Hahaha Hot Rod Blog - Drag Week

[moparmaniac07]

Holy shit, it actually was Speedy.

[38P]

And one more thing,

If the 2013 GT500 doesn't go on sale until after Drag Week, how do the clued-in brainiacs in the SIM cubical farm explain:

1. Posts like this: "Received an email from my salesperson that my Grabber Blue/Black stripes 2013 GT 500 now has a VIN and a build date for the week of May 14th." (posted by chief charlie at the Mustang Source.com on 29 Apr 12);

2. Ford's own TV advertising that states (in fine print) that the GT500 will be available in "Summer 2012."

I guess HRM's snarky potshots aren't always based in the truth . . . .

(BTW, HRM blocked me from posting this question as a response to the "Blog Post of the Year" . . . .)

As for those who don't see the point of the GT500 and Chevy's weak substitute . . .

A few serious racers will install safety equipment (presumably a DW* "insider" would likely do that before setting out on the epic trek. . . and if I ran Ford there'd be a factory-backed contingent of thus-modified GT500s at DW*) . . .

A few others will outfit them for open track days . . .

Most will be "garage queens" or "Goodguy" cruisers partaking in the occasional "stoplight grand prix."

So what! We should celebrate the emissions homologation of a 650-hp V8 that doesn't even get slapped with a federal gas guzzler tax (No RPO-blown "LESS" Camaro owner can say that!). When 54+ m.p.g. CAFE standards take hold, we'll marvel at these days as much as Bangshifters in the '70s and '80s marveled at the legendary street Hemis, Bosses, Cobra Jets, and "Rats" of the supercar '60s.

[CDMBill]

I was . . . in the words of the late great Grey Baskerville . . . "torqued off."

I was planning to run a new Coyote-powered Mustang in daily driver (as it is actually a daily driver . . . and a three-pedal daily driver at that) . . . certainly not for the win, but just for the "road trip" experience. And no, I'm fully aware that DW (now DW*) isn't the Power Tour.

Unlike HRM's own "forum freaks," I seldom check Hot Rod.com (surprisingly, I have a very time-consuming JOB . . . and NO, Spidey . . . it's not "floorw#@ring" the counter at AutoZone . . . and a mountain of other "grown-up" responsiblities).

So I mistakenly believed that HRM would conduct registration as they did in 2011 (i.e. closer to the event). Obviously, that was a titanic mistake.

Go ahead, "insiders," poke fun at all of us snoozing "outsiders" that don't hang on every HRM blog post, don't get private invitations, and don't wheel around 7-second pretend "street cars."

BTW, I'm always amazed that some of those "in charge" of our hobby/sport who lament apparent earmarks of declining participation (e.g. shrinking magazine circulation, closed drag strips, fewer small and local vendors, less advertising, more greybeards), yet are often parochial in rules, policies and attitudes that inhibit participation to a discrete and insular group of monied favorites. Is this sport still grassroots HOT RODDING, or is it becoming like polo or golf?

I hope everyone who was prescient enough to register in the week or so of registration for DW* . . . or who sits all summer on "stand by" has big fun at 2013 DW*. I have nothing against how HRM decides to host their little editorial feeder party. And I'm sure I'll find something else productive to do with a week of vacation in the middle of September . . . .

Flame away, kids!

no flames necessary as you weren't following you friends here on BS or you'd have been safely registered and able to sleep nights.

[OldMachinist]

I believe DW is still about grass roots hot rodding which means you don't go down to the dealership and purchase a 55k new car to participate. You wouldn't even have to check the oil much less get your hands dirty repairing or tuning on something new.
Any factory flexing its muscles to enter factory backed cars in an event with 200 cars that happens once a year would and should be laughed off the premises.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Dang, I agree with Speedy - it's puzzling that registration closed so quickly.

As for snarky comments from HRM, you bring it on yourself Speedy.

[TheSilverBuick]

From what I gathered about last year's registration is that it was later in the year because they were waiting for all the tracks to commit to it, and as soon as they did, registration opened. This year the tracks committed quickly and registration opened up afterwards. Considering the trends of pre-registrations and total car counts, I'm not sure how they would of guessed it would sell out in two weeks.

[Beagle]

Thank you Randal for pointing that out - I think something got overlooked.

SOLD OUT

- that's the key. It wasn't "Closed" after the insiders got their fill. They let everyday jerks (me) buy a spot until the spots were gone. I wasn't camping in line, but I didn't dick around when it opened either. I used the money from my grown up job to get a spot. A week in Internet time is the equivalent of the earth cooling, dinosaurs having their day in the sun, and the Mayan calendar coming to a conclusion.

[BBR]

Haha That was funny Beags.

Sold out is correct. They CLEARLY stated there would only be 200 slots available well before registration opened. Nobody expected it to sell out. I know I did not. It may be the best DW ever simply because the people that did sign up are obviously serious about the event.

Can't wait until Sept.

[KeithTurk]

I'm scamming trying to figure out how to get laid off before Drag week....

[TC]

I believe DW is still about grass roots hot rodding which means you don't go down to the dealership and purchase a 55k new car to participate. You wouldn't even have to check the oil much less get your hands dirty repairing or tuning on something new.
Any factory flexing its muscles to enter factory backed cars in an event with 200 cars that happens once a year would and should be laughed off the premises.

Give it a few more years and all it'll be is Toterhomes and Stacker Trailers...........

I think what they could do in further events is pre-sell so many spots and then have 20 or 30 spots that are open on a first come first serve basis on the opening day of DragWeek at the track........

[TheSilverBuick]

TC, you grossly over estimate how many high dollar folks show up. The big majority of people there are people like me, BBR, nesabo, etc. Every day people with normal 9-5 jobs.

I'm scamming trying to figure out how to get laid off before Drag week....

I wondered about that when you started work'in again

[nesabo]

Keith call in sick, there are a few Doctors on DW that can vouch for you.

Randal, Wrong, I work from 7-3:30.

[BBR]

9 to 5..... what's that?

7-6 M-F!!

[TheSilverBuick]

Damn you Neal, and you sucker James. I work 6am-4pm nine days a week :*( But my weekend is five days long

[Bamfster]

I dicked around and didn't register asap .... I sent in to be an alternate, but I'm not towing clear to DW in hopes of getting in. I hope they give enough advance warning before the start ....

It does make me wonder though, what if the Larson's and Terzich's didn't get in, would they suddenly open it up to more entrants? Not complaining .... just wondering .... and I understand that those cars are the ones that sell mags.