Now here's an interesting rumor

[scottgarrity07]

Well it sucks that Ozzy got his hands on SGMP. The oval looked like a great track. Ozzy is the best reason not to have an oval and a drag strip on the same property. Thank goodness Desoto and the Bradenton strip are not on the same deeded piece of land.

[Lurkin]

5 Flags is doing very well since the Bryant family took over. The modifieds are struggling as are what Florida calls Sportsman, but otherwise their other support classes are pretty strong and put on a great show. They only race every other week and every week they do race is highlighted by either a big Crate race or a big Super Late race so every week has a big race feel. I went to every show last year and there was never a night I wished I had done something else.

[Phil Jacques]

Well it sucks that Ozzy got his hands on SGMP. The oval looked like a great track. Ozzy is the best reason not to have an oval and a drag strip on the same property. Thank goodness Desoto and the Bradenton strip are not on the same deeded piece of land.

In Ozzy's defense, the Oval as SGMP hasn't really done shit recently. So... It won't be him killing it lol

[Lurkin]

Pretty sure Watermelon Capitol in Cordele is still operating, which is only an hour from sgmp. Lake City isn't that far either, but I guess it doesn't count. South Alabama is probably closer than 5 Flags too and they're doing well.

[Phil Jacques]

Pretty sure Watermelon Capitol in Cordele is still operating, which is only an hour from sgmp. Lake City isn't that far either, but I guess it doesn't count. South Alabama is probably closer than 5 Flags too and they're doing well.

I completely forgot about Watermelon and South Alabama... My bad lol I'm up here paying attention to what all our tracks are doing the past number of years so much, I lost track of some of the southeastern tracks. I try to keep up on it but it ain't exactly right in front of me regularly so unless it's a track I have been to, I really don't notice or pay attention too much right now. I stand corrected

[scottgarrity07]

In Ozzy's defense, the Oval as SGMP hasn't really done shit recently. So... It won't be him killing it lol

No, but it does mean it's fate is sealed. I was hoping that if the original owners got it back they'd make a go of it. Would of loved to have made a trip up there. Love them big half miles dontcha know...

[bowlegs]

To sum things up for central FL and wherever else, five flags, mobile, Montgomery, south alabama are "doing well" and lake city, Lanier, Gresham, and sgmp and "not doing well." I can't speak for watermelon capital, but I heard doing ok

[Phil Jacques]

No, but it does mean it's fate is sealed. I was hoping that if the original owners got it back they'd make a go of it. Would of loved to have made a trip up there. Love them big half miles dontcha know...

It's fate was sealed many years ago my friend. The one time I went up there to visit my buddy Ty in 09 or so, there were almost no cars, worse than OSW. The only time they seemed to have good counts was big shows like CRA and ASA...

[Matt Albee]

I was at the SGMP oval a couple of times, it was a first class facility. Like USA International, it's sad to see these once very prominent tracks go away. But i think we're seeing the beginning of the end of the end of the beginning of drifting in the south.
Just curious, all we hear from track owners and promoters is whining about how expensive tracks are to own and they have to grab every dollar to keep going. Yet here's a guy who's buying up every track that comes up for sale and isn't worried about letting weeds grow on the oval track side. Where on earth does that kind of money come from?

[Phil Jacques]

I actually heard last night that he is interested in North Wilkesboro of all places... He wants to doze the infield and turn it into a drift-arena of sorts similar to what is going on at Lanier...

[Phil Jacques]

I was at the SGMP oval a couple of times, it was a first class facility. Like USA International, it's sad to see these once very prominent tracks go away. But i think we're seeing the beginning of the end of the end of the beginning of drifting in the south.
Just curious, all we hear from track owners and promoters is whining about how expensive tracks are to own and they have to grab every dollar to keep going. Yet here's a guy who's buying up every track that comes up for sale and isn't worried about letting weeds grow on the oval track side. Where on earth does that kind of money come from?

Definitely a first class track, one of the nicest I have ever visited. But without cars on the track and asses in the seats, it was doomed from the start. The place never drew any kind of consistent crowd.

[OldSchool+]

Remember cars all jacked up in the back with rediculous tires sticking out the sides of the fenders?

Remember econo boxes with 13" gold wire wheels outside the body and 'flake paint?

Point is, drifting is a fad that will also go away. Most econoboxes are fwd and the drifting crowd generally does not like US iron.

Who can afford one of those cars? Generally they are rough from hitting the wall and are not driven on the street.

Which brings me to the point. If we could convince those guys to line up and race for an overall "win", not style points judging, and they found out what that is all about, we would be on our way to new competitors and fans.

[Phil Jacques]

Drifting is far from a fad... It's been extremely popular for well over 10 years now and is only growing. Face it, things change. There are big teams with factory support and corporate sponsorship in the top touring series such as Formula D, and then you have grassroots local stuff. It's really no different than any other motorsport in that respect.

No, they don't actually race, but they do run side by side and I can promise you it's not as easy as you seem to think. It's a form of entertainment more than anything, but it's a motorsport none the less... Do I like the fact that it's taking over our oval tracks and potential fan base? Hell no! Who does? BUT you can use the fact that it has the attention of the younger crowds to your advantage if you really want to. Hold occasional drift demos at the weekly races at the tracks that can do so. We do it up here and you would be shocked at how many new people it attracts to the track. Do meet and greets with some of the bigger local drivers and maybe even some of the big name drivers if they are in the area. If you give the younger crowd a gateway, you stand a good chance at grabbing the attention of some to the oval track product as long as the product is good. There are some tracks in FL doing well, and some who are still struggling. I am noticing a general upswing which to me, having come down there in 99 and seeing how bad it was in many places, is a great thing to see this sport slowly gaining traction again in FL. There was a time where I am sure many were ready to write the obituary.

Bottom line is, you have to have a bit of an open mind and use some of this stuff to your advantage rather than shut it out completely.

But then again, what do I know...

[Phil Jacques]

Remember cars all jacked up in the back with rediculous tires sticking out the sides of the fenders?

Remember econo boxes with 13" gold wire wheels outside the body and 'flake paint?

Oh and FYI, Both are still alive in different parts of the country. Just because it isn't where you are, doesn't mean it's not still popular.

[OldSchool+]

Lessee

"Drifting is far from a fad... It's been extremely popular for well over 10 years now and is only growing."-- --Phil Jacques
We shall see. Racing has been around since before cars, and yet it is on the decline.

"...I can promise you it's not as easy as you seem to think."--PJ
I don't believe that it is easy, just irrelevant (to me, and since I am me, that is mostly what matters). & am not sure you know what I think...but it's cool.

"Face it, things change."--PJ some more
He said, making my point.

In fact, I will stand by my original point. Rather than trying to convert Ozzie, focus on converting the ricers!