every few years there are rumours floating around about a drag strip being built at mosport. has anyone ever heard anything fact based as to yay or nay ?
__________________
don't walk in like you own the place..........walk in like you hold the mortgage.
I'm betting that's a giant nay! The terrain there would be a tough obstacle to overcome! It's not that they don't have the space, it's just that NONE of it is flat! Camping in a tent has always been a challange there!
__________________
"If I could get back all the money I've ever spent on cars...I'd spend it ALL on cars !!!
Heard rumors about that maybe 10? years ago?
A major multi-million dollar undertaking to build one now, and with already 3 in S. Ontario I doubt if it would be viable, especially trying to get investors.
My question about drag racing in Ontario is how long can it continue with out spectators in the seats? I was at Grand Bend last Saturday for the ONDR program and the only spectators were from the pits.
Looking at the pictures posted by Darwin from St. Thomas last weekend showed a lot of cars but very few bums in the seats.
The quality of the cars that are racing today is outstanding. There are a lot of really great cars built at a VERY high cost, I am sure.
In the 60's our cars were good for the time, and the stands were FULL of spectators.
X2 on that Will, i notice that often, and pondering that question, "why ?-where are they?", i'm not just sure what the answer is. I do know that today there are so many other attractions going on that we never had back in those days, , up here in my area, one big one is ATV's, cottages, more people into sports of numerous kinds, fishing tournaments, etc.
You are right John, attendance is down everywhere for automotive events. Have been going to drag races in Ohio and Pennsylvania for years and the stands are emptier every year. There seems to be more empty seats at Nascar events every race and look at what is happening at cruises, just not the attendance there was a few years ago. This is why gate charges are going up and it is getting harder to find people to run events. I can't imagine anyone investing millions in a new facility. Maybe we just have to have more Armdrop events at abandoned airports.
X2 on that Will, i notice that often, and pondering that question, "why ?-where are they?", i'm not just sure what the answer is. I do know that today there are so many other attractions going on that we never had back in those days, , up here in my area, one big one is ATV's, cottages, more people into sports of numerous kinds, fishing tournaments, etc.
I would go drive up the hour each way and go every chance I got but it is a $200 dollar day easily if all 4 of us go (preferred).
I have to choose which events I go to and make them count!
So my hydro bill say's no! you cant go as often as you'd like if you want the lights on when ya get home
I highly doubt you will ever see a strip at Mosport (now Canadian Tire Motorsports Park)
I live a couple km's from it, they have invested large punt of money there in the past three years, but drag racing does not seem to be what the new owner had a vision for.
My question about drag racing in Ontario is how long can it continue with out spectators in the seats? I was at Grand Bend last Saturday for the ONDR program and the only spectators were from the pits. Looking at the pictures posted by Darwin from St. Thomas last weekend showed a lot of cars but very few bums in the seats. The quality of the cars that are racing today is outstanding. There are a lot of really great cars built at a VERY high cost, I am sure. In the 60's our cars were good for the time, and the stands were FULL of spectators.
Very sad, but entirely true. I have a few really good friends in the ONDR, and I go to a couple events a year, to hang out and have some fun.
Spectator attendance is extremely low, even at sanctioned events, like the Mopar mats, you'd think it be a sell out.
The latest sold out event I was at, was in Norwalk, at Summit racing track, for a "Pinks All Out" event, 3 (?) years ago.
-- Edited by Gazoo on Saturday 12th of July 2014 10:10:44 PM
yes, it's too bad the spectator count is so low. i'm glad to belong to the ondr to capture the fun and the feel of back in the day not to mention the friendly and helpful atmosphere. maybe wuga is right about more venues like picton. in the early days drag racing was more for the guys involved than spectators so it has sorta come full circle. but, like anything, else if there isn't a big enough buck to be made it'll go by the wayside....sad. kudos to the strips that remain and still let us get our kicks.
__________________
don't walk in like you own the place..........walk in like you hold the mortgage.
We try to go watch friday night street racing at local track as much as we can. Spectators is only $5 pp. Cheap fun and entertainment. We noticed a grave decline in attendance and racers. As posted above stands used to be full.
Last few times we have gone this summer there has been maybe 20 people in the stands.
The cars racing are getting more and more mini-van-ish...not saying anything wrong with that...should be racing on the track vs the street but seeing less and less quick/fast cars at the track. Its sad really. I sincerely hope things change for the better.
Times are changing. The last time I went the arm drop I was dissapointed with the lack of muscle cars / real hot rods, and the amount of front wheel drive new cars equipped with a "Sewer Pipe" on the end of the exhaust. After about 20 minutes I left. I hate to say it but I think drag racing is on the way out.
-- Edited by Jess on Sunday 13th of July 2014 04:16:04 PM
Way too many Mustangs and Audies.Staging lanes look like any traffic jam anyware with all the later models. But it is understandable the guys need the numbers to be able to continue the events .We old car guys just don't have the numbers anymore .Every time we race people come up to me and say its great to see some of the old cars racing and they would love to see more of them. Thatsthe problem too many cars you see on the streets everyday. Sorry to say ,and yes this is my antiquated opinion,it is borring to watch run after run late models . Our club has raced at all the Armdrops except the last one and there was just no interest this time for that reason . Hope I can get them interested in the next one . As for spectators cost and relivance are factors. Now a days performance cars are falling into the catigories of cigarettes and drunk driveing ,bad news in the new tree hugger, bubble wrap, toe the line, government controlled society we live in. The way to fix it is easy. If you care about racing go out and support it hopefully by racing your old car,or at least filling the stands.How many of you hotrodders have actually attended a race or even better participated in an organized event. Sitting behind a computer and whining doesn't help at all . If you want to see old cars at an event then get you ass off the chair and take you car out of the garage and drive the damn thing. Lots of unfinished projects out there that would cost too much to be street legal, could be built into very economical racers ,doesn't have to cost a lot to go out and have fun. I guess what I am saying is if you say you like dragracing prove it or be part of the problem an watch it die. Ed
For me it's the expense, I am getting on into the "Golden" years..and beleive me everyting old is not gold..I need to be carefull and do some renos on my house and property to get ready to sell over the next few years?.. never know when, I will 73 this year and my income is not as fluid as it used to be and it's it's pretty easy to waste $150.00 on a week-end in fuel and a burger out ..
I also have a gagggle of grand kids that are always looking for new bikes or some sporting equipment and at the end of my time most of this old car junk that has been laying around in the barn won't bring much dough..So I am begining to not be out every week-end I have olny had my car out once this year ..just to busy trying to get stuff finished on the house it will be woth much more than my car when I need to book those rooms at the old folks INN....
Much like you stated in another thread.. I just can't get past Hot-rods..I have no interest in tunners and mustangs,vets, camaros, and all the import fart cans..But I also understand the situation and times we are living in and they are the hot-rods for to-days generation..just not to my to my liking or interest and as my time is short and my tolerance and attention span for those cars lasts about 23 seconds and then I gotta go..
I am for sure lost in the fifties and make no appoligies to anybody for that..It was and continues to be the best times and memories of my life...So I have no reason or need to change my likes or dislikes ..there is just so much of the fifties and sixties still alive for me to enjoy and live in..and I don't think I am the only one..
You are bang on Chuk .I make no appologies for my opinions as they are my opinions. Drag racing doesn't have spectators because they either hsve nothing to relate to or are board with the same cars running that they can see everyday on the streets. The hot rod guys have to step up or shut up and watch it die it is as simple as that. I to have a short attention span for late models at car shows. In our area if you go to a cruse night there are mini vans and rusty 90s pickups parked in line as well . Why would these peple bring un modified regular cars to a cruse night. These are the same ones who are in a club and have something in the garage that they say they are working on but haven't touched in the last 5yrs. I get the expence thing and if you saw my car up close you would know that it as far from nice as you can get and still be on the road. That doesn't matter to my friends in the club the point is to go and have fun not how many trophies you get. Like Chuk says time to get them out and enjoy them befor we can't anymore. Which is what I am going to do now. Ed
I went to the pinks event at cayuga a few years back (2008ish?) The cops and the ministry had setup road blocks at the exit to inspect every car leaving the event. I'm sure that doesn't help future attendance either. Anything that appeared modified got pulled aside and put in parking lot for inspection. EVEN if you were trailering a vehicle, but it had plates - it got inspected as well.
I went to the pinks event at cayuga a few years back (2008ish?) The cops and the ministry had setup road blocks at the exit to inspect every car leaving the event. I'm sure that doesn't help future attendance either. Anything that appeared modified got pulled aside and put in parking lot for inspection. EVEN if you were trailering a vehicle, but it had plates - it got inspected as well.
I remember seeing their 'Inspection station' when we went by with some poor fellows beautiful 30's Ford hot rod coupe on the ramps.
__________________
Reality; A test of Mind and Spirit And BODY. (`-`)
I think the younger generation still has an interest in speed and cars..just not the same as we do..they neither have the money ,place to work and store acar..They need to drive thier car year round..But yah know so did I when I young.. My everday driver was also my hot-rod..which there tunners are to them..
I have a young mechanic that I apprenticed and he is still with me till I shut-er-down this winter.. he has a Mazda 6 moredoor..he has all the bells and whistles on it headers, performance stuff galore..and he hangs out with a bunch of mazda guys and they are out at some kind of mazda thing or some event about every week-end ..He is 27 ..they are actually at Mosport this week-end I think ..He said there was some kinda car thing there for the week-end and they all went and camped..
As I have no interest in those events I didn't ask to much..I know he likes my 48-rod/cruiser but like he says ..He just can't afford to own two cars and one that has to be stored for 8 months of the year, pay insurance and storage and maintain it..nope no interest in that and the cost of fuel to run a performance engine..and I know a lot of kids the same because he has them hanging around the shop..they are smart, and spend the money on the toys they can afford and also drive as the family ride and the grocerie getter..and if you think about it thats what we did ,,40 years or more ago..So I get it..but I just have no interest in their cars ..bad enough I have to drive one now as my daily driver..
I do like the ride, the air, the comforts, jusy can't see my Acura MDX as a hot-rod.... And I am tired out of sunday night park and sits..I have had my fill of cooking hot parking lots and I am bored to death with most events to-day..I just drive my car for my own pleasure for a sunday drive with the old girl.. or when ever I want but I have no interest in drags , or muscle cars and I am totaly sick of all the mustangs,camaros, and other new stuff that want to be included in hot-rod stuff..I couldn't care sqat about those cars they are not my thing ..But to each his own ..
I don't care about what they like it's ok ..but I don't got time or interest in it..I am just an old school street rodder cruiser and I like pretty much anything up about the early sixties but from about the 68 on with a few exceptions road-runners and some chevelles, challengers, .but they only mildly peak my interest..I like the look of your flatblack delivery and I uasualy prefer to hang and befriend that generation of folks as well..
About the only things I like about this era of time..is flush toilets, satelite TV..and my pc and cell phone and hot shower..I am not going to be spending any money at a race track any more thats in my past now..it's now time to start spending my money on a race track at some old folks home that will let us drag scooters in the parking lot or hallways before they change my diapers and put me to bed with all my meds at night so I can pee in the mornings and eat my oatmeal .. Been there done all that..I have enough memories to last me the rest of my time..and I think there must be a lot of guys who think like me and you as many of the events are pretty sparce these days..
The winds of change are blowing..and it's Ok as I am getting tired..been to to many funerals of too many friends and friends family and spouse's over the last few years .. I am enjoying life just as much and not really missing all the the things I did 40 years ago..because times change and when I was 25 I had a small family now those nights in the back seat have grown to 9 grandchildren and two great grandpups..Holy moly I am old as dirt but sill older than my car...
-- Edited by fatchuk on Sunday 13th of July 2014 06:45:39 PM
WOW ...fatchuk with a few minor revisions I could have wrote that but I still like swap meets ,the occasional drag race and the Detroit Autorama. But I'm only 69 so I'm a few years behind you.
Hey Bob T, i'm also 69, and spend every weekend at the dragstrip. Never get bored with the cars, competition, meeting new guys from out of the area, seeing what they have built,
The big majority are like family, so many are willing to help out others, if you break, and someone has what you need, you have a 99% chance that guy will help get you going again.
The pits are the only place to be, other than watching eliminations.
..
