Why is OSW dying?

[Lizzard]

Car count tonight (Fri) was not good. 39 cars for 6 divisions.

Strictly stocks had 10. LM had 10.

I hear about the tracks that have a ton of cars. Why is that?

I race Strictly Stocks at OSW and we are the division that have the best turnout.

It can't be the toilets having doors or shower curtains as covered on the "Tommy King Show" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-tommy-king-show because real race car drivers go out by the busses and our wives don't come.

It can't be the food. They sell good burgers/fries/sausages/chicken right in the pits and the people are friendly.

It can't be the day of the week. Other tracks do well on a Friday.

It can't be rules...OSW IS DRIVER FRIENDLY.

It can't be the Tech guys. The mean ONE is at NSS....LOL.

It can't be the mandatory sign in at 7:15pm. You start at the back if you can't get there by that time. Tonight a Strictly Stock guy pulled in right before the feature...... He raced 30 min later... Heck the racing starts at 8.

It can NOT be the people that run the show... Butch and Barbara Pierce. Those two I have considered listing as the guardians of my kids...if me and my wife get wacked at the same time. Kim who runs the sign in and the girl who runs the gate are also very friendly.

Low Purses? Maybe so but why is my division the Strictly Stocks that pays ZERO to win and our car count is the best? WTF?

Tires? Well, I don't buy tires at the track. I buy them from Cocoa Used tires. Maybe its not real racing to ya'll but I am having a blast.

Sometimes people loose money on purpose in the business world.

Is OSW doing that? IF so then sell the damn business so we can race cars as GOD intended.

As I go to bed I see 18 viewers and no comments...maybe no one gives a hoot but from the comments I heard at the track...a lot do!

Sincerely,
A watcher of the Tommy King Show... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-tommy-king-show

[Winger]

I seriously have to believe the traffic plays a role in it. After working all day, a lot of people don't like to deal with traffic, particularly if they're rushing anyway. I don't go there so maybe I shouldn't comment. The main reason I don't go is the traffic and the tolls cost me as much as the admission. Now add the price of gas and it's expensive to go.
If I had a whole bunch of money, maybe I'd buy it and a bunch of property around it. Florida has a bunch of golf communities, tennis communities, horse related communities, even plane related communities. Seems like someone could take a couple short tracks, build some nice garages, sell some houses and have a race related community in Florida. I'm sure there are a bunch of people that would love to come down in the winter and have racing right in their backyard. Imagine, working on the car in a garage you rent at the track and then going right out on the track to test it for a few laps. Have some organized racing a couple nights a week and go at it. Sure would take a bunch of money to start though.

[MOE #15]

Something Should Be Done

Eddie glad your having a blast and Speedworld it's a Great track. But for things to get better there's a lot of outside work that needs to be done and money spent. The best person to ask would be Butch he has been there a long time and now running it for two years so he would have a good take on it. I have my take on the hole thing but that's for another time don't want to hijack your thread. GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR Eddie

[Boneman]

Mr. Lizzard is right. OSW has the elements to successful like it was in the past. Yes, it is a great racing surface, the whole experience is very racer friendly too. What is missing? Why does the show tend to be so anemic?

They have to do something about the race line-ups. For example, the SLM heat was competitive and had an exciting last lap pass for the win. Should be a good feature, right? Wrong. The heat winner started on the pole and was never challenged. Similar situation in the Strictly Stocks: the same car wins every race he is in, and always starts right toward the front.

These guys are just following the rules as they are written. Its not their fault that the fast cars usually start on the front row, but the fans suffer as a result.

The track is trying to balance the interests of the fans to see a good race, and the attitude among too many drivers that they deserve to start on the pole and lead the whole way. The feature line-up is determined by the heat race finishes, and the heats do tend to be more competitive.

So what to do? How about some modifications to the line up procedures? Continue to set the feature based on the heat results, BUT make sure that last weeks winner starts last in the heat AND feature too. Change the invert, or the re-draw, after the heat and eliminate the low numbers. Create a rule for dominant cars: if you win X number of races, you WILL start last in the feature every week. Add weight to dominant cars, (I hear this has been done recently to one car).

I'm not saying the drivers are going to like it, but the show has to be improved before anyone worries about promoting the place.

In fairness to my home track, they did put on an excelllent Super Stock feature last night. Two determined drivers went at it in a very competitive duel for the win.

[Edm]

Car count tonight (Fri) was not good. 39 cars for 6 divisions.

Strictly stocks had 10. LM had 10.

I hear about the tracks that have a ton of cars. Why is that?

I race Strictly Stocks at OSW and we are the division that have the best turnout.

It can't be the toilets having doors or shower curtains as covered on the "Tommy King Show" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-tommy-king-show because real race car drivers go out by the busses and our wives don't come.

It can't be the food. They sell good burgers/fries/sausages/chicken right in the pits and the people are friendly.

It can't be the day of the week. Other tracks do well on a Friday.

It can't be rules...OSW IS DRIVER FRIENDLY.

It can't be the Tech guys. The mean ONE is at NSS....LOL.

It can't be the mandatory sign in at 7:15pm. You start at the back if you can't get there by that time. Tonight a Strictly Stock guy pulled in right before the feature...... He raced 30 min later... Heck the racing starts at 8.

It can NOT be the people that run the show... Butch and Barbara Pierce. Those two I have considered listing as the guardians of my kids...if me and my wife get wacked at the same time. Kim who runs the sign in and the girl who runs the gate are also very friendly.

Low Purses? Maybe so but why is my division the Strictly Stocks that pays ZERO to win and our car count is the best? WTF?

Tires? Well, I don't buy tires at the track. I buy them from Cocoa Used tires. Maybe its not real racing to ya'll but I am having a blast.

Sometimes people loose money on purpose in the business world.

Is OSW doing that? IF so then sell the damn business so we can race cars as GOD intended.

As I go to bed I see 18 viewers and no comments...maybe no one gives a hoot but from the comments I heard at the track...a lot do!

Sincerely,
A watcher of the Tommy King Show... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-tommy-king-show

Ten supers, not too bad but the racing SUCKED. Quickly spread out and ONE PASS near the back the entire feature.
Do you think anyone wants to watch hot laps? Why do the fast cars start in the front? If there was a first time viewer in the stands, chances are they won't be back. OSW NEEDS TO PUT ON A BETTER SHOW.

The super stock race was really good, saw lots of respect, some leaning and a lot of passing. This is what people want to see.

Four car sportsman race, SUCKED
Strictly stock race was ok, not great but not bad.

Didn't stay for the mods

[Frasson118]

No atmosphere.... no electricity in the air at all.

Also, the pricing is way out of line for the show you get. At best, this is $5 weekly show. People aren't paying $15-20 just because a 50 lap Mini Stock special is on tap. Charge them $5, and let them bring in a cooler and the place will start to fill back up on the grandstand side.

As for the pits, let ALL racers know that if they get there in time for their race, they will get an equal shot to the guy that's been there since 4. You can get to Speedworld from a lot of places by 8:00, but why bother if you get no practice and must start last. Give all late arrivers a practice run, and an equal shot at the pill draw for line-ups. How tough could it be to find room for a few late comers?

Just swinging open the gates on Friday doesn't work

[MOE #15]

One this is for sure it's not going to fix itself.

[Frasson118]

I still think "Rex-Moe Productions" would do a hell of a job. You 2 would put excitement back on both sides of the fence.

[tccaz]

I still say the current crop of car enthusiasts, the few that are left are not interested in big motored, carbureted tanks. In order to get people interested in racing they MUST have a class that people can associate with when was the last time anyone could buy a vehicle with a carburetor? NOT POSSIBLE if you want to get new people at a race track you MUST offer something they are interested in. Hell even NASCAR went to EFI if those hard head no it all's make a change that should tell you something get with the times or racing is going to die.



Tom

[Tommy King]

I think Speedworld is the most underperforming track in the state. Unfortunately I think to fully capitalize on Orlando's location, the F will have to be replaced with a N if ya know what I mean.As bad as I hate to admit it the NASCAR name would breathe new life into the place. Businesses would advertise and racers would find it easier to get sponsors. This also would allow the track to take advantage of the tourist crowd that could provide a relvolving door of eager clients. If people will lay down good money to watch people ride around on some horses and get served a lil food, just think how crazy they would go over full action packed stockcar classes. Hey throw in a package where they get a hotdog, fries and drinks. Redneck dinner theatre! This requires investment-judging from past experience not happening.
All these ideas are great that are being posted and the Butch, Barb are all first class. I just dont think its happening without some vision. Irwindale in California is a similar geographic and demographic track as Speedworld. Maybe Mr. hart should get on one of them thar fyying machines and see whats going on out west or just drive up to Pensecola.

[andre]

I just dont think its happening without some vision. Irwindale in California is a similar geographic and demographic track as Speedworld.

The same Irwindale weekly Nascar short track that closed lately, by lack of fans

[Edm]

I think Speedworld is the most underperforming track in the state. .

100% totally agree, frustrating as hell because some of us see what it could be if.............

[Tommy King]

Holy Moly, when I went to Irwindale it was packed. been a few years.. I have a buddy that was racing out there and talked like car counts were good. That sucks. Story I just read said NASCAR pulled the plug on the place and doomed the track for closure. So I'm half right ....I think.

[Tommy King]

Just did a little more research on Irwindale. Fan attendance was down to a weekly average of 2000 fans 2011 from 5500 in 2002. OSW has 10 and its probably down to 5 now weekly must just be the economy.

RIP Irwindale.

[dd38]

Remember Butch and Barb's hands are tied by FASCAR. Thay have idea's and inputs from owners and drivers too, but remember the main reason, FASCAR!!! When I went to the tire test Thursday nite Terry Robert's spoke to me like a long, lost friend. He has NEVER spoke to me before! I agree with one thing it is the traffic on Fridays. At one time I could be there in 15 minutes from my house. Now it takes at least 30 (i still live in the same house) if I take the 408 and pay their "One Arm Bandits". Forget about using 50/Colonial Drive. Tried that once (unless you are like the people that flew in aboard a helicopter last nite. Someone apparently has a sponsor with money. And they never attempted to go to the ticket booth. Took it out of the drivers winnings. And that may have not covered it!LOL!!). But that is one of many things. And people are different today also. Where I work if it isn't some sort of a rice burner with a BIG loud muffler and a turbo/nitrous or both, they don't care. Taken my cars there many times to try to gain intrest and they could care less. I get questions like, Does it have a turbo/nitrous, how fast does it go (1/4 mile or top end), why are there big tires on the front, you race in a circle????. All they want is a stright stretch of hiway or an industrial park so they can race their shit boxes and kill someone. And they don't care about that either. Bring back auto inspection, but do it the right way.