osw website

[shorttrackcar1]

I was just looking around I see osw website have put up the 2015 schedule February winter national's legends and bandolero . and the rest nothing but drifting. what a shame I guess that's it . anybody know if clean cut tree service is going to keep doing races ?

[Phil Jacques]

You know, I keep seeing you post a bunch of questions about OSW... Donnie has said and I have echoed that here numerous times man. Pick up the phone and give him a call. He's an absolutely fantastic dude and is more than happy to talk to anyone who has a question or ideas. Regardless of what most think, he does want to run oval cars. The drifting guys pay more and cost less to have there and has a huge following in the same way that road racing has taken over a lot of places up here. Less overhead + more income = better business option. Sadly, that's the way this has gone. Ozzy is another story but whatever, gotta deal with what is there right now. The only reason Donnie has not come up with something else so far is because of the clean cut races. Give him a call, that is how you will get your fastest answer.

[scott bertram]

clean cuts took a hit last race, (well every race). They need sponsorship help but are still actively trying to get things in order, and are good people. Wouldn't it be nice to see the lease holder that promised us so much 2 yrs ago step up and help them out? As far as the Donnie situation, Phil...... I'm still waiting on the "put up or shut up" slm race he was going to put on?? lmao. The clean cut crew was/is only putting on races 1-2 times a month, plenty of open space to do something if they so desired. Looks like we are all starting to get on the same page on Ozzy's concerns at least. drags, scapegoats, drags, blame game, drags, lies, and more drags.

[Phil Jacques]

Prove to him that you can put asses in the grandstands and make it worth his while financially. That's all there is to it. As far as the SLM stuff, a feeler was put out by myself and him and NO ONE responded. With no interest there is NO reason to even schedule an event. I personally reached out to well over 25 guys. 3 responded including yourself.

here's the problem. We all know Ozzy is cheap and to me, it's understandable. You look around racing in FL and car counts per division are struggling. He obviously does not feel that it's worth is financial interest. And honestly, he's being smart. Sorry, but it's the truth. I have no magic solution to fix this so I won't even claim to. But unless you have track sponsors helping cover overhead and purses etc, you are losing money at OSW. I have seen a bunch of pictures from cell phones floating around Facebook of these races and it looks like there is barely anyone in the stands. I see that as a product of the constant bashing of the track first and foremost, and additionally in MY opinion, Clean Cut just did a poor job of promoting. I have friends outside of racing that are just simply fans of the sport that have heard NOTHING about races at OSW the past months. How do you make any money if nobody is showing up?

Say you get 70 cars over 5 divisions at OSW for 1 race night at $35 per head entry fee. Now add 3 crew members per team at $35 each. That gives you a total back gate "profit" of $9800... That might cover purses for 15-20 spots for all 5 divisions. The highest attendance they have seen all year at OSW is about 80 people @ 12 bux a head. That's $960... That doesn't even pay to turn the lights on and keep the employees paid. They might BARELY break even if they have a good night at the concessions.

But this is my point, OSW is a business. They are not there to break even and lose money. They are there to make money. Think about it... Would you go to work and only make enough money to cover your commute and lunch? I doubt it.

It's obvious nobody remembers that 15 years ago, OSW was basically in the same situation with very low car counts and fan counts. It's very sad because I, like all of you love OSW and want to see it thrive. It's a fantastic track and promotes some great racing. Unfortunately, OSW is no longer anything but a special event track. It's the same thing that happened to us up here with Thompson Speedway, we are now at 7 races and thriving with 20+ cars per division from 20 races and struggling to get 7 to 10 cars per field.

I'm going back into hibernation now. Later

[kendo]

Prove to him that you can put asses in the grandstands and make it worth his while financially. That's all there is to it.

I'm going back into hibernation now. Later

Does not cost anything to create interest and fan base by simply posting results,loading racing pics,or responding to questions on the OSW facebook page or website,or even here,none of which they do....That would be a start.



If it were not for ancrdave,nobody would know that the place still exists.

[OldSchool+]

"I'm going back into hibernation now."--PJ

Perhaps, as is OSW.

Like, deja vu, man...

No one is to blame, it is what it is.

[Phil Jacques]

I agree with you Kendo, the website could use some updating. That is a current major flaw. If people go to the OSW website, they don't know what is going on. But you can't 100% rely on that either. It's up to the clean cut guy to promote and it's very obvious he has put minimal effort into doing so. I am sure Donnie will argue with me that Clean Cut is hosting the races so they should be the ones to post results etc, but OSW is the hosting venue, and it doesn't take more than 15 minutes to type out the results and post a few pictures so with that. They have posted some, I won't say they haven't posted anything on the FB cause that is not true, but I too would like to see more.

Old School is 100% right, it is what it is at this point. Nothing we will say here can do anything. It has to run it's course and we all have to just sit and watch and wait.

Be happy you guys have OSW still and it operates at all. As of right now, Waterford Speedbowl is no more for us up here unless something drastic changes very quickly. Hold on to what you have, while you have it and enjoy it while you can. Just be glad it is still there.

[Phil Jacques]

"I'm going back into hibernation now."--PJ

Perhaps, as is OSW.

Like, deja vu, man...

No one is to blame, it is what it is.

I am curious, OldSchool... When was the last time you remember OSW being very successful? 1990? Earlier? I know in my entire time down there, I never saw more than 100 people in the stands or 10 cars per division. That place has been in a very sad state of affairs even before Ozzy came in. It's unfair to point the finger directly at him all the time as most do even though I understand it's easiest to point at who is currently there. Why has this track struggled so much over the past 20 years or more?

[OldSchool+]

memories...

Cue Barbara Streisand...(now give her the "gong" and remove her from the stage--thank you!).

Memories and details are tough. Always were, probably moreso now.

The "glory days" such as they were, started when the place opened.

Seems like it tapered off fairly quickly (and may have stopped a few times, I dunno, cue Barbie again...) and then kind of settled into a small but reliable weekly show when Clyde Hart ran the place.

I was there weekly in the early '90s, and I believe they (and NSS) ran year round.

However, Bithlo was kind of always the redheaded stepchild to New Smyrna.

I always preferred the place, but it always got second billing.

[Phil Jacques]

Cue Barbara Streisand...(now give her the "gong" and remove her from the stage--thank you!).

Memories and details are tough. Always were, probably moreso now.

The "glory days" such as they were, started when the place opened.

Seems like it tapered off fairly quickly (and may have stopped a few times, I dunno, cue Barbie again...) and then kind of settled into a small but reliable weekly show when Clyde Hart ran the place.

I was there weekly in the early '90s, and I believe they (and NSS) ran year round.

However, Bithlo was kind of always the redheaded stepchild to New Smyrna.

I always preferred the place, but it always got second billing.

So I am not wrong in my assessment, this is not a new problem or simply just a recent problem. This is a problem that has plagued this place for many many years.

I too prefer it. I prefer small tracks to the big ones. It makes motor worth less and driver worth more in my eyes. It's hard to watch a place you love fade away. I understand the frustration of everyone. But you say it best. It is what it is.

See you in Daytona!

Hibernation Mode - ENGAGE

[cake]

Level it and build a Wal mart.

[OldSchool+]

My dear old Mom used to say "Be careful what you wish for".

No offense, sir, but I far prefer an empty racetrack.

For years I would look at what was left of turns 3 & 4 of Orlando Speedway at the Caterpillar place on Landstreet road when I went by. Now that is gone too...

[scott bertram]

we all know osw hasn't done well prior to ozzy leasing it, ozzy knew that going in. He knew it would take $ and dedication to get her going and claimed he was prepared to do that and had the means.
The interest is here for the track....but the track wants to shift responsibilities to the racers, to put fans in the stands. This train of thought will NEVER work. Apparently they don't get the concept that it is the tracks job to advertise, host events and make it a place of entertainment. It is the racers job to build cars, compete, and put on a good show. Seems simple enough to me.
Yes it will take some work and $$.....he knew that going in, and admitted it. OSW has made very little effort to follow through with anything.

Yes Phil, you did put a feeler out, and no disrespect to you, but what exactly is your title at OSW? Isn't that just a little ridiculous that you being how many thousand miles away, with no position at the track put more effort than the track lease holder and manager? And why would anyone have faith in that situation?

As far as the clean cut guys, they are just another scapegoat for OSW to shift attention from themselves. they are trying to do the best they can with little to no help.

Since Ozzy took the place over he has had 3 managers, one of which I know had the capabilities to run the track effectively with stock car racing...... the problem?? couldn't get any investment to advertise, ozzy basically wanted to see profit with zero effort. Not even the basic fundamentals of any business were met.

Relating the average joe not wanting to work to just cover his expense isn't really valid to this situation. What business (that you already know is struggling) can you buy, and with no effort, no investment, no communication, no leadership, turn an instant profit or even break even? if you find one, please let ozzy know so he can pursue that, and stop running osw further in the ground!!

With the whole "be happy you even have a track left" deal....... do we? I mean really....take clean cuts out of the equation....what are we left with?

I've heard the Fl. racing is struggling thing so much I want to throw up. Dosoto looks to be doing very well, adale has controversy nightly and still gets fans in and seems to be doing ok, not sure on showtime but haven't heard anything negative. VSP is doing well, eastbay doing well. so exactly what tracks are we talking about here? nss , and osw? osw puts zero effort in.... & nss is the same guy that you say ran osw in the ground before ozzy.

I've yet to meet any driver that says they wont go to OSW if they would get something put together, never met one racer that didn't love to run the track. So what is it lacking to make it work? Its not on the racers end that's for sure.

1: RACERS WILL NOT COME FOR FREE
2: NO ONE WILL COME IF CONSISTANCY IS NOT SHOWN BY THE TRACK
3: NO COMMUNICATION = NO RACERS = NO FANS
4: NO INVESTMENT = NO SUCCESS
5: NO EFFORT = NO TRACK
6: MISPLACED RESPONSIBILITIES = OSW

$100 says next year at this time we will have this same conversation on OSW and a new manager, and if ozzy's lucky, another sub leasing scapegoat.

If I ever have the $ to purchase that place, mark my words, I will shut the drag track down, make it the main entrance to the oval pits. There will be a huge sign at the front gate saying "no drags here" with a pic of a shemale in a circle with a line through it. just out of princeable

[OldSchool+]

"...but the track wants to shift responsibilities to the racers"--SB

Um, said who?

I have not seen that info from the track. If it in fact exists, please share, that would be interesting...

If you assume Ozzy got into the deal for the dragstrip he is "successful".

And he is the leaseholder.

Further, from his perspective, if and when the drifters or ringling bros rents the circle track, he is "more" successful.

Finally, ironically, if you "bought the place" (and that would be cool indeed!), you want to treat the "can't turn" guys the same way...?

I think more probably you are frustrated with the deal--as am I.

[scott bertram]

"...but the track wants to shift responsibilities to the racers"--SB

Um, said who?

I have not seen that info from the track. If it in fact exists, please share, that would be interesting...

If you assume Ozzy got into the deal for the dragstrip he is "successful".

And he is the leaseholder.

Further, from his perspective, if and when the drifters or ringling bros rents the circle track, he is "more" successful.

Finally, ironically, if you "bought the place" (and that would be cool indeed!), you want to treat the "can't turn" guys the same way...?

I think more probably you are frustrated with the deal--as am I.

shifting the responsibilities as in: the track reps... since ozzy took over, have put it on the racers to get fans in the stands, and advertise for them. That's not a racers job.....its the tracks. (even though some of us are willing to go above and beyond to try to do that to help the tracks)

personally, yes I believe he got osw for the drag track,( but as to not ASSume) the words that are being spoken say that he and Donnie want stock car racing to succeed as much as we do. so that's what I'm going off from.

what little effort has been made at that track, has been directed to the drifters needs, and was the focus (from my understanding) immediately following Donnie's hiring. if such effort was put towards stock cars we maybe having a different discussion right now. I was told last yr. that Donnie would do a "put up or shut up" race for the slm.... basically because I was talking so much shit on here. the idea was to see how many slm guys would show up...... now its shifted to "prove you can put fans in the seats for such event".

I am not naïve .... we know even if Donnie does want to run the event, it cant be successful, because no $ would go towards advertisement, no time would be spent talking to racers (from the track....not a friend of the current manager that is over 1600 miles away). website wouldn't be updated, racers and fans ?'s wouldn't get answered, it would be a last min. slapped together deal with very few knowing about it. ya know..... the typical OSW top secret races.

and lastly....(hypothetically speaking) no I wouldn't be doing to the drag guys what has been done to us.....I wouldn't make false promises, I wouldn't give them the glimmer of hope and pull it away randomly, I'd shut it down instantly, be honest and upfront.