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As I sat in the stands of an asphalt race last week with about 150 other die hard fans, I took some mental notes of what is wrong with our sport. By the way, I have an asphalt car setting on jackstands, too expensive to put on the track. Most of these problems and solutions have been well discussed on this forum before, however, I think we have to continue to highlight the issues in hopes the track owners take heed of some suggestions.
Problem 1- Boring single file racing. For the most part, I believe this is no one's fault in particular, it is the track layout itself. Most asphalt tracks are 25 plus years old. These tracks were built at a time when just having "racing" was enough to entertain people. Times change, it's now 2008, and people demand to be entertained. I realize that it is financially impossible to reconfigure the tracks, but can we do something to the surface to promote 2 racing grooves?
Problem 2- Too many divisions. I know this has been brought up hundreds of times, but it is true. The divisions no longer have a distinct financial structure to them as well. There may be 3 or 4 divisions which the cars (trucks) cost the same amount of money. Used to be there were divisions that cost $5000 and less, another that cost $5000 to $10000, another $10000 to $15000, and so on.
Problem 3-One off divisions. This is the best way to bankrupt a driver. Start a division that uses a car/engine combo that is used at no other track. The division gets dropped or the driver wants to move up, but he can't sell his equipment because no one else can use it. The divisions have to be tiered so if someone builds a pure stock, he can take the same car, put a few thousand dollars in upgrades and move up to the next level.
Problem 4- Too many touring series. When I was a kid, the All-Pro series would come to West Palm Beach and the place would be packed. It WAS a SPECIAL event. Today it seems there is a different touring series every week. Add that to the fact that most of these touring series have nothing in common with any of the local divisions. The All-Pro series consisted of local drivers and touring pros.
Problem 5-Cost. To heck with the ABC bodies, put dirt late model bodies on the late models. Get rid of the bump stops, rebuildable shocks, aluminum heads, carbon fiber driveshafts, etc. If you want to spend six figures to go racing, Nascar has the Busch East Series. Nascar is always happy when you spend lots of money.
Problem 6- The announcers. These guys spout off more sponsor shout-outs than an 11 year old ASA driver trying to remember all 38 decals on his car. Tell me something I want to know. Give me someone to root for: their hometown, high school, college, that they have'nt slept in 64 hours to get the car to the track. Tell me this during breaks in the action, not when the cars are running (I can't hear you then!)
In Summary. I think asphalt racing can still prosper. It just needs an overhaul.
Any opinions?
Problem 1- Boring single file racing. For the most part, I believe this is no one's fault in particular, it is the track layout itself. Most asphalt tracks are 25 plus years old. These tracks were built at a time when just having "racing" was enough to entertain people. Times change, it's now 2008, and people demand to be entertained. I realize that it is financially impossible to reconfigure the tracks, but can we do something to the surface to promote 2 racing grooves?
Problem 2- Too many divisions. I know this has been brought up hundreds of times, but it is true. The divisions no longer have a distinct financial structure to them as well. There may be 3 or 4 divisions which the cars (trucks) cost the same amount of money. Used to be there were divisions that cost $5000 and less, another that cost $5000 to $10000, another $10000 to $15000, and so on.
Problem 3-One off divisions. This is the best way to bankrupt a driver. Start a division that uses a car/engine combo that is used at no other track. The division gets dropped or the driver wants to move up, but he can't sell his equipment because no one else can use it. The divisions have to be tiered so if someone builds a pure stock, he can take the same car, put a few thousand dollars in upgrades and move up to the next level.
Problem 4- Too many touring series. When I was a kid, the All-Pro series would come to West Palm Beach and the place would be packed. It WAS a SPECIAL event. Today it seems there is a different touring series every week. Add that to the fact that most of these touring series have nothing in common with any of the local divisions. The All-Pro series consisted of local drivers and touring pros.
Problem 5-Cost. To heck with the ABC bodies, put dirt late model bodies on the late models. Get rid of the bump stops, rebuildable shocks, aluminum heads, carbon fiber driveshafts, etc. If you want to spend six figures to go racing, Nascar has the Busch East Series. Nascar is always happy when you spend lots of money.
Problem 6- The announcers. These guys spout off more sponsor shout-outs than an 11 year old ASA driver trying to remember all 38 decals on his car. Tell me something I want to know. Give me someone to root for: their hometown, high school, college, that they have'nt slept in 64 hours to get the car to the track. Tell me this during breaks in the action, not when the cars are running (I can't hear you then!)
In Summary. I think asphalt racing can still prosper. It just needs an overhaul.
Any opinions?
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