It Just Can't Get Any Worse Than Orlando--

[AB195]

Oh, yes it can.
Try New Smyrna Speedway, another FASCAR track that races on Sat. night...the so-called sister track.
Upon entering the parking lot grounds, a big sign indicated that it wasn't a mere $15.00 dollars to get in, but only $20.00 to see the show. "Sorry for the Inconvenience". it said.

This thread has absolutely nothing to do with Keelor, Browns or Bristol. They are Good people. They all get the pass.

$20.00 F'n Bucks, you gotta be shittin' me. I paid the dough to get in, and I feel really dirty, like I need to go home and take a shower for paying this money, and sleep it off.

Here is how it went down----------
--Sportsman, 10 laps, 4 cars started, 2 dropped after 2 laps, 2 finished--
--2 TBARA heats, 7 and 8 cars-- OK races--
--SuperStock Feature, 11 cars--Ok race--
---------intermission------------
--Mini-Stock Feature, 7 cars, good race for 25 laps or so, and a good story.
--30 lap TBARA feature, 15 Sprints, and a long red flag after 1 lap.


7:30 starting time, over by 10;45---

Throwing stones no more, I am throwing dirtclods (and snowballs if I lived up north). Again, Keelor, Brown and Bristol get a pass on this horrible, crap of a show in which the general public has to witness, for the price to get in. I have never heard more ill-will from my surrounding patrons in the stands that were around me.

I do support my local short track, Frass,--but I've got to tell you, FASCAR ain't making it any better for the common racing fan.

[Gary J]

I was there too. there is no scoreboard to tell what lap they are on and no bleachers to sit on in the pits.

[Jimmy McKinley]

They have a scoreboard; it's over in turn two. Maybe it just wasn't working, because it was the last time I was there. Pit bleachers are in turn three last I knew (last November for the Governor's Cup).

[carolwicks]

why the long red flag?

I see Joey and Dude at the bottom. Unusual. hope they are both ok. thanks for any info.
carol aka oz

[Mark Keeler]

**** ONCE AGAIN I MUST PREFACE THIS POST WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS POST ARE MY OWN AND IN NO WAY REFLECT THOSE OF FASCAR, NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY, ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD AND/OR COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK ****

Roger... that is the same price that it was last year for TBARA Admission... The purpose of the sign was because the Volusia Pennysaver printed that G.A. was $10.00... their screw up, not ours (they were sent an Ad to print this week and chose to make their own)... if you read the sign... it clearly stated at the top "Volusia Pennysaver Misprint" I know, I made the sign... and hence the reason it said "Sorry For The Inconvenience"

Now most tracks would have said screw it... let them find out when they hit the ticket booth... maybe after they've already walked up to the gate, they'll just stay...

I was told to make the sign so that people would have a chance to turn around in the parking lot and not be inconvenienced after they walked all the way up to the ticket gate... A gutsy call by the Owner... but he did the right thing...

I know that is an impossible concept for some people to grasp... Management doing the right thing, but in this case... they did.

I should probably have ignored this entire thread... but once again... someone takes half the story and runs with it and I for one will not sit back and let you post incorrect or partial information about the situation.

Roger I appreciate the "pass" as you called it that you extended to myself, Kim and Rick, however, we ARE FASCAR... we ARE the ones who are working 24/7 to help improve these tracks... Probably one of the most thankless jobs that you can have, and if you think we do it for the paycheck as opposed to the passion and love that we have for it... lets exchange paychecks for a couple months... and that is not a knock on the track... that is the same no matter what track you work for ANYWHERE...

I've said 100 times to people who think they're gonna work for a paycheck and get rich at a racetrack that if that's the only reason they're there... they won't last... and don't get me wrong, I make a living, I live in a decent house, my vehicle is paid for and all in all I am very content with my financial situation... because no matter what my bank account says, I can honestly say that I absolutely LOVE going to work everyday, and there's a lot of people out there that can't say that...

So when you insult FASCAR (especially with a mis-informed post) you insult US... free pass or not.

Believe it or not... I see a lot of positives EVERY week this year at both tracks... Is everything perfect or even close to it... NO... But at the end of every night I try to focus on the positives and use those to work forward and I'm pretty sure most of my fellow FASCAR Family members are doing the same thing... Shit like this has never and will never help anything work towards getting better. It only disheartens those that are spending countless (thankless) hours behind the scenes to put together the show that we all know is possible... and we truly believe in our hearts will happen. Here's a cliche for ya... "it can't happen overnight!"

A couple of positives from last night...
We had a brand new Sportsman that has not been out for 2 years that is back... We had another Sportsman that took a week off to get new tires and wheels and won last night and will be back... (2 of our regulars were out of town last night and the rest now have 2 weeks off to get the tires/wheels so things are looking up for that division. we knew it would take a few weeks for it to pick up and it IS.)

We had a brand new Super Stock with a former Track Champion in it who hasn't raced in over a year and is back... And an entertaining Feature for the Super Stocks that saw the leaders wreck just after the start-finish line in front of the fans. (now I don't like to see anyone wreck, but lets face the facts, when it happens in front of the crowd, it brings them to their feet.)

We had a VERY competitive Mini-Stock race with a TRUE Mini-Stock VW in position to win before a wreck on the front stretch (in front of the fans) that sidelined him with 8 laps to go. (and probably the loudest I've heard a crowd in a while when they collectively cheered for one and jeered at another.)

So again, was everything perfect... NO... But those are just a few of the things that I personally will take and work with towards building a better show. Don't get me wrong... there are things that need work and we are addressing those (behind the scenes)... Not everything has to be hashed out in public and on message boards... I don't find that to be either productive or respectful to those involved.

I'm done with Chapter 1 for now... I'm heading back to the track now!

[Rick Anges]

Very well put Mark...

[Edm]

**** ONCE AGAIN I MUST PREFACE THIS POST WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS POST ARE MY OWN AND IN NO WAY REFLECT THOSE OF FASCAR, NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY, ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD AND/OR COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK ****

Roger... that is the same price that it was last year for TBARA Admission... The purpose of the sign was because the Volusia Pennysaver printed that G.A. was $10.00... their screw up, not ours (they were sent an Ad to print this week and chose to make their own).

LOL, Maybe the Penny Saver thought that $20 was too much too.

[oldtimer]

I also don't understand how the TBARA Sprints can commend 20 bones a ticket! I've paid it at Desoto and Charlotte. Same deal, couple heats and a quick 30 lap feature along with a bunch of supporting class junkers!

Usually a 20 dollar gate ticket price gets you at least a super late model 100 to 125 lapper. Not sure what makes this series such a high price ticket. For that money they should at least run twin 25 lap features or gas them and run a 50 lapper. At least give the fans their monies worth. They sure are not paying 20 bucks to watch the junker divisions.

[Gary J]

Next week you have a choice of sprintcar shows cheaper than 20 bucks-Punta Gorda has wingless sprints and East Bay has sprints for- $10 OR $12 depending on your age.