Florida Short Track Racers

[Frasson118]

For what it's worth, I've noticed that 'most' of the complaining involves the racers and fans of asphalt racing. Not nearly so much with the dirt crowd.

[Darren]

Long time fans of short track racing and nascar are not going or watching now also. That and not making new fans is a double hit.

[Tim Pafford]

how do you get people interested in paying to watch local racing when they can stay home and watch professional racing for free, without paying, watch all replays, driver interviews, eat and drink their own food/beverage, clean restrooms,etc,,I don't know how to fix it especially when the economy is in decline. a few tracks are thriving but most are failing, many reasons are to blame including the one I just listed, can it or will it turn around,i doubt it but sure hope it does, if not many more tracks will close..i hope that never happens..

[Frasson118]

It's not 'just' the racing.... the whole experience should be entertaining. The successful tracks seems to have a buzz in the air the minute you hit the parking lot.

When I get out of the car, I want to hear the announcer talking up a storm, a practice session happening on-track, a track program to buy & read, the aroma of the concession stand, etc.

At FAR too many tracks, I instead get: SILENCE until the National Anthem, ZERO cars on track, no program to figure out the drivers (and the announcer never brings it up), looooooong delays for cautions & restarts, usually a long & useless intermission, and then, 2 seconds after the final Winners Interview you get the big "See you all again next week".

There's a big difference between 'hosting a racing event' and 'entertaining a crowd of race fans'. Silence is a show killer. Bad time management & poorly run shows bore people. The racing itself could be excellent, but if your fans are already bored & aggravated.... you've lost them.

Focus more on ENTERTAINING the crowd.....!!!!

[jnyg23]

What's missing from today's racing is excitement. Not to mention that's it's just not the way it used to be its more a business for almost every aspect. Instead of making what you need or trying new parts to find a faster way around just get on the net and buy it bring it to the speed shop have them put it on set it up hell they might even take it to the track and test it for ya.But what I miss is watching the guy go from a street stock to a limited then a late model working his way up, not your local 14 year old with dads money.

[kendo]

a track program to buy & read,

I have not been to a track in Flordia that had a weekly program...

Never forgot being a kid studying the programs all week looking at the pics,reading the articles,determining where your driver needed to finish the following week to move up in the points.
Fans become returning fans when they find a driver from their home town who they can follow,identify with,and become a life long fan simply through pictures.
On the flip side,I don't know of one driver who didn't appreciate getting his name in ink.What about the advertising dollars generated by adds?????

This is basic promoting 101...why is it so hard for the tracks to understand?

[Trash Inturn4]

Random thoughts.....

The show....The reason I rarely spend money going to a "Big Show" is the lack of passing. Starting the fast cars in the front, is a show killer.

Rivalrys (or lack of)...they exist, but the tracks seem to do more to stifle the rivalry, than to encourage them. We need a few good fights on the track to get the fans fired up, instead, all we get are fines and suspensions.

Uniformity in the rules.....They have taken the individuality out of the sport. Cars all seem to look alike. Anyone can buy the same pieces and they better all measure the same dimensions, or you are disqualified.

Cost....The cost to race now has gotten out of hand. When you figure in all of the cost to field a car and crew, the average guy, without some kind of sponsorship, just can't afford to race every week. It really becomes apparent near the end of the season when the money runs out, and car counts are down.

Lack of true promoters.... We have many people who run tracks, but few true promoters.

Every track racing on Saturday night.....Someone should try racing on some other night. Friday's used to work great for Golden Gate. or maybe a Sunday afternoon, just saying.

Family demands.....back in the day, it was more common for racers to put racing before their family needs. I think today racers are more aware of the needs of their families, and they try to be better husbands and fathers.

Competition for your entertainment dollar.....let's face it, there is way more competition now, for a familys entertainment dollar.

Overall interest in Stock Car racing down.... I just don't see the interest in racing from the youth of today, like when we were growing up. There are way fewer kids interested in twisting wrenches, than when we were kids.

With all of this being said....I still can't wait for Saturday night to roll around !!!

[rpmmotorsports 2]

It's not 'just' the racing.... the whole experience should be entertaining. The successful tracks seems to have a buzz in the air the minute you hit the parking lot.

When I get out of the car, I want to hear the announcer talking up a storm, a practice session happening on-track, a track program to buy & read, the aroma of the concession stand, etc.

At FAR too many tracks, I instead get: SILENCE until the National Anthem, ZERO cars on track, no program to figure out the drivers (and the announcer never brings it up), looooooong delays for cautions & restarts, usually a long & useless intermission, and then, 2 seconds after the final Winners Interview you get the big "See you all again next week".

There's a big difference between 'hosting a racing event' and 'entertaining a crowd of race fans'. Silence is a show killer. Bad time management & poorly run shows bore people. The racing itself could be excellent, but if your fans are already bored & aggravated.... you've lost them.

Focus more on ENTERTAINING the crowd.....!!!!

You are correct! They are the tracks and drivers customer, we need to provide Outstanding Customer service. Entertain the crowd from A to Z

[katlizy]

You are correct! They are the tracks and drivers customer, we need to provide Outstanding Customer service. Entertain the crowd from A to Z

I agree. I dont expect too much, just clean and safe facilities. As a woman
Clean bathrooms are a must!!! The rest falls in. I love short track racing, my dad took me since I was little. I bring my friends son, who wants to race when he grows up, and has met most of you.

His happiness makes me happy, and I appreciate the kindness you all have shown him when he asks for your autograph, or wants to sit in your car. You have helped give him lifelong memories.. You are a bigger celeb to him then anyone on TV. He has hung up all autographs and photos in his room.

Happy thanksgiving to you all. 😁😁🐈

[egspeedway]

Probably the main gripe I have is how they string out the program with delays between heats and the insanely long intermission believing it helps the food/beverage sales.People will get their food if and when they want it regardless of whats going on trackside.During speedweeks Volusia runs 2 classes with upwards of 125 cars. yet you are out of there most nights by 10:30 or earlier.The majority of tracks I have attended are guilty of this on a weekly basis. One other problem is inadequate push/tow trucks. On more than one occasion it has been a tractor or front end loader.

[Jack Burroughs]

Florida Short Tracks

I too can agree with much of that, disagree with some, but as a spectator since around 1947, back up in N.J., I've seen my share of races and even built a Dirt Modified that we tried to race in Middletown, N.Y. I now race with The, "Florida All-Stars", top drawer Dirt Karts. Things are like that all over in all types of racing. When not racing myself, I still try to support as much racing as I can. It's a sickness that I have that I hope I never get cured from.

[Don Nerone]

1947.....I wasent born yet.. Boy are you old..lol


don62

[Lurkin]

I can't be bothered to take the time to read what bothers you. I couldn't make it past your stupid "Rowdy Bloomquist" name. :-)

[RowdyBloomquist]

Ya because "Lurkin" is so much more clever. Go piss in your own Cheerios. You are the type of people I am speaking of.

[Lurkin]

And scene.