Reality Check (soap box)

[sheldon kinser jr]

You've Got To Be Kidding

Frosson

How can you put (Double-file restarts for at least half of the race distance.) and (Either Recessives in each car, or enough track personnel to prevent the endless caution laps because of line-up confusion.) in the same paragraph?? Did you not see the hobby stocks at Ocala? They couldn’t start the main after three tries double file and then tried to do it for a restart. I think they only got 10 laps in that took 30 minutes before it was called this may work in some classes but not in all. With no disrespect to any one I think this should not go for a class that half the class has not run dirt before and it well be hard for them to make the transition if they are going out on the hook because of a restart. That is just asking for more cautions I know a lot of fans are there to see a wreck but I think they would like to see a race also…

Joe

Shame on you!!!!

Focus on the fans first. Racers, you all are fantastic, but you only see one side of the fence. Remember,( you need us more than we need you.)

What are you thinking when you say something like that??? you should NOT associate your self whit any track.. I agree with out the fans we would not have a nice place like Ocala to race. Do you think Mike would say that at a drivers meeting??? I can see maybe to drivers that do not respect him the fans or there track. But pale if I was you I would take that back. There are racetracks all over with low car counts and you want to say something like that?????

Maybe you think the fans would like to come out and see you in the infield holding a candle singing kum-by-yaw now that would be a show they would come back for wouldn’t it???

NO DISRESPEECT JOE BUT PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID.

[ovalracer44]

And i'm sorry #44 ministock, but the push all pintos off cliffs was funny! That is a class that has thoroughly run umuck. Back when i drove a ministock it WAS a pinto with a total of about $1500 in the WHOLE car. Now there are mod-minis that will run a half second faster than a bomber and most guys think they should be treated like latemodels. Get in the 3500 lb bomber and see how easy it is to drive. Minis are like big go-karts. I would think boneman would know.looks like he's driven a little bit of everything.

I agree that the class has run amuck. I have recommend measures to cut costs and bring the class back down to an affordable level. Each time I do I get flamed. Its time to go back to Hyd cams, stock cast pistons and DOT tires. The fact that I now spend more on a ministock motor than I used to on legends motors is what has killed our division.

[Joe]

To clarify a bit, drivers and promoters need fans more than we need you. Promoters read this board, by the way.

Think about it. Fans want to be entertained, to get that feeling of excitement and entertainment. If the local track closes down tomorrow, fans will go elsewhere to get that feeling of excitement and entertainment: movies, bowling, beach, lake, bar, nightclub, TV, women, etc.

Drivers, you need fans in the stands for the promoters to pay you and for a selling point to sponsors.

Promoters, you need fans in the stands to pay the drivers and for a selling point to advertisers.

This is an entertainment business. If you don't like what you're being paid, don't entertain. Promoters, if you don't think your program is entertaining enough, change it.

[sheldon kinser jr]

Joe

I don’t think you understand what I am saying. I agree we all need each other for the most part I have raced all over the mid west and my favorite tracks were the ones that made me fell at home like they wanted me there. If you think you can tell a driver you don’t need them and have them come back week after week your wrong way wrong there are a lot of track around here to go and they well. The track that treats them the best is there going to stay. With all do respect you have the power of the pin use it wisely the track needs you the drivers need you. But if you’re going to say the track don’t need us that is not going to help anyone get sponsors that includes the track most sponsors are race fans and there not going to sponsor a race track that don’t need drivers

by the way i am not triying to put you down just asking you to think before you wright.

thanks sheldon

[Joe]

I hear you, Sheldon. I'm not saying that the tracks should treat the drivers bad or unfairly. I'm not telling tracks to tell drivers they don't need them. But if a track is stuck doing the same old thing and getting the same old result, sometimes you have to start anew.

Drivers, you all are fantastic, and you're a big part of the show, but as the great Bill France said several times, you're not bigger than the show. You can always stay home and sell the racecar to someone else if you think you're being wrongly treated.

I think a lot.

[flvideo]

My 2 cents

I have been involved in the sport of racing for 50+ years. I am no longer able to race but its been my experience that, when you put cars on the track and keep them there week after week they will put Butts in the stands. Its simple, take care of the racer and you'll fill your stands, sell your hotdogs and hamburgers, get more advertisers because you are reaching more people, and you are able to make a living. I have done marketing for several tracks and the ones that have a decent car count almost sell themselves. If the client goes to the track and see no cars, its a hard sell. When I used to visit potential advertisers the tracks reputation usually preceded me. So to sum up what I've said, in my opinion, the racers are the #1 in the equation, fans then track.But make no mistake they all need each other to operate.Just my 2 cents. Bob.......

[Joe]

Good point, Bob. We all need each other to operate. Perhaps if a promoter thinks of the fan, he or she will realize that a lot of cars make a good show.

Just cut classes, charge $10 or $12 and cover the place with dirt.

[sheldon kinser jr]

Joe
Come over and see me Friday night lets have a coke and call a truce. I am on slab #17 and look forward to meeting you.

[flvideo]

Durn Joe, you got dirt in your craw now, HUH? I will admit I have in the last 2 years got bitten by the dirt bug. I never raced on dirt but its more exciting to watch from the fans stand point. Always seems to be more"racing action" all the way from the leader thru the pack. I find it more difficult to tape a dirt race, mainly because there seems to always be more action and its hard to decide where you put your cameras eye. Thats where multible cameras would come in handy. Not to build up the heads of the racers, but if there are no cars racing. what is the promoter going to promote and what is the fan going to watch.? The racing doesn't have to be the biggest or fastest cars either. Several years ago I was ask to tape a go-cart series. I agreed but I wasn't very Enthused about taping those slow carts. To my surprise I enjoyed it because they were all competitive. The short version is they put on a good show. You were right in 1 prospective Joe its show bussiness. If theres no show theres no audience. Bob..........

[georgep]

Great points all. Promoters do read these forums to see what the pulse is OR do not and take a SWAG at it.
Changing times:

1968 Track, Nazereth Pa. Half Mile SUNDAY show, Cars in pits 100+ in (2) divisions, Modified and Sportsmen. Stands SRO about 5,000 at $6.00

2007 Track, in S.C. .4 mile, Night show. Cars in pits 62 in (8) divisons. To many clases but just say there are (4) 4 cyl classes. Stands, could shoot a shotgun and not hurt anybody. Tickets $12.00.

THe difference, was it car count, ticket prices, or the quality of what you got for your money.

These (2) tracks have one thing in common both are no GONE!

[flvideo]

Some thing I forgot. A new motto I have adopted. " dirts for racing, asphalt is for gettin there", but I still love asphalt racing too. But dirts more fun. Bob

[sheldon kinser jr]

bob

I always herd if you don’t have dirt in you beer your not at the races

[flvideo]

Good point sheldon, dirt in your beer and grit in your craw. Bob....

[Frasson118]

All 3 parts are equally important... owners, drivers and fans. NONE of us exist without the others.

As far as a problem with double-file restarts... that is a driver problem, not a policy problem. Racers in every class, in every corner of the US start their races this way. If they can't manage to do it more than once each night, then you have a problem with meat-headed drivers. Don't tolerate drivers that can't handle themselves next to other cars, they obviously are in the wrong sport. It comes down to respect for your fellow racer. If you think it's cool to lean on the outside car on restarts, then don't bitch when someone leans on you.

[john tenney]

Wow thats funny. Especially when ministocks are faster than most V8 divisions at most tracks.

I agree with him though - not generally the "most watched" class.

Get the Bandolero's out of the prime spot too - move them to "free time" - before practice. Kids should be home in bed early anyway.

At OSW people come to watch the demo derbies, enduros, buses mostly, but if you give them free admission and have the drivers give out tickets - the stands are PACKED, and the line to concessions goes all the way around.

I say NO admission fee, maybe a parking fee ($3) and just charge $2 for a drink