East Bay Raceway

[teamzero]

Ok well I'm done arguing it because now we are comparing east bay to asphalt tracks, sunsets and casinos. My opinion was that the track management was to blame and using usatoday.com and irs stats I supported that then economy is not to blame Job rate is up .2% in central florida according to unemplyment office not down like mr. williamson has stated. 3-4 cars per class are running at other tracks and prob 3-4 more stay home because they dont like the track management either. Just my opinion. My whole point for this post was dont want to see another dirt track close up over something that is easily fixable, but I'm getting irrevelant arguments so I'm ending this debate.

[MW68SS]

No we are comparing 2006 to 2010. I used asphalt tracks because i seen it first hand as i stated i raced at those tracks. East Bay's car count is the best in the state and we go to several tracks during the year when we are not racing and trust me there fan count is the best around by far. East Bay is not going anywhere anytime soon.

[JackTripper]

Ok well I'm done arguing it because now we are comparing east bay to asphalt tracks, sunsets and casinos. My opinion was that the track management was to blame and using usatoday.com and irs stats I supported that then economy is not to blame Job rate is up .2% in central florida according to unemplyment office not down like mr. williamson has stated. 3-4 cars per class are running at other tracks and prob 3-4 more stay home because they dont like the track management either. Just my opinion. My whole point for this post was dont want to see another dirt track close up over something that is easily fixable, but I'm getting irrevelant arguments so I'm ending this debate.

You're not getting irrelevant arguments, you just aren't getting getting people to agree with you and that seems to be frustrating you. I think you really do need to put East Bay into perspective with the other tracks to get a global picture of what is going on in this state. But you seem to be more frustrated with the late model class more than anything else, so I can't help you there.

To your points #5 and #6, the last time I saw a Top Gun Sprint Series race there the joint was so packed you would have thought the Dixie Chicks were going to be performing naked. For free. And that was more people than I saw for the King of the 360s show back in February.

Every year the rumor comes around that someone else is going to take over (David Reutimann, anyone?) so you may get your wish yet.

[PBRacer]

I can't really say they are running the place into the ground, but I will say they need to get a grip on the rules. When there is a paper form of the rules that clearly state what is allowed and what is not and they change it whenever it fits for them, that is an issue. I don't even think its so much the changing of the rules, but the attitude that comes with it. And I definitely think they should take into count the opinions of the drivers of the class when they set the rules. A good example is the Street Stock class, where most of the drivers will agree they want to use aftermarket tubular upper arms on the cars, but the track refuses to change the rules, yet when the World Street Stock race comes they are allowed. Or the rule to have a full firewall and floor, when a lot of the cars are now built with a drivers compartment, that make that rule unnecessary. And every class has those things that are no brainers to the drivers, but fall on deaf ears with the track.

I never really thought it was expensive to race there, it is every racers choice to buy tires at the track or not, so as long as its not mandatory its fine with me. I all but understand the need to make a profit to improve the racetrack and if I see improvements I will never complain about the costs.

I do however believe they can increase the payouts. I know we all don't race to make money, but when you spend your hard earned cash to build a car its always nice to see the appreciation when you do well. The payouts at the track are ridiculous, and they are not much higher than they were 10 years ago. So it costs 4 or 5 times more to run, but the payouts haven't really increased.

I would also like to see some more special races. Like in the bomber class, there definitely should be a special race for them. The big races sure do bring out a lot more people, and if you take into account, that with every racers usually comes one or two pit crew and a few fans, it pays off to do these special events.

I have been to most of the dirt tracks in the area, and East Bay isn't the best, but they do a decent job. Every track has its negatives and positives, but if the track is willing to work with the drivers, I can't see why they couldn't be better. I went to Volusia and was so surprised how well they prep the track, and how nice it was to watch the racing there.

[MiniRacer26]

You forget to mention, with all of that population in the Tampa area, there's also a million other entertainment options too. Beaches, casinos, major-league sports, the cruise industry, fishing, 4 star restaurants, etc.... That's a lot to compete against, which is one of Orlando Speedworlds problems also.

Name me one thing that the City of Ocala has that is an entertainment draw. Same thing in Bronson, Auburndale, Punta Gorda, Inverness, and most others. Many of the most successful racetracks are out in the middle of nowhere, and have NO competition for entertainment.

Just because there are a lot of people in the Tampa area, it becomes TOUGHER to get those people.... it does not make it EASIER.

Very well said!

[Don Nerone]

Talk about sour grapes.
Hey i think everyone got the fact that u are not happy with Al V.
Eastbay was on the edge of death when Al and Tod took a big swing at it. i know they invested there life in it. If they hadnt it might not be there today.
Dont know what happend with u but i know the boys and if u talk to them like a man they will work with u. Al is one of the fairest men i ever delt with and tod cares.
Beat them up on here they will egnore u.
.

Don62

[Rick Williamson]

Ok well I'm done arguing it because now we are comparing east bay to asphalt tracks, sunsets and casinos. My opinion was that the track management was to blame and using usatoday.com and irs stats I supported that then economy is not to blame Job rate is up .2% in central florida according to unemplyment office not down like mr. williamson has stated. 3-4 cars per class are running at other tracks and prob 3-4 more stay home because they dont like the track management either. Just my opinion. My whole point for this post was dont want to see another dirt track close up over something that is easily fixable, but I'm getting irrevelant arguments so I'm ending this debate.

Look guy I don't know where you have been the last 2 years. But the economy has been in the tank! The job rate is up .2% from being 20% DOWN! Let me ask you to do this. Ask around any number of drivers about how they are doing this year and then how was it in 2006 compared to this year. I'm sure you will find this year is far worse. Like I pointed out to you on my first post, people are losing jobs, their houses and more THIS YEAR. I'm sorry no one is agreeing with you. But that doesn't make my statement wrong.

[Boneman]

Talk about sour grapes.
Hey I think everyone got the fact that you are not happy with Al V.
Eastbay was on the edge of death when Al and Todd took a big swing at it. I know they invested there life in it. If they hadnt it might not be there today.
Dont know what happend with you but I know the boys and if you talk to them like a man they will work with you. Al is one of the fairest men I ever dealt with and Todd cares.
Beat them up on here they will ignore you.
Don62

Well said Don, you are right on the money.

[carolwicks]

Al & Todd...

I surely can't speak as a racer and have no idea about problems with the track and the racers. BUT... as for Al Varnadore and Todd Hutto... they are two very nice men who have always been polite and wonderful to me as a fan and in all of our dealings thru the radio shows and presentations at Eastbay.
I find them to be very hard workers and their staff are so friendly. Even the fans are warm and welcoming.
I havent been able to visit Eastbay for a few yrs. but I can say ive seen some awesome exciting racing at that place...
Times are tough for everyone right now.
I hope Eastbay makes a huge come back soon
Al and Todd... i wish you the very best!
Carol Wicks aka OZ

[ronabneysr]

i can't believe some one would get on here

and bad mouth a speedway you ought to be thankful that they got the ball$ as bad as the economy is in 2010 to even keep the speedway open so people will have a place to go to and to race

team zero i'm not bad mouthing you but i bet you won't put your real name on here , because if you think it was better four years ago you must work for some one else or you are on welfare ,

we have had to sell 30 trucks and lay off 50 drivers in past few months i can only guess how hard it would be to try to own and operate a speedway

i have known al/and dean varnaore and tod hutto ever since they were not even old enough to drive a race car at golden gate trust me those are some good people . i have watched them race and seen them grow up and turn in to fine young men

what gets me ever body can run a speedway better than the guy that owns it . i have been going to easy bay when it was a fish farm and a man was riding around it with a blade on an old tractor .

me and my brother drove up beside him and asked him what he was doing and he said he was making a race track . and i said to him what you going to do aboutgolden gate speedway .

i looked over at my brother and said now there is a man that is going to waste a lot of money ......i hope it never closes ...........

[ModelCarMan]

My dad had a latemodel for two years back when EB first opened and we did very well, winning over 10 features in 1978 along.

My dad and dad’s driver, John Gamble complained back then that the payout wasn’t good for the guys that didn’t finished up front every week.

And I believe Jimmy Mingo was the owner or part owner when it first opened.

Saying all of this, payouts have always been questionable at EB and I bet every track in Florida has been that way since I was a kid in the 70s anyway.

PS I love EB and I try and go once a month and to just about every race during the East Bay’s Winternationals.

O'yea on Dec. 4th is the David Reutimann's modifed race, hope to see ya'll there!!!

[Don Nerone]

Bone man dont humor me. my spelling was so bad u couldnt read it.
ron i rember the fish farm and jimmy mingo.
john gamble boy rember him to. we raced a dirt lm when he did.
i miss racing but am glad that im not trying to deal with it in todays market.
I think we are seeing some turn up in ashfalt racing in the last month. Fans and car counts. hope it last.Dirt took a big tun up over the last 5 years but is slowing down a bit . still better than pavement.

may the games begin
Don62

[teamzero]

This will be my last post on this so I can defend myself.

1. I never have questioned Dean Varnadore. He has nothing to do with the track anymore just races there

2. I am not questioning or bad mouthing Al or Todd as human beings nor have any of my previous post done so. Rather I am questioning their business techniques. 1. Highest priced tires, 2. Lowest Pay-out, 3. No special races for support classes ( the only track in state to not do so), 4. every other track has uniform rules except for east bay.

3. My whole post was for fear of that place closing its doors because they will not last long running if the car count declines like it has this year

4. If you look at who was running in the LM class in 2006, the same guys are racing now but some are specifically not racing at East Bay. Same for OWM, same For LLM. The main reason being they dont like the way Al or Todd do things. This coming from there own mouths not my opinion.

5. I dont know every individuals specific business details. I know some are struggling. But just because your business is struggling does not mean other businesses should be as well (ie East Bay). I'm going off of stating from unemployment website that says Jobs are up . 2% in 2010 from 2006 not down 20% like someone said earlier.

6. I'm a huge Scott Bloomquist fan and talk to him at every nationals. He told me that the only reason they come down here is because the last 3 nights are lucas points races. if not for that they wouldnt even come down here. That seems to be the thought of most of the guys. So if you want to keep the big late models to come down here we better hope that lucas stays on board.

7. Im not losing sleep over this but it sounds like people are getting way to worked up over this which is why I want to end this post. Hope to see everyone at the races.

Calvin Bailey

[cripplecreek007]

Calvin, you make so lucid and well thought out arguments. Problem is, you will never get it through the thick skulls that post on here even if you are 100% accurate . It is an exercise in futility.

[MW68SS]

To rebuttle some of your statements

2) You said if you talked to Al he would freak out and become Dr Evil and that Todd was not a man to stand up to him. I have had several discussions with Al before and Todd and although we did not always agree it was always a polite discussion and my voice was heard.

3) East Bay is not closing anytime soon.

4)Other than Jeff Matthews and the 40 and 48 modifieds most guys racing then that are not racing now have just quit racing. But they have still raced there a few times this year. I know because I'm always looking at results from other tracks every week and I see very few East Bay cars at other places.

5) The economy has barely leveled off from a low in 2008 not 2006. It has not gotten better just isn't getting any worse. Lots of people do not have money to race. You job growth of .2 percent is comparing 2010 to 2009 not 2006. Yes, East Bay will suffer because racing either watching or doing it is a disposable income. If it is harder to pay bills then you do not have as much disposable income so yes when the economy is in bad shape East Bay's business will suffer also.

6) There are alot of places them guys go to only because of points. If the place is so bad then why do guys who don't run the Lucas series full time ( Billy Moyer, Steve Francis, Josh Richards, Tim McCreadie) race there every Winter Nationals.

I'm very open minded its just when people say the track is getting run into the ground and the facts show it is holding its own and is still in better shape than most I like facts stating your case. If those facts can be rebuttled then you need to go find more facts. And if your thinking it yes we can do this forever.