Ok everyone, I just want to get the ball rolling in a non-confrontational way. This thread is NOT to discuss the Chuck Spera issue, that is on another thread in this section.
Chuck Spera / ISSCA Discussion
This is PURELY to discuss the 2005 ISSCA Nationals and the possible venue switch. Here is a post I made on an east coast Impala forum, but it pertains to everyone. I have spoken to Harvey, and I don't think I am posting anything that is not public knowledge. If so, my apologies to ISSCA.
I have been getting a lot of emails and phone calls lately asking if the dates have been nailed down, or if the venue was nailed down. I suppose since LISST is one of the host clubs in the area (along with many others) that people think we know the final decision. We don't, because it hasn't been made yet.
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Here are the choices ISSCA has at this late point:
1. Englishtown July 7-9 2005 but with no road course since E-Town will most likely not finish on time.
2. Move it up the road and have it in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania (great road course) and the drag racing piece would be at nearby Island Dragway in NJ. This event would be the following week if it does move, the week after the dates above for Englishtown.
3. Have it at E-Town and have the road race in the Pocono's, with all road racers having to drive 2.5 hours to get to the course.
My personal thoughts:
A. I think E-Town is a much bigger draw than Island Dragway/Pocono's, if only for the name recognition. To most, especially those who don't know a lot about the east coast scene, racing your car at E-Town is like getting to sing at Carnegie Hall or playing baseball at Yankee Stadium. In other words, it has the name recognition and the drawing power to attract a LOT of people. It is a prestigious track and some of the greatest drag racers in history have raced there.
B. As someone who has raced at a lot of tracks on the east coast, E-Town is no longer the best track around. It's still great, but not the best. Island Dragway treated us very nicely TWICE this summer, plus it was prepped very nicely (read: good starting line). Additionally, they will close the track for us, so we have it all to ourselves, which ETown will not do.
C. If I am going to take my family to an event for 3-5 days, it would sure as hell be nicer to take them to the lovely Pocono Mountains (a vaction paradise for years) instead of central NJ. Sorry NJ guys, but this isn't at the Jersey shore.
D. The Pocono's / Island Dragway will be a lot cheaper, probably about $40 per day including taxes.
E. The drive from E-Town to the Pocono's is not that bad, it would be a lovely highway cruise.
That being said, I don't know what the best decision is.
+ On the one hand, Bill the ISSCA Marketing Guy thinks E-Town is the best draw, it will pull in the most people just for name recognition alone.
+ But on the other foot, Bill thinks that for bringing your family somewhere, or even yourself, the Pocono's are 10x better. Plus, Island Dragway, as stated above, treats us VERY WELL. Plus it will be cheaper.
So, what is the best decision? Englishtown for the name recognition (I truly think more will come 'just' to race at E-Town)? Or Pocono's/Island for a better event, nicer vacation, etc?
Let's hear the opinions ladies!!!!!
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