Desoto Super Speedway has canceled all Super races.

[Bigbuck]

Hey Bobby

Where does that BIG RED type come from? I wanna get me some of that!!

[RSB]

OK here is a thought....
What if you turned the Super Stock/Street Stock or what ever into the top class...used a national set of rules....stuck by them and ran the Mods, Lates and Super LAtes..and Sprints on special events???

You could take the purse for the Super Stock and make it what the purse is for a LM now..what would happen??? ...the purse for a regular race... Keep the cars under 10 grand and see what happens!

FASCAR would buy it and F I U!

[Rick Williamson]

I always thought he was a good promoter..

Anyways, I have a sportsman and would be willing to take it to Desoto. I have never been there to race, always has a fan. Anybody know when they will run sportsmans?

They never have liked sportsmen it seems. My family tried as far back as 2003 to get them have this class for a weekly class. But they wouldn't do it. We loved the size of the track and only about 1 hour away. To bad it's closing. At least that's how I read John's post.

[Rick Williamson]

We need to start today to come up with ideas to help save the Tracks and the Sport we LOVE!!!!
We need input from the:
Drivers
Crews
Familys
Owners
Fans
Everyone!!!!
Come on it can still be saved if we want it to!!!!

Again Bobby please stop using red! Second I posted so things AGAIN! on the post about Auburndale being for sale. And as I said on that post if you don't remember what all ideas have been go back on here and look at ALL the ideas hashed over. Even Jerry (118) and I were on the radio show Jack ran years ago going up against The Don on this subject. And in the end Bobby you know WHAT? They the owners and promoters don't give a ratz Azz what any of us on here think needs to be done. Frankly I'm thinking more and more the USA with Oboma's help isn't coming back from this one!

[Bobby Diehl]

OK now come on put your thinking caps!!!!!

Sorry I get carried away. I hope this is better.

We need to work on car count next.
We need to start today to come up with ideas to help save the Tracks and the Sport we LOVE!!!!
We need input from the:
Drivers
Crews
Familys
Owners
Fans
Everyone!!!!
Come on it can still be saved if we want it to!!!!

Come on there must be more things that worked in your past even if it was just a little!!!! You can complain about BIG RED LETTERS, but you may have the answer to the way to help. Come on let's give it a try!!!!

"Come on put your thinking caps!!!!!" was the title. Does anyone have any old ideas that worked back in the day? Some of you have been around a long long time and the old "I remember that...." is used a lot on the boards a lot.

So what brings the FANS.?


How do you get new FANS.
How can you get the word out?
MAYBE:
Church's (every church has fund raisers).
Business Groups (Rotary Club, Lions, etc....).
Family Groups (Boy & Girl Scouts, B&G Clubs, etc...).
Schools (all their clubs have fund raiser, Football, Base Ball, Band, all need to raise money).
Coprapate events (Verizon Day , Wall Mart, Mc Donalds, etc.... Day at the races).

I am sure that all TRacks belong to their local 3 or 4 Chambers of Commerces in their area (THAT's WHERE ALL THE LOCAL BUSINESSES WORK TOGETHER to SURVIVE!!!!).

Come on there must be more things that worked in your past even if it was just a little!!!! You can complain about BIG RED LETTERS, but you may have the answer to the way to help. Come on let's give it a try!!!!

Next we can work on CAR COUNTS!!!!

[carolwicks]

it isnt that hard to get fans!

First you make sure they know about your track and whats going on... PROMOTION. advertising, spreading info by word of mouth... get out there and sell.... the cost of advertising will be returned thru attendance.
Then you offer affordable family entertainment... at the gate and the food concessions.
Then you make sure they get to watch a good show that gets over at a decent time so they can get their kids home.
Its really that simple.
Hey Bobby... one things for sure... you get their attention...hahaha
even after all youve been thru, you never give up. you're like the energizer bunny on steroids!
carol

[legendofauto]

No offense but Chambers of Commerce???

My experience with several over the years is that it's an inefficient waste of time. (Unless of course you like to socialize at mixers and drink!) They were invented in the days of small towns, where you advertised with your neighbors by handshakes and knocking on the local businesses door. In this TV, radio and internet fast paced era, those days aren't around anymore.

Nice idea Ricky but not a realistic one.

New fans are created by excitement and media exposure. Us oldies are literally dying off!

[jacko241]

I don't want to sound like a naysayer, but the days of local short track racing being a viable entertainment alternative (at least in Florida) may have passed. There are just too darn many other easier options. The old school fans like us will want to see it, but I don't think we have much chance to attract many new fans to it. Most of us grew up tinkering with cars in our garages, or our Dad's gas station, and that just doesn't seem to happen as much today. I hate to say it but it may become like road racing, where the participants have to pay to play.

[flvideo]

Hey Joe

Joe, me being of the older Generation too, tend to disagree, respectivly mind you. I am a firm believer that we can draw new fans and potential drivers. The best way to attract them is to have a good show and let them know about it thru advertising and, yes word of mouth. I agree that todays public wants a visual of every thing and thats why we do a wrap up and a promo each week with pictures and video. We have several hundred hits each week and they aren't all drivers and current fans. I have a mailing list that recieves it each week and linda has another with 2700 addresses and they get it every week. Granted they don't all view it but they all have the oppurtunity. How do you put on a good show? Start by treating your drivers with respect, after all they are you bread and butter. As we can see when there aren't many drivers there aren't many fans. The drivers need to know that when they go to the track of their choice they will be treated fairly and will be paid what was advertised. Consistancey is the name of the game. If you have a show the fans will come I'll gaurentee it. Theres a lot of entertainment in Florida but where can you get 4 or 5 hours of good racing for $10. I'm just saying.. If I mis-smelled stuff I am old and thats my scuse and I'm sticking to it!

[carolwicks]

not so sure.

as long as things have motors there will be some kind of racing im sure. just human nature to want to be the fastest and to want to set records. soon we will run out of the cars we see racing now and then the parts will disappear...no more working under the hood. but something will come along. the first race cars had to be hand cranked...lol so yes, racing as we know it now will be gone but something else will come along. Planes dont have propellers anymore but they go WAY faster and further. its called PROGRESS.
the point is that in order to get people interested in anything, you have to get the word out to them... i think thats top priority. if people dont know you're around, they wont look for you or show interest. just my silly opinion.
carolwicks aka oz

[legendofauto]

I hate to say it but it may become like road racing, where the participants have to pay to play.

Other than NHRA, drag racing seems to have gone that route...and the participants seem seem pretty happy!

Florida for many years since the 80's, has had too many tracks and too long of a season (all year!) Over-supply for the fans that remain. That also causes poor quality racing with over-extended car owners. The fact is, some tracks should just disappear and let the survivors be the viable one's to attract the cars and the fans that would have to drive a little to see a race. Car quality would go up because of fewer races (less wear and tear).

Once a month racing with a track in each corner of the state should do it! Going to races every week is a grind, not just for participants, but for fans also, and one can't expect that loyalty each week from a large number of patrons. Heck, look at the Rays.

[Rick Anges]

I don't know how people read stuff that isn't there, the track isn't closing. We are closing for the Bristol race night and have canceled the remaining Super Late races. The UP series race is still up in the air. Also John is still in negotiations with TBARA about scheduling a race. Times are tough for everyone and John is doing everything he can to keep DeSoto going.

This weeks card:
Open Wheel Modifieds
Bombers
Flyin 4's
Sportsman
Pure Stocks
Trophy Dash
DAARA
Buy a ticket to a race track somewhere this weekend!

[openwm53]

all

Make good points to an extent. I have lived in this state most of my life. It wasnt until I was 33 years old that I ever seen a local race nite. I didnt know a mod from a late model. My point is that there are prospective fans out there that have no clue about local races. People that will be hooked like you and me after the first night. There is a whole younger generation out there that just dont know about short track racing. They know nascar and thats it. I tell people that i meet (that ask ) that I race and they usually ask what do you race. When I tell them I race an open wheel modified they look at me like what the he*% is that. I already mentioned the billboard thing. Here's a couple more off the top of my head. Theres the bargain trader that circulates state wide....The News paper ??....Local news papers like in my area (the Beacon )....The Florida sportsman may be a good place for an add ( yes I know its a fishing mag but people buy it. ) Woods and water mag. ( A exclusive florida mag that has the mud bogs all the time) ....All the free papers in the 7-11's.......The little pamphlets in the motels ( you no the ones)......I also get the ( do you race at Bubba's track )all the time ..Racing in florida is not dead yet. The lack of trying and being burned out is most of the problem that I see ..but thats my opinion. Get the word out. Get the fans. take care of drivers. and I think that it could be close to what It used to be. Oh did I mention one set of rules for one type of car statewide......Jon S. I see you havent posted any repy's since you started this thread. Is there any truth to you closing?????

[Rick Anges]

Read Post Above Yours!

[openwm53]

Sorry was writing

while you were posting. And by the way I was asking John.