Another Track Is Making an Effort

[AJ14]

I just heard that Putnam County Speedway has dropped their tire rule. Any brand tire is now legal . Apparently they are also going to tech only for safety and will allow cars from other tracks with similar classes to come race there . That is certainly a step in the right direction . A easy way to increase car counts and get people in the stands .
This , along with the push to standardize rules between tracks that we've heard about recently is whats going to have to happen to build racing back up .

[andre]

Wasn't it written here last year that NFS, PCS, VSP, and Ocala were suppose to run all same rules....

If so, how come the tires have ruling has to be adjusted this year!!!!!

That was not part of the ruling package!!!!!

André

[Joe]

I thought it was NFS, VSP, Ocala and East Bay pairing up, at least for sprint cars. Putnam kind of does its own thing out there in the forest.

[AJ14]

Andre , i remember reading something about the tracks getting together on rules last year . Those alliances often fall by the wayside , as the newest one might . One track owner always wants to be in charge . And as i've said before , when two tracks cooperate , its usually only to try to drive a third track out of business . I'm glad to see Putnam taking the steps to bring back the racers . They may be out in the woods , but as i recall from several years ago their track is every bit as nice a facility as East Bay or Ocala . I say give them some support for trying .
I hope other tracks follow Putnams lead . Lets get over the turf wars and get some race cars back to the tracks .

[andre]

Yep! if they could look over their shoulder and see what's being done all across the county, some of it could be easily applied at their track(s) and be profitable. I guess they are not hungy enough yet.

André

[AJ14]

Maybe this new direction for Putnam County will gain some momentum . Tracks just have to learn that the old ways aren't going to work anymore . There aren't enough race cars or fans to go around , so track owners are going to have to get creative the way Putnam has . I hope they make it work .

[brandonbomber]

Before everyone flips out

My understanding is that the open tire rule is only for this winter no points session they are running. I believe everything is still set for next season. Besides i'm not complaining, i have some american racers, that need to be used up. If you have questions call the track, put the gossip out of the picture.

[AJ14]

Everyone can go ahead and flip out . After hearing about this i checked their website ( for some reason they have two , only one seems to be legitimate ) and it says that the tire rule is suspended . Doesn't say for how long , though i would imagine if it were only for this week it would say so .
If its for one week or one year , its the right thing to do for the racers . And at least it shows some common sense on the part of the race track .

[BJ Cavin]

I was at Volusia tonight. A lot of the Putnam cars were there, and word was that Putnam is shut down, at least for the present. Cars that were there today were sent away, and most showed up at Volusia. Don't know if this is just for this weekend or what.

[Joe]

Wouldn't surprise me. I always root for Putnam, but it never works out. Great track, friendly people. Grease fire of an operation. At least racers have Ocala, Volusia and Lake City all within a pretty close proximity.

[OLD STYLE RACER 2]

Joe, When are you going to start writing about racing again in the Banner??

[AJ14]

I hope the shutdown of Putnam , if there is one , is only temporary . Joe , seems like you might want to write about Putnam . May be you can help keep their doors open . True , there is still Ocala and East Bay . North Florida not so much . I wasn't too impressed with the owners last time i raced there .

[Joe]

The Banner is actually sending me to the Snowball Derby (still not sure how I sold them on that). My column takes a hiatus until late January, but I have the Running Wide Open blog on Ocala.com (follow link below) that I update a few times every week.

The column has actually been out since late October when I was laid off. When they brought me back, we decided that it would be best to leave it alone 'til next year (It's football season, you know).

Thanks for the interest. I have wrote about Putnam in the past, but it really isn't in our readership zone. Nevertheless, it's probably worth a phone call to see what exactly is going on.

[AJ14]

Just to add to this story , i see something pretty incredible on their web site . It looks as though the fans and racers at Putnam County are planning to pitch in and help with clean-up , painting , mowing , even hauling more clay , just to help the owner get things turned around . I don't think i've ever heard of something like that . But it sure sounds good . Maybe theres hope for stock car racings survival after all .

[Frasson118]

Charlotte County Speedway would STILL be picking up trash from Hurricane Charlie if not for a large group of fans who kicked in their time, effort, and even money. Even with the large amount that Leroy Davidson (CCMP owner at the time) got cleaned up, it still wasn't enough for the local government.

With Bobby Diehl taking over, I believe another clean-up effort was organized which resulted in a very nice racetrack and surrounding property. I'm sure both Bobby and Leroy would tell you, that if it wasn't for the fans, that job still would not be done.

The fans helping out Putnam County should all be applauded for their efforts... I just wanted to make sure that the people who have done this same type of volunteer work before, got the recognition they already have earned!

We really do have the coolest fans of any sport!