Post by Todd Chase on Dec 12, 2016 14:10:01 GMT -4
***IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT***
When we came up with the idea for the Downeast Nationals a few years ago, we had several goals we hoped to achieve.
We wanted to give our local racing community an opportunity to race for the biggest prize payout ever seen locally. We have arguably some of the best racers in the world right here in the Maritimes, as evidenced by the success many have had not only locally, but on the bigger stages south of the border, and we felt a race like this would be well received.
Our second goal was to shine a light on our home track. Over the past several years, Miramichi has undergone some significant improvements, and has become a facility that rivals any around. While the locals all knew it, it was important to us to draw some travelers so they could see just how good the facility and the local racing scene is.
Lastly, but perhaps more importantly than any, was that we wanted to promote a fun weekend for everyone. We knew with that kind of money on the line, the racing would be serious, but we also wanted this event to be as much a social event as it was a race. We wanted to create an atmosphere that was inviting enough to bring racers out of their fancy rigs and into the pits to stroll around or mill about, getting to know their fellow racers, and for the fans to feel welcome to do the same, just as I remembered it when I was a kid at the track. Somehow it seemed as though those days had gotten lost over the years.
Unfortunately, organizing an event like this also comes with a large financial risk. We had hoped the event would grow each year, however 2016 saw a decline in support on all fronts. We never set out for this to be a money making venture. It was never about that. It was simply about trying to promote drag racing in our area. We understood the risks, and don't regret for one second taking them. After much thought, discussion and deliberation, we have decided not to move forward with the Downeast Nationals in 2017. This was a hard decision, as we have thoroughly enjoyed putting this event on, but we cannot find any feasible way to mitigate the risks at this time. We will continue to evaluate over the off season and through 2017 on the possibility of Downeast 2018 and/or beyond.
In the meantime, we still have some great events not to forget about. The 2nd NHRA PC Richard Open takes place in Miramichi for the coveted Wally's, and the NSDRA has their annual Bracket Ba$h at Greenfield Dragway for the money chasers.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to those that helped us in any way, and to those that supported us . We truly believe that we accomplished what we set out to do.
Todd and Tracy
When we came up with the idea for the Downeast Nationals a few years ago, we had several goals we hoped to achieve.
We wanted to give our local racing community an opportunity to race for the biggest prize payout ever seen locally. We have arguably some of the best racers in the world right here in the Maritimes, as evidenced by the success many have had not only locally, but on the bigger stages south of the border, and we felt a race like this would be well received.
Our second goal was to shine a light on our home track. Over the past several years, Miramichi has undergone some significant improvements, and has become a facility that rivals any around. While the locals all knew it, it was important to us to draw some travelers so they could see just how good the facility and the local racing scene is.
Lastly, but perhaps more importantly than any, was that we wanted to promote a fun weekend for everyone. We knew with that kind of money on the line, the racing would be serious, but we also wanted this event to be as much a social event as it was a race. We wanted to create an atmosphere that was inviting enough to bring racers out of their fancy rigs and into the pits to stroll around or mill about, getting to know their fellow racers, and for the fans to feel welcome to do the same, just as I remembered it when I was a kid at the track. Somehow it seemed as though those days had gotten lost over the years.
Unfortunately, organizing an event like this also comes with a large financial risk. We had hoped the event would grow each year, however 2016 saw a decline in support on all fronts. We never set out for this to be a money making venture. It was never about that. It was simply about trying to promote drag racing in our area. We understood the risks, and don't regret for one second taking them. After much thought, discussion and deliberation, we have decided not to move forward with the Downeast Nationals in 2017. This was a hard decision, as we have thoroughly enjoyed putting this event on, but we cannot find any feasible way to mitigate the risks at this time. We will continue to evaluate over the off season and through 2017 on the possibility of Downeast 2018 and/or beyond.
In the meantime, we still have some great events not to forget about. The 2nd NHRA PC Richard Open takes place in Miramichi for the coveted Wally's, and the NSDRA has their annual Bracket Ba$h at Greenfield Dragway for the money chasers.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to those that helped us in any way, and to those that supported us . We truly believe that we accomplished what we set out to do.
Todd and Tracy