After spending all day there today, IMO it IS all it was cracked up to be and then some. I couldn't help but keep wondering what it would be like to run all 4 lanes and what type format could be used......

was thinking about today watching the tv coverage. A top fuel car and funny car in each lane. run them all 4 at once. see who wins out of the 4 cars.

Only complaint I heard was the sound system, the speakers are behind so you end up getting a dealyed echo from the other side of the track after a few seconds. other than that I head its all they say and I bet the sound is fixed for next season

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Click here for NHRA Points Petition
Tact is for those not witty enough for sarcasm

The four lane gig could go something like this for TF, FC, PS, PM, TAD, and TAFC......

Instead of running two pair at once as many seem to be thinking, there would be a severe lack of delay between pairs firing and beginning their qualifying and/or elimination passes. As soon as one pair crosses the finish line the next pair fires. There would be a seamless and constant flow of pro and pro-sportsman cars going down the track. They could cut a substantial amount of earth time out of a weekend of racing that way. It also keeps all four lanes prepped and race-ready in case of oil-down. There's no reason to think they would run four cars at once and attempt to eliminate three at a time.

For every other class, though, the goal would be to run two pair at once. Simple math dictates that they could run Comp, Stock, Super Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street in half the amount of time. The two tracks would run independently of each other and there would need to be some way of displaying things like dial-in's and indexes. Many tracks already use dial-in boards located near the water box so the scoreboards are purely for entertainment value. Bracket races at Z-Max could be run from start to finish in a matter of four-to-five hours with this concept.

A few things to keep in mind with the four-lane concept is the need for increased traffic flow out of the staging lanes and at the top end. Also, with double the amount of cars going down the track in a given time demands the need for increased number of safety personel and equipment.

The facility looks absolutely stunning on TV and in photos. Can't wait to visit it in person!

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Wes Tarkington
www.galaxywest.com

All the fans are on one side because of the two track deal.
It looks awesome but I think the 2 two track deal wasn't that great of an idea.

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a.k.a. Megadeth

I tend to agree...seems like a waste to me

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Real race cars need parachutes
"TooTall (indytrip winner)" on the CSK Fantasy league

That's not what it looks like here...

I bet the folks sitting on the East side of the track feel ripped off sitting 60-70' further from the cars then those on the West side!

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Shift for Brains!!!!

Next year when there are 8 car fields they can run sportsman cars with them to fill in.
Four lanes might help keep the show seamless for live TV that's about it.
Clutch dust and flying rubber make it too dangerious for slower cars to run at the same time anyway.
The walls also act as funnels for debris that fall into them.

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THE CORRECT ANSWER TO THE ENERGY CRISIS IS D ALL OF THE ABOVE !

I couldn't agree more. I know I am a little biased since this place is only 20 minutes from home, but it really is all that. The pits are huge and well laid out, the sportsman have real pits, parking is very good, access is great (if you know the back roads ), stands are great, and the tower is 5-star.

As if all that isn't enough, the racing surface is without equal. These cars are hauling ass in much less than optimal conditions. I can only imagine how fast this track would be if they ran this race in late October or early spring when it's 20 degrees cooler. It's a bit over 90 out right now and Foley just ran 3.863 in the bad lane to Dixon's 3.88. 2 great lanes that are smooth and fast. What more could you ask for?

I hope Bruton keeps building tracks like this.

Ok lets try this idea.

The PS, PSM guys hate the track prep for TF FC and even some TAFC shake so bad from the prep.

Why not keep the extra track for the PS PSM and others that really like different track than TF FC.

Also this would prevent the down time for scraping and draging of track between clases.

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Nitro! what else is there?
Bryan Kelley
AA/FA the only way to fly!

I watched a session of Pro qualifying from a suite behind the starting line, one session from the west side stands and one session from the east side stands and had a terrific view from all three. Because of the way the stands are positioned you get a great view from all seats. I was about half way up just past the 1/8th mile in both stands, and the nitro cars shook you as they went by. I don't think you can complain about any seat in the facility, or even the standing room only areas.

It's very similar to Sonoma's main Grandstand. Most inaugral events usually sellout but it does look like another nice facility from the SMI group!
I find it funny how the NHRA brass don't want to sell NHRA to SMI but they sure compliment their tracks!
If it wasn't for the Smiths and SMI there wouldn't be such state of the art facilities now would there?

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a.k.a. Megadeth

I would say from where I was sitting, standing and working the ZMax is a great facility.

I spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the Track working with the Jerico Car in Comp. Between Clutch changes we watched from the Stands. Today we spent all day in a Suite on the West Side. Watching from inside was good but watching outside was better.

I would have to say the only issues we saw were getting on the track from the Pro Pits. The gate is narrow for pairs of cars and the turn to get lined up with the burnout area is hard to make more so for the left lane.

The trun off at the end of the track also has its issues and yes the sound system does need some work. All of these items can be fixed without a problem.

I'll be back. Very very nice facility in all.

PS Our drive to the Track was 10 minutes (Jerico is 2.5 miles away) and the drive home on Sunday was 5 minutes! Now the flight St Paul tomorrow???