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Freight train Fenton posted a page from a Sunshine Speedway program that included track officials, and a list of figure 8 judges. I never heard of them, what did the judges do?
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They had a 1 - 10 point system for "Best T-Bone Hit" in the intersection patterened after the Olympic format whereas the judges would render their votes from the press-box via cards they would hold up. (see below).
Then the average of the judges desicion would popup on the leader board in the infield. Man-o-man how the crowd would roar.
Just kidding......
They were actually positioned around the track at vantage points to assess penalties for rule infractions.
Yes...they actually did try to maintain some semblance of order, in spite of the chaos that usually ensued.“Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun, but mama, that's where the fun is”
~ Manfred Mann ~ -
When they first started racing figure 8, the straightaways were lined with white tires sticking up about 8-10" and about 10 ft off of the asphalt. The purpose was to keep the drivers from cutting through the infield, if any car put 2 wheels over the tires they were disqualifed. It was the judges job to watch the cars and report anyone who went over the tires.Doug WachtelComment
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U B Right "Trash"
Each race had four (4) figure 8 judges... Two behind the backstretch rail, two on the top row of the stands. All were stationed even with the intersection. The judges watched the cars and those buried tires that they had a clear view ie, the left tires as the cars were coming from turn one to turn 2 and the right tires as they came out of turn 3 down to turn 4 (for the judges in the stands), the judges on the outside of the backstretch rail watched the other side(s).
Two judges had to agree that a car had at least one tire go over a buried tire. If one didn't agree and/or didn't see it... no violation. Once two judges agreed, said car was DQ'd...
I can name three of four judges (can't remember a fourth)... Jim/Mike Copes Dad (Jim Cope), Wayne/Ralph Bowmans Dad (Mr. Bowman), and yours truly (OSF), can't remember a fourth judge, but there always had to be four.
There were alot of heated "Conversations" in the pit office when drivers/crews did agree with the judges call. However, yours truly wouldn't go to the pit office immediately after the race (only after ALL races were over). I really went there to watch the big dogs race ie, Gill, Scarborough, Pletcher etc. The fig 8 judge was something they asked me to do and I didn't mind helping, but didn't want to miss any racing in the meantime.
I know years later some other judges took over and they maybe the ones Fenton mentioned. The ones I mentioned were early on.Thank a Police Officer for what they do........... OSF:
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Judge
My Dad, (Kemp's Gulf Service) and I were both judges at Golden Gate. The first night we all picked where we wanted to judge, I guess I was the dumb youngster of the group because I picked the back stretch not thinking that the cars would be coming from both directions. Believe me I found the light pole and dirt pile right away. Spent the rest of the year trying to trade places NO LUCK. Good times Good memories. TedComment
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