Desoto looking to go to Dirt

[andre]

Is Dirt racing a better, more attractive venue for racers and Race Fans?
I would say, in majority, yes.

But B4 spending hundreds of thousands of $ on transformation, there might have some things, options and places to look at. Look at what the race fans wants..........
A...C...T...I...O...N----F..U..N----E..N..T..E..R..T.A..I..N..M..E..N..T.

Just as an exemple, Airborne Speedway(1/2 mile paved) in Plattsburg NY couple years ago was basically dying, with Late Model Racing(ACT type cars), and Tom Curley running it.

Then came Mike Perrote, a Northeastern Dirt Mod racer, buys the track and bring in the cavalry, 358 Dirt Mods on pavement. He packs the place since. And I mean ''Packed'' for 30 laps main event. You see, these cars are not built for that purpose, so they are entertaining to watch. They are more sideway on pavement than they are on Dirt. This coming year, he brings in the Sportsman, same car, with a 602 carte motor.

Same track, empty with one kind of show, packed with the other. That tell you that the medium they race on is not the ultimate answer. The show and it's promotion are.

So would Desoto be better on Dirt? Maybe. But it's not definite.

Ever thought of ultra high banked paved 1/4 mile action packed bull ring???

[DeucesWild]

Seems to me after reading post after post talking about the management at Desoto Speedway doing the racer wrong. It does not matter whether it is dirt or asphalt if that problem don't get fixed nothing will work. Seems to me that they need to fix the problem they have now instead of running from it. Going to dirt is not going to fix that problem. It will just affect another group of racers. My opinion is spend the money fixing what you have and they will support you. If you support them they will show and support you. Fair and honest will go a long way!

[Slim]

Turn the place into a "Premier Racing Resort" with plenty of atmosphere, something bad ass. Augusta, Ga. does it for golf, Vail, Co. for snow skiing. Cool enough idea to bring in some heavy investors.

[bowlegs]

From just a nuts and bolts perspective, I suggest talking to New Senoia Raceway south of Atlanta and 441 Speedway east of Macon. New Senoia went back to dirt 3 years ago but just slapped the clay over the asphalt. Drivers complained about the track coming apart and how the asphalt keeps all the moisture in. Plus if it rained the day before, the track wouldn't dry out. This winter they moved the dirt aside and ripped up the asphalt. I've read that the track is fantastic now and their car count is up. 411 went to dirt but I think they still have the asphalt under the clay. Not sure how that is working out. Bubba's has asphalt but from a business and competitive standpoint, they might not share much with you. That's why the tracks in GA might be a good place to start. Get your clay from GA or AL and bring someone from up there down to Desoto to help out. Just my 2 cents

[luke81]

The existing dirt tracks in this state don't have cars, so just what is needed - another one! Even losing Volusia and Putnam there still aren't full fields every week of anything near a headline class. Why not look at other angles that aren't already covered? The TORC-type offroad trucks are huge right now. Put the dirt in the infield and make something for that. Make a swamp hole. Do something new. Florida needs fewer tracks of better quality, not a higher quantity of crap.

[UREZ2PASS]

just asking never owned a dirt car. since everybody says its the way to go how much does it cost to build a car for dirt? must be cheaper and the payouts must great if its going to draw all these cars. I have a asphalt mod tires cost 500.00 plus . whats it cost for a set for dirt? And how much cheaper is it going to be to run dirt? any info would be great thanks.

The only savings is tire cost in the lower divisions. Your maintenance will increase substantially in upper divisions. I found the weekly maintenance labor time about double in our dirt latemodel vs. our asphalt late model.

Fun, hell yes. Lots of work hell yes. Would I do it again, hell maybe.

[modracer#8]

UREZ2PASS thanks for the reply back . I was thinking it had to be close to the same or more.

[Frasson118]

One area that dirt cars seem to have an advantage.... crash damage. When asphalt cars crash, they get towed away. Dirt cars normally drive away.

Body rules, in LM's ateast, are far cheaper. Sheets of aluminum and a box of rivets costs far below the cost and time of an ABC body. Easy to straighten without having to replace panels.

[Darren]

Where is Ken Sands when you need him. I am sure him and John could work together if the track went dirt. People have written that if the track went dirt that John sure move race night to Friday night to work with East Bay. Why not wait until Showtime Speedway opens supposely cars are being built to run there, draw from there on Friday nights and save the expense of changing to dirt.

[Mike Bresnahan]

While my dirt late model career was short lived, it is much cheaper than asphalt. The cars are cheaper. It only takes about 1-2 guys plus the driver to crew a dirt car at the track so if your paying for your help to come in the pit gate thats a huge weekly savings. Less tires & fuel. Very little practice = Less laps on the track so less maintance too...

No spotters-no mirrors equal less crashes. How you ask? If I'm not far enough along side you I know you cant see me, so I lift. In asphalt I'm thinking "well his spotter knows I'm here..." CRASH!!!

I think John knows the impact Sunshine opening will have on his track and is trying to get out in front of this thing and save it. I commend him for it.

[Jrkracing1*]

I like the idea if they don't run against East Bay. I'd race there. John 1*

[dirtballer69]

Where is Ken Sands when you need him. I am sure him and John could work together if the track went dirt. People have written that if the track went dirt that John sure move race night to Friday night to work with East Bay. Why not wait until Showtime Speedway opens supposely cars are being built to run there, draw from there on Friday nights and save the expense of changing to dirt.

You can forget about Ken Sands,I'm pretty sure he's had enough of Florida racing to last a lifetime..As far As Perrotte's track goes.He could run wheel-barrows there successfully.Theres no track for miles near his in the Adirondacks.Airborne also did well when it was dirt and part of a 3-track series that shared cars.Speaking of the Adirondacks,theres a perfectly good closed ASPHALT track going to waste not far from Perrottes due to legal red tape.Asphalt is frankly boring.Cover Desoto with some good clay,don't get carried away w/the rules,and don't rape the drivers or fans(thats a big one right there).You'll pack the place if you run it RIGHT..

http://www.adirondackspeedway.com/index.php

[andre]

.As far As Perrotte's track goes.He could run wheel-barrows there successfully.Theres no track for miles near his in the Adirondacks.

Yep! Except for Autodrome St Eustache, Cornwall Speedway, Mohawk Internationl Raceway And Thunder Road which are all within 80 miles of Airborne Speedway. And when he got it from Tom Curley, it was dying, with very few cars and not many race fans. His show and management skills really turned this place around.

[Darren]

NO, Florida racing has had enought of Ken Sands to last a life time and the people he owns money to.

[openwm53]

I also commend john

For thinking outside the box.......But im not sure that dirt is the answer. Im not going into the dirt vrs asphault thing but this is my thoughts and opinions..........Take the money that it would cost to change the track and upgrade and promote........Can you imagine how many people could be drawn to the track with a big bright bill board on I 75.......Adds in local papers and magazines. Upgrades to stands and consessions possibly. And yes your all thinking you will need cars for a show...........thats a whole issue in itself.......payout ,fairness,scheduling,fuel and tire prices. I think that everyone can agree that this is an awesome asphault track.....And its very racey. Showtime will be an issue but I think Citrus will lose the most cars. Alot of guys tried desoto after sunshine closed but ended up at Citrus for one reason or another.