heat races at nss

[straight up]

well , what do you think ? is it time to bring back the heat races at new smyrna ? and bring back all classes every week ? the empty grandstands and 5 or 6 cars per class speaks volumes . the fans and racers want more for their money .

[Boneman]

Yes, it is time to try another new approach. I've been fair and have given this time, but the all features format aint cuttin' it. Especially on the nights when there is only 4 classes.

The fans want more bang for their buck.

Regardless of the format, the tracks must go into over-drive to win back cars.

[M.F.ER]

Bring It

Yes im all for bringing back heat races and start the features the way you finish in the heats.

[Hired Gun]

get it done!

We need the heats back for sure. It's no where near as fun to race without heats. Heat races help give more time to do what ever it is your doing to the car and if its not right you can attempt to cure the problem before the feature, but I know it also gives you an extra race to try and not tear up your car, but its a risk worth taking. For cars/drivers that don't want to the run the heats they can start in the rear for the feature. And for FASCAR if they do make the choice to run heats, I'm sure there will be a a lot of complaints...just tell then o'well haha

[modracer22]

I don't know if bringing back the heat races will fix the car count problem or lack of people in the stands. I was one of the ones that said yes to the features only and yes I know I havn't been a NSS or OSW that much this year. So bring back the heats and cut the feature laps back to 15? I really didn't mind the heats but it's a joke to run a 15 lap feature for everyone except the Supers. The other problem with the heats was time that it took to run the hole show. I had several friends that came to Orlando with there kids only to leave before they had seen the hole show because of how late it was getting to be. I still think the features only is a better deal but I'm just one of the people who think so.

[Edm]

I was also one opposed to heat races, but only if there are a few cars. I am sorry but a 3 car heat race is usually pretty boring to watch. As a driver it really doesnt matter to me one way or another.
On the other hand, I love watching heat races IF, AND ONLY IF, there are a bunch of cars and they actually mean something.

[tccaz]

If they got rid of the autograph signing. the way too many to count hot laps the winners interview and all the other crap they do the races could be run with heats and features and still get done at a decent time. By the way Ed a 5 car feature aint too thrilling either.

[AJ14]

I had heard that the features only idea was pretty popular in the meetings Robert had . One major consideration is the time factor . I'm a big race fan , i don't care how late the races get over . Well... endless cautions are irritating , but overall late nights at the races don't bother a die hard fan . But many of the people in the stands , and the people that the tracks hope to put in the stands , aren't that gung ho .
Its been said many times , auto racing has to compete with movies , etc . and that means the action needs to move along and be finished in three hours . So that pretty much eliminates the heat races . From the fans point of view , i don't think the heat races are missed .
I agree there are still too many delays in the show at most tracks . And i also agree that the low fan count isn't because of features only racing . Low fan count is due to nothing to see at the race track . Gotta give them a reason to show up . Its that simple .

[Edm]

By the way Ed a 5 car feature aint too thrilling either.

Very true, especially for 25 laps, unless there is a good side by side race going on.


When I was a kid I loved the autograph session so I don't mind it much now because I know the kids love it. Its a hell of a lot better then watching some big guy lift weights. I saw the kids start to yawn during that one.

[fred23]

I don't think the heat races are necessary. THat is not what is keeping the cars away....I do agree that they need to have more classes each week though. They could get the 6-7 features done quickly if they used time limits. I would like to see 4 regular features and maybe 2 40-50 lap bigger races for the weekly classes or a 75-100 lap bigger race. IF they keep the time limits in place and get the next race lined up at the halfway point of the previous race, it can be done in 3 - 3 1/2 hours.

[Todd McCreary]

I do agree that they need to have more classes each week though. They could get the 6-7 features done quickly if they used time limits.


OSW and NSS already run 6-7 classes almost every week. lack of classes is not the issue and too many classes is actually aggravating the car count problem.

say you've got 50 cars in the pits. split it into 40 classes and you've got 12-13 in every class. not really healthy, but it's still some kind of a show for the fans.

now take those same 50 cars and split them 7 ways. now you're looking a 7 cars per class, with one class probably having ~15 and most of the rest having 5 or less. that is TERRIBLE and will kill any grandstand ticket sales you might have been hoping for.

if you can start a new class with a bare minimum of 10 cars? sure, bring a new division in and build it up. if you've got a bunch of divisions that can't average 10 cars? you need to start cutting classes.





One major consideration is the time factor .

this is huge.

heats AND features can be run and gotten done in a reasonable amount of time. BUT! the track must be organized and professional about keeping the show moving.




I am sorry but a 3 car heat race is usually pretty boring to watch.

Ed, if you've only got 3 cars in the heat race you'll be lucky to have 2 for the feature. if a tracks field sizes are that small they've got WAY bigger problems than heats or features only.

[Edm]

I would rather see 4 features with good car counts in every class then watch 7 or 8 features with 5 cars each.

[straight up]

omg ! the amount of classes is fine . the solution is common sense , drop the grandstand to $10 every week = more fans . increase the payoff = more cars . ENFORCE THE RULEBOOK ! no favortism to the rich daddys ! bring back the heats gives drivers more time to set up the car = a better more competitive show . instead of the money guy who can afford to test during the week . the backyard racer is shortrack racing not rich daddys . and as far as hurry , hurry , with the show , REAL RACERS AND REAL FANS AINT IN A HURRY TO GO HOME ! we will stay till the sun comes up if thats what it takes ! there are lots of cars sitting home that wont run due to lack of rule enforcement and insulting payoffs .deny it all you want but thats the straight up truth . SIMPLE SOLUTION , EASY FIX ! but if two certain tracks dont want to make money because its a tax writeoff well all our ideas fall on deaf ears . for instance yestarday gates opened at 10 am . concession stand didnt open till almost 2pm . they could have made lots of money in that 4 hour period . many people were upset about that . shows they just dont care about the racer .

[Edm]

, drop the grandstand to $10 every week = more fans. ENFORCE THE RULEBOOK ! no favortism to the rich daddys !

Good points, but for whatever reason they wont do it.

[fred23]

I will agree with most of what has been said here...The grandstands should be $10 and the payout is not the best. I think one of the biggest issues is marketing. I have seen a couple of tv commercials and heard a radio spot the other day but those are for the big events only. We even received an info packet in the mail for the Clyde Hart race. While these things are great, I think they should be done more often. Another easy thing to do is to have flyers posted in the pits and grandstands showing the upcoming events at the track. Not everyone goes to Karnac or NSS websires every week, especially casual fans. The bathrooms and concession stands are great places for this and it is cheap to do.
Now for the tech issues....I think they have been doing a pretty good job of this at NSS this year. I know our car has been gone over every week pretty much top to bottom and front to back. It seems that they are checking something everyweek in every class. THis isn't NASCAR where they can check every rule on a car every week.
I looked at the points for evey class from this year. THere have been 24 LM, 21 StrStk, 39 SLM, 24 Mods, 22 Sprtman, 28 Trucks, 33 Sup Stk and 16 Minis that have races at NSS this year. Over half have only been there once. If half of those numbers showed up every week there would be great car counts and great racing. I still think the economy is playing a part for the racers. A lot of people were tied to the construction business and we know where that has gone in FLorida. I don't think that Obama put any racing funds into the stimulus bill.
I also think that the fact that NSS is so big and fast that it takes its toll on cars. If you wreck at NSS you really tear stuff up. We have been to Citrus and Auburndale this year and they both have good car counts for the lower stock divisions. One reason is that they don't tear cars up when they wreck. THe speed is so much slower that they kind of bounce of each other and keep going. When you bounce off each other at NSS you both leave on a hook.
And yes, racing is a hobby for 99% of us. But it would be nice to break even or come close as far as entry, and fuel are concerned if you finish well.
Just my two cents