Roswell Dragstrip needs New Management

[Scott]

I just thought I would bring to light some of the problems that have been occuring at the local dragstrip. The current management has been there for going on 5 years. This is his 5th racing season. The car count is at an all time low and countless racers are now traveling to Hobbs and Albuquerque in lieu of racing right here in our own town. This is not a mud slinging thread or forum and I would orefer that people state facts and leave their opinions out of the discussion. Some of the problems I see are.
1. Upset racers willing to travel and purchase fuel rather than race here.
2. Scoreboards not working again this year (this is HUGE for the racers and fans).
3. Racers unhappy with management.
4. Facility not being maintained as it should.
5. Payout at an all-time low (Super Pro has been $1000 to win for years, now 32 Super-Pro cars have to enter in order to get to $1000.00) Average payout this year $200-$300.

I have heard it said over and over again from Racers that they WILL NOT return to the Roswell facility until the management changes. This is city property. Certainly something can and should be done to preserve drag racing in Roswell.

[Sports Babe]

While I've never been out there, I'd like to go if/when I've got time.

All I can say is that I sent them an e-mail announcing my new online sports reporting venture, and that I'd love to get on their mailing list and get announcements, stories, etc. so I could report on their races.

I haven't heard a word from them, and being so busy with school and other community sports, I haven't had time to follow up. But I think ignoring what could be free publicity (which is what I would give them — I was NOT asking for money) is a silly idea.

Just my .02

[oladcock]

How much lease are they paying the city for the property?....O.L.

[jsatterfield]

While I've never been out there, I'd like to go if/when I've got time.

All I can say is that I sent them an e-mail announcing my new online sports reporting venture, and that I'd love to get on their mailing list and get announcements, stories, etc. so I could report on their races.

I haven't heard a word from them, and being so busy with school and other community sports, I haven't had time to follow up. But I think ignoring what could be free publicity (which is what I would give them — I was NOT asking for money) is a silly idea.

Just my .02

Sports Babe

Try this > http://www.rdra.proboards.com/index.cgi

Soon to be the new Managers at the track. They would love the free advertisement and they do a lot of charity work also.

Maybe you can teach them how to dress up there Web site also.LOL

[Menzies]

I just thought I would bring to light some of the problems that have been occuring at the local dragstrip. The current management has been there for going on 5 years. This is his 5th racing season. The car count is at an all time low and countless racers are now traveling to Hobbs and Albuquerque in lieu of racing right here in our own town. This is not a mud slinging thread or forum and I would orefer that people state facts and leave their opinions out of the discussion. Some of the problems I see are.
1. Upset racers willing to travel and purchase fuel rather than race here.
2. Scoreboards not working again this year (this is HUGE for the racers and fans).
3. Racers unhappy with management.
4. Facility not being maintained as it should.
5. Payout at an all-time low (Super Pro has been $1000 to win for years, now 32 Super-Pro cars have to enter in order to get to $1000.00) Average payout this year $200-$300.

I have heard it said over and over again from Racers that they WILL NOT return to the Roswell facility until the management changes. This is city property. Certainly something can and should be done to preserve drag racing in Roswell.

The dragstrip is alot of nothing. Noise, and it should be under private ownership out in the country away from the airport.

[Menzies]

:The dragstrip is alot of nothing. Noise, and it should be under private ownership out in the country away from the airport.

:puke:

[Scott]

Good thing we have a group of people committed to keeping the sport alive in Roswell. This sport (when functioning properly) brings a boatload of money into this town. Go Roswell Drag Racing Association!




The Roswell Drag Racing Association is a group of racers and fans who are determined to ensure that drivers and spectators have a safe and fair environment in which to enjoy the sport of drag racing. Historically, in Roswell/Chaves County, New Mexico there has been a lack of cooperation between racers and track managers concerning rules, classes, entry fees, payouts, spectator fees and scheduling. The Roswell Drag Racing Association is a group of people who have come together with the intent to enhance the racing experience in Roswell, New Mexico. I have been actively involved in drag racing for nearly twelve years in the community and have seen the problems that come with inexperienced track managers, uninformed public and confused local government. The racing community needs a forum where they can come together to make determinations regarding rules, classes and other issues surrounding the sport. It is important that today’s youth have a safe place and legal place to compete to prevent unauthorized, dangerous street racing.

It is the intent of the Roswell Drag Racing Association to provide a voice to the formerly unheard local drag race competitor. The Association is a place where many opinions and voices can come together and be presented to the track management and City Council as one. The Association intends to approach these governing bodies as the official voice of the racer to prevent numerous individuals form bombarding the bodies with an over abundance of suggestions, complaints and opinions. The Association is also active in the community and occasionally organizes fundraisers for various charitable groups in the area. Additionally, the Association is active in advancing the sport through advertising, word of mouth and event planning (car shows, gatherings, etc.). The Roswell Drag Racing Association is the primary organizational unit for a number of events to include out of town travel races, swap meets and social functions. The Association provides an on-line forum is a place that racers can come together and share stories, photographs and race result as well as a website to keep racers and fans apprised of what is happening in the racing community.

The community has had a need for an organization like the Roswell Drag Racing Association for many years. The ability for racers to come together as one voice has been lacking in past years and its time has come. Without the Roswell Drag Racing Association the future of the sport in this community is questionable, at best. The Association is a vital part of the future of drag racing in the city of Roswell. The very sport itself draws revenue for the city in the form of hotel room sales, fuel sales, restaurants and grocery stores. It is imperative that the local drag racer comes together with one another to ensure that our facility remains one of the premier drag strips in the State.

[jsatterfield]

:

The dragstrip is alot of nothing. Noise, and it should be under private ownership out in the country away from the airport.

:puke:

So Menzies should we take the plane's with us to the county?? So there not so much noise at the AIR PORT sometimes I wonder about people. :no:

[jsatterfield]

What’s this I hear about the city closing down the Drag strip, because Chris Otero was having drag races without having insurance, and he was not a NHRA sanctioned drag strip? Looks like the Roswell Drag Racing Association can now run it like a real race track, and not like a money tree. Now if the IRS would just step up and do their job, we could have another unscrupulous want A be businessman out of business. :naughty:

[postmaster]

Too much noise? Comeon' folks! How often do the races take place? Once a week? Twice a month? All year long? Once again possible revenue for Roswell goes out of town because why? Tell me again please why we can't get it together and people feel compelled to go to Hobbs or Albuquerque to race. Nevermind, just being a wise-guy. The few times I attended the races were enjoyable, of course that has been several years ago.

[chief26]

Drag strips make noise when in use, I live near the Wool Bowl complex and on Friday nights I can hear the roar of the crowds from the stadium or NMMI or the softball fields or the bellowing from the sell barn and heaven forbid the ampatheater gets used. When Farley's had bands on the patio they were crystal clear here. People say there is nothing to do in town and complain when something exciting happens. Wa wa wa RACE ON and advertise to draw in the na-sayers.

[Daisy]

The drag strip used to be behind the old airport, very close to my house. I could hear them quite well and it never occured to me to b**ch and moan about the noise. They even went around and surveyed people to see if the noise bothered them. Some said it did, so they moved it out where there were fewer houses. Still people complain.

It isn't all the time and it doesn't harm anyone.

Like chief26, I hear everything from the Wool Bowl and from Cielo Grande and it doesn't bother me the least little bit. I like hearing the sounds of people having fun doing something they enjoy. I'm glad people are out having fun instead of sitting around being grumpy about every little thing.

They sell ear plugs at WalMart........

[Scott]

I thought I would hijack this thread and post up this photo taken at a dragstrip elswhere in the state. This was in Albuquerque, Oct 3rd. :smk3:

http://www.talkroswell.com/talk/images/misc/WheelStandVega.jpg

[Daisy]

Cool picture, Scott! Did you win anything at the races??

[Scott]

I won a couple of hundred on a side bet. LOL The car actually ran too fast and i was disqualified. We had turned it down (we thought enough) but the car went 9.89 in the 10.0 class so we were excused for the rest of the day. Good times though!

By the way, the car was DRIVEN to the track the day that photo was taken.

[Daisy]

A couple hundred ain't bad and neither are side bets...... when you win! That's a fast car you've got there!!

So, do you mean that you drove the car all the way to Albuquerque, cuz she's no trailer queen? Or did you trailer the car to Albuquerque, then drive her to the track from wherever you stayed there? :confused:

[Scott]

Good question Daisy. The class I run in allows street cars only. There is a mandatory 25-35 mile cruise to the track to prove your street status. So yes the car was trailered to Albuquerque and then driven from the track, to Yearwood Performance and then back to the track.

Yes the car is fast, but there are more and more fast street cars these days. We had 14 cars in the 10.0 class.

My best is 9.64 @ 119 (getting out of the throttle a little after 1/8th mile). We are gonna turn it WAY up in Hobbs this Saturday and see what she'll run. I'll be sure to post up the video.:nasty: