The State of Racing in Florida?

[09Mini]

Hello everyone,

I am considering a move to Florida (For college mostly) in the very near future. and I have some questions for those of you who already live there.

I am from the North (Maine) and am a huge racing fan, I've been to every single track in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and several in New York, and New Jersey. Aside from Hockey, racing is my biggest passion. In the past I've raced Enduro cars, Mini Socks and even a brief foray into the Street Stock division at local tracks in this area.

However, what I would like to know is what is the situation in Florida as far as racing goes? What are car counts like in general? What tracks do better than others? I can certainly find information online, but that only tells part of the story. I need perspective from other people like me.

The area I'm considering is Lakeland, the former home of USA Speedway, or so it would seem. At this point it looks like Auburndale Speedway would be the closest race track to Lakeland, and judging by their website and several videos on youtube, it looks like the car counts can get a bit low at times, is this a regular occurrence? Car counts are far from outstanding up here in Maine, but we have several tracks averaging 15-25 cars in every division, every week.

Once I'm settled in, if I decide to move to Florida, I plan on buying a legends car. I've always been extremely interested in them, unfortunately here in Maine the only track that races them weekly is nearly 90 miles away. How is legends racing in Florida, are there any tours or national events?

Lastly, in general, what are the drawbacks of living in Florida? Often times it's hard to find answers to those questions online.

Thanks in advance everyone,
09Mini.

Also, when I ask about racing, I mean Asphalt tracks. I'm not a huge fan of dirt racing, in fact I've never been to a dirt track before.

[cake]

go to a dirt track!!!!!

[egspeedway]

The drawbacks here are no different than up north, $$$$. You will also find that most races for an increased purse require an entry as opposed to any hope for tow money. Taht being said you really owe it to yourself to take in some dirt track races and see what two wide racing really is about. I can,t speak for pavement racing but prior to tire treatments the tire bill was much less racing dirt. Good luck with your racing and your college efforts.

[billy badd]

09 mini, I'll attempt to answer your questions. I was born in Lakeland, Fl. many years ago. I went to my first race at the Lakeland HS football field, at the age of 6, and have been hooked ever since. The racing in Florida used to be fantastic, but not so much now. Most of the tracks are having economic problems, resulting in low car counts. The dirt tracks seem to be doing much better than the asphalt tracks. Auburndale is just to the east of Lakeland. You'd have to decide if you like the track, as you would any track you go to. East Bay, just south of Tampa, would be my track of choice in that area. It is, however, dirt. If I were going to go to an asphalt track, it would be Citrus Speedway, north of Tampa, however, Sunshine Speedway is supposed to reopen, and if things go right should be a top notch track. It's just across Tampa Bay, to the west. The drawbacks to living in Florida to me are lousy races, hurricanes, and love bugs. If you're not familiar with them, think about the races at Daytona. Nose to tail in two's. Only these are black bugs that insist on killing themselves on the windshield, and front of your vehicle. Oh yeah, did I mention they have the consisity of glue. Other than that, Florida's a great place to live. Hope this helps a little. billy

[AB195]

the state of racing--

I have (almost) always been optomistic, but----

Attendance figures, or bigger crowds on average, were the norm in the 80's and the 90's. Those big crowds and big fields of cars, ended a decade or so ago. Since then, it has been a slow bleed of casual fans, and even some die-hards.

The problem, among other things I think--and continues to be--that local Raceways/venues are not the draw. Those 1500 to 2500 fans that showed up on a Friday or Saturday night weren't there for stock car racing, mostly. They were there because the local Raceway was the "social event" for many of the folks----a clean and protective surrounding, a festive atmosphere, a stock car racing show, a personable announcer, and sometimes a band/music.

It was more or less a novelty thing that eventually lost it's charm; it was no longer a festive mood, on several levels.

Tracks lose ownership and promoters all the time; they come and go, all with different visions of how to run things. One idea feeds another idea, and one awful idea might drain other ideas of their appeal. Nothing unusual, but each change, it seems, just drains good times more and more.

But, what do I know?

[jimmy11owm]

09 mini

living in Florida is the best place to live. I am from New England and Seekonk was my home track.
Move here because the weather, sun, fun, school, anything but racing.
The racing in Florida is not like racing in the north east. I won't say better or worst, just not the same.
jimmy

[Rusty the 50/50 Guy]

09 The best thing that you can do is RACE and have fun!!! Both asphalt and dirt have their good and bad points!

Legend cars are GREAT and you will have several options of places to go if you were to get one. Orlando SpeedWorld will be racing them, SpeedWorld is a very fast track for them. Punta Gorda will race them, also a fast track, Bronson runs legends and also Auburndale a smaller "bullring".

If you read this board racing needs to just close shop and move on to bowling! NOT SO! There are a lot of good times to be had in the racing community in Florida, and elsewhere!

The key to the whole thing is....GO OUT AND HAVE FUN!!!

Welcome to Florida and best of luck!!!

[09Mini]

Thanks for the response guys,

To the dirt track fans - The problem is, here in Maine we have no dirt tracks, and if I get to a race in another state, usually it's because I'm working on a car or something of that nature. I'm sure when Dirt Tracks are readily available I'll take in a race or two. With that said, from watching video's it does not appeal to me, I don't like the sliding around the corners, it seems to detract from the speed.

As far as Florida goes, I'm sure it's a great place to live. The weather is unbeatable, and it seems to have everything we have here in the Northeast, such as hockey. There are more year-round ice rinks within fifty miles of Lakeland than there are in the entire state of Maine. There is also alot of work it seems, especially for a Hospitality Management major, like myself.

It seems there are many other things to do as well, the Tampa Bay Lightning for example, although they are nowhere near as good as the Bruins, they are improving.

As far as tracks go, Auburndale looks fantastic, I love the small bullring tracks. But despite the lack of video's on youtube, Sunshine Speedway also looks very nice. In fact, does anyone know how to get in contact with the person who leased Sunshine Speedway? (Bob Yoho)

Thanks,
09Mini

[Boneman]

Know what is great about Florida? You can load up your stuff to race, or just spectate, twice a week for most of the year. In the "off-season", you will still be able to find a race SOMEWHERE.

Problems? Yep, we got 'em. Payouts, rules, tech, promotion, there are always plenty of topics to discuss. But when you are ready to shut that out, climb through the window and pull on your helmet, you are in a great state to have a good time while driving in circles.

[Ocala Camper]

racing in Florida

Try to remember one important thing about racing no matter whether you are in New England, the Mid-West or the South. Racing has to be fun for you. You are not going to make tons of money no matter where you go, unless you already have lots of money to blow with hopes of hitting the big times.

There are a number of tracks in Central Florida to race at. We could go on for a while naming them, but it just depends on what you want, Asphalt or Dirt. We could probably name at least 10 tracks that are open or will be open for the season this coming week. You could realistically race year round down here.

The Legend Car series is not as large (run at only a few tracks) down here in Florida as it is up north. I came from northern Ohio and we had Legends Cars running at 8 asphalt tracks within a three hour drive and three dirt tracks within a two hour drive. I know hat there were many tracks in New York, New Jersey, Virginia that you could go to. The most Legend Cars seem to be running at Auburndale Speedway.

The weather down here is why most people move to Florida not for racing. Yes we have winter down here, but we don't have snow or the prolonged cold weather. If it is cold in the morning, you normally can be wearing a t-shirt by afternoon. some people down here say that we have four seasons.
HOT Season, Not So HOT Season, Love Bug Season and Hurricane Season.

Hope this helps you out and does not deter you from moving to Florida.
Don

[racin24dev]

Legends

Well, Legend car racing is big in Florida, it is actually the second largest car count except for Calif., although legends aren't raced at many tracks all over, there is still a lot of us.

In the summer-time we average about 20 cars a night at Auburndale, and Punta Gorda averages about 10 a night, and Bronson.....well they're kind of out to lunch with everything..

The reason that legend cars don't travel as much, is because some tracks don't want "little cars" EX: Citrus, Orlando. This year they were trying to follow the "Florida United Promoters Late Model Series" but most of the tracks did not want us.

[09Mini]

Glad to hear about the Legends cars being popular at Auburndale, and glad to hear some positive perspectives about racing in FLA!

Does anyone know how to get in contact with Bob Yoho? (The person who leased Sunshine Speedway)

Thanks,
Jeff.

[racin24dev]

Check it out!

Hey man, check out my Youtube. I have all of my Legend car races from my in car camera @ Auburndale, and Punta Gorda.

www.youtube.com/racin24dev

-Devin

Glad to hear about the Legends cars being popular at Auburndale, and glad to hear some positive perspectives about racing in FLA!

Does anyone know how to get in contact with Bob Yoho? (The person who leased Sunshine Speedway)

Thanks,
Jeff.

[Rusty the 50/50 Guy]

There was a lot of misinformation going out last year about Legends and Bando's. I just spent the better part of two weeks down there to make sure that that issue has been taken care of!

At the banquet it was announced (by me) that the Legends and Bando's WILL race at OSW. That was a directive from Robert.

If anyone at Orlando EVER tells you that they do not want you there...CALL ME 407-557-6509! Robert got me involved with this program to assist in getting it back where it needs to be. Butch and Barbara are on board with making OSW the USLC capitol again

[Frasson118]

I'll be first in line here. Legends, I do like.... when there is a bunch of them. Hasn't been the case at OSW in quite some time. Bando's...? Absolute buzz-kill. I have YET to see a fan glad to see those things running.

If OSW is out to be the "King of Legends and Bando's", my opinion is, y'all are going the wrong direction to fix things there.

Rusty.... you know this isn't personal, but Bando's and Legends shouldn't be the focus of that track. Most I know did a silent prayer once they were gone....