Sunday racing at Auburndale!

[Boneman]

Good job Auburndale! From my seat in the stands I enjoyed a relaxing and fun afternoon at the races. I thought they were on top of things all day. The sportsman 50 was an excellent race, and the SLM 100 was pretty good too.

Why the good racing? Aside from determined competitors, I noticed two things that the track chose to do. First, I loved the cone starts. I just don't see a downside to this! The race was a constant jumble toward the front, and the cone starts were a huge factor. They worked well in all classes where they were tried...please keep 'em!

Also, was that sealer on the track? I am assuming here, but there was something black on the track surface in the corners. If it was traction enhancing sealer, keep using it. There was a lot of passing on a track that was known in its past for single file racing.

When this race day was planned, I bet no one expected 90 degree weather! Oh well, that is what greeted the fans, and I have to say, I was happy to see the turnout. No, it was not a disaster in the stands. Sure, the more money that gets left at the track the better, but there were enough fans to make for a decent day, business wise. The Saturday night portion did rain out however.

I was sad to see that the dirt kart track has been removed and replaced with a mud bog.

Hats off to the starter who hustled and kept things moving all day. Mr. Guy called off interviews for the winners, and the SLM meet and greet. Good calls here; it was hot and the weather was forecast to move in.

My handy-dandy suggestion of the day: consider if a yellow really has to be thrown for a car that is spun and is sitting all the way in the infield. If you really have to stop the race for that, could there be enough delay to put the spun driver a lap down? If that driver knows he/she is going to lose out, I am certain they will make more of an effort to get moving again.....in a hurry!

I am going back for the "Triple 50's" in January!

[Frasson118]

For the first time EVER in the 35 years since my first time attending Auburndale, I have ZERO complaints.

They did everything right. From the new aluminum grandstands, to the entertaining flagman, the good announcer, the decisions made to keep the show moving ahead of threatening weather, to the outstanding competition on track... I was very impressed.

I kept waiting for the moment that they screwed it all up... and that moment never came.

I've complained about this place after every show I'd seen in all those years, but I have zero complaints about yesterday.

GREAT job by everyone that made for a very fun day at one of my least favorite places.

If they held shows this good every week, I could see myself making a lot more trips there....!!!!

[Old Sunshine Fan]

For the first time EVER in the 35 years since my first time attending Auburndale, I have ZERO complaints.

They did everything right. From the new aluminum grandstands, to the entertaining flagman, the good announcer, the decisions made to keep the show moving ahead of threatening weather, to the outstanding competition on track... I was very impressed.

I kept waiting for the moment that they screwed it all up... and that moment never came.

I've complained about this place after every show I'd seen in all those years, but I have zero complaints about yesterday.

GREAT job by everyone that made for a very fun day at one of my least favorite places.

If they held shows this good every week, I could see myself making a lot more trips there....!!!!

There is one big difference now (that wasn't present all the years in the past)...And his name is CRITTER....he won't be around anything shady and makes sure things are on a fair playing ground.... I had given up on the Aub when Rex changed a 100 lapper to a 97 lapper ( ? ).... but with CRITTER being there, I might just give it another chance myself...OSF

[Frasson118]

I didn't realize Critter wad there now. Maybe that's the difference that track needed.
He doesn't seem to put up with bullshit.... I've seen him throw an entire field of Mini Stocks into a 'time out', because they couldn't behave and stunk up the show.
After he gave them an ass chewing, he let them finish their race. The 2nd half was full of respect and good racing.
He could be the right guy to turn it into very respectable

[critter]

Thanks for the props guys. But on late model shows its Ricky brooks he's the one . He runs a great show .I do assist him but that's all .

again Thanks Critter .

[OldSchool+]

Well, as Bonemon said, props to you/y'all for running off Sunday's show quickly.

It was hot, and rain looked to be coming.

Good job all the way around.

[turnleft]

6 cars

It was a great race, 6 car finished all 100 laps.!!!! Caution after caution, I am starting to believe a lot of u guys go to the races to see cars get tore up!!!

Single file restarts....Vince

[OldSchool+]

Lemme Slide Dat Shoe on the Other Foot

Except that at Auburndale they could start single file.

As some know, they form a line in order, and then a cone is placed at the start/finish line. It is then each car's choice on whether to go low or high.

SO, they all could choose "low" and start single file if they wanted. But they don't, of course.

But that aside, at, say, showtime, the outside guys could wait for a hole and drop in without framming their way down there--if they chose.

And they all go around on pace laps without bumping.

BUT, they are stock cars with stock car drivers on a short track, and contact is part of the game. Dutilly, the winner at Auburndale, had a donut on his door.

Finally, went to the Historic Sports car race practice at Daytona this evening. Serious and expensive cars from all eras, and it ain't no parade. Those guys are serious and they are racing, not cruising.

At 200mph+-. To the best of my knowledge, out of perhaps 100 cars, none touched. It is my understanding that some were rebodied ASA type cars, and further, my understanding that some of the drivers were former (and/or current) short track drivers.

Ya pays yer money and ya picks yer poison.

[turnleft]

cone head

I am well aware of the cone rule, it does sometimes let a fast car avoid having to pass a bunch of slower cars; but most of the time it allows a car that is 4-5 tents off the pace to start up front, with the leaders, and cause mayhem and wrecks.

[OldSchool+]

Correct.

Bad driver choice, not cone or track fault, IMO.

Of course, your opinion may differ...

I will tell you, if a track restarts single file, it will seriously weigh into my decision to attend their event.

[turnleft]

Correct.

Bad driver choice, not cone or track fault, IMO.

Of course, your opinion may differ...

I will tell you, if a track restarts single file, it will seriously weigh into my decision to attend their event.

What is it that you actually like about the two wide restarts, please be specific.

When I am watching a race, I like to see good hard, side by side racing, when two car are racing for position. Seeing a double file start and wreck after wreck, does not enthuse me. Knowing the cost to the racers because of all the tore up equipment also diminishes the car count over all.

I would much rather see a whole field invert, then a double wide restart.

Just my 2 cents, "single wide" Vince

[Frasson118]

If there are too many wrecks, that fault lies completely with the lack of respect & talent of the drivers involved.

Every race starts double file, and every driver knows it. They manage to do it without a crash fest on the opening lap (for the most part).

In my observations, most wrecks on double file restarts happen because 1 driver hit the guy ahead of him, and the outside lane gets the collateral damage by being next to the one that got hit. Rarely do you see a guy on the outside START the wreck. This comes back to lack of talent/respect. If they learned to drive around other racers, rather than through them, there would be as many wrecks in the first place.

Basically, single file starts won't cause less crashes unless the drivers use more talent /respect. Double file restarts will have more damaged cars that were innocent victims of others mistakes.

There's a big difference between racers, and people who can drive fast in a circle.

[turnleft]

frasson

So you think all the crashes on starts and re-starts are caused by lack of skill and talent.

99% of these guys race for fun on the weekends, this is not there livelihood, and you may be correct, that there is a lack of talent or skill. To race a super at any track, there is no test for skill. you just have to have enough money to build a car, and enter the race. Age limit? Probably 12 years old, I would guess by now.

14 cars started the race, and 6 finished, and you think that is a good show? A good show to me, is 24 start, and 20 finish.

We will just have to disagree on this. Double file re-starts are killing car count and racing in Florida.

Vince P.

[OldSchool+]

"What is it that you actually like about the two wide restarts, please be specific?
When I am watching a race, I like to see good hard, side by side racing, when two cars are racing for position."--TL

Turnleft, you answered your own question. Instead of a slightly faster car having to get a big run and then try to hang on the outside, they re-start that way.

Hell, why not start the races single file? I will now answer my own question--because it is boring.

As Frasson sez, it really is no different than the initial start, excepting that the "red mist" has settled in.

Re: Money--Motor/Tires/Shocks. Sheet metal ain't cheap, but it ain't the deal breaker...imo.

And again, TL, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. Ironically, all short tracks--in the south anyway--used to start single file. Now I do not know of a place that does...

[OldSchool+]

TL, No sarcasm here:

If you haven't attended the Rolex 24 you might give it a shot in the spring.

They re-start single file. I go to the stands, stay as long as I want, then used to go to NSS Sat night, or go out shakin' the booty at a juke joint, now mostly go home.

Then go back for another 4 hours or so on Sun.