observation of the LSX shootout

Shawn @ VA Speed · 10-19-2009, 08:56 PM

I finally drug myself out of the shop this year to make it to the Shootout,to say the least i was highly disappointed.I want to thank NMCA for helping to make this happen and giving the lsx guys a place to race and everybody who made this deal happen-without you guys there would be nothing.

But,i feel it's time to take the deal to the next level.The LSX community wants and needs it's own event,separate from the NMCA event.While the NMCA def has a good handle on the world of doorslammer drag racing,i don't think it really has it's finger on the "pulse" of the LSx community.

Being that this is a once a year race,most racers aren't going to build cars to only fit this one race-they need as much return on investment as possible.Because of this we really need to looks at the rules that are closer to that of most other sanctioning bodies.This will allow for a much higher car count in the heads up classes.We also need to look at more heads up classes as well as breaking up the bracket racing more.This will allow for more cars to feel they "fit" in.

I would also see more LSX vendors step up and help out,sponsor the event.I know all of this cost money and takes time-but if we can work together toward a common goal-it's very possible.Currently the lsx platform is the fastest growing in automotive performance.

I am going to do everthing i can to make this a better show for next year.I would appreciate any help i can get and def would like to hear from current sponsors and organizers of the shootout.

I would also like to hear CONSTRUCTIVE ideas on how to make it better.so for anybody that has any of those ideas please post them here.

Thanks for reading.

Shawn Miller
General Manager
Virginia Speed Inc.

CanuckSS · 10-19-2009, 09:07 PM

I was thinking a lot of similiar things on my 16 hr drive home. 2 heads up classes isn't cutting it. I left this event feeling dissapointed as well. I have been to all three shootouts and when I drove out of MMP last night I wasn't saying to myself... I can't wait for next year. Judging from the car count in the LSX rumble the NMCA could have a class for this at every NMCA event. I guess it would depend if GMPP would be willing to put up some sponsorship money. Then again, all LSX cars/trucks already fit into the LM EFI class and the class isn't very well supported.

For my own selfish reasons I would love to see a cam only heads up class.

It would be cool to do an independent LSX event but it was tried before and unfortunately didn't pan out. GMPP probably doesn't want to cut ties with the NMCA either so getting them on board isn't likely to happen.

Proto X · 10-19-2009, 09:10 PM

I agree. I was so excited to go(this being the first year I was able)I was disappointed! To many none LSX cars. I will not return.

dnkynrbk · 10-19-2009, 09:10 PM

Man I totally agree. I had a blast at the shootoout and apperciated meeting alot of guys here on tech. But I was there for thurs,fri and sat.and sun. There was just to much other NMCA things going on. I was at the track for 14 hrs sat and made 3 passes I was afraid to leave thinking I would miss my chance to make a pass. And on sunday I got there at 8 am for first round of the rumble and didnt make another till 6:30 pm.I live 7 hrs away and had to be at work monday am there was no way if I moved on i cold have stayed.I saw alot of guys that did make the index leave to go home. We do need our own event and make it a 3 day and have eliminations on sunday and everyone out by 3 to make it home.
I would like to see some nitrous classes for the average guy here on tech.

OutlawZ · 10-19-2009, 09:23 PM

I know it's the LSx shootout but make it a GMPP shootout and invite LTx cars (we have several 8 second nitrous/turbo cars that run hard) One way to increase car count is to not limit it to JUST LS platforms... I mean late model is late model right???? Have a GM Fuel Injected shootout..... The LS cars have kept their noses turned up to us since the event started cause our engines aren't as new even though they are far from carb'd dinosaurs...

dlove · 10-19-2009, 09:27 PM

I like the idea of having the ltx/lsx shootout together at kcir where the ltx deal is now.

That way it helps both groups.

dnkynrbk · 10-19-2009, 09:29 PM

Man I wish.

Pro Stock John · 10-19-2009, 09:31 PM

I got a bunch of interesting calls and texts today, folks asked me when Tony and I would help create or get involved in an LSX only event with major input from the racers as to what they want. Interesting conversations for sure.

NA$TY-TA · 10-19-2009, 09:33 PM

All it takes is time and $$ John

Shawn im going with ya next yr.....

fossil · 10-19-2009, 09:41 PM

I fell bad for the people that were still in the race as of Sunday, that had to be back home or work by Monday with a chance of winning, and lost their entire entry fee completely. My upmost respect to them.

Tricked-Out-Toy · 10-19-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlove

I like the idea of having the ltx/lsx shootout together at kcir where the ltx deal is now.

That way it helps both groups.

Oh snap! count me in! haha we'll bring 5 Cars to that! (3LSx/2LT1's)!

OutlawZ · 10-19-2009, 10:00 PM

talk to Tony Shepherd and ask him about KCIR. Find out if GMPP would be willing to do a seperate event combined with LT1's.....

BillyBob750 · 10-19-2009, 10:09 PM

First and foremost, I would like to thank the NMCA for their continued support. Unfortunately though, when taking on the responsibility for putting on an event like this, youre also the target for criticism when things dont go as planned.

I understand that wrecks, and oil-downs are part of racing, and there is nothing the track, or sanctioning body can do about that. But there comes a time when you have to sit back, and realize you just have too much stuff going on in one weekend. Dont send all your True Street guys on a 30 mile cruise, and then park then in front of the stands for hours, upon hours before they make their first pass. The schedules were useless all weekend, because the entire event was behind schedule from the begining. The NMCA events are awesome because of the kickass, heads-up racing! No offense, but no one cars about watching 700 dirty old bracket cars dump junk all over the track! Narrows the classes down to the heads up, and index guys only!

The problem with having our own separate event would be funding. The event would need some big sponsors in from the begining to secure the track, dates, and payouts. If that was able to take place, an event like this would have a chance. Maybe an old school LSX North VS South Shootout!

Have an all out Outlaw Drag Radial class. Similar rules to this years drag radial, only alow 315/60's so everyone doesnt have to buy new tires. Stock suspension LSX, and unlimited power adders.

Outlaw Street - 275 Radial or 28x10.50MAX. Stock suspension, unlimited power adders.

All Motor.. Index Racing, and True Street!

RUQWIKR · 10-19-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

I got a bunch of interesting calls and texts today, folks asked me when Tony and I would help create or get involved in an LSX only event with major input from the racers as to what they want. Interesting conversations for sure.

John, I was going to go this year, like last year, just as a spectator, but, I was last week (still am), and had family stuff going on to. So, I putz'd out and did not go.

However, I have brought this up before: For those of us wanting a separate event (like me), we need to put our money where our mouths are and be willing to do something like prepay. If the event goes on at its scheduled time and you don't show, tough...money goes to prize money and event expenses. If the event is cancelled due to low number of committed racers / spectators, then, those of us paying, of course, would get a full refund.

A big sincere "thanks" out to those that worked towards the event this year as well as to those that spent time and money racing and / or watching it. Take care. Dave

Silverado_13 · 10-19-2009, 11:08 PM

All I'm going to say is that the junior dragsters and bracket racing definitely does not belong at this event.

I can live with the NMCA stuff.

Slow01TA · 10-19-2009, 11:08 PM

I've been to both this year and last year. I've made the 11+ hour drive from North Carolina just to see the LSx cars. I haven't been able to bring a car either year simply because it's not been running at the time.

I was much more satisfied last year simply because it appeared that the NMCA actually tried to incorporate the LSx guys and I actually to got to see some nice cars from every class. This year I was completely dissatisfied with how everything went down. I understand that stuff happens and that oil downs and breakage and accidents happen. It just appeared this year that the NMCA didn't even care that the LSx guys were even there. I watched from the stands Saturday as the True Street cars sat there for something like 6+ hours waiting to run. I also noticed that on Sunday I watched the LSx drag radial and all-motor class make one group of passes while it seemed like every NMCA class made multiple passes. I think even the extreme street class made it to the finals.

I don't know if I missed some things or not(I did get to the track a little late saturday and sunday), but I don't remember a single LSx car breaking or spilling oil while making a pass. Saturday night, I watched an NMCA class with mostly Nitrous cars have 6 different cars with backfires. When does it become apparent that you should allow the groups of cars that aren't breaking to make their runs?

I'm sorry if I made a really long rant, but after just getting home after a disappointing weekend I thought I should at least say something. I personally would love to return next year and see the same great event. I would love even more to see an all late-model event.

Rickys S/C Z28 · 10-19-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlove

I like the idea of having the ltx/lsx shootout together at kcir where the ltx deal is now.

That way it helps both groups.

i love this idea

Cop Car · 10-19-2009, 11:42 PM

im royally pissed.. the past 2 years it felt like we were a part of the event.. but we had low priority. this year, it felt like everyone there hated us. 8 hours on sunday between first and second round of eliminations? unacceptable. i know they wanted us just out of there, because me, along with about 30 other cars got completely screwed on "deep" staging. all of the red lights were not just chance, everyone who had deep on their car, or tried to go deep just got completely f"ed over. im glad that i spent $80, and courtesy staged, just so that i could drive another 8 hours back home. setting of a tree when someone clearly has "DEEP" on 4 freaking windows of a car is completely not cool. while i have not participated in drag racing that long (5 years or so) i know that it is completely wrong to do that to someone. not everyone can have a stick car with a 2 step and line lock, or a trans brake and everyone with a foot brake car only stands a chance in bracket if they can go deep. i told my friend who is a hardcore bracket racer about this and he agrees that it was total bs and unprofessional. i do not blame that part on the nmca, but on memphis track operators being unprofessional. there are so many issues that i have with this year that its not even funny. but here are the main ones

#1 nmca treating us like a cash cow, taking our money and then treating us like an inconvenience

#2 everyone who wanted to stage deep getting screwed over

#3 stickers on the paint of the car, why cant they be on the glass? i was told that i could either put the sticker on my car or the class wouldnt exist, and thats total bs.

#4 and the biggest is the amount of waiting time that was experienced, and the lack of an even attempt at a schedule. we ran 120 true street cars through in roughly the same time it took for them to run 8 cars. i also felt very unsafe with cars going 130mph hitting the wall 10 feet away from me. it just kills me that we were getting yelled at to "stay behind the cars!!" if its that dangerous, we didnt need to be there for 6 straight hours.

basically there is a lot of work that needs to be done, i would like to help, and i would like to continue to support this event (as i have been to all 3), but something needs to change.. otherwise this event wont last long and there will be less than 4 all motor cars and 8 drag radial cars that show up.. imo thats not a very good representation of the people who are involved in the LSx motors.

CamaroRacing12 · 10-19-2009, 11:44 PM

i dont see why there should be an issue with getting a track day for yourselfs. hell us LTX guys have done that the past to years for our shootout.

My vote is for a combined shootout LSX/LTX with GMPP coverage, seperate classes until the finals and keep it at memphis.

wildta · 10-20-2009, 12:06 AM

You would think after 3 years it would go off with out a problem. I heard year2 was not bad but year 1 and 3 were too long of a wait with LSX cars being put on back burner. I have wanted to make the 18 hour drive from Ontario Canada, but to wait around for 6-8 hours between races is crazy. I am hoping to have a car for next year, maybe they can move the event closer.

I will say that I am glad that this shootout does exist, and I hope it has future secess and for people to continue to support it even if some years are worse than others.