Typical OSW

[Frasson118]

Don.... If you DO know the fix, let the new owner know how it can be done. It NEEDS to be fixed, whoever came up with the idea.

It's not an inherent problem as if it was a design flaw in the first place..... and as Benny pointed out, over time, dirt washes out & resettles in other places. The whole solution here just might be to put dirt where it belongs, and remove it from where it shouldn't be.

It's possible that a couple loads of dirt, and a good Track-Hoe man could solve this in short order.

A few days work could save soooooooo many nights that they bail out early.

Like I said, there is NO OTHER track that I know off that has this problem..... or at the very least, tracks that let it persist for 6-8 years now.

Track 'weepers' happen almost everywhere there are banked tracks..... But they ALL found a way to fix it.....

[katlizy]

Why not give the current guys a chance? Can't fix it fast enough? Jeez rough crowd

[OldSchool+]

>Frasson: Thank you sir.

>It ain't exactly Mount Bithlo. Bithlo has always been "low" and slow to develop because of it. Orlando is slowly growing that way as the values are climbing and it makes it worthwhile to bring in the fill.

All that said, the parking lot has always been mush, and as I recollect, the pits as well. It is loooooooow in general.

>Seems like it can't be good to have water coming up through the track surface. Seems like it would be rough on the asphalt as well as the foundation directly under it.

>If anyone has a real-world idea (possibly unlike my own {!}), I think it could be provided to the parties in charge and then walked away from without harm.

I have found that I never feel bad when trying to do something good for someone else. If I am looking for them to do it "my way" or get the applause, not so much...

[shorttrackcar1]

Frasson your the complainer as always what have you done nothing for any tracks.

[palmbayer]

Melbourne not open ???
We raced a "demonstration" race on the 7th during their mud bog show. $500 to win 4cyl race is set for the 28th of June.

SHITTRACK is still an uninformed clown.

My son Jeff and I are having a blast racing at Speedworld this season. Glad the place is still open.

[palmbayer]

Frasson has done nothing ?!?!?!
LOL !!!!!
Oh SHITTRACK......

[Phil Jacques]

So... Let me ask this. Any of you guys own or work for a business the primarily operates outdoors? Look at this with some logic...

IMO, Orlando is in a very fragile state right now. They are in the process of trying to rebuild in the shadows of a very bad year or so. For this reason there is going to certainly be a ton of scrutiny when they cancel a race and it happens to end up sunny and clear and that can be understandable because we all want to race. We are racers, that's what we do. Things like that happen from time to time though. Happened once to us this year here in CT and 3 or 4 times last year. That's why they can only PREDICT the weather. Because no one knows.

Unfortunately as a business and an outdoor entertainment facility, they are forced to make choices from time to time. With the weather in FL, you can almost guarantee those choices are always going to be 50/50... It's funny that everyone is quick to criticize when one rain out call doesn't go right.

The comparison to other tracks is 110% irrelevant. Those other tracks are working with years of steady management in most cases and likely have a sturdy financial basis compared to what OSW is currently working with. If OSW were to try and run, and end up having to cancel. They end up losing a lot of money which can hurt them more than it would hurt others at this point I feel.

Many people seem to forget that at the end of the day, a track is still a business. They are here to try and make money and if they see a possibility of losing large amounts of money, I personally do not blame them for calling the race program for the evening.

As for the suggestion of running lower divisions in the rain or on a wet track. That to me is just a ridiculous suggestion!!! First off, what racer wants to take the added risk of racing on a wet track? Not me... that's for sure! Then, what fans want to sit on wet bleachers possibly in a mist or drizzle to watch racing? Again the answer is very few to zero. And what about the cars? They are not built with wet conditions in mind guys... Many different issues could arise due to water costing teams more money for repairs.

Just my $0.02...

[Benny The Mule]

Why not give the current guys a chance? Can't fix it fast enough? Jeez rough crowd

I will share my thoughts with the new owner via phone or media. The weeping has been getting worst the last 5+ years. Next time you are there look at the ground outside the track and you will see what i am talking about. My entire career up till a few yrs ago was in infrastructure and i am expert at drainage. The infield drain is the same one since the track was built and is not adequate. Even in the 80'-90's we called turn two infield "little lake Bithlo" and i wound up in it a few times.

I don't even go there anymore but want it to succeed. It has history and memories for me. I even worked for the track in 84'.

[OldSchool+]

PJ--all 100% valid points.

And I believe all understand them, or at least I think I do.

But, the way capitalism works is either the job gets done or eventually it will all go away.

A bunch of fill underneath a Walmart in that location may be more profitable.

But given it is a racetrack trying to succeed, that is the goal of the "try this" crowd.

Certainly some racers will not want to run on a weeping track, and some fans will not want to sit on damp grandstands (and I would not take offense at either, certainly), but the question is... are there enough on both sides to make it viable?

[OldSchool+]

"My entire career up till a few yrs ago was in infrastructure and i am expert at drainage...I will share my thoughts with the new owner."--BenJammin

You are the man!

[Phil Jacques]

PJ--all 100% valid points.

And I believe all understand them, or at least I think I do.

But, the way capitalism works is either the job gets done or eventually it will all go away.

A bunch of fill underneath a Walmart in that location may be more profitable.

But given it is a racetrack trying to succeed, that is the goal of the "try this" crowd.

Certainly some racers will not want to run on a weeping track, and some fans will not want to sit on damp grandstands (and I would not take offense at either, certainly), but the question is... are there enough on both sides to make it viable?

Unfortunately it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Racers whether they want to admit it or not have an extreme sense of entitlement.

On one hand, if they had run and it rained, everyone would have complained that they didn't get a rain check or refund.

On the other hand, since they chose to save money and cancel, people are complaining that they "didn't try" without knowing all the facts of the condition of the facility and what their decision was truly based upon. There likely were underlying issues here. I spoke with someone from the track earlier and they hinted at a drainage issue in the infield. Obviously I was not there, but I do read the news and watch the weather down there and do know that there was substantial rainfall in central FL this past week, so it is feasible that drainage issues coupled with a weeping track caused the cancellation.


A side note for my previous post, as for changing the schedule last minute for cars that could possibly run on a wet track. I bet 5 cars total would show. Not worth it. If people aren't planning on running that night, it's very likely they would not attempt to show especially on short notice.

[shorttrackcar1]

Phil they have been have had 22/ 30 cars showing depending on what classes are running and about 10 to 35 people showing up in the stands when the last class comes out 4cylinder class most of the people get up and leave thats whats going on.

[OldSchool+]

Shorttrack,

All accurate.

How would you suggest they build up the car and spectator count before the lights go out (again)?

Straight up, not intended to be a trick question...

[Phil Jacques]

Phil they have been have had 22/ 30 cars showing depending on what classes are running and about 10 to 35 people showing up in the stands when the last class comes out 4cylinder class most of the people get up and leave thats whats going on.

shorttrackcar1... What is your point here? That happens at a lot of tracks. Even up here where racing is extremely strong. We had over 100 cars this past week and full grandstands, but by the time the final feature came around, there were maybe 300-400 people left out of close to 3000. People either don't like particular divisions, it's too late and they have places to be the next day early, kids getting restless etc etc. Lists and lists of reasons get up and leave early.


IMO, if I were part of track management at Orlando, I would change a few things. It would almost certainly draw more people and cars.

Fridays are fine, not many if any tracks run on Friday down there as far as I am aware...

Gate prices would be $10 adults $8 12+ under 12 Free, Pits $20

I would rotate shows also on a bi-weekly rotation...

Week 1, OWM 40L Sportsman 30L, Super Stock 25L, Mini Stock 20L

Week 2, Emods 30L, Strickly Stock 25L, Mod Mini 25L, Rookie 4's 20L

4 divisions for a weekly event is more than enough. Seekonk here operates with a weekly program of 4 divisions per night, cheap prices everywhere and fills the stands pretty well.

I would also rotate in the TBARA, Pro Trucks, SLM, PLM, Vintage etc.

As for Legends, Bandos and Mini Cup, I would run them a different night of the week, on a smaller layout on the oval and bring in Karts as well. Flat Karts and Champ Karts are still fairly big around FL from what I have gathered and I also know there are a ton of them sitting around. Up here, we run Karts at Stafford on Monday nights and it's a very very successful program.

When it comes to payouts, their system is a little counterproductive though I understand with their fragile financial situation right now.

For OWM I would pay $750 to win, Sportsman $550, Super Stocks $400, Mini Stocks $250, E Mods 350, Stricklys $200, Mod Mini $200, Rookie 4's $150 and would pay out 20 positions with every division getting a minimum of $20 which covers pit entry. All payouts would have to be dependent on sponsorship to the track which it does not seem OSW currently has. Most tracks here have a title sponsor that kicks in at least half of the purse money weekly for their respective division. We have Sunoco Modifieds, Xtra Mart Limited Late Models, Monster Energy Mini Stocks just as an example. That financial support from sponsors is a huge aid to purses. Decent payouts do indeed draw cars.

[OldSchool+]

Phil,

Again, completely agree.

The formula that works is--Add money, get the cars, add money, wait on the people, add money, add advertising, add money...eventually the crowds and purse will (theoretically) yield a profit.

Am guessing that if anyone really knew what Mr. Yoho has dropped it would be astounding.

All that said, assuming there is little to no money, how to proceed?

My guesses:

Somehow, run every week (RC hydros?).

Narrow the classes and try to fill them--that is, give folks some sense of continuity. Sponsorship is stellar, but tough to sell if you have 15 people in the stands...

BTW, if people are leaving before a class is run, seems like the viability of the class would have to be questioned.

Less classes = more potential purse money to divvy between classes.