Originally Posted by
HybridMT
Thanks to everyone who came out, results will be posted this evening. Most everyone and every forum is very appreciative, giving the event great reviews... except TR for some reason, so I'll chime in.
As for parking, read the simple instructions on the score card "park inside yellow tape". Once inside, staff will park you (see picture). As for classes, they are listed before hand on the IFO website. Additional classes/places are/were added depending on participation. There was a class and trophy for every 4 cars that entered yesterday. It's your own fault if you don't take the time to read up on the classes before hand.
There was no midget wrestling, MMA, or drifting advertised for this event, so don't complain that it wasn't there. Yes, those activities happen at alot of other IFO locations, and but was not listed for the 2009 Gainesville show. A lot more activities will go on next year. This year's event was a just "feeler show" for future Florida area events.
All of the drag racing classes were full, even bumped up in qualifying because more than expected showed up. If you didn't enjoy what was there, sorry. Racers came from all over... Alabama, GA, NC, Louisiana, even Pennsylvania. Don't expect much more as far as racer turnout at future IFO events. What you saw yesterday is all the Import scene has to offer for any Import sportsman race.
The main issue yesterday was the competitor gate. We offered to help Gainesville Raceway with more runners to speed up the line, but they refused. Sorry to those who came during the peek hours and had to wait so long. The turnout was bigger than expected. We're just thankful there is more than one entrance at this track. Some tracks have only one entrance and the line to get inside is literally 1.5 miles long. Next year there will be 3 entrances instead of 2 so people will not have to wait so long to get inside.
Again, thanks to those who came out and supported the scene. It was a great turnout, especially for a first year show. The 2nd annual Gainesville IFO will most likely be on the same weekend in 2010. Info will be posted on
www.ImportFaceOff.net
are you one of the owners that ssplancer was referring to?
the line was fine for me. think i waited 15 minutes which isnt bad. as far as the mma and the midget wrestling stuff, lol, thats fine with me that it didnt take place. wasnt expecting to see that. there are som really fast imports in florida, so idk why it wasnt a better turnout for the racing. as far as being full, i didnt know what the limit was to register. gotta admit, it was kind of frustrating to go to such a nice track and see so many cars running 18 second quarter miles.
i personally didnt know it was the first time at gainesville. is this the first year for IFO or just the first time at gainesville? next year, i will be running my car in the racing event.
i dont think the event is not appreciated, just think its not what most people expected. are there any plans for any other florida shows besides gainesville? maybe orlando, since it is more centrally located? i know that a member on another forum i belong too tried the set up a track rental there and it took forever to get a response and when he did, the price was ridiculously high.
good luck with the rest of the season, hopefully it gets much better as the year goes on.
