Orlando Speed World: Update

[scottgarrity07]

Phil, I get where you're coming from with the "bashers", but this is a message board and it comes with the territory. It's a free speech thing. You have to just ignore them, not feed them and they tend to go away. All the track operators on here know to do that. Sometimes Rick Bristol let's it get to him but man does he give it back to them good. Any track that has a Facebook page and let's people post nonstop negativity about them without moderating it is not playing it smart. Either edit out the BS by monitoring closely or don't let people post.

I really commend Donnie for being open to suggestions and one like Lurkin's is a winner and doesn't cost anything. But most other suggestions WILL cost money and if Ozzy continues to be tight fisted, then what good does it do? A big Super show, a TBARA event, etc. These purses cost a ton of money. Unfortunately, Speedworld won't improve until a major financial commitment is made by Ozzy (or someone else). You can make suggestions 'til your blue in the face and Donnie can listen, but without the cash to make it happen it's all fantasy.

I'm not sure Ozzy would be so receptive to the idea of switching to dirt. All that dust in the air drifting over to the dragstrip would make all the straight liners cranky. Ozzy would also have to give up his grandiose visions of big drifting and autocross events (surely the reason the money got spent on the drainage and paving of the infield).

[OldSchool+]

I would say that dirt is a non starter. It would be expensive to rip up the pavement and truck in dirt, probably $30k or better, I would guess.

Then, you have to maintain it constantly and forever. Think tractor, guy to run it, water truck, all that.

Walls...? Another issue.

Phil--Scott is on to something regarding track owner/promoters and sensitivity.

Who hasn't been at a track where the whole grandstand was screaming at the flagman, booth, or both? It is part of the game, and they should kinda be used to it.

But I think I speak for most when I say the two principles are welcome to kick the ball around here if they would like.

Ignoring stuff they deem negative is fine, we all can do that as well.

And explaining why something won't work, including money or preference, is certainly their prerogative. Or explaining what their intentions are moving forward, and gauging the reaction. In other words, if it was a two way dialogue then folks here would probably naturally buy in.

But you frequently mention positive input, there have been dozens of free ideas that could work, but from here it seems like they simply disappear down a black hole.

The only thing that is truly known is: It's a fact that it's a shut down track, Jacque.

[Winger]

Interesting thread but a few things seem to be missing. Very important things. First you can have all the $5 nights or other special promotions for spectators and if you don't have a show that's good, you're never going to see the people, who were first time fans, come back. You're shooting yourself in the foot if you're concentrating on getting spectators but don't have a good show. If you get so you're putting on a good show, your spectators will start coming and the word will spread.
Next, how are you going to get a decent show? First, you do have to pay the drivers all the way through the field. The better you pay, the better your chance of getting cars. Now to get those guys to come, you have to make phone calls personally. Call drivers, car owners and ask them to support you. Be provided to answer questions and offer incentives. They'll give you a chance and they'll come. If you run a good, fair, and efficient show, with guaranteed purses, they will come back and more will come. BUT, YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THEM PERSONALLY, AND FOLLOW UP!

[Jimmy McKinley]

Call drivers, car owners and ask them to support you. Be provided to answer questions and offer incentives. They'll give you a chance and they'll come. If you run a good, fair, and efficient show, with guaranteed purses, they will come back and more will come. BUT, YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THEM PERSONALLY, AND FOLLOW UP!

GREAT idea.

However:

Dad has been a part of Florida short track racing - Late Models/Super Late Models, whatever they call 'em down there now - for 40+ years - from Hialeah to Pensacola, from New Smyrna to DeSoto, he's crew-chiefed on at least one race car at every asphalt track in the state of Florida at least once. For the first few years in the early to mid '70s, we were running Hialeah and Palm Beach. We used get paid "tow money" to come and run at St. Pete, Tampa, Inverness, and DeSoto, even though our car was based out of Palm Beach. For the last ten years, he's owned his own Late Model, with my brother driving. Since they live in Vero, they had been towing up to Orlando. No tow money, no high-dollar toter home, no spare car in the hauler. Just a Ford dually on an open trailer.

Since Speed World "dropped" the Super Late Models, he hasn't run the car - which has been about two years. He *could* go run Auburndale, but, why go there when there's stuff goin' on there and you know either 1) you'll tear stuff up on your own, 2) *someone else* will tear your stuff up for you, or 3) you know won't get treated fairly. Without a place to regularly run, the car's just been sitting in the garage.

Not *once* in 40 years has ANY track owner or promoter called him or my brother and asked them why their Late Model is sitting in the garage. They raced where they were treated fair, and the payout was *great*.

[scott bertram]

I believe it's up to the Promoter to show the customers that there is something different going on there, not our job to view the same old stuff with a brand new outlook.
I'd love to give the place another chance.... but they have to give me reasons to come. Tiny fields of entry level divisions isn't gonna do it for me. They can't just swing open the gates to a turd of a show and expect people to flock through the injectors.

Create a show WORTH attending, and people will show up. But I haven't seen any moves in that direction yet, and it doesn't sound like there is any real plan about how to accomplish that.

couldn't have said it better myself! you have to have a show to watch, you have to entertain...... if not this is what you get. I never heard a SLM, or PLM driver say they didn't like OSW but yet we aren't invited. last year we were 1 time.....decent turnout, no fans (no advertising) and I'm not saying it to be 100% fact but from what I hear the new management decided they couldn't afford to run us. personally my car sits in the garage collecting dust, and it wouldn't if they put something together.... pretty sure I'm not the only 1. As far as the fans.... give them a steady continuous show worth the $, not sure what admission has been but I'm guessing in the $10-$12 area...... a little of a drive but VSP here on the east coast have similar prices with a full show with more than just support divisions. people work hard for the money they spend, no one is going to go spend the same $ to support a track with a mediocre show week after week when they could see a better one. build a show....not just 1 time....show consistency, and the rest will follow.

[rhinoracing11]

Im not a expert by any means on building a dirt track or promotions.Beside the fact of the drift cars, I dont remember the height of the walls a complete change is in order to keep the girl going.You dont have to rip up the old asphalt, cost for dirt, equipment and the vision of thr future will pay for itself the 1st ten races. Beside where are all the drivers that run Cras A Rama? Do you think they want to race weekly of follow the leader or build a entry level car for 10,000 to run on concrete.Or build a car up to 5,000 beat and bang with 15 othet drivers heck thats been proven by thr Melbourne cow pasture that drew a bunch fans and cars.To have hope for the past to come back again isnt going to happen.
Rob