Can Anything Be Done?

[UREZ2PASS]

polesitter61,

If the economy was not so bad, Citrus would have twice as many cars.

Something there attracts more cars than the other tracks. I don't know if its the payouts, rules, or what. They may have more fans because the fans don't have as many things to do on the weekends as those in and around OSW and NSS.

It could also be that Citrus crashes alot of cars, and fans like watching car crashes.

[Todd McCreary]

It could also be that Citrus crashes alot of cars, and fans like watching car crashes.


started 24 cars for the Larry McMillan A-main and i believe ... ~21 finished? 12 started the B and 10 finished? 1 wreck(?), only a couple of spins.

[helper]

That's not the answer either, as I go to Hendry County every now and then and there car count is no better then Orlando's. I know they are trying but nothing seems to help.

turnit to dirt and no this isnt a joke.

[Mike Bresnahan]

Reasons for Citrus success....

For starters, Citrus being a smaller track, it requires less money. You don't need the best engine to run there. Many times, more HP is a dis-advantage.

The smaller track is more exciting for fans and drivers alike. Sure the sensation of speed you feel as a driver at New Symrna or Orlando is great, but unless you have a FULL field (20 plus), the racing gets way too spread out and becomes pretty boring. At Citrus, there really is two grooves and 15 car fields provide excitment all the way around the track. As a driver things happen faster and many times it's like dodging bullets getting in and out of traffic.

Also, due to the shorter straightaways and slower speeds, most wrecks result in only minor damage. You hit the wall at Symrna or Orlando, and 9 out of 10x's, you're clipping your ride....

They have very strict tech.

It's my home track so I'm sure I'm biased towards it, but to me it's the most "racy" track in the state. Because there's a curfew, you know you won't be there all night, and they're pretty quick about getting you paid and on your way.

[UREZ2PASS]

I've only been to Citrus once, and it was a crashfest that night. I guess any track could have a crashfest every now and then. It's good to hear that it is not that way all the time.

[John Berti]

These suggestions are not directed toward any one track, but offered to all in general:

1. Talk to drivers who raced at your track and see why they left. Do what is necessary to get them back. Always listen to your drivers and ask for their suggestions for the betterment of racing at your track. Without them you are nothing.
2. Cut back on divisions. Tracks these days have far too many divisions. Run only three maybe four divisions at the most. Car counts will naturally increase in each division and tracks can offer more purse money for each division. Make one of the divisions a top division like late models, open wheel modifieds or sprints each week. Alternate the divisions if you want, but always make sure you have a top division to lead your weekly race program. Fans do not want to experience an evening full of support division racing.
3. Be more efficient in the way the race program is run. Always have the cars lined up in the pits in their starting positions ready to go so that as soon as one race is completed the next race is ready to come out on the track.
4. Have ample tow vehicles and push vehicles to quickly and efficiently get the job done when there are accidents. Twenty minutes or more to clear up an accident scene is totally unacceptable.
5. Keep intermission to no longer than 30 minutes.

Note: Suggestions 3, 4, and 5 will show that you have respect for fans time and you'll not keep them there until the wee hours of the morning.

6. Seek as much free publicity for your track as you can. Have a public relations/media relations person submit race results and news of upcoming races to local newspapers, radio and television. This will generate some excitement and let people know you exist.
7. Have an advertising budget. A little ad here and there in the local newspapers mentioning what is happening at your speedway is not going to break the track. Keep in mind the old adage "You've got to spend a little money to make some money."
8. Call up drivers and let them know what is going on at your track especially if you are having a big race. Encourage them to race at your track. It's amazing how the personal touch works.
9. Figure out ways to reduce the cost of racing for your drivers. Something as little as cheaper, smaller width tires could help car owners tremendously.
10. Universal application of rules whether you are a five time track champion or just rolling your car off the hauler for the first time. Play no favorites, treat everyone the same.
11. Keep your track neat, clean, and safe.
12. Have a quality, operational public address system so that fans can hear and be informed on what is going on at your track. Make sure it is always up and running well before the scheduled track opening time.
13. Charge reasonable concession prices and offer quality food so that fans will have the desire to frequent them instead of eating before or after coming to the track.
14. Reward car owners and drivers who are dedicated to your track week after week with free pit entry once and a while. This can be done on a revolving basis so as not to have the track dramatically impacted on one particular night.
15. Start a weekly racing talk show on a local sports orientated radio station or perhaps on cable TV. Have drivers as guests and talk about racing at your track. Again this will generate interest.

These are only a few thoughts, but it is an obvious start.

[UREZ2PASS]

John,

That was very impressive. I don't know you, but if I ever own a racetrack - your hired.

[Todd McCreary]

heh.

i see that John has spent the time since his 2007 registration lurking well.


addendums:
4. get either a used Broce Broom or a broom attachment tool ( they make them for Bobcats and tractors ). one pass with a mechanized broom like this and you'd be ready to go back racing instead of the many multiple broom passes and blower passes that are required at most tracks.

5. what are we having intermission for? the only reason for intermission is to pad the clock if you don't have enough cars/classes to do a real full nights show. intermissions are, literally, a show-stopper. if you INSIST on having one, no more than 15 minutes between the heat races and first feature. that's plenty of time for the fans to get down to the concession stand.


12. working score sign be good too.

[John Berti]

Excellent additions, Todd. I've actually only been away from writing and editing for Karnac for about a 1 1/2 years. As a fellow racing fraternity brother you know how hard it is to stay away from racing once you've been bitten by the bug. It's great to be back and you'll see my stories on the front page and my comments on these boards more frequently.

[ancrdave]

I never see a problem with an intermission at a track that's putting on a good show... The fans need a quick break to go to the john, get food or just stretch their legs... Intermission can be made interesting too... As an announcer, that is not my "break time" (like some do) but that's when I really go to work plugging next weeks show and keeping the fans entertained... At Auburndale we give away stuff to the kids and I try and create as much havoc as I can to keep things flowing... No more than 15 minutes though, that should always be the rule and no intermission (or a very brief one) if the show is running late...

[John Berti]

When I use to announce at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH, I would use intermission to have driver meet and greets whereby each week I'd have a different driver or drivers come over from the pits to meet the fans and sign autographs. The kids use to love it. So did the drivers.

As I always use to say, I wanted our drivers to mean more to the fans than a name on a roof.

We would also, from time to time, give kids rides around the track in a retired race car that had a passenger seat. Again the kids use to love this.

By the way those kids I'm referring to oddly came from the age range of 5 to 95. lol

Man, those were some good times!

[Camaro guy]

We would also, from time to time, give kids rides around the track in a retired race car that had a passenger seat. Again the kids use to love this.

Bronson used to promote upcoming school bus races by giving rides on a bus around the track during intermission. EVERY kid lined up to get on board, and when it pulled up next to the wall so the exhaust would reverberate, they went crazy. As the track announcer said, come Monday morning, you'd have a tough time getting them on a school bus, but on Saturday night... It was a little thing, but it sure created a lot of excitement among the younger crowd.

[Jane]

Alex, my youngest, loved the bus rides he got at Crash-A-Rama especially when they would take the bus close to the wall and the kids would think they were going to hit it. Over the years, alot of guys have driven that bus but kids and big kids loved it.

He and his sister also loved riding in race cars on the nights that the track had kid rides. Boy, their faces would lite up and they would wave to the crowd as they went by in those cars. It was something they never forgot and always looked forward to for sure. Alot of the Super Lates (then Late Models) did usually give kid rides but Bruce Everett never failed to bring his Late out for rides. And he would always tell Alex to make sure and ride with him on those nights they had kid rides.

And Rusty and Tim use to drive a school bus around Orlando and surrounding areas the week of Crash-A-Rama to get fan attention and sometimes they would have some of the track kids with them. They all had a ball and it was good advertising for that Friday night.

[Boneman]

Kid rides are great! I've got a great picture of my oldest son riding in Eddie King's SLM many years ago. Can't forget about an event like that, although the rest of the night is long gone from memory.

[ancrdave]

Keeping the kids excited helps your show no doubt... At Auburndale each week, all the kids 10 and under get an extra ticket good for prize drawings... Each week, Lindsey Bruce & her dad Julius put together a pair of really neat prize packs... We've also given away 12 bicycles so far this year... The fans help raise the money by getting weekly raffle tickets for some really nice raffle items and we've got several folks that have stepped up a bought a bike to give away... I've been trying to figure out how to raise even more $$$ so we can get some R/C cars and other stuff to give away to the kids... Also the drivers chip in each week to buy ice cream for several lucky kids... This past week Fred Harrison, jr. bought 21 ice creams that we gave away... When the kids have a good time on a regular basis (an the race program is worth watching too), they beg their folks to take them to the races... We create race fans who will keep coming for many years to come...
If anyone over in the Auburndale area wants to help out, they'll get plenty of publicity... just see me at the track or shoot me an e-mail....