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Norwalk, Ohio – Qualifying in three professional categories was halted at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Friday. The Norwalk area received 13 inches of rain in the past week adding water to already-saturated soil, and water started seeping up through cracks in the track surface.
The water created a dangerous situation for racing. One round of qualifying in Pro Stock Motorcycle was completed, and only seven cars in Pro Stock were able to make it down the track before qualifying for the rest of Pro Stock, Top Fuel and Funny Car was cancelled.
“We’re extremely disappointed in having to make this decision,” said Bill Bader, Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park . “But, it’s not worth it to put racer’s lives at risk.”
“This is the right decision,” said Funny Car driver John Force, a fan favorite at the track. “We want to put on a show, we want to race, but we don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way.”
Bader announced that fans attending today’s race will be given credit for full face value towards a ticket for Saturday, Sunday, or next year’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
Fans seemed to be supportive of the decision. Sandra Carter Beal and her husband drove over six hours from Waterford , Ontario to attend this weekend’s race. “The was absolutely the right decision,” she said. “This is a first class facility and we love coming here, no other facility compares to Summit Motorsports Park . People have to remember, Mother Nature is not always on your side.”
“We love the sport, but we don’t want to see the racers in any unnecessary danger,” she added.
Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Steve Johnson, who was able to race before competition was halted, said, “I applaud the Bader family for making this tough decision. I hope fans know this had nothing to do with the track itself, it was the 13 inches of rain this past week that caused the problem.”
NHRA announcer Bob Frey summed it up by saying, “It’s heartbreaking for everybody, the Bader family more than anyone. This is worse than a rainout, at least with a rainout the fans can see the rain. It’s harder to explain this kind of situation because it’s so rare.”
Competition continues Saturday with sportsman eliminations starting at 8:00 a.m., professional qualifying at 12:10 p.m. and 2:05 p.m., and the K&N Pro Stock Horsepower Challenge with rounds at 11:30 a.m., noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Friday Competition Halted at Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio – Qualifying in three professional categories was halted at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Friday. The Norwalk area received 13 inches of rain in the past week adding water to already-saturated soil, and water started seeping up through cracks in the track surface.
The water created a dangerous situation for racing. One round of qualifying in Pro Stock Motorcycle was completed, and only seven cars in Pro Stock were able to make it down the track before qualifying for the rest of Pro Stock, Top Fuel and Funny Car was cancelled.
“We’re extremely disappointed in having to make this decision,” said Bill Bader, Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park . “But, it’s not worth it to put racer’s lives at risk.”
“This is the right decision,” said Funny Car driver John Force, a fan favorite at the track. “We want to put on a show, we want to race, but we don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way.”
Bader announced that fans attending today’s race will be given credit for full face value towards a ticket for Saturday, Sunday, or next year’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
Fans seemed to be supportive of the decision. Sandra Carter Beal and her husband drove over six hours from Waterford , Ontario to attend this weekend’s race. “The was absolutely the right decision,” she said. “This is a first class facility and we love coming here, no other facility compares to Summit Motorsports Park . People have to remember, Mother Nature is not always on your side.”
“We love the sport, but we don’t want to see the racers in any unnecessary danger,” she added.
Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Steve Johnson, who was able to race before competition was halted, said, “I applaud the Bader family for making this tough decision. I hope fans know this had nothing to do with the track itself, it was the 13 inches of rain this past week that caused the problem.”
NHRA announcer Bob Frey summed it up by saying, “It’s heartbreaking for everybody, the Bader family more than anyone. This is worse than a rainout, at least with a rainout the fans can see the rain. It’s harder to explain this kind of situation because it’s so rare.”
Competition continues Saturday with sportsman eliminations starting at 8:00 a.m., professional qualifying at 12:10 p.m. and 2:05 p.m., and the K&N Pro Stock Horsepower Challenge with rounds at 11:30 a.m., noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
