Without starting a civil war!!!

[carolwicks]

i attended races in New England back in the 60's ... one difference i see is that there seemed to be more professionalism. For instance... Carl Merrill is STILL a flagman in his 70's or 80's! ive seen our track go thru several in the last 10 years. More often than not they are good people who have the guts to try so the track has a flagman before the next weekend!. One of ours sadly passed away. Greg Roeback was new. he hadnt done it before and i observed him go thru hell on the stand for making a mistake call... his life was in danger at times ... he was cussed at worse than a whore in church...Greg is a very nice man who thrives on making friendships...he never deserved the treatment he got by not only drivers, but officials.
Doug Dunham aka "Wild Child" was teaching a flagman class. Dont know if he is still doing it but that might be the answer to one tiny problem. have a flagman class... also if you do hire a flagman, let him make the decision on a call. thats what he gets paid for.
i realize in the scheme of things that isnt the most important fault at tracks but i just wanted to give an example. Some announcers could use a class also... the announcer has the ability to stir the crowd...you all have your favorites. mine is rick anges... i have seen him make a 4 car 4 cyl. race so exciting we were on the edge of our seats. some complained he screamed so much. i think that is a lot better than straining to hear and wonder whats going on... is he perfect? no but he does bring fans to their feet... he interacts....just another example of ways to excite crowds and make them want to come back...
Some cheap ideas... have a color guard for the flag raising, have a live singer and then let off a firecracker and balloons. it should be festive....
Some of you are extremely knowledgeable concerning the operations of a race track....if we are going to have professional racing, we need a few professional employees. PLEASE post some ideas... we already know some of them but sometimes the simplest of ideas can work towards making a huge difference. we know there is a problem with tires, we know there is a problem with scheduling over other tracks, there is a big difference in how much drivers and fans are charged... lots of problems... lets try to help instead of criticise.... Thank you !
The track i went to in New England was Norwood Arena. it was a very fast 1/4 mile track and was sanctioned by NASCAR,,, a few others were too and i dont remember all this conflict with tracks scheduling on top of each other.
well this is getting way too long but my brain works overtime to try to help keep this sport alive and healthy ... dont blame the economy. When Sunshine, Hiahlea (sp) and USA shut down, the economy was healthy... Thank you again for putting up with "you know who"...
carol aka oz

[Jane]

No civil war Carol but over the years I have talked to alot of owners and General Managers from tracks all over. The ones who really seem to do the best have owners/General Managers/Promoters/Maintenance people who work on the track and around the track during the week/Race Directors. They have far more people working for the track and doing one certain job and not spread so thin as our's do. That is the big difference I have seen over the years. And they have a Media person who does media, one who goes around getting sponsorships for the track, etc.

Our tracks don't really do that, I guess they can't afford it. Everyone has at least two jobs that they do, sometimes more either because they don't have the money or don't want to spend the money to have the staff that they really need.

Critter does alot for Citrus, Kim does alot for New Smyrna, Orlando, Rick Day does Columbia, John does alot for Desoto, Rex does the same for Auburndale and Kevin does for Punta Gorda. Do any of them have one certain person who does daily media, one certain person who does marketing?? Everyone has alot of jobs that they do and are spread very, very thin.

That is the difference between our tracks and tracks up north and east. Their's is more of a business where they hire the people they need to make the business successful and here, we make do with what we got.

But no civil war, I promise.

[ARP55]

First off Jane, let me say you are dead on with your assessment. I don't need to add anything to that.

As far as being a flagman goes, I work at PGS and this is my first year flagging. Everything has gone pretty smooth. Mistakes will be made, but they have been very minor. I am really enjoying it. I have been around racing for 29 of my 32 years and have driven as well as crewed on the old Nascar Busch North/East/Camping World East/now present KN East series. Flagging is something I always wanted to do and I am having a blast. The drivers and crews as a whole have been very kind and supportive and problems have been very minimal. I try to be fair but firm and above all, consistent. Everyone driver out there deserves the same treatment. I find that most issues are easily addressed by discussing the situation calmly, and explaining why a call was made. I have had no problem with anyone after we sat down and talked. We may disagree, but I feel there is at least a mutual respect. I learned that from Greg and try to treat people like he does. Just my take on flagging so far. Having a real great time and looking forward to flagging tonight! And I know it's hard for Greg sitting watching. We need to get him in the stand for a race or 2.

[Jane]

Thank you and I am so glad you love flagging and are enjoying it. And you are right, all issues can be dealt with in a calm manner for sure. I have seen a few bad calls and after the races and everything calmed down, the flagman even said he was wrong but that is what he saw. Everyone can see things differently but it takes a good flagman who will listen and explain why he did something. So I am very happy for Punta Gorda that they have one.

Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand and could just wave it over the tracks and all would be well but I don't. I have been on the fan side, I have been in the pits as a race team, and I have worked for tracks. The easiest was being a fan for sure and just enjoying what I saw.

Have a great night tonight.

Jane

[carolwicks]

nothing personal...

i had no intentions of insulting anyone. my post was a general one... and i respect all the opposing opinions. that is the purpose of my post. to get ideas and to also learn...
AP it certainly was not aimed at you and no one else. i just think a course followed by all flagmen would be a good idea... dont you? surely you dont think you are beyond learning? Jane... alot of whats been going on in florida is habit and we are all used to the bad habits so it never changes. we have to take criticism and learn proper rules and all play by the rules. we need to play consistantly...obviously something is wrong and all i see is alot of finger pointing. everyone needs to look within themselves and always strive to be better.racing isnt really any different than any other sport. it is meant to entertain paying customers and the customer deserves a good show..all sports have rules...and professional people to make sure those rules are enforced..jane... i sure do agree with the fact that we have alot of dedicated people who do all they can do...but do they all really KNOW what is the proper way? have they been trained or have they just picked up knowledge along the way and doing the best they can? that is NOT an insult. you are absolutely right. there isnt enough money to do some of the things we need to do....but i saw these problems when money was flowing freely... it is bad habits and no one will admit to them or try to fix them. thats why we are in a mess...egos, greed, and lack of proper training.. just my thoughts... i agree with most of what you say and of course there wont be a civil war... just a civil conversation. ;-) Jnae, i have known you for a very very long time and if nothing else i know you love racing and the people involved more than anything else on this earth except for your family... its people like you who work hard in the background that have kept it all alive....
carol aka oz

[ARP55]

Carol. I in no way took any offense at all. Hope I didn't sound defensive? I was just lamenting my feelings and experiences during my foray into flagging. I have much to learn and actively seek out criticism. It is the only way I will get better at it. You never stop learning. Being involved in racing for a lifetime can not prepare you for that flag stand. Nothing can, you sort of just go with it and either you have it, or you don't. I am fortunate enough to have good staff surrounding me and they work well with me to make sure we get it right. I trust in them and that helps a lot. We had a real good night tonight at PGS, highlighted by 18 Pro Trucks taking the green. One or two broke, so we would have had more. Not a lot of torn up equipment, and we got done around just after 10pm I think. It was very good racing and I had a lot of fun.

[carolwicks]

;-)

you... i never mean to hurt anyone. i just try to be honest... im happy to hear we had another great night. and i am happy you work as hard as you do to become the best at what you do... your job is really important. have a fun weekend.
carol

[ARP55]

I know how much of a passion you have for racing Carol. Hope to see you at the track soon!