Why is this place a cemetary?

[Winger]

OK, Benny. Now the administrator is going to have to move this post to the comedy board. Your statistics may be right but they're misleading. Nearly 99% of short track fans are white trailer trash. But we're going to work on that. I believe in equal opportunity so we will start allowing ghetto trash to partake in the fun soon. Just need to work on sponsorship for these folks.

[racin movie man]

From the Graveyard.....

Hey Frass............

I can understand what your saying. When i first tuned in 2 years ago, i was just an observationist. I threw a few bones out there with pix. The only person i have met face to face was Ric and Jack at USA for the ARCA race. I wanted to attend the CMS get together last year and i had all the intentions of attending the reunion at NSS. As my crappy luck would have it, the thought is there but the ability is not. I tragically lost a true friend/employee of mine over the February highlights and that took my mind and soul out of the game. I have also been pretty wrapped up with the birth of my daughter back in September. She is my joy. I still owe ya a few brews myself. I hope to make good on that some day. I work most weekends and trying to travel is tough (can't leave the woman stranded without a vehicle). I too miss some of the rhetoric from those that you listed, especially RSB and Doode. I like the old board better but progress means we have to change. This board has enlightened my scope on local, national and worldwide racing. It is neat to see through both fans and drivers point of view. I can only stay on my side of the wall though until i can fufill my fading dream of strapping in and going fast (Oh, yeah....turning left helps also). I try to pop in when i can but life has me by the knads right now.

If you or anyone happens to be in the pits at Citrus on 04/12/08. Come greet me. I'll wear my Steve Park hat. I love to talk racing and i am taking advantage of my vacation time to support my local track and drivers. I've grown up around this s#&* all my life and i absolutely LOVE IT

[JackSmith]

Jerry

Here is some grist for your mill.....

1. The old software we used, a product called Anyboard, was always a security nightmare. In recent years with the evolution of ever increasing numbers of "bad guys" around the world using the Internet, it became impossible to continue to use Anyboard. The company that produced the software never was interested in furthering the product and addressing the concerns of the very small number of webmasters world wide who used their product. KARNAC.com and Real Racin' USA runs on our own dedicated servers backed by a tremendous support team based in Michigan. We were advised repeatedly to abandon Anyboard due to security breaches inherent in the product.

For over two years we continued to use the software, (we still use a modified version on one small site for testing purposes) in response to the Florida racing fans who wanted us not to change.

Change at last became absolutely necessary, for the reasons above, and we changes to V-Bulletin, which is the most widely used forum software on the market. It is costly, but asa result is s secure product, and is backed up by a company that constantly ensures security for site administrators as well as you, the end user. Many (if not most) of the most heavily used messaged boards for racing sites and other sports fan sites use this same software. If you want to know all about message boards use this site: www.big-boards.com



2. Earlier this year we decided to expand upon some things we did years ago, 10 to be exact, and create awards for drivers. Real Racin' USA began to award a driver of the month beginning in January of this year. The award has been presented to a Florida driver each month and will continue to do so each month throughout the year. The small group of fans who make Real Racin USA happen, decided we should have something big the for the end of the year for the driver of the year. So we got with our national sales rep and he brought Pandora Jewelers aboard with a $4000 Driver of the Year ring to present.
Here is the good part: Real Racin USA has had over a dozen e-mails in the last week from people from OUT OF STATE, with congratulatory and applauding statements and questions about what does it take to win etc. ALL FROM OUT OF STATE.

On this message board, the cemetery as it were, there hasn't been a bit of a buzz. I hardly think that is the result of a forum setup that is over the heads of the thousand plus visitors to the forum daily. No one even said the photo sucked, or I suck or Carol Wicks is a stupid bitch. Nothing!

A $4000 award that a mini stock driver or bomber driver could win and no one seems to give a crap.

That seems to be more of a statement on the state of racing that on the complexity of a message board or the quirks of the moderators.




3. Racing is Florida in some respects (and in some areas) is quite healthy. Many tracks are doing quite well with overall fan counts. There are a few that are really hurting for fans, and a few have less than stellar car counts. Several are doing wonders with local PR and increasing solid sponsorship.
There are still several Florida tracks who haven't grasped the importance of getting media reports out about their track, using the very inexpensive resources of the Internet.

Tracks that are not promoting their drivers by having a media writer who sends out good reports about the drivers can hardly be surprised when the drivers don't in turn promote their local track. Community doesn't happen by accident, it has to be worked at. Tracks that have more community spirit amongst the racers and staffs etc and fans seem to do be doing a little better in the battle to be a viable entertainment alternative in their communities.




4. As I talk to people around the state, the promoters, the key staff at race tracks, the drivers and the fans we meet at the tracks, one element that continually surfaces is tracks working together (as in not working together).
We are not so sure it is important for tracks to "work together", but after 12 years of studying race tracks around the country, I am convinced they need to QUIT WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER here in Florida. And that goes for touring series promoters as well. It is true, although hurtful to many to hear it said, that in many quarters outside the Sunshine State racing is Florida is considered humorous or downright laughable with all the soap opera nonsense that pervades the playing field. I guess they just don't understand, Florida is still the real "wild west". I spent several hours one day trying to explain the Florida mentality to John Berti, a dyed in the wool New Englander. I doubt John got much of it, not his fault of course.

[carolwicks]

Whoaaaaaaa Smitty!!!!

Bitch... sometimes!
Stupid? You're cruisin buddy!

Jerry said alot of people left because of censoring and that the fun of arguing etc is gone.. I have talked to more people than most and alot of people left because they were tired of being insulted and ridiculed for giving their opinions. You can argue with me til the cows come home but that is what I hear from alot of people. If I was sensitive I would have given up a long time ago.
It's ok to disagree but it is NOT ok to intentionally hurt people. If it continues, those people will not return. I agree that some disagreeing is fun and stimulating. It is also a learning tool. (we all don't know it all!) I also feel if you want to debate, you can expect some criticism...Jerry and I hardly ever agree but we don't attack each other and we have managed to remain friends for many years! (even if my name wasn't on your friend list Jerry!) snicker...
I want to see nodos, cranky, doodewampus, billy badd, OSF,and all the veteran Karnacians come back...
i HATE this board! However, Jack has convinced me it is staying so learn to live with it. If your best friend moved out of your neigborhood would they stop being your best friend? Would you stop visiting them? ADJUST!!!
COME BACK KARNACIANS!!! WE MISS YOU!!! Fight on page 2, snakes in the firesuits, binner running nude thru NSS pits, Jack got a crew cut, Kyle Bush quits racing to take up needlepoint... READ IT ALL HERE!
Love you guys... even if i am a bitch!
Carolwicks aka OZ!

[ovalracer44]

Its bonemans fault.

[georgep]

I feel that the whole thing can be fixed. Build a pine wood derby track, let the tracks sell "CRATE WHEELS" and watch it dye on the vein.
This forum is fine and works like most I hang out on.
I enjoyed meeting you folks at the reunion and look forward to doing that next year. Jerry or Boneman can run the Z-8 then!!
The racing in Florida is bad news except for a limited number of tracks. VCS has the car count and puts on a good show. I still have a home down there and found that the SC tracks have the same GO KART type show. If you can not win CREATE A CLASS so you can, GO KARTS used that to come up with 20 plus classes. IF you had 4 classes tops and that was it the show and car count goes up and the fans in the stands goes up.
Oh Yes, Carol I thought you where a very nice hostess at the reunion and I STLL THINK that Jerry should get top billing for the 2009 version.

[Razpewton]

I feel a racing forum should be geared more towards the serious, technical aspects of racing. Far too many people come on here just to be silly or crack stupid jokes. This area should be used exclusively for serious discussions on racing ONLY!!!


















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NOT!

[racetech63]

"I feel that the whole thing can be fixed. Build a pine wood derby track, let the tracks sell "CRATE WHEELS" and watch it dye on the vein."


Been there done that,,,, my cars passed tech but was protested, found legal but one of the parents got mad and took his kid and left. Long story short I was banned from pine wood derby racing by my peers (can't be my peers cause they were too slow for us)

[carolwicks]

George...

hi... ;-)
i know i am nice.. i work at it...hahaha
we have somehow had a misunderstanding... i have never ever taken "top billing" away from Jerry Binner.... I simply said that i had planned on doing what he did a few years ago and in fact had discussed it at times with Lou... however...talk is cheap and jerry stepped up to the plate and got it done! I also thanked people who helped us in the beginning stages to get in touch with people. they were a stepping stone. i will not retract that thank you because i think they deserved a thank you.
Please understand that Jerry and I are friends and we will always work together for the good of racing. we dont always agree but we work it out... Jerry has far more racing knowledge than i do... in fact he has far more knowledge than most anyone i know. I would be a fool to try and outshine Jerry! Besides i LOVE the guy who stole my idea!!!!!!!!!! I AM ROFL!!!!
hope you are well and happy George. I am so looking forward to the next reunion!
carolwicks (OZ)

[roundtracker]

Message board is boring

The reason this place is a cemetary is because of the powers that be! They see the world through rose colored glasses and want everyone to conform to that. I tried posting messages on this new board and gave up. They wouldn't even post them because I was complaining about the new board. But they would post the same from a few of the chosen ones here.
It's real simple it's their board and they can do as they please. I can and will do as I please and that is visit once or twice a week compared to once or twice a day.
If this is what they want it is not a real reflection on the real world. It is simply boring now and doesn't attract the attention it used to.
Just stating my humble opinion if it sees the light of day!

[carolwicks]

roundtracker

i dont know how long you have been using the karnac board but there are reasons for some of the changes... Jack explained why the type of message board had to be changed. it didnt have anything to do with us. it had to do with security issues and it was done for our sakes as well as Karnac.coms sake.
the "powers that be" (i am NOT one of them) have concluded that the reason alot of people left is because they got tired of being insulted because of their opinions. i even got tired of it. its ok to disagree with people but to degrade them and make them feel bad because they have an opinion is not right. if there is a person on the board you dont care for, then just skip over their name. no one HAS to read anyones post.
as for the religious posts.... why is that harmful? there isnt a race that starts without a prayer. if someone doesnt believe they can skip the post. no one is recruiting members. ;-)
if you think about it RT...the people on the message board who have been here for a long time do alot for racing. Karnac and its staff work 6-7 days a week from dark to dark... there are numerous radio shows, promotions, stories, record keeping, photos and other benefits that have evolved thru KARNAC... this board is a small part of REAL RACIN USA.... there is so much more.
if people like you who enjoy the board keep leaving, then the board does become a cemetary. the solution isnt hard. if someone says something and someone disagrees, they can politely say so. they dont have to get nasty.
i know many many people that come to the message boards on a personal basis... they are decent, fun, great people who left because they got tired of the constant bickering. we are all guilty of irritating others at one time or another. my kids irritate me OFTEN but i will not hurt them or leave them. we work out our problems and we move on.
dont leave the board.... lets work out the problems and hope some fun racing fans and drivers will return... now remember...this is just my opinion! it isnt a history making decision... ;-)
another simple reason for the "cemetary" is that people get bored with doing the same thing day after day... but there are always new ones coming along and it will pick up again. ;-)
carolwicks (OZ)

[mocha2@dishmail.net]

Roundtracker hit the nail on the head.You can't post something on here if it doesn't conform to the select fews way of thinking.Conform seems to be a strange word to be using here considering the head honcho seems to be a non conformist himself.Hypocricy does come to mind though.I have had posts removed that were statement of fact,no name calling,no nasty words so why bother posting or taking part in a discussion if you have to worry about having it deleted?

[carolwicks]

i agree!

there are times that i questioned why posts were removed. there are several monitors and as with the messengers, they all have their opinions of what is proper and what isnt. they have guidelines and they try to be fair. there is no such thing as a perfect solution... everyone does the best they can. they have also tried several different approaches trying to find the best way to allow people to voice their opinions and quite often the opinions are pretty nasty..
it isnt easy to monitor internet message boards. the people who do it are volunteers and most of them work. NO ONE can sit and stare at this board and assure us they will not make a mistake.
i have literally cried over things said to me and I WAS BANNED! roflllllll
i say toughen up and treat this as entertainment because thats what it is. we dont own race tracks so we havent the right to TELL owners how to do it.
we dont own RRUSA either. we share it.... just be courteous and treat posters as you would a friend.
carolwicks (OZ)

[mr south 59]

Carol,
You said a mouthfull with your #19 post above. And yes you are right on with your statements about "alot of people left because they were tired of being insulted and ridiculed for giving their opinions". Yah some of it is all in fun. And you know I can take it as well as the next guy and dish it out too, but a lot of it isn't. Then you got people that hide behind thier screen name like "Winger" that take it over the top and start sending nasty PM's because they don't like my opinion. That is taking it to far. The man has never even met me but from his PM's he already has an opinion of me. Myself, I won't form an opinion of a person until I meet them in person. You can't tell anything about a person by what they type on the internet.

Carol, you have known my son for a few years now. You know that I have every right to be as proud of him as I am. I was so proud that he was the only minor over the wall at the Rolex 24. When I came on here to share my experiance at the race working for him I got bashed like there was no tomorrow. First they were saying it was BS. Than when I showed proof they just belittled my sons position. I don't know that there was a single one of them doing the bashing that could hold my sons position. Espeicialy at 17. Thats my opinion. I would have loved to come on here and tell you about Orbits race with ViCi at St. Pete, or Dustin's top 5 at the ASA race, or his test in Utal last week, or even about leasing the Letterman Rahual rigs for the St.pete and Long Beach race this weekend. But why? So I could get bashed or belittled. I don't think so.

Carol. I have been racing for over 30 years. I owned an ashpalt track. I have two sons that started racing at 5. I support them all the way. We now own an ASA car. I am doing this on a carpenters salary. We are not just your casual spectators. We live racing. Why should I share my experiances with a bunch of casual race fans that may go to a dozen or so races a year that are just going to insult and belittle me and my family. The reason this board is dead has nothing to do with "the new format".

Carol. Sorry I had to direct this towards you but If I didn't I would be opening myself up to who knows what.

Andrew Dunn
ASA South #59

P.S. I didn't use spell check so I'm sure I will here about that also.

[carolwicks]

hi andrew...the TRUTH about this board!

hi andrew...
remember this... there are only a few who post. most of them are really decent good people. at times we get a rude insulting person on and they seldom last long. sometimes the nice people are in a bad mood and post things we don't like...oh well...we all have our days huh? ;-) the fact i want to make clear to you tho is that if all the good people leave then what do we have left???
you have some awesome stories to tell... TELL THEM! some of us really want to hear about Dustin's adventures... Dustin is a great guy and you only have to meet your family once to know you are a decent caring, hard working man.
don't look back at things that annoy you. it takes you away from being productive. move on and keep a smile on your face. ;-)
i expect to see you back posting again!!! BTW... winger is really a good man. i hope you both find a way to meet or talk. i think you will lose some of your bitterness. sometimes feelings about issues are hard to relate in writing.
Give the boy and Grammy a huge hug for me. see ya soon i hope..
your friend always,
carolwicks AKA OZ