From Today's Orlando Sentinel Sports Section

[MOE #15]

THAT WILL FIX IT

[UREZ2PASS]

What will fix it -

If you people quit complaining and Go race or Go watch.

Problem solved.

[Frasson118]

Here's where the "problem" comes in... some of us DO race. Some of us DO watch. The issue is, why don't any of us do it at ORLANDO???

Many have tried suggestions. Many more have just "shut the hell up". None of what we are saying seems to get through. THAT is why nobody bothers anymore.

How about trying your own advice there UREZ2PASS. You keep on buying that $10-$15 ticket, watching 30 cars total, and think to yourself how much YOU are helping this track. When you have an entire section of grandstand all to yourself, you'll have plenty of room and time to think about where all the fans and cars have gone.

That's right... they've all been told too many times to "shut the hell up", and finally, they all did.

Nobody wants to see this track fail, yet everyone seems to be getting sick of the deaf-ear treatment. You can only feel ripped off so many times before you think to yourself "Why did I waste my money AGAIN by going there"?

So, speaking for myself... unless the show improves, the car-counts rise, the prices fall... there IS no reason to go there. And it AIN'T gonna improve, until something gets changed. What THAT is, nobody seems to know.... and I'm not sure anyone even wants to listen.

[Rusty the 50/50 Guy]

One thing that everyone needs to keep in mind before they do the bash and trash...
Somone was doing somthing for the track...they have done a TON to help before...I would think that before they help again they will think as to the negatives of helping! By the way...Thanks for your dedication to racing Steve!

I understand that this came out on the front page of the sports section?
Looks like a pretty lengthy article, wonder how much it would have cost to have had to pay for it? Remember as long as they are spelling your name right it is all good! I also read that folks from across the country are reading it.....hmmmmmm do the math. Maybe the title was not what everyone would have wanted...spin it and make it good!

Did anyone notice advertising on NATIONAL TV? OK It was with Legends Cars International but OSW was very prominate in the advertising! That, by the way was being played during the Cup Races..Now you have people that have seen it on National TV...now they read about it..nationally! Can anyone else see the poitive in this of is it just me?

Just my 2 cents ... and some will think that was too much to pay LOL

Barney Fife
Monroe Motor Speedway
"Still have my one bullet"

[UREZ2PASS]

Frasson,

If you don't race at OSW, why the heck do you care ?

[straight up]

??????????

[Frasson118]

That may be one of the dumbest comments ever...

I'll give it the benefit of doubt that you are kidding.

I care about OSW because I care about racing more than any other sport (by FAR), and I always hope for it's success. A track that is struggling isn't good for anyone. A track closing is almost tragic. Everytime a track disappears, there are a lot of people that look back in hindsight, and say "I wish there was something we could have done".

Well, NOW is the time to ask those questions. NOW is the time to come up with answers. Right NOW is determining the future of that racetrack. It can't (and won't) live on life-support forever. It HAS to get fixed.

In case you haven't noticed, the fans are just as much of a CUSTOMER as the racers are. Without them, we don't have a show to watch. Without us, there is no payout to give back to the racers.

Right now, there ISN'T a reason to support the place. I have been to 10 different tracks this year alone, paid my admissions at every one (coupla freebies thrown in), and have the right to decide for myself where I got the best value. As of right now, I would feel better about driving 2-1/2 hours to N. Fla. Speedway than I would about the 45 minutes to OSW.

Apparently I'm not alone in my thinking. The empty stands seem to support my feelings on the matter.

Do I wish it were better? Of course I do. Should I just "shut the hell up" about it? I don't think so.

If YOU cared, maybe you wouldn't tell people to "shut the hell up"

Now, tell me again how YOUR line of thinking is helping things out???

[Frasson118]

By the way.... for all of you that truly believe "the econmy" is to blame here, check out Needmore Speedway in South Georgia (which last I knew, didn't exactly have any Beverly Hills kind of cash floating around town).

They had 192 racecars, and a track-estimated crowd of almost 6000 people.

Sure these numbers WILL go down, but it proves there are 192 racers willing to show up... while OSW hovers around 30 with 6-8 divisions.

Blaming the easiest thing (economy) is pretty popular to do, but it doesn't make it TRUE.

[MOE #15]

BECAUSE HE IS A RACE FAN AND HE GETS IT

[UREZ2PASS]

Fasson,

Gotcha - I was curious if you were just a complainer or someone that is passionate about racing.

Now PROVE you care and do something positive for OSW or just shut the hell up. Kinda like the old saying - sh== or get off the pot.

If I owned a speedway - I'm sure I would tell some of the characters on this forum to carry their arses and race somewhere else. I'm sure I would get tired of catering to people that can not be made happy. However, I would have free grandstand admission and higher payouts so racers would be begging to race at my track.

Rick B is doing a great job ! Kudo's for his efforts !

oh, and if you think the economy is not hurting all racetracks - you pal, are dumber than I thought. Right back atcha -

[Edm]

That's right... they've all been told too many times to "shut the hell up", and finally, they all did.

Nobody wants to see this track fail, yet everyone seems to be getting sick of the deaf-ear treatment.

You hit the nail on the head. Whats the point of saying anything if its wasted breath?
My racecar may be for sale but I am still a race fan and OSW is 15 minutes away. I intend to race it until/if it sells but I am not gonna go through the trouble of getting off work early, getting a baby sitter, loading every thing myself, going to the track and hoping to race against 5 cars for our "50 lapper".

The economy might be bad, but its not that bad, customer service still prevails. In my business no matter how good or bad the customer may be I sincerely let them know how much we appreciate their business. We give our customers what they want and in reward they give us their business.

Personally I would put arrogance aside and see what the other tracks are doing because its pretty obvious that what they are doing now is not working.

[MOE #15]

UREZ2PASS Have you been in a bad wreck? Because you seem to be making statements that don't make sense. All Jerry is doing is pointing out things and he makes some very good points. A lot of people have some good ideas on this board somebody should listen instead of telling them to shut up.

[oldyeller]

OK, here goes...

...addressing some of those who have addressed the story.

Rick, if my story cost you two sponsorships for the track, post them here and a phone number and I will call them today personally. If you don't want to do that, send me their names and numbers. I am one of many who respect and appreciate what you are doing, but to write a completely positive story when there are 25 cars in the pits and maybe 175 people in the grandstands would just be dishonest. I wanted to call attention to the fact that the track is there, and is struggling, in hopes that maybe something will happen. I've been watching the slide for 10 years -- and yes, EZ2pass, I do race there so I think I can say this -- that before it gets down to zero cars in the pits, and zero fans in the stands, I wanted to at least get it out there so maybe something will happen.

This is not a situation that will be fixed by a tweak here, a tweak there. Sumter Motorsports Park draws more cars, and nobody even knows where it is. Even the most positive cruise director on the Titanic, at some point, had to quit telling people everything was fine.

Speaking of which, EZ2pass, you are telling people to shut up, then you say your solution to fix OSW is free admission and to pay higher purses? Do you work for the government?

I have been to about 400 tracks, from Maine to Alaska, Japan, China, Australia... I love racing, and OSW is my home track, and I appreciate the kind words from Jane, Moe, Rusty and the others who know how much I've written on the track and Crash-a-Rama over the last decade. I'd love for my next story to be about how the pits and grandstands are full, and there are no more two-car feature races. But if the emperor has no clothes, I can't write about his new suit.

[UREZ2PASS]

Constructructive critism is not a bad thing - making suggestions is not a bad thing - bashing the track and holding a grudge against it for something that may or may not have happened years ago is completely uncalled for -

It is obvious that some people do want the track to succeed and it is painfully obvious that some people just want to whine, complain, and continue to bash the track.

I support good ideas, but just because the track does not implement suggestions from a internet forum - does not mean they are not listening - in fact, I KNOW they are listening. If you've got a problem, call Rick, if he can make you happy, he will, if he can't, then simply just take your game elsewhere. I do not work for the track - However, I may be interested in leasing the track - when the freaking economy improves - it would be ignorant to invest in todays ecomomy.

The only way for the track to survive is for those that care to go watch and those that race to go race - otherwise, shut the hell up.

[Rick B.]

A final response from me to this post.

First to Steve, sir I in my previous post I thanked you for what you have done for the race track, I just stated it was a bad time for a negative article, I agree you need to write the truth, I certainly agree with that. The headline while I know you did not put on it was, a key bad point that has been brought up by many of the folks I have been working with. For now the two places are holding off, I am trying to keep the options open and do not want to risk further issues. I certainly call on you if I think it will help the situation and thans for the offer.

I was accused yesterday of patting myself on the back and blaming others for things, let me be clear all I have stated is that I am trying very hard out there and that is it, oviously I am not setting the world on fire. I also wanted to say when I mentioned the FASCAR List I was in now way directing that as a slap to anyone at Fascar, it just happened to be the list I was working with. Many at Fascar take a beating from many folks and people do not realize how much work is going on, so if I made it sound that way I apologize for that, that is not how it was meant.

I want to also say that I know economy is not all of it, but in talks with businesses, mom and pops places it is a huge hold back for them to spend money on sponsorships, advertising etc. I also he had many conversations with drivers and know that the economy is what many are not racing right now. I would also say if you watch car counts at these other tracks they have dropped and there is not as many divers from Orlando and New Smyrna racing at them as people say. Many have visited, but they for the most part do not run all the time there either. I think it is great for the new Needmore Track to have a great opening night, and of course hope it continues, but check it all out 6 week from now and see what the counts are then. You have to compare apples to apples.

There is things we need to do better, fix and try. And I think you will see some of that coming.

Next we need everyone, not just drivers, but writers, passionate fans, officials, owners and even critics. This can help to round things. But too much negative bickering will not help the situation.

I really, really want Speedworld to succeed and I am simply trying hard to bring some new people and businesses to the fight, if I am not helping then I will gladly step aside, because it succeeding is the most important thing.

Thanks