Sunset on Sunbelt Series

[fred23]

I was just reading Haudfans post......How about a track Bragging rights race at the end of the year. It could be on a rotational basis from track to track. Take the top 5 cars from each track and have a hundred lap race. I think there are 7 asphalt tracks now and I know that we would have to have some rule conforming, but the SSS race last week had cars from different tracks and was pretty good racing. Instead of having the NOrth (NSS)/South(OSW) race for the super stocks you could have one for all of the tracks.

The NHRA does this in drag racing on a much larger scale but the same concept.

[lmzero]

Mr. Westerman makes a really good point of the fact that too many "specials" water each other down to the point of losing everyone's interest. I remember Paul Pitre running sprint cars once per month at Ocala speedway thinking he would pack the fans in monthly, just as he did when they came twice per year. Needless to say the fan support wasn't as good per night simply because everyone figured "Hey, If we miss the sprints this weekend, they will always be there in another 3 weeks or so." That made it alot easier for them to decide to do something else that night.
Billy Hooker at Citrus ran a $5k to win late model special every month somewhere around 2003. I remember attending one that drew twelve cars, twelve. The twelve that were there were all quality cars, but the grandstands have to feel a little ripped off to pay extra to see twelve cars even if they are the biggest superstars in the world.
Please don't misunderstand, I wish we could race for $10k to start and $50k to win, 5 nights per week, but the fact of the matter is that we all know the current environment here and elsewhere will not provide for anything close to that. That being said, contrary to popular belief, todays short track promoter is not getting rich whatsoever. As a matter of fact, purses are probably as high as will ever make sense for them. I often wonder if short track racing will eventually depend on a well off racing enthusiast to keep our venues open as the days of profitable track ownership for many have been over for awhile now. This has been proven many times right in front of our eyes recently (Lakeland,Bronson,St. Augustine, Hialeah, Sunshine)
If we can't make the purses higher, (and we can't, that is the truth) then we need to look at other ways to offset the racers cost. This concept applies to everything from the Hornet division at Columbia, to the pure stock at Ocala,to the competitors at the Governor's cup.
I remember Dickie Anderson saying on a internet radio show within a year or so ago "Racers need to promote the track they race at themselves." At first I somewhat disagreed with him, but now I see his wisdom and couldn't agree more. Remember that Road racers, go cart racers, motocross racers, and many other exiting forms of motorsports often race for no purse at all. I hope to god that we will always be able to put on a show worthy of a paid admission but rembember that it all starts with you encouraging a curious neighbor into going to the local short track for the first time.
There was once a time in the United States when if you had 50 acres or so of land to carve into a dirt track, and could "persuade" the county commission to grant you the permits to hold races there, you were very likely to become a rich person simply by owning the local short track. After all, the only competition for the towns entertainment dollar was the local drive in theater and the A&W. Those days are over, especially in Florida where the entertainment dollar has many other options.
We ALL need to realize this and act accordingly in order to preserve the sport we all love so much.

[BJ Cavin]

I think everyone has some valid points here. But I also believe we are overlooking something that has nothing to do with market saturation or expenses, and has more to do with the appeal of stock car racing. As I look out over the grandstands at most tracks, I see a trend where the fans are getting older and older. Sorry, but that is NOT a good thing! It means that our sport is losing its appeal to a younger generation, and that means as the current fan base ages they are not being replaced by younger race fans. My teenagers are prime examples. They are mostly disinterested in stock cars and more into drifting, NOPI, and stuff along that line. In fact, a recent trip to the track failed to interest my son enough that he wanted to go back. In my opinion, no matter what we do to correct all of the problems discussed so far, none of it will do any good unless we figure out a way to get our youth to enjoy stock car racing again. We may fix all of it, but in 20 years will have lost so many fans to aging that no track can survive anyway.

[Jane]

Ron Dicandio has a program here that takes the race cars to schools to get the kids off drugs, out of trouble and into racing. I have been with him a few times to elementary schools and middle schools and the kids love it. We have given out plenty of free tickets to these kids but they have a hard time making their parents bring them but they want to come.

Also the Bandoleros and Legends that everyone seems to hate, is a great stepping stone for drivers and fans. They bring their friends who either become racers or fans for life. But they are a great stepping stone also for racing.