A-Dale FUPS thoughts

[Don Nerone]

Which school did you attend to learn race promoting Don? Or did you just fall in to it like all promoters do. There's nothing magic about being a race promoter. Racing experience helps, but there are a number of successful race track promoters who went right from fans to promoters. The people who took over Volusia have no experience at all from what I've read, but they sure seem to be doing a good job.
How much race experience does it take to walk out of a track at the end of the night realizing you wish you'd have found a better way to spend your money. Don, you have no more insight into what makes a successful track or series than Jerry does. Or anyone on this board.

So let me see if I got this right..No experance needed just a big bag of money...OK Jerry still is out. LOL
How stupid a statment is that..
Matt you did a few things that mdge sence but that one ....

don62

[MMM]

A'Dale/FUPS

I can see both sides of the coin. I agree there should of been some type of Ambulance/Rescue Squad at the 'Dale Sunday. If the cost is really as high as being quoted, some type of agreement with PCEMS needs to be in place, that car races are going on, and to be ready. Danielle waited in that car way to long. The when PCEMS did arrive, they could not get to the car or her for all the racecars, wreckers, people creating an obstruction. No one seemed to be in charge, or took charge to expedite PCEMS to get the care that Danielle needed.
FUPS: Trucks- Do some house cleaning/policing. The truck race is a joke. There are 3 truck in different zip codes from the rest of the field. Maybe you get 14 trucks. If you would ENFORCE the rules, you could be at 20. Who wants to going racing in a series where the rules are not enforced. A disgrace and a joke of a series.
FUPS: SLM- Overal not a bad race. Once again, POLICE the series. When the inside ploe setter door slams the outside pole 3 times down the front straight into the wall...then you DQ/send to the rear, whatever you did do the outside pole sitter, because he used up the leaders bumper in turn one to let him know, because the series will not, that is not how you race SLM's. Put an official on the track to line the cars up!!!!!!!!!!!A racer is not going to give in until authority tells him he has to give it up by an official.
It sure looked like the flagman, for the most part, was seeing what was going on, but whoever is calling the races would not listen to him.
If your going to give drivers going to the pits 3 laps to change a tire, have the annoucer tell the fan in the stand what is going on.
Put the 3 spin rule into effect and use it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You hear all the time...If you can't afford safety gear, you shouldn't being racing. If the track can't afford to run a quality show, with Rescue People, you shouldn't be trying to run a show.

[Matt Albee]

So let me see if I got this right..No experance needed just a big bag of money...OK Jerry still is out. LOL
How stupid a statment is that..
Matt you did a few things that mdge sence but that one ....

don62

Yes, you got it right. There's no MBA that I know of for being a race track promoter. You just have to be a promoter. And you don't necessarily even need to know very much about auto racing.
And a big bag of money never hurts.

[Frasson118]

"Promotion" is a skill, not a college degree. It's more about 'people skills' than it is about a plaque on the wall.

Mike Peters, Bubba TLS, Phil & Liz at NFS, Robert Yoho.... all built up a successful racetrack with ZERO prior experience at race promotion.

All of Dons 'experience' has nothing left but the ashes of what 'uses to be', while these other tracks have done well enough to stay open and break even at the very least.

The difference is 'people skills'..... and Dons 'skills' suck compared to the rest.

Racers and fans choose to support people they personally like, and avoid the places that treat them like crap.

Nerone burned bridges, along with John Sapp, Kevin Williams, Ken Sands, Ann Young, and with each progressing week, Rex Guy.

When it comes to this business, having the right attitude is MUCH more valuable than prior experience.

Shitty attitude gets you shitty results.... no matter HOW much experience you have.

[tccaz]

Hey jerry wish you would tell us how you really feel. I realize this PC society keeps you from expressing your true feelings.

[Don Nerone]

"Promotion" is a skill, not a college degree. It's more about 'people skills' than it is about a plaque on the wall.

Mike Peters, Bubba TLS, Phil & Liz at NFS, Robert Yoho.... all built up a successful racetrack with ZERO prior experience at race promotion.

All of Dons 'experience' has nothing left but the ashes of what 'uses to be', while these other tracks have done well enough to stay open and break even at the very least.

The difference is 'people skills'..... and Dons 'skills' suck compared to the rest.

Racers and fans choose to support people they personally like, and avoid the places that treat them like crap.

Nerone burned bridges, along with John Sapp, Kevin Williams, Ken Sands, Ann Young, and with each progressing week, Rex Guy.

When it comes to this business, having the right attitude is MUCH more valuable than prior experience.

Shitty attitude gets you shitty results.... no matter HOW much experience you have.

Jerry is one of those fans that keeps the glass half empty.
Jerry the book is how to win friends and influence people.. Carnage


don62

[astratton]

Danielle

First of all, we are so thankful for the outpouring of support Danielle has received.

Charlie and I both believe Danielle received the very best care from the moment the track EMTs reached her to the Winter Haven ER Doctor and staff. In fact we were told by the ER Doctor that as bad as her injuries are it could have been worst had anything been done differently.

As I told Rex Guy when he called to check on Danielle tonight, if I thought for one second she could have received better care from the EMTs I would have to say something because it could be a matter of life or death to ALL the drivers.

Thank you all,
Charlie and Amy Stratton

[SLM07]

Fups thoughts

There seems to be a lot of complaining about this series or that track. I agree with a lot of it. The last FUPS slm was a joke. Personally that series is a joke! But some of you are right it all revolves around money. When I started racing late models the tires, fuel and entry were less than what the are today but yet the pay out was the same as it is today. If the cost go up so should the pay out. I feel one of the biggest problems with short track racing in Florida and all over the country is that each track in its own right keeps hanging all the rules for the different classes and it is getting way out of hand. If its not a street stock or better it needs to be on DOT tires. Road warriors should be slap a cage in a sedan and let it eat. Pure stocks are strictly that Stock! Street stocks get a motor and minor chassis perks. Sportsman are basically the limited late models of yesteryear. SLM are what they are. Put the racing back into racing and you will get the fans!!! I know to try and get all these promoters to agree on any thing would be like pulling teeth you could put them all in a room and ask them what color the sky is and more than one would try to argue with you. This guy has to be better and smarter than the next guy. Or two tracks fairly close together are going to run SLM on the same night and see who gets the most cars. That's bull shit your only hurting yourselves and the racers. All any racer wants is for a track to be honest, unbiased and fair! I know that's a lot to ask from your egos but its the truth. I races at 4 different tracks this year and not one time did I not hear one promoter bad mouth another one. Grow up seriously! Just my thoughts take it or leave it!

[steadysteve]

OK,then

I sat on turn 4 during the FUPS eace,and saw the wreck Danielle was in.First of all,get well soon Danielle.She's a good competitor,and we need drivers like her back racing.My only problem was that it did take nearly a half-hour for a EMT to get to the track to transport her.

All these excuses like they have personel there to take care of her is bull.Is that why one of the track guys who are supposedly "trained" for this,yelled out to the sherriff's deputies for help? Isnt this the same problems that Auburndale had in waitring for transport,that led to that boy ending up dying at that track in a 4-cylinder race?

While the SLM race had a decnt amount of cars,(25) the Troy McNabb team caused nearly half of the 22 yellow flags.Should have been black-flagged way earlier.While I agree w/ Steve Dorer about the rough racing by David Green,it is A-dale.The track is so narrow,you have to accept it.Dorer can be mad all he wants,but the track is what it is.?Yes Guy was put on the tail for wrecks he caused,but did "cheat up" on re-starts to gain position.Once ok,twice,should have been black-flagled,but that's never gonna happen.

Promotion is a skill,but it takes effort.Having worked with Ross Chastain,amd several rock bands,you have to stay on the phone with your computer,to find the prono person that works for these companies,and keep calling.I must of spent 5 hours a day,and it's tough.try it sometimes.It takes effort.

I agree with Tim about getting sponsorship,advertising,TV and radio,and possibly having the big races shown or broadcast.I've already stated on previous posts on how to do this,but people must think that I was running my mouth (and maybe I am),but I have done this for a living.

You have local cable access,Brighthouse networks,all yearning for anything to broadcast.NBC is looking for good racing,which Florida has,to broadcast so they can sell advertising.I have talked with NSS,Auburhdalemshowtine,and others.but other than NSS,I didnt get that much enthusiasm.I gave them the guy at NBC sports.Look,if he says no,you keep calling him until he says yes.and,You keep at it.Man,if I had any money,I'd by Lakeland speedway.But I dont,and it's one track I would love to see re=open.

Rex Guy,it's obvious to me you dont have the insurance to have some driver taken to the hospital.You need to fix this,before another driver gets really hurt,or dies.

[Boneman]

it did take nearly a half-hour for a EMT to get to the track

You are wrong. Trained EMT's were on site and on the scene. No track can transport patients; its a state law. Do you have an issue with how long it took the ambulance to arrive? If so, then state it that way instead of trying to smear the track.

Isnt this the same problems that Auburndale had in waiting for transport,that led to that boy ending up dying

What an irresponsible statement. You don't know the details (none of us do), and you don't know if a fully equipped emergency room on site would have made any difference.

[Matt Nichols]

Auburdale Speedway Safety Crew

Let me Introduce myself my name is Matt Nichols I am the Safety Team Leader at the Auburdale Speedway, I work full time for Polk County Fire Rescue I currently hold the Rank of Lieutenant/EMT

I would Like to address your concerns

Everything we need to provide immediate medical attention is available on the truck at all times during the races at the Auburndale Speedway. All safety personnel are not only certified Fire Fighter / EMT’s (some with with up to 24 years experience in the emergency field) but have also been trained on the proper technics when dealing with race cars and their structural differences. When a crash occurs, the fans and other onlookers are only focused on the car involved and a minute to you may seem like hours. The safety crew has to be very aware of everything going on around that track. They first have to ensure they can cross the track without risking personal injury and without causing additional accidents. We then have to assess the vehicle and the driver to be sure that medical attention is needed and if so what type. We have to determine if the patient can be moved or if special precautions need to be made so as not to cause additional harm. Anything done too hastily could have an unnecessary life time effect on that driver. The safety crew at Auburndale Speedway are not just a “for hire” service with unfamiliar faces coming in each week. We are a crew that have trained on a professional level within our careers and have trained within the speedway gates and with the drivers to get know them, their cars, their families and their fans. It is the Auburndale Speedways goal to give the drivers peace of mind that they have one of the best safety crews available of all of the local tracks.
In reference to the incident involving Danielle Stratton, times were checked and verified as follows:
14:23:59 Deputy on scene called in the accident (Per EMTs Request)
14:25:25 Emergency Crew dispatched
14:25:55 Emergency Crew responded
14:31:31 Emergency Crew Arrived on scene

As you can see, a 15 minute delay did not occur. Also, on that night, not only were there two EMT’s responding from turn 4 but a third was available had the accident involved additional cars and drivers.
If any of you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me

Matt Nichols
863-412-1098

[Rick Williams]

Enough All Ready

I was on site and witnessed the extraction of Danielle from her Legends car. The two Polk Co. EMT's that the track employs on race days follow procedure in getting her right leg/ankle free from the crushed foot box, after checking her vitals and keeping her relaxed and as pain free as possible. They continued to respond to her needs even while un-bolting the steering shaft for removal to give them more room to free her. The EMT's were also in radio contact with the Polk Co. Fire Rescue who was in route to transport once it was determined she would need to be transported to the hospital. I hope this clears the air out there about all the comments being made about the track, Rex, the officials, etc..
Rick Williams
FUPS Racing, LLC

[Frasson118]

I definitely have an issue on how long it took to get an ambulance there. It was a very bad scene, and its hard to estimate time in a high-tension situation. I didn't track it with a watch, I just kept waiting.... and waiting, .... and waiting. Then FINALLY heard sirens in the distance, headed our way.

If that were my daughter in there, I would be LIVID that it would take a minimum of 20 minutes get her the full attention she obviously needed. Nothing against the trained EMT's, as I'm sure thy did everything they could.... but they are NOT equipped like an ambulance, nor do they have the depth of medical talent of a hospital.

This wasn't scrapes, bruises or a sprain. This was a young girl TRAPPED with the possibilities of her injuries being catastrophic.

Where I grew up, you weren't even allowed to fire up a motor in the pits without the ambulance crew on the grounds.

If anyone believes that 20-30 minutes is an acceptable amount of time to get someone on a gurney and into an ambulance..... then you better hope to God that it isn't YOUR loved one that had to wait.

Is this a track bash?...... Yup....

Do they deserve it?...... ABSOLUTELY.

[luke81]

Where I grew up, you weren't even allowed to fire up a motor in the pits without the ambulance crew on the grounds.

I'm guessing you're from the northeast (like me)? Things are very different up there, especially New Jersey where the state police make the rules on racing safety. From what I can see it's a different planet down here at race tracks. While I agree with a lot of your comments I just don't think Florida tracks get it. There aren't the same level of standards here.

[Matt Nichols]

I want To add that Danielle was not Trapped, Once I stabilized her Leg/Ankle with an Air Splint I made the decision to leave her in the Car so we would only move her one time From the Car to the stretcher due to the severity of her injury, I did this in MY patients best interests. Everything we did I explained to her.

So please stop playing arm chair quarterback we are trained and everything we do is in YOUR (the Drivers) best interests.