Speedworld

[modracer22]

Maybe we should go back to running heats and features but I would like more then 15 laps for the feature. I really don't care about the starts because I'm one of the few that don't mind starting in the rear but dang atleast give us more laps. The other problem with starting the fastest in the rear is that the ones starting up front sometimes don't have a clue. I know if you scared to wreck stay home but cars cost more to repair then they did back in the day. I'm like alot of people and money doesn't come easy and right now sponsors are hard to come by. I know the people in the stands want a show and I have noproblem with that and I would like to think that for the most part I try to provide alittle bit of that when I'm on the track.

[Edm]

I keep hearing about people being scared to wreck but honestly I don't see many. I mostly see people who don't have the money to fix their cars if they wreck. I always liked starting in the back myself, it always felt better to get a good finish starting in the rear rather then starting up front and finishing in the back. Even though pointless, as a driver I never minded heats, but as a fan when there are not enough cars to fill a field they were boring to watch. If we have 20 cars at the track then I am all for it, I think that is where the confusion is.

[john tenney]

<--- SCARED TO WRECK.

Can't afford the repair bills.

THAT'S why I haven't raced in two years

[JackTripper]

Not to be a wiseguy, but why don't you race anyway? Have you been in that many wrecks? Is it that much better to have a perfectly good racecar sitting there and not being raced? I can understand not having enough money to get to the races, put new tires on, etc. but to not race because you can't afford to fix it if something happens just sounds odd to me.

You always run the chance of your car getting 100% destroyed every time you pull out on the track, that's just the way the ball bounces.

[Edm]

I have been in quite a few wrecks over the years. I havent raced because the car wasn't ready. Me and Boneman busted our butts on it last week to get it ready for Friday night. I still have a few problems with it that need my attention but I will have it back out again pretty soon. I own and operate a VERY busy business and we have our first baby on the way which makes time a commodity.

[tccaz]

I want heat races

I as only a fan want heat races if there are enough cars in a class. I am an old time fan from years ago when heats were the norm, but there were only 3 or 4 classes so each class had it's fair share of cars. I am a car nut so any racing is good but I can't get my head around so many different classes, it seems only common sense to cut down on the number of classes then if you really are a racer you will build a car to suit the classes that are available. These meetings with the drivers saying they only want features are BS I have to drive a minimum of 100 miles to watch a race I want to see more than a couple features. One more thing being afraid to race because you can't afford to fix if you can't afford to fix it FACE IT you can.t afford to race it so quite whining about the cost. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers but I pay good money to watch and I want my moneys worth too.

[Edm]

I as only a fan want heat races if there are enough cars in a class. I am an old time fan from years ago when heats were the norm, but there were only 3 or 4 classes so each class had it's fair share of cars. I am a car nut so any racing is good but I can't get my head around so many different classes, it seems only common sense to cut down on the number of classes then if you really are a racer you will build a car to suit the classes that are available. These meetings with the drivers saying they only want features are BS I have to drive a minimum of 100 miles to watch a race I want to see more than a couple features. One more thing being afraid to race because you can't afford to fix if you can't afford to fix it FACE IT you can.t afford to race it so quite whining about the cost. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers but I pay good money to watch and I want my moneys worth too.

I can understand about driving 100 miles but let me ask you this. Do you honestly want to see 4 car heat races? As a racer it doesnt matter to me but as a fan I dont. Thats the whole point that I am getting to, whats your opinion?

[tccaz]

No sir I would prefer less classes with more cars in each class. Then there would be enough cars to have decent heats. How many classes are needed to represent an enjoyable night at the races? Three or four different classes should have enough cars in each class to make an interesting night at the races. I think that there are so many different classes to choose from to build a car that each class gets weaker. If there were only three or four classes available then that hoped for 100 cars in the pits wouldn't be divided so many ways. Once again hope I didn't upset anyone.

Thanks for letting express my thoughts.

Tom

[Edm]

Didn't upset me, I like hearing others opinions.

[tccaz]

I don't want to see a 5 car feature either and thats all the late models had.

[backdoorbob]

Maybe Tenney and Keeler can get a Late Model. That would make it 7 cars. We have 2 ladies and 3 guys now. Just wondering what the new sex count would be?

[Front Stretch]

I'm just a fan but,

if the track I attend goes to features only, I WILL NOT GO BACK! I drive a little over 2 hours one way and having features only would really suck! I too am not a fan of heat races with only 8-10 cars but at least I have gotten my moneys worth when the night is over! Back in the early days of Thundercross, we had 9 divisions of cars but every week at least two of those divisions were not on the program. I don't recall any bad racing nights either because they NEVER left two "big" divisions of on the same night. We had 116 registered cars in the pure stock division and saw many nights that we had 3 heats with 18-20 cars in each. Our heats didn't mean anything BUT top 3 did get paid. When I say they didn't mean anything, they were not any part of points for the year but to us the fans, they were important and many times heats were as good as features! Heats are also important to the drivers as they are the ones paying to put on a show for us and they also need to get their moneys worth! I just wish someone could come up with a quick fix for the racing scene but don't see it happening in the near future. I just don't believe that doing away with heats is the answer. Frasson, you said a mouthful. If tracks go to features only then we the fans should expect admission to be cut in half!

[AJ14]

Heat races aren't typically used in this state to set feature line-ups . So unless they pay good money , which they don't , the feature only idea should be a win - win for fans and drivers . No heats means far smaller tire bill , far smaller fuel bill , and much less damage to the car , both real and potential .

For the fans , they get a much quicker show , no 3 or 4 car heat races ( only thing worse than that is a 3 or 4 car heat race with a caution every other lap ) more cars running the feature ( not having lost any in the heats ) , and a total show that lasts maybe 3 hours tops . Because thats the new reality . Old line race fans look at a 4 or 5 hour night at the races as the norm . I don't feel i've gotten my fix if i'm walking out to the parking lot earlier than 11:30 . But the new generation of fan , and potential fan , compare races to any other entertainment . Movies don't last 5 hours . Not even 3 hours . The age old ways of short track racing just aren't working . Mostly because they haven't evolved with the rest of entertainment and sports . But we have to change the show , and that means some older fans , and even some racers are going to be offended . But if it doesn't change , we all know what the alternative is . Race track land works just as well for strip malls .

[ancrdave]

Over the last couple of years, I've noticed on nights where we have given away tickets and got some new faces in the stands, that many are departing by 10PM or even earlier... Even last week, I saw a lot of folks get up and go after the Modified race and it was only 9:30... Our "regular" faces were still sitting there when things got over at 10:08 wondering where the closest bar was...
The old Orlando Raceway didn't start the races until 8:30! Two classes (3 after the Early Model six-cylinders were added in 1965)... Two heats, a consi and a feature in each class and always done by 11... The late start time plus the fact some bozos in DC hadn't invented daylight saving time yet meant rainouts were very rare in those days...