I guess for me it's like if we started playing baseball with only 1st and 2nd base...what's the point, and that's not "baseball", I guess is the best analogy I can come up with.

Wasn't 1/4 mile short enough? I also heard even 1/4 mile racing is less than an actual 1/4 mile these days too, if true, what is the logic behind these shorter tracks?

We have a few 1/8th mile events for cars that are too quick to run 1/4 mile due to lack of safety gear. 

 

So it all trickles down.

That being said there is a difference in racing 1/8th mile vs 1/4 mile, The big block cars shine in the 1/4 mile vs a smaller car with a quick small block.   A lot of variables to discuss... Does bench racing happen in the garage or the Lounge? Haha

They closed in about 10 years later when too many cars couldn't stop and went into the housing area.  

In the early 80's they opened it again as a 1/8 mile track, didn't last 10 years that time for the same reason.

One of the other tracks in KY went through the same evolution for the same reasons,   is down to 1/10th mile, maybe even less now.  But at least it's still open.

Cars get faster,  they need more room to stop.

But land prices go up,  even if you have the option of extending the stopping area.

Unless a engine blows,  the race is usually decided in the first 100 feet or so anyway.

I personally don't much care for pro drag racing since it's nearly identical cars winning by nan0seconds of each other unless one had a breakdown or driver error, frankly it's boring even though the cars are amazing.

That was one thing I like about local 1/4 mile tracks, often if a guy blew it at the line or had a slow launch car, he could often reel the other guy back in right at the end and makes for fantastic racing.

Plus you kinda have to build a car that has low end launch but long legs at the other end for 1/4 mile, 1/8 mile to me seems more like just a one trick pony motor.

I have to admit though that 1/8 racing the spectators can actually see the end of the race, 1/4 mile can be hard to visually judge who won until the boards light up.

In the end, anything that keeps it alive. With the changes coming to cars and environment etc. in the next 20 years it may get harder and harder to keep it alive. Chrome is a good example...who ever thought it would be hard to get car parts chromed? That's fast becoming obsolete.

Take it with a grain of salt. 

Im partial to either. 

Quarter mile is fun, and easier in my opinion. You have more time to react to that horrible light you cut or have time to cover your hind quarters on the big end. 

1/8 is a bit more of challenge. Less time to judge if your going to catch up, more to be on your game. 

Tom

They do a bit of roll racing at the local road race circuit, which I haven't had a go at yet. Not sure if you guys have that, but basically 1/8th mile heads up racing with a rolling start.

There are a few reasons for 1/4 mile tracks converting to 1/8 mile. Most of it is related to bracket racing. The shorter track helps out the venue owner or the race promotor. 

I was at a 4 day 1/8 mile race this past weekend with 450 cars in attendance. I can't say how many pairs went down the track but what I can say is there was just over an hour of down time due to breakage for the whole event. That saves on everything for the owner/promoter. Track prep, clean up time, oil dry, wear & tear on equipment, employee fatigue, etc.... Time would be the biggest advantage for the owner/promoter. 

For the racer it is so much less wear & tear on parts. Most motors expire just before the finish line. 

I don't care 1/4 or 1/8 but I am a bracket racer. We don't all do it for the speed we do it for the competition.