Tonights meeting at Putnam

[ocalaisback3]

copied these from a post giving a run down of things discussed

"Ron Armstrong" is the new proprieter. He discussed issues and solicited opinions from the group gathered there. The issues listed below are tentative and will be finalized with news released.

1) FIRST thing mentioned. New clay. The top surface of the track will be removed and a new layer of CLAY will be spread. I heard 5".
2) The problems with the restrooms will be fixed. Specifically mentioned was the toilets having problems flushing.
3) Handicap ramps will be constructed in all areas required, in accordance with federal laws.
4) Turn 2 needs drainage work. A series of drainage pipes will be installed.
5) The stands in turns 1 and 2 will be closed. They are in depsarate need of repair. I am unsure if they will build new ones or repair the ones they have.
6) A vote was taken and decided that races would be run on FRIDAYS to accomodate drivers running other tracks as well. Pit and Gate times will be at a time to accomodate jobs and travel time.
7) PITs... Your allowed a tow truck and a car. Pit prices will tentatively be $20 for you AND your car, and $20 per person. NO CHILDREN under the age of 8 will be allowed in the pits. This will also be a policy coming soon to other tracks.
8) General admission tentatively set at $10. (not sure about children. Children = 8 to 14. 7 and under free.
9) The back entrance ticket booths will be moved.
10) The track officials will have the right to tear down the first 3 cars....
11) Tech personnel cannot also race or have a car that is racing.
12) Classes to run will be Lates, Sportsman, Gladiators, Pure Stocks, Street Stocks, Emods, OWM.
13) Rules will be patterned after Volusia's rules to accomodate drivers racing there.
14) Open racing will be held in February of 2015.
15) Concession prices will most likely drop.
16) Raceceivers will be used, just like other tracks
17)

ALL of the above is subject to evaluation and the way I understood them being discussed and NOT the OFFICIAL release of policies and procedures. More news forthcoming.

[Matt Albee]

Sounds like some good ideas. Friday night racing always seems to have trouble drawing a crowd, but since all of the tracks race on Saturday i guess you have to think outside the box. In fact, Putnam could be the test track for something really different like Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, or Sunday afternoon racing.

[Winger]

Glad to see it reopening. I'll be interested to see how Friday works. It can work very well if the track draws it's cars and spectators locally.
5" of clay is probably a waste of money, if the material underneath isn't any good. I'd say it would take three times that to do anything that will last a while.
Why wold a track limit itself to "having the right to tear down the top 3"? Heck, if the track suspects something with any car, they should have a right to tear it down at their expense if they don't find anything wrong. JMO
Real good idea about not having the techman having a conflict of interest.
Really good idea not to allow young children in the pits. I know there will be complaints about that, but it's the safest way.
Really good idea to pattern the rules after Volusia. Once rules are established, particularly for the support classes, lock them in for 3 years regardless of what other tracks do.
I can't comment about the facilities, as I'm not familiar with them.
I sincerely wish the new promoter all the luck and maybe I'll actually get a chance to visit the track.

[Lurkin]

Anyone know anything about Armstrong? Is this the same Ron Armstrong that used to run with TBARA?

[ancrdave]

Maybe the same Armstrong who operated Ocala after Paul Petrie?

[scott bertram]

no kids under 8 in the pits...... I know I wouldn't be racing at a track that adopts this policy. so much for family teams. now you need to either take a person off the pit crew to watch the kid in the stands or pay a sitter to watch em at home. my 5 yr old son has more interest and desire to learn the sport than half the full grown adults, and arguably more common sense than some as well.

[rhinoracing11]

Scott,I am told that that is a 2015 thing and all tracks
with insurance will have to follow suit.
at least thats the buzz pitside.

[scott bertram]

that really sucks, and is just another piece in the puzzle hurting our sport.

[ocalaisback3]

Maybe the same Armstrong who operated Ocala after Paul Petrie?

I'm not 100% but i don't think there is any relation. Scott and his brother who i can't remember his name atm ran the track after petrie. I goggled Ron and most of the names popping up were in the Jacksonville/St Augustine area.

[luke81]

that really sucks, and is just another piece in the puzzle hurting our sport.

I understand it's a PITA, but when I moved down here I was baffled to see that it was allowed ever. In much of the country the pits are limited to at least 12 and up, 14 in some places.

[Frasson118]

16 where I grew up. I've always been against kids being in there. It's a very dangerous place, not a playground.

Somehow the rest of the country manages these rules, but on Florida, everyone acts like it's the beginning of the end to racing as we know it.

[Winger]

Like others, I was amazed when I moved to Florida and saw the kids in the pits. It was 16 when I was growing up in the stone ages and women weren't allowed in either. LOL I've seen some really dangerous things in the pits with kids. If you're just hanging out at your trailer, you probably don't see it. But it's happening.

[kendo]

Like others, I was amazed when I moved to Florida and saw the kids in the pits..

What is even more amazing is the young kids buzzing around the pits on golf carts and 4 wheelers.

[kendo]

copied these from a post giving a run down of things discussed

"Ron Armstrong" is the new proprieter. He discussed issues and solicited opinions from the group gathered there. The issues listed below are tentative and will be finalized with news released.

1) FIRST thing mentioned. New clay. The top surface of the track will be removed and a new layer of CLAY will be spread. I heard 5".
2) The problems with the restrooms will be fixed. Specifically mentioned was the toilets having problems flushing.
3) Handicap ramps will be constructed in all areas required, in accordance with federal laws.
4) Turn 2 needs drainage work. A series of drainage pipes will be installed.
5) The stands in turns 1 and 2 will be closed. They are in depsarate need of repair. I am unsure if they will build new ones or repair the ones they have.
6) A vote was taken and decided that races would be run on FRIDAYS to accomodate drivers running other tracks as well. Pit and Gate times will be at a time to accomodate jobs and travel time.
7) PITs... Your allowed a tow truck and a car. Pit prices will tentatively be $20 for you AND your car, and $20 per person. NO CHILDREN under the age of 8 will be allowed in the pits. This will also be a policy coming soon to other tracks.
8) General admission tentatively set at $10. (not sure about children. Children = 8 to 14. 7 and under free.
9) The back entrance ticket booths will be moved.
10) The track officials will have the right to tear down the first 3 cars....
11) Tech personnel cannot also race or have a car that is racing.
12) Classes to run will be Lates, Sportsman, Gladiators, Pure Stocks, Street Stocks, Emods, OWM.
13) Rules will be patterned after Volusia's rules to accomodate drivers racing there.
14) Open racing will be held in February of 2015.
15) Concession prices will most likely drop.
16) Raceceivers will be used, just like other tracks
17)

ALL of the above is subject to evaluation and the way I understood them being discussed and NOT the OFFICIAL release of policies and procedures. More news forthcoming.

Well rumor is this deal fell through allready,fortunately another leasee now stepping in.
Originally it was mentioned that racing would be Friday nights,now switched to Saturdays,,,good luck with that

Whatever the result,good to see another track reopening.

[Darrell 76]

putnam

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