope to be there.

 

this has got to be one of the most petty posts so far
Jimv

 

it dont really matter dutch

 

I thought the event was kick-ass. Brian, my friend and I were walking by that red whatever it was pitted next to you. It was on the ground running, no one was in it. My friend started to walk around the front of it and I grabbed him and said NO! The kid was winging the throttle with no one in the car. Someone was sitting behind the car in a chair and lots of people were walking in the road in front of it. This is an injected alky car. After he shut it off, I said, thats pretty unsafe there guys.That's how people die. He looked at me like F-OFF. I shook my head and left. I got there about 11 am Sat. was there any kind of drivers meeting before anyone went down the track? I don't even want this to sound like someone from the NHRA talking here, but I saw some pretty disturbing stuff when we were walking around safety wise. But that was the most fun I had had in years! I don't know if our car would fit in or not, but I'd like to run it there next year, I'd even bring it in on an open trailer behind a p.u or wagon!! I applaud you Ryan and everyone for a great event! Lippy

 

Good point. I'm pretty sure no one read the fine print on the release form they signed before they drove through the gate. There was a lot of spectators not paying attention that could lead to something ugly. Hate to see the event marred by anything, but when you have that many people in a small area things are bound to happen. As a first time attendee I thought the event turned out pretty well considering the overwhelming crowds and participants.

 

I noticed the out of place cars there as well ,but tried to concentrate on the cars that belonged there and didnt let it spoil my fun.On a whole most of the cars there were period correct IMO .I thought that Ryan and the crew did a great job of keeping such a large crowd of beer drinking people under control .It was a bit congested and the selfish ass people that were spectating not racing from the pit side with all the tents against the fence was the thing that pissed me off .The event was great anyways ,nice job guys...

 

It's not such a bad thing... Sounds like you

I purposely did not take pics of the stuff that didn't fit. And there were quite a few late models parked in the pits, even blocking people in. I look forward to a little more control on that.

Despite getting Denise riled, I bet she'd still give him a cookie.

Yep, that's a big part of it to me.

I wouldn't say they have to be all period correct.

 

Wow! What a thread, at least I learned something... "Ryan likes Hot Rods" who'd have known...

I do have a question for Ryan or those in the know... what will be the criteria for next years show? I would like a little more info than "traditional" and "period correct". Those are great catch phrases, but a little to vague being that 40's trad and PC (period correct) are a lot different than early 60's trad and PC. Thanks...

If the answer is wait till we get it together, that's fine as well, I'd just like to know if I need to make any specific changes to my car before next August...

 

A couple comments and questions from me....

Its a great thing that all the goofy out of place stuff will be taken care. However I feel sorry for the guy who has to turn a bunch of people down (Ryan?) That can't be an easy job at the pileup and it prolly won't be an easy job at the drags. I mean even if they aren't allowed to race we still want them there to take it all in. Spreading the gospel, right? Yesterday I had to tell a friend that his car wouldn't fit in at the drags and he looked so sad. haha I felt like a dick, but it had to be said. Point is, its so easy to talk up the drags, its hard to tell a friend that his car wont fit but we still want him there to see what its about. Hopefully all the guys who "Get it" can go the extra step to inform those who....dont.

Ryan, I was wondering. Is the magic 200 including all registered participant cars or strictly racers? Not that you care, but I think there should be X number of pre-reg racers and X number of pre-reg participants (as room allows). There was some cool shit outside the gate. Even though alot of those guys said they didn't mind, it would have been awesome to have them inside the gate.

Another thing is spectators getting in. There was long lines that I never expected. Theres gotta be a better way for spectators to sign the release and pay to get in than the current way. I only saw 1 guy taking every single persons money. Maybe if there was actual tables/lanes set up at the front gate where everyone paid and signed the release right before walking in the gate. I bet if there was 5 people getting people to sign the release while simultaneously taking the same persons money, thats 5 people through the gate every 20 seconds or so. Thats gotta be faster than that 1 guy taking money and 5 people getting the release signed. Not to mention everyone could park and THEN pay/sign, thus getting rid of the vehicle line.

Water? Brian, I think you may have bumped your head. Next time wear your helmet when riding a bicycle-built-for-two.

 

I think this thread is good for the event. Ryan listens and adjusts things accordingly. Most promoters don't listen to feedback and that is why some of the major hitters in hot rod events are suffering right now.

Sure, there are some areas that need improvement, but I always make it a point to have solutions to offer up as well as my complaints.

 

'K for Kustom', it's not what you said, it's the way you said it. Your concept was right... I like all kinds of cars. Being a Newbie, I thought all HAMBERS were hardcore traditionalists. I was wrong. Yes I was there, in my mostly traditional car, and I had a great time. I was looking foward to going next year but I can't afford to buy bias-plys to replace my new radial wide whites. BTW, just because somebody is a Newbie, doesn't mean what they say is wrong, give some credit,you were a Newbie once!!!!!!

 

Actually he's worried about just the opposite....too many. Too many racers leads to folks feeling they didn't get enough runs. Issue is where to cap it. 150 would be cool...... should he stretch that to 200 so more tradtional hot rods and customs can have the opportunity to participate? Ryan's always been more then fair to the HAMB community, I'm sure the 2010 HAMB Drags will be no different.

 

Trust me, you won't have to buy new tires to participate

 

A lot of the cars there were not HAMBers cars. One guy in line didn't even know what the HAMB was. I think by and large the actual HAMBer cars were pretty righteous. I think the pre-reg thing will also tie it back into the HAMB and Jalopy Journal a little more rather than a place to bring your nostalgiac bracket car.

 

Hi Denise, where do you draw the line. Radial tires are no more traditional than that porcupine air cleaner. BTW, there were so many people taking pictures of that thing, I couldn't get near it!!!!!!!