OSW Well this speaks volumes.

[Phil Jacques]

They filled the place up with drifters and fans. now blend them and oval once a month and see if a new interest can be created.

I agree 110%! They tried it once already and the turnout was pretty decent. Preliminary counts were 8500 people through the front gate this weekend at OSW... 8500 x $35 = $297500... The numbers don't lie. This was the largest front gate income that oval track has had in one single weekend likely EVER... Probably more than almost any other oval in FL has had in a long time if ever also. They are having a drift demo here on Wednesday at Thompson Speedway during our oval event. I have a ton of friends around here that are not really oval fans, that are going just to see that... It can work. Again, just gotta put in the effort.

[egspeedway]

I view drifting in much the same way as I see monster trucks, mud bogging crash a ramas bus racing and Demo derbies. Man and machine challenging whatever to the enjoyment of the fan. I do like the suggestion of a mixed show to see if new interest can be created for short track racing. One thing for damned sure we won't know until we try.

[OldSchool+]

"Do you even know what you are talking about cause I sure as hell don't..."-Philthy Phil

See, we agree again. You don't seem to know what I am talking about. Or address the points of my posts. But it's all good here.

I hope you have a nice relaxing evening.

"One thing for damned sure we won't know until we try."--EG

They did try a while back. I almost attended. But it was reportedly very hot and the stock car count fairly thin. More power to them or other tracks if that works, and if part of a Stock Car show includes drifters moving forward and that pays the bills, that will of course be fine with me.

Since the drifting event pictured does not include stock cars, I assumed that it had been tried and that was that.

Re: Bithlo, we will wait, & see...Repeat. we will wait, & see. Repeat... we will wait, & see. Repeat.

[jacko241]

"Do you even know what you are talking about cause I sure as hell don't..."-Philthy Phil

See, we agree again. You don't seem to know what I am talking about. Or address the points of my posts. But it's all good here.

I hope you have a nice relaxing evening.

"One thing for damned sure we won't know until we try."--EG

They did try a while back. I almost attended. But it was reportedly very hot and the stock car count fairly thin. More power to them or other tracks if that works, and if part of a Stock Car show includes drifters moving forward and that pays the bills, that will of course be fine with me.

Since the drifting event pictured does not include stock cars, I assumed that it had been tried and that was that.

Re: Bithlo, we will wait, & see...Repeat. we will wait, & see. Repeat... we will wait, & see. Repeat.

OS, I agree with you on this. I am one who enjoys road racing and stock car racing, both of which are actual wheel to wheel racing. But it is well know most of the road racing crowd doesn't get going around in circles, and the stock car folks don't care much for turning right. But both are still RACING. I don't see the hipster drifting crowd warming to circle track racing because guess what, not everybody gets a trophy.

[Phil Jacques]

OS, I agree with you on this. I am one who enjoys road racing and stock car racing, both of which are actual wheel to wheel racing. But it is well know most of the road racing crowd doesn't get going around in circles, and the stock car folks don't care much for turning right. But both are still RACING. I don't see the hipster drifting crowd warming to circle track racing because guess what, not everybody gets a trophy.

Joe, my point that OS keeps ignoring is this. And think REAL hard about this.

Before these people were drifting fans... What were they fans of? They didn't just become fans for no reason. They became fans because they were... Dun dun dun.... ENTERTAINED!!! What a concept right?

Now think about it... As a new fan to motorsports in general, which would you prefer? Follow the leader 8 car parades, or sideways side by side smoke in the air door banging excitement...

Heres a hint... The latter USE to be how short track racing was... But now that type of action is more commonly found in drifting.

Its not a conversion if drift fans we should be concerned with and definitely not anyting close to what I am saying. Its finding a way to make oval racing exciting and attractive again. That starts with getting cars on track. When cars show up, fans show up and it keeps going from there as long as track owners and promoters put in the effort.

Now, in oldschools head, thats me telling you how to run the world. But in reality, its a true fact of life in the short track world right now.

[UREZ2PASS]

This is a national drifting event. You will not ever see numbers like this at a weekly drifting event.

[OldSchool+]

"I am one who enjoys road racing and stock car racing"--Jacko

Somewhat ironically, As you know I agree with you. But the similarity is that in both types of racing they are trying to see who can actually get through the corner the fastest.

It should be noted that PJ & Scott Garrity also dig the RH turns occasionally.

[Phil Jacques]

This is a national drifting event. You will not ever see numbers like this at a weekly drifting event.

Thats like saying you'll never see the same numbers you see at Daytona, at NSS. That is an obvious fact, however that still changes nothing. Those fans are fans for a reason. I have many friends in FL who are part of the import and drifting scene who don't get why we "drive around in circles" They say "it's boring and follow the leader" Even as a life long circle track fan, in most cases I have to agree sadly. If we can change that, the rest will be much easier. Get what I mean? The new and impressionable "fans" need to be our target for the sport to grow. If they find something more exciting, they will go there. Thats how the entertainment industry in general, operates.

[OldSchool+]

"Get what I mean?"--PP

Perfectly

Straight up--Since you and Donny and the OSW track owner are cool with drifting, why haven't there been more dual shows?

Is it the fact that the circle track guys want a purse, or... track mgmt & drifting participants prefer the drifting events without the racing cars or...what?

My positive and supportive suggestion of the day:

During a future dual ticket show, bring a mini stock class of some sort and let the drifters run--if they want to. Maybe a 10 lap event.

Further, bring something that is a stock car class (hobby stocks, sportsman?) that is rear wheel drive and capable of getting sideways with old, hard tires blown up to 50lb or so and let them also compete in the reverse--with the drifters.

I am not against any of that working, I just have not seen it yet.

And, of course, pick my venues and classes to suit my tastes, as is the Amurican Way. Or was, I dunno anymore...

[OldSchool+]

" I have many friends in FL who are part of the import and drifting scene who don't get why we 'drive around in circles' They say 'it's boring and follow the leader' Even as a life long circle track fan, in most cases I have to agree sadly. If we can change that, the rest will be much easier. Get what I mean? The new and impressionable "fans" need to be our target for the sport to grow. If they find something more exciting, they will go there. Thats how the entertainment industry in general, operates. "--Phil

They state that they don't like the "it's boring and follow the leader" circle track racing (My point exactly--that is what they think).

You counter with "If they find something more exciting, they will go there."--PJ

And believe that increased car count will do it. How, exactly, do you propose to do that.

I disagree with the premise, and take them at their word, but...get this-- I may be wrong.

[Phil Jacques]

Increasing car count puts drivers in side by side situations more often. Moreso, it raises the competition level throughout the field. On the bullring tracks thatvwill always lead to more action. There is less chance of stringing out single file. Case and point. Waterford. Been struggling to get 10 LM. Last night 17 showed up and it was A SHOW! There is no coincidence. Its strength in numbers

When it's single file high speed parade laps its boring. That's not what they think, its pure undeniable fact. People criticize NASCAR for their "phantom yellows" but dont you sit there and get antsy with a little more anticipation when they all bunch back up? Its the same general idea.

If you give fans a reason to be on the edge of their seat rather than roaming the midway to buy an overpriced and cold hotdog, they will be more likely to return, bring new fans and maybe help the sport grow just a little bit.

[OldSchool+]

A question: Where does car count come from? Typically a promoter's wallet. How do you propose to "fix" that? Starting at OSW, which we both dig, how, exactly, do you propose that will happen?

Another question: Have you discussed adding drifting to the Waterford show with the promoter?

[Phil Jacques]

A question: Where does car count come from? Typically a promoter's wallet. How do you propose to "fix" that? Starting at OSW, which we both dig, how, exactly, do you propose that will happen?

Another question: Have you discussed adding drifting to the Waterford show with the promoter?

Wrong, Car count comes when you have an enjoyable place to race. Purse is not the #1 thing that brings drivers in despite your thinking. Drivers want to he treated fairly and equally without bias and for the race director to be in control of the show. Not the drivers. In most cases if you show me the traci with all of those things you will find good fields of cars. Purse always helps but isn't make or break for a true racers racer.

Back to my original formula. Put cars on the track and the fans and sponsors will follow.

Leave osw out of it its a dead horse. Focus on an open track. You have someone with the same general idea as what I am saying at Desoto now. 26 trucks is a healthy field. Now, i didnt see crowd, and i dont expect there was a huge one, but that doesnt happen magically overnight. It takes hard work and commitment. I thing as long as Bobby steers clear of past issues, things may truly be in the up and up and this may be a great thing for all of FL. His mentality right now is a mirror image of my formula which I have been touting for months. Even before that whole Deihl started

[OldSchool+]

OSW= Orlando Sideways World

Congrats on your kinder, gentler communication!

So, ironically, OSW (Orlando Sideways World), leading the drifting charge, is...out?

At any rate, agreed, perhaps focus on Bobby.

I believe he might just give it a go.

NSS or Showtime, probably not so much, Auburndale is another question mark.

So, two venues for you to focus on, perhaps with the principals.

And Waterford...?

[UREZ2PASS]

Thats like saying you'll never see the same numbers you see at Daytona, at NSS. That is an obvious fact, however that still changes nothing.

I wrote that for the people that are not as smart as you.