14 replies to this topic

[bobvogtjr30]

Why do tracks insist on having intermissions! Especially with rain on the radar in the arae! This is the dumbest thing in racing. If u run 6 classes in the same order there is absolutely no reason to ever have an intermission. One class goes off and the other one should be coming on the track. And stop the damn cars on the track instead of them running 10 laps on a caution! Stop tjem and line them up its that easy! I stopped going to raceway 7 years ago for those 2 reasons. They were the biggest offenders of that rule. These are 2 things that could easily speed up the program and make the experience more enjoyable for everyone!

[fastforward1]

You may have put this on the wrong board. Pretty sure this board is just for press releases now...........

[fastforward1]

You may have put this on the wrong board. Pretty sure this board is just for press releases now...........

[DarwinsBeagle]

Intermissions are for race track promotors (errrr....gate openers) who still believe that we are in the 1970s. Your track prep should be completed before races start for the evening, except for very unusual circumstances. Every time I hear that expression "pause for the cause" by the track announcer, I want to commit a homicide. What is that "cause" again? Selling a few more hot dogs?

It is 2013. The two surefire ways to keep new or casual fans from ever returning again are:

1a. Holding them hostage for 5+ hours.
1b. Covering them in dust during the hostage negotiations.

So for all of you lovers of slick track racing, it had better be greasy slick (visit Woodhull Raceway some Saturday night for an example of this) - not dry slick (visit any other poorly prepared upstate NY track not named Woodhull Raceway for an example of this).

Edited by DarwinsBeagle, 07 July 2013 - 12:16 AM.

[Miley Motor Sports]

[dirtguy200948]

I thought it was $5,000 to win for lates?

[Skull]

Intermissions are for race track promotors (errrr....gate openers) who still believe that we are in the 1970s. Your track prep should be completed before races start for the evening, except for very unusual circumstances. Every time I hear that expression "pause for the cause" by the track announcer, I want to commit a homicide. What is that "cause" again? Selling a few more hot dogs?

It is 2013. The two surefire ways to keep new or casual fans from ever returning again are:

1a. Holding them hostage for 5+ hours.
1b. Covering them in dust during the hostage negotiations.

So for all of you lovers of slick track racing, it had better be greasy slick (visit Woodhull Raceway some Saturday night for an example of this) - not dry slick (visit any other poorly prepared upstate NY track not named Woodhull Raceway for an example of this).

Absolutely right. Intermissions are a total waste of time. The original poster has a valid gripe. Ask yourself how many times you've been to a racetrack with bad weather in the area, and they still insist on having an intermission. Don Martin had it correct. His belief was that if people are hungry, they will find time to get to the concession stand. That concept seems to have worked out pretty well.

I also agree about the length of show. 3 to 3 1/2 hours of a fast paced program, no more, unless there are extenuating circumstance like weather or a bad accident.

[flash49]

I thought it was $5,000 to win for lates?

Misinformed, once again. Regarding intermissions, I don't mind a short one for track improvement, but other than that, keep the show moving. Having said that, I don't mind being at a race track 4 or 5 hours, I wait all winter just wishing I could be at the track. I guess if you have small children that would be a problem.

[letsgo]

You pay what, $12-$15 for a race? Go to a Steelers game, pay $125 and there is constant breaks in the action either tv timeouts or what not. Same in all other sports. Tons of breaks for money purposes only. And did you ever think it could be for the people you actually come and watch? Like the racers to have some more time to work on their cars? Years ago the shows were much longer and had more heat races cause their were more cars. Now with less cars, less heats, drivers need to get their cars ready much quicker. What better things do you have to do on a Friday or Saturday than sit at a track?

[CHEVY1A]

Intermissions are a waste. Never had them at Thunder Valley or Bedford and the show kept rolling along. I think those 45 minute intermissions is one of the things that turned me against Dog Hollow and Marion Center.

[Skull]

You pay what, $12-$15 for a race? Go to a Steelers game, pay $125 and there is constant breaks in the action either tv timeouts or what not. Same in all other sports. Tons of breaks for money purposes only. And did you ever think it could be for the people you actually come and watch? Like the racers to have some more time to work on their cars? Years ago the shows were much longer and had more heat races cause their were more cars. Now with less cars, less heats, drivers need to get their cars ready much quicker. What better things do you have to do on a Friday or Saturday than sit at a track?

Well, I see where you're coming from, but it's worked at Lernerville for 45 summers, and the teams know the drill.

Here's the other issue. On Fridays, most people, including driver's, track workers and crew members have already worked an 8+ hour day, and many have to work Saturday. It's a lot to ask these folks to compete and staff an event for 5, 6 or more hours, with some of those same teams wanting to race Saturday night. It's a short attention span era. I'm a hardcore fan, but I tend to get restless at tracks that screw around with constant grooming (other than trying to run a track in because of a rain delay), intermissions, clearing accidents or lining up cars. They've already got my money. Is it too much to ask to move the show along in a timely manner? I will put up with it to an extent, but it's tough to convince newbies that are starting to think they'd rather be sitting at a bar, movie theater or casino, that it will get better. And those are the people these tracks need to attract and keep if they want to stay profitable and therefore, open.

[bobvogtjr30]

You pay what, $12-$15 for a race? Go to a Steelers game, pay $125 and there is constant breaks in the action either tv timeouts or what not. Same in all other sports. Tons of breaks for money purposes only. And did you ever think it could be for the people you actually come and watch? Like the racers to have some more time to work on their cars? Years ago the shows were much longer and had more heat races cause their were more cars. Now with less cars, less heats, drivers need to get their cars ready much quicker. What better things do you have to do on a Friday or Saturday than sit at a track?

Yes there are constant stops at football games but that is also the nature of that sport as it is designed to be 8 seconds of fury then a break. Also can't remember the last time the nfl canceled a fame because of rain. I am one of those racers and like I said as long as they keep the same classes in same running order and there our 5 plus classes that is more than sufficient time to make any changes to ur car. Like most fans don't see is that support division guy who runs last and is loading his car in the dark by himself at 2am because of intermissions and slow running programs and then an hr drive home. I can remember racing in this area since the 80s and even with all the technology (radios) and lower numbers of cars I still don't see me getting home any earlier

[letsgo]

Well, I see where you're coming from, but it's worked at Lernerville for 45 summers, and the teams know the drill.

Here's the other issue. On Fridays, most people, including driver's, track workers and crew members have already worked an 8+ hour day, and many have to work Saturday. It's a lot to ask these folks to compete and staff an event for 5, 6 or more hours, with some of those same teams wanting to race Saturday night. It's a short attention span era. I'm a hardcore fan, but I tend to get restless at tracks that screw around with constant grooming (other than trying to run a track in because of a rain delay), intermissions, clearing accidents or lining up cars. They've already got my money. Is it too much to ask to move the show along in a timely manner? I will put up with it to an extent, but it's tough to convince newbies that are starting to think they'd rather be sitting at a bar, movie theater or casino, that it will get better. And those are the people these tracks need to attract and keep if they want to stay profitable and therefore, open.

Well, in todays time it is hard to attract new fans with so many other outlets to have fun. The firecracker moved well with a delay, although they could have done a better job of clearing the dirt mounds outside of turns 3 and 4. I just think rushing the racers in the pits is a bad thing to do.

[Ring Gear]

Marion Center was and probably still is the biggest abuser of the long intermissions. One of the biggest reasons we do not go there anymore. Along with the fact the wife can not stand the poor excuse for restrooms. filthy... If you can't ,make the wife or g/f happy she isn't going back and neither are you. Plain and simple. Same with Dog Hollow. They say they have been in business for 47 years. All this time to make improvements,, Maybe 47 years to get rid of those deplorable rest rooms and get some running water. I did go to their 4th of July special, first in a number of years, and noticed their lame attempt to get get some light on the track w/ their portable light plants. They should have saved their money. I did notice several people leaving before the races even started. I would venture to say there were a lot of first timers to a race track and MCS lost the chance to get them back again. This is just my opinion and I know some will say " if you don't like it, DON'T GO...I WON'T

[Spook]

Well, I see where you're coming from, but it's worked at Lernerville for 45 summers, and the teams know the drill.

Here's the other issue. On Fridays, most people, including driver's, track workers and crew members have already worked an 8+ hour day, and many have to work Saturday. It's a lot to ask these folks to compete and staff an event for 5, 6 or more hours, with some of those same teams wanting to race Saturday night. It's a short attention span era. I'm a hardcore fan, but I tend to get restless at tracks that screw around with constant grooming (other than trying to run a track in because of a rain delay), intermissions, clearing accidents or lining up cars. They've already got my money. Is it too much to ask to move the show along in a timely manner? I will put up with it to an extent, but it's tough to convince newbies that are starting to think they'd rather be sitting at a bar, movie theater or casino, that it will get better. And those are the people these tracks need to attract and keep if they want to stay profitable and therefore, open.

couldn't of said it better myself.. I agree 100%. this is why I rarely go to lernerville anymore, I got tired of all the screwing around between races (track grooming and other nonsense) although I did go there earlier in the year and to their credit they moved the show along very well.
sportsmans has to have the longest intermission of them all. 45 to 60 min intermissions is the norm at that joint. I suppose I can handle maybe a 10 -15 intermission to transition from heats to mains to take care of the sponsors and any nightly promotion gimmick the track may have for the kids or businesses that support the track and to sell another hotdog or two. imo mercer balances this act pretty good.