Orlando SpeedWorld - 5/9/14

[ScottPrentice]

Bronson causes their own problems. You could pay $10K to win, and most racers wouldn't support it. They have no local base of cars, and it's just too far for most to go there.

As Scott pointed out, running at a 'well run track' is one of the keys to success. Neither Bronson or A-Dale are 'well run tracks'.

you sure about all that?
10k to win and you don't think "most racers" would come out to Bronson?
WOW, you must of had a truly bad experience there or know something I don't. Can you please share because comparing Bronson to A-Dale, after what I've seen and read lately, is pretty harsh!

[scottgarrity07]

Right on, Jerry. That's a recipe for success right there if you used the old Southern Sportsman format as well. It would be a very entertaining show that would draw the fans and draw the competitors because the same guys wouldn't be able to win every week. The "hail mary" is trying to find someone who would want to do this AND be able get all those track operators on board. Someone with the background of the success of the SSS (like Jackman or Hutto) would have the best shot. Will "The Phoenix" rise from the ashes of FUPS or will nothing materialize? Only time will tell.

On the subject of Bronson, things are improving there. It will be a long way back though. A lot of bridges have been burned. Ann Young has abandoned her "my way" philosophy and has been reaching out to the community and old friends of the racetrack to get things on track. Old flagman Jimmy (who's been at Bronson for over 30 years in some capacity) is back as are others. She changed some policies too, for the better. She's learned some painful lessons but she appears to be in it for the long haul and things are coming around. I'll be going up on June 14th to see for myself and race in a regular event. If things go well, I'll come back on July 3rd for the Thursday Night Special 50 lapper (remember those clamoring for a midweek show on here?) and will encourage others to join me. It's a great way to start the Fourth of July holiday and still have the rest of the weekend to spend with Family. I think the car count problem there is a combination of remoteness, past hard feelings and Sportsman being run nearly every event.

But today is here and tonight it's 35 action-packed laps for Sportsman at the awesome Orlando Speedworld! The weather is great and Family Night means 4 dogs, sodas and admissions for $44. So come on out and enjoy the show! I'm chomping at the bit!

[andre]

A local, regular fans and racers base is the key. And that is built on weekly local racing. If you do not have a fans and racers base, there is no need to throw big events, this is direct path to failure.

Build yourself a 75 //100 cars base, 1000//1500 fans base and then go for it. Now if you bring in XYZ big series which has a 1000/1500 following, now you have 2000//3000 fans. And racers loves racing in front of big crowds. So more racers will join those big events. Now you have a success that everybody talks about for weeks, which bring in more fans and so on. Promoter job to make the wheel turn.

[ScottPrentice]

scottgarrity07: "On the subject of Bronson, things are improving there. It will be a long way back though. A lot of bridges have been burned. Ann Young has abandoned her "my way" philosophy and has been reaching out to the community and old friends of the racetrack to get things on track. Old flagman Jimmy (who's been at Bronson for over 30 years in some capacity) is back as are others. She changed some policies too, for the better. She's learned some painful lessons but she appears to be in it for the long haul and things are coming around."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Not sure about how many bridges been burned but I do know that it is the only game in town when it comes to asphalt racing in north Florida.
I think Bronson deserves another chance from those that were put off by her at first.
BTW- I was turned off by her about 3 years ago and said I wouldn't come back, but I know I've needed some second chances myself in the past....

[Frasson118]

Scott..... I agree that sometimes, second chances are in order. Maybe she IS trying the right the ship. But it's not there yet.

No fan base, no car base, minimum 1 hour drive time for most teams to get there (well over 2 hours for many).... there is no common sense reason they should be a part of this.

Get the local-car field up to 15 or 20, then it would 'start' to make sense..... but it doesn't yet.

[Patrick Thomas 25]

This will be a great sportsman race, all the heavy hitters are already in the pits. If you were on the fence about making the trip, take my word for it, you don't want to miss this race.

Patrick Thomas 25

[Frasson118]

How many Sportsman at OSW..?

[OldSchool+]

I didn't count 'em, but it was a decent field.

Teamed up with other fans to get in (!) and got my free hotdog & coke.

Decent Sportsman feature, clean driving.

OSW has a considerable ways to go, but the facility was nice and clean.