any one notice?

[SVRACER01]

that the classic is only 2 days this year:scratch:
thats kinda weird.
i also checked the bike week schedule and we arent on there (yet?) but we kick off bike week this year instead of ending it.
i dont get why the classic is only 2 days though. are they cutting out races?

[BMFR6]

i heard they cut all LW classes.

[Kurlon]

When they first posted the 2008 schedule, they had the classic weekend listed as 3 days, but cut it 2 within a couple weeks of posting.

[Pittenger5]

I liked the 3 day, it was exciting. very colorful.

[OreoGaborio]

THE 2008 LOUDON CLASSIC!!!
NEW AND IMPROVED!!!
(Now EXACTLY like every other race weekend)

[RyanNicholson]

yea the 3 day event was fun, esp with the 2day penguin school and the full day of open testing on thursday....thats a lot of track time

[SVRACER01]

maybe USGPRU bailed, and the sidecars.
thats what took up sat afternoon.
but what about the big races they did on sunday like the Tbike race and the actual "classic". that kinda sucks. im willing to bet though that with the new 2 day schedule the gate fee is sure to go up.

[Kurlon]

I think part of the change is due to Nascar doing a testing day Monday?

[Pittenger5]

If thats true we should totally all pee on the track sunday before we leave

[legalspeed]

That's a question for the NEAR list or direct to Jerry and Don. I don't think anyone here really knows the truth, maybe PK or Mikey.

If asked my opinion, I'd say it has more to do with money, or more so, the lack there of.

[SVRACER01]

why would there be a lack of $$? the classic has to be their biggest non- NASCAR revenue. between all the racers that show up on top of all the animal hill people.
the way i understand it the LRRS series runs in the black. it always makes money and with them raising entry fees again this year that should help.

[legalspeed]

When the AMA was here the stands were full. Since they left, the event has been slowly reduced every year.

We used to have an endurance race, that was a LOT of fun.

Animal hill will be interesting, I can't see the new management wanting that liablility around.

I don't pretend to know the workings of LRRS, it's just an observation.

[Honclfibr]

I was watching a news blurb about NHMS, they were talking about minor improvements for this year (painting stands, improved facilities, etc) and "major" improvements planned for 2009.

We better hope the major improvements don't include increased seating capacity, seeing as there's a road course currently in the way.

[13]

I just looked into it, three (if you count NHMS) of speedway motorsports' seven current tracks include road courses. 80% of their total revenue comes from NASCAR sanctioned events. I sure hope they like bikes. If not it doesn't look good.

My $.02

[Johnny B]

If thats true we should totally all pee on the track sunday before we leave

Two Day Penguin School on the Wed. and Thurs. before the event, Regular Penguin School that Friday, Vintage racing the Monday after and Ducati REVS Track Day on Tuesday.

That's a question for the NEAR list or direct to Jerry and Don. I don't think anyone here really knows the truth, maybe PK or Mikey.
If asked my opinion, I'd say it has more to do with money, or more so, the lack there of.

why would there be a lack of $$? the classic has to be their biggest non- NASCAR revenue. between all the racers that show up on top of all the animal hill people.
the way i understand it the LRRS series runs in the black. it always makes money and with them raising entry fees again this year that should help.

The Classic lost a good chunk of money last year, LRRS makes good money. no point in hiring a bunch of rent-a-cops that I am constantly tripping over, or babysitters to patrol Animal Hill and set up cones each day.
As far as speculation about the future of roadracing, I think Bette French summed it up pretty good at the banquet when she said, "To those who are spreading news as to the future of the track, how do you know what's going on when even I don't know?
I've heard too many conflicting stories, so I'm just gonna sit back and see what unfolds.

I just looked into it, three (if you count NHMS) of speedway motorsports' seven current tracks include road courses. 80% of their total revenue comes from NASCAR sanctioned events. I sure hope they like bikes. If not it doesn't look good.

Five. NHMS, Lowes, (AMA Nationals some years back) Atlanta Motor Speedway, (WERA) Las Vegas Motor Speedway (WERA) and Infineon.

Maybe Alex can give some insight about how Infineon is run.

[13]

I stand corrected. Still worries me though......

[legalspeed]

Thanks Johnny, you always bring good information.

My opinion is bikes will stay. As Johnny B stated, LRRS makes money.

I hope the course does not change except for safety improvements. Yes, that is virtually impossible given the new ownership wanting to change the facility in a "major" way.

Our road course is awesome compared to others, tight & technical, a real good place to learn how to handle a motorcycle.

[s a x m a n]

Loudon is still my favorite track

[SVRACER01]

Five. NHMS, Lowes, (AMA Nationals some years back) Atlanta Motor Speedway, (WERA) Las Vegas Motor Speedway (WERA) and Infineon.

Maybe Alex can give some insight about how Infineon is run.

ahh..you beat me to it.
while with the exception of Infineon all the infield road courses suck. none "leave" the track like NHMS does. but Las Vegas does have a "classic" course that is also on property and outside of the oval. maybe a "big improvement" will be moving the M/C track to a different part of the property. JB will tell you that there is A LOT of room out there.
Map of New Hampshire Intl, 1122 Route 106 N Loudon, NH by MapQuest
(click on "aerial" up in the corner of the map)obviously all the brown is the dirt parking lots but you can see the 5 lane road that runs around the back of the property. like i said. theres A LOT of room out there.

[Johnny B]

Here's what we were running for vintage for a few years until the Bahres built a chopper pad in the middle of the paddock area. Dave Roper actually liked it better the the regular road course, mainly for the total lack of transition bumps.

[Johnny B]

I hope the course does not change except for safety improvements. Yes, that is virtually impossible given the new ownership wanting to change the facility in a "major" way.

Our road course is awesome compared to others, tight & technical, a real good place to learn how to handle a motorcycle.

One of the vintage guys came away from a meeting with the general impression that safety improvements are likely. Far out rumor is discussions with the AMA to resume. The last meeting was doomed from the start because the old man was extremely insulted when Barrick brought Mladin along as part of his entourage. He almost hates Mat as much as he hates DW.

[Doc]

Nice rumor... AMA talks. You think the AMA would come back with the walls still being close to the track?

I still believe Al Ludington said it best "The wall only exists if you hit it. So just don't hit it."

[brewmaster]

Doc, at the speeds we are running at the walls would hurt. At the speeds the AMA guy's are running at they can Kill!

[Pittenger5]

I dont think AMA would run it a whole lot faster to make a difference between what would happen if they hit a wall vs. if we hit a wall. And by we I mean Greenwood, the Woods, Narbonne and them, not me for sure.

[Doc]

I still don't wanna hit it.