Showtime Speedway Article and Race Video - Restart Controversy

[openwm53]

Joe, am pretty sure it is the F53.

If I get a chance, since they are not an advantage, I will try to check to see if the 750s are "legal" as well.

But they last longer and have these really cool grooves to keep the tire cooler.........lol .....sorry

[jacko241]

Ok, thanks, Jay. Doug, I hope to sometime this summer. I have been looking at their schedule and trying to figure out when we could make it.

[scottgarrity07]

Scott,

I agree its harsh. They should throw a yellow and give one chance. I also think it should be the flagman making the call........But controlling his drivers...really...come on ...Other tracks don't control crap.......Yoho is all over them for stupid crap and publically posting fines and suspensions. I have seen some really crappy starts stay green in my years. And at all the local tracks

I didn't say control, I said manage. I agree, I've seen too many crappy starts let go. The time argument is pointless. All these tracks have a time wasting practice built into their schedule. It's called intermission. Point being that restarts need to be fair. However the leader deserves to be able to have a zone in which to dictate the start. An early jump is unfair but shouldn't mean you go to the rear on the first offense. As you agree, it's too harsh. Doug, you are a winning driver. You bust your ass doing your homework to make your car fast. You put every nickel you can into your car to make it the best it can be. You go to the track and wrestle yourself into the lead. You "survive" multiple restarts and with two to go you succumb to human error and jump a little early. Do you think you deserve to go to the end of a 26 car field for that?

[Groundpounder]

The starting procedure is used for ALL classes at Showtime Speedway. You fire at the cone not before. It happened twice that night, one was David and once was a Mini Stock. Its not like It was a new rule that night, it also states you must maintain Pacetruck speed till you get to the starting point.
It also got our current Super Late Model points leader at the last race for firing too soon.
So the only controversy is once again brought on by media personnel.
You talk about two cones for a wider zone, it has been tried and all they do if fire before that cone also. They talk about a line on the track, there is actually a line on the track (will admit, it is kinda light because of all the track prep that is put down to create the great second grove Showtime has) and there is also a red line painted on the outside wall.
So relatively speaking the track has took every step available to ensure proper starts so driver aren't knocking the radiators and front ends off there cars, or getting an unfair starting advantage over the competition. We all know drivers try and get every ounce of an advantage they can (and I don't blame them) but that is not one of them.

Well said, no further explanation or discussion needed.

[Rick Day]

Modified Tires

Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but I didn't want to start a whole thread. What tire do the modifieds run at Showtime?

F53 8'' Hoosier slicks

[Matt Albee]

" deserve to go to the back of a 26 car field for that ? " Yes, if the rule says you go to the back for jumping the start. You read the rules, you know the penalty, so take the penalty and stop whining.
Or, tell Yoho to quit being so anal about something that just isn't as big a deal as he makes it. And of course it's all about Yoho being in charge. If he can show he's in charge in front of an audience, then that's even better for his ego.
All forms of racing, the world over, have rules about jumping the start, in drag racing you're disqualified instantly. Most series throw a caution and try again.

[Lurkin]

The starting procedure is used for ALL classes at Showtime Speedway. You fire at the cone not before. It happened twice that night, one was David and once was a Mini Stock. Its not like It was a new rule that night, it also states you must maintain Pacetruck speed till you get to the starting point.
It also got our current Super Late Model points leader at the last race for firing too soon.
So the only controversy is once again brought on by media personnel.
You talk about two cones for a wider zone, it has been tried and all they do if fire before that cone also. They talk about a line on the track, there is actually a line on the track (will admit, it is kinda light because of all the track prep that is put down to create the great second grove Showtime has) and there is also a red line painted on the outside wall.
So relatively speaking the track has took every step available to ensure proper starts so driver aren't knocking the radiators and front ends off there cars, or getting an unfair starting advantage over the competition. We all know drivers try and get every ounce of an advantage they can (and I don't blame them) but that is not one of them.

I had basically the same starting procedure 14 years ago when I owned the S.A.R.A. series, its used in Texas also at two track I worked out there, so this procedure is not unheard of.

I just read through the rules posted on your website and I don't see anything at all about starts except this : GREEN: Start / restart race. I'm all about following the rules, as they are written. If that was the way it was written in the rules then yeah, he jumped and if it was written that he goes to the back then yeah, he should go to the back. But it doesn't say that.

http://showtimespeedway.us/rules/

[scottgarrity07]

Reasonable questions. Let me not put words in the official's mouths, but am pretty sure this is close:

"Why can't Showtime officials manage their drivers (as all the other tracks can) and use the common two line system (if they jump before the first line you can put them to the rear also)."
Because they are Showtime, with their own rules, and what other tracks are doing is a non starter (pun intended).

"And with such a strict system (you yourself admit the line on the track is difficult to see) why not give one "mulligan" before you put a guy to the rear?" As mentioned, I would be cool with that, but clearly they aren't. The "mulligan" would slow down the show, and, the drivers are all big boys, the cone is right there, as is Robert. It's the rule, follow it or pay the consequences. Just like weight in post race tech. You is legal, or you ain't.

Anyone that was unclear should be tightened up after this thread.

Damn OS, you're good! Your answers were so good that Rick didn't feel the need to answer my two questions! Apparently you hit the nail on the head! I think that since your kinda doin' Rick's job the least he could do is leave you two free tickets at the Will Call!

[openwm53]

I didn't say control, I said manage. I agree, I've seen too many crappy starts let go. The time argument is pointless. All these tracks have a time wasting practice built into their schedule. It's called intermission. Point being that restarts need to be fair. However the leader deserves to be able to have a zone in which to dictate the start. An early jump is unfair but shouldn't mean you go to the rear on the first offense. As you agree, it's too harsh. Doug, you are a winning driver. You bust your ass doing your homework to make your car fast. You put every nickel you can into your car to make it the best it can be. You go to the track and wrestle yourself into the lead. You "survive" multiple restarts and with two to go you succumb to human error and jump a little early. Do you think you deserve to go to the end of a 26 car field for that?

No I don't .....I think the track should throw a yellow and restart......If its done again........to the back.........That's my opinion. I also think they should also paint a line ....every couple weeks.....roll a line across the track....no big deal.....yoho wants fair restarts.....that's a good thing.....paint a line and it will help distinguish. I don't like being on the outside sometimes you cant see the cone and if you wait for the inside to fire .....well

[50racer]

Desoto just went to the R750 the F53 is no longer in production per tire man at Desoto.

Paint the line on the track Showtime

[openwm53]

here we go

I have heard the same thing racer 50.......but when I spoke to Jay the tire man he said they haven't stopped making them but the tracks want to get more cars on the same tire......easier and cheaper for the track.....At this point I just don't know......looks like we are gonna get these tires if we like it or not......

[OldSchool+]

OWM53, from Yoho hisself last evening:

The F53 is going out of production but he has purchased them in quantity.

They will be the Modified Tire for the remainder of 2015 & also 2016 @ Showtime.

[openwm53]

old school

I guess it is what it is........looks like they will slow us down. The only problem I see with him running them for the next year and a half is shelf life and especially Florida heat....... I just really hope that the side bite in these things are what every says....the outside groove is tough enuff.......

Maybe its time for a late model.....or a sprint.......plenty of tire there lol. Anyone looking for a fairly quick modified ??

[OldSchool+]

OWM53,

My suggestion--don't overthink it, man. At NSS the cars look identical on the track, although the place is so different that is not really a comparo.

But here is the point (for your consideration)--Of all the things you go through and sacrifice to get on the track, and as cool and as thrillingly alive as life is in the cockpit, the tire thing--particularly this tire thing, is a minor thing.

As you mention, like a lot of things in life, the die is cast. Maybe letting it go is the best & cheapest strategy?

[openwm53]

Old school

If you mean quitting .......That's definitely something im not ready to do. I will pull up my big boy britches and go out and work harder than everyone else (if possible) and try and win races.

You have to understand that the Mod guys went through this same thing IDK about 5 or 6 years ago? It really hurt our class in my opinion because of the quality of racing......Period. Im just hoping that these tires are decent........or lol im gonna get a sprint car....lol and see if I can catch Steele