I've not yet had a chance to watch PINKS, and just recently became aware of it. Hearing great things and everything I've seen or read about it sounds exciting (mainly the title for title theory)! Coming from a family of dragsters (granddad, my father, uncles, and brother), curiousity prompted me to purchase tickets to the upcoming race in St. Louis. Only now, it seems from what I've been reading, that the race is for money and a toolbox. Is this so? I've searched every site I could find to explain the "Lose the race, lose your ride" and "The loser walks away" only to find the winner wins $10,000 and a box. Though, $10,000 may be a good purse, did I misunderstand or anticipate too much thinking the losers lose more than their pride, ... but also their heart-built ride??

There are currently two versions of Pinks. The original "Pinks" and "Pinks: All Out". "Pinks" is still a best 3 out of 5 for pink slips. "Pinks: All Out" is where they invite all local racers to come to the track and race for $10,000. You are getting "Pinks: All Out" at Gateway so, you will not be seeing a race for titles but, you will get to see roughly 50 to 100 of the best local dragsters. If you like seeing guys race their Novas, Mustangs, Chevelles, Corvettes then you will really enjoy All Out.

jcmark611 - 14 June 2008 07:40 AM

There are currently two versions of Pinks. The original "Pinks" and "Pinks: All Out". "Pinks" is still a best 3 out of 5 for pink slips. "Pinks: All Out" is where they invite all local racers to come to the track and race for $10,000. You are getting "Pinks: All Out" at Gateway so, you will not be seeing a race for titles but, you will get to see roughly 50 to 100 of the best local dragsters. If you like seeing guys race their Novas, Mustangs, Chevelles, Corvettes then you will really enjoy All Out.

Exactly. I think you are getting the better deal! I'd rather see the All Out "as natural as it is going to get" format rather than the extended soap opera that sees Rich Christenson be more inconsistent with "his rules" than a typical NASCAR Sunday is.

I liken "regular" Pinks to the WWF wrestling of old, whereas the "All Out" format is closer to modern MMA fighting where what you see is what you get. Unless Gary Shaw is running the promotion. But that's a conversation for a different time...

Enjoy your time at the track!

Thanx guys! I really appreciate the info, I know now what to expect, and I'm sure you're right, I love HONEST racing!!!!!

Kandycoated - 16 June 2008 08:57 AM

Thanx guys! I really appreciate the info, I know now what to expect, and I'm sure you're right, I love HONEST racing!!!!!

You won't see "honest racing" on
"Pinks",just a lot of sandbagging.

On "All Out", they use the timers,
run too much faster than you did
before, and you're gone. At least
it's much more fair than "Pinks".

I never understood the appeal of All Out. How is it any different than just going to your local drag strip any other weekend of the year?

The closest drag strip to my house is Milan, Mi. and they had an All Out episode there this summer. I didn't attend myself, but the track had a record standing room only crowd to essentially watch the same cars that race there every weekend in front of a much smaller crowd.

As far as the regular Pinks show goes, I must admit it sounded intriging when I first heard about it. I lost interest quickly when it turned from guys racing their personal pride and joy's against each other to shops building throw away cars just for the show. After I saw the episode with the guy and his 20K older muscle car racing against that cheap Vega wagon V8 covered in fur I had enough.The amount of risk that each one was putting up was just way too disproportional to even make sense. Not to mention all the sandbagging and arguing.

I also don't like how the host keeps badgering the contestants to take negotiations that they know are not in their favor but then they end up eventually caving in to his pressure and ultimately lose their car.

I do admit that the episode where Rich is showing off on the street bike and wipes out was pretty entertaining in its own way.

The more I think about it I think it could be improved by tweaking the all out format a little. Run all the cars down to a final elimination until there are only 2 left. Those 2 face off for the final race just like now.

Here is the part where it could get interesting!

Award the winner the 10K like it is now, but then give the winner the option to claim the losing car for the 10K, if they desire, depending on if they feel it is worth it or not. They could elect to just keep the cash or end up with a nice drag car for the 10K. This would be the best of both formats. The original concept of "lose the race, lose your ride" could still apply,however the all out heads up racing of All Out would eliminate all the negotiating and sandbagging nonsense.

The suspense aspect of "What wil the winner decide?", and "Will the losing driver end up going home without a car or with the 10K?" would have everyone waiting anxiously to see what's going to happen in the victory lane interview after the race was over.

I would also like use the tree for the starts. I know they were trying to simulate street racing, but come on, the tree is just sitting there; why not use it?

Let me know what you think of my new concept for Pinks All Out.

Most of the cars I saw on the other All Out episodes looked like they were worth more than 10K, so I think it would work.

while i'm not a big fan of the show, what makes all out different from drag racing on any other saturday is that the big purse draws most of the best rides from a region. the cars are run and grouped according to ET. Then they run heads-up. With the exception of attending an NHRA, IHRA or a sponsored niche event, (ala NMCA etc.) going to your local track any weekend you will be watching bracket racing, not close heads up racing. That's not a knock against brackets, i race brackets and enjoy it myself. The part i don't like is that a lot of guys sign up and put a lot of bucks into getting there with no chance of ever making it. 11-12 second cars and slower. They're always going to pick the fastest class as long as there are enough cars. Would be coo if they did a 12, 11, 10 9 and 8 second race, cut it to the 8 tightest cluster of cars in each ET range. and award to each ET class.

I'm bored with both formats. I think Rich Christenson needs some psychiatric help. Both shows seem to be derived from his need to have the cars launch when he drops his arms, like somehow that's more exciting or fair than a Christmas tree. They don't show the stage lights on the tree (applies to all-out format only) as you could easily see who reacted quicker to the stupid "arm drop", and will win the race. It's no better than bracket racing, only they don't post the numbers. They select cars running close together, basically creating a 9.80 bracket or whatever. Then they allow the cars to pick-up "some" but not "too much", so they still have a break-out. Running a heads-up class with break-out and tree start (no throttle stops, timers, etc) would be more entertaining. Rich could stand on the side and flap his arms when he sees the green light.

x-bird - 25 October 2008 03:39 PM

That's not a knock against brackets, i race brackets and enjoy it myself. The part i don't like is that a lot of guys sign up and put a lot of bucks into getting there with no chance of ever making it. 11-12 second cars and slower. They're always going to pick the fastest class as long as there are enough cars.

I totally disagree, seems they are always choosing the slower 10+ sec classes. I think 8-9 second classes more represent the "grass roots" racers, those who have really put forth the effort to build a faster, more exciting ride. It don't take much of an effort to run 10's with the parts we have available today.