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The Rock To Go Old School June 4
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Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood is opening his race track for an “old school” event on June 4 that will scrap all the electronic gadgetry that has become so commonplace in drag racing.
No “Christmas Tree” starting system, no incremental times and speeds, no digital scoreboards. Instead of all the complexities of the modern sport, Rockingham will offer heads up, run-what-you-brung-and-hope-you-brung-enough street-style drag racing in a manageable environment. The electronic timing will be offered to those who wish to record their times, upon request.
“We had a lightning issue at one of our ‘Fun Run’ test and tune events,” Earwood said, “and in desperation, we kind of told everyone what was going on and offered them the option of running without timing equipment. Surprisingly, many of them preferred the simple ‘arm drop’ start to the complexities of the Christmas Tree and really didn’t care about timing.
“That goes back to the beginnings of the National Hot Rod Association,” Earwood continued. “They started with ‘arm drop’ starts, then flagmen, then electronics. Obviously, if you’re looking for precision, you have to have electronic timing but, if you’re just looking to have some fun with like-minded friends, I can see how simpler might be better.”
The NHRA originally was founded to address the perils of street racing by providing a controlled environment in which Americans could feed their inherent need for speed without fear of unnecessarily endangering their lives or the lives of others.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading law enforcement to partner with local car clubs and track promoters across the country to direct young gearheads off the street and onto the drag strip.
Flash forward 70 years and, thanks to movie franchises like “The Fast and the Furious” and reality TV shows like American Outlaws, street racing once again has become a major concern for civic leaders, law enforcement and safety-minded racing enthusiasts like Earwood.
So, while others are looking ahead for “new solutions” to an old problem, Rockingham’s owner has decided that the future may lie in the past.
“We’ll see,” said the 2016 winner of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame’s Founder’s Award. “We’re not trying to re-invent the wheel. We’re just trying to provide alternatives. For those who prefer electronic timing and scoreboards, we’ll make allowances for them, too. It’s all just about having fun. Twenty-five dollars for car-and-driver or motorcycle-and-rider for unlimited runs down the quarter mile starting at 6 p.m. If people like it, sure, it could become something we do on a regular basis.”
Admission to watch is $10, children age 12 and under are free.
No “Christmas Tree” starting system, no incremental times and speeds, no digital scoreboards. Instead of all the complexities of the modern sport, Rockingham will offer heads up, run-what-you-brung-and-hope-you-brung-enough street-style drag racing in a manageable environment. The electronic timing will be offered to those who wish to record their times, upon request.
“We had a lightning issue at one of our ‘Fun Run’ test and tune events,” Earwood said, “and in desperation, we kind of told everyone what was going on and offered them the option of running without timing equipment. Surprisingly, many of them preferred the simple ‘arm drop’ start to the complexities of the Christmas Tree and really didn’t care about timing.
“That goes back to the beginnings of the National Hot Rod Association,” Earwood continued. “They started with ‘arm drop’ starts, then flagmen, then electronics. Obviously, if you’re looking for precision, you have to have electronic timing but, if you’re just looking to have some fun with like-minded friends, I can see how simpler might be better.”
The NHRA originally was founded to address the perils of street racing by providing a controlled environment in which Americans could feed their inherent need for speed without fear of unnecessarily endangering their lives or the lives of others.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading law enforcement to partner with local car clubs and track promoters across the country to direct young gearheads off the street and onto the drag strip.
Flash forward 70 years and, thanks to movie franchises like “The Fast and the Furious” and reality TV shows like American Outlaws, street racing once again has become a major concern for civic leaders, law enforcement and safety-minded racing enthusiasts like Earwood.
So, while others are looking ahead for “new solutions” to an old problem, Rockingham’s owner has decided that the future may lie in the past.
“We’ll see,” said the 2016 winner of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame’s Founder’s Award. “We’re not trying to re-invent the wheel. We’re just trying to provide alternatives. For those who prefer electronic timing and scoreboards, we’ll make allowances for them, too. It’s all just about having fun. Twenty-five dollars for car-and-driver or motorcycle-and-rider for unlimited runs down the quarter mile starting at 6 p.m. If people like it, sure, it could become something we do on a regular basis.”
Admission to watch is $10, children age 12 and under are free.
