D3 @Norwalk

Here are a few observations I had at the Norwalk division race:

It seemed that all spectators, and there were a ton of them, were let in free. I would have been happy to pay $20.00 for the show.

I had the pleasure to meet Spiro Kontos when I delivered a fuel pump. We had a very good time talking about all of the Canadians we used to race with.

A fellow at the Bowgren pit let my daughter sit in their A/Fuel car. Very cool! (Actually we are Funny car people and we are not talking to her...Just kidding)

The same fellow spent some time with us explaining injected nitro.

The alcohol funny cars and blown dragsters are very cool with their high rpm launches. I've been the only clutch car in our circuit for the last two years, so I forgot how cool it was from the outside.

"A/Fuel Ben" did an interesting thing with starting his driver's burnout in the water, not doing the typical rolling through the water then starting the burnout. After watching some of the other A/Fuel cars struggle to spin the tires, I could see that was by design. What gear ratio do the A/Fuelers run?

Best quote I heard was from my friend who is in his early 40s: "When I grow I want to be Dave Hirata." I had to agree with my friend. Dave seems like one positive cool dude that would be a blast to hang out with.

Lastly, when are we going to learn that hanging all over tow vehicals and sitting on tailgates to retrieve the cars at the top end is a bad idea? I Know it is a big deal for the crew guys to wave and beep the horn and there aren't many places at the track that only the crew can go. The Stott family lost their dad at Norwalk a few years ago from falling off the golf cart and I think there was a serious injury in division 1 a few years back from someone falling off the back of a truck. It seems to me that two, maybe three crew members are all that is needed.

Thanks to all of the racers. You guys put on a good "show". I hope all division track owners take a lesson from the Baders.

Chris Gerber
3851 BB/FC

 

Norwalk is definetely the BEST! I was amazed at the amount of spectators that paid to walk around in the rain Sat, but the Baders made it "right" letting them in Sunday...FREE! Clean, well laid out, great sound system, good announcer, heck of a show. Almost forgot it was a Divisional race, heck there were more spectators than we would get at most IHRA Nat races! Hats off to the Baders, many track owners shouls spend a weekend there and learn a thing or two

 

"The Norwalk Experience"

Let's not forget this is a family sport guys! Kids need a playground - Oh ya they got that covered, dogs need a place to run - covered, and everyone needs a treat like some good old ice cream - I had the "racetrack even though being Canadian I should have had the Moosetrack".
Great Job "Bader Family" you make you make us all feel at home.
Paul

 

a trully first class place.many thanks to bill bader and familly
tom pickett