32 replies to this topic

[Chad's Dad]

I have an honest question, Why is it the tracks fault if there is not passing? I mean I have seen lots of race tracks and they remain the same for every driver out there. The cars, set ups, drivers are all different, and adjustable.

 

Because 99 percent of dirt tracks are too narrow, and you can't race them from top to bottom.  

[NotToday]

What is too narrow? 50 feet 30 feet? What do you consider enough racing surface?

[GEARHEAD]

I have an honest question, Why is it the tracks fault if there is not passing? I mean I have seen lots of race tracks and they remain the same for every driver out there. The cars, set ups, drivers are all different, and adjustable.

 

In most cases the tracks are configured incorrectly.  Either there is too much banking, not enough banking, the track is too slick, the track is too fast, the track takes rubber, etc.  Nearly every racetrack in the country has the ability to be awesome as long as it is wide enough, but they do not have the knowledge to make it awesome or they simply don't care.  Depending on the track size and shape there is a certain configuration and surface condition that is ideal for the track.  For example, Eldora had too much banking in it so everybody ran the top because it so dominant.  They recently cut the banking out (which I had been asking for for years) and started making the bottom tackier than the top, now the track is great.  Conversely, tracks like Roaring Knob and Eriez still have shelves at the top of the corners so they can only use half the track.  At RK turns 3 and 4 aren't as bad, but anybody can look at 1 and 2 and instantly see what the problem is there.  Does it ever get fixed?  Of course not because they don't care.  The one thing I can give PPMS credit for is fixing their issues and now it's actually too easy to pass there and the track is still too big, but still a huge improvement over the rubbered-up calcium days.  Florence Speedway recently widened turns 3 and 4 and it made HUGE difference is the quality of racing.  A lot of tracks have no idea what to do during the program either.  If the cushion is only halfway up the track before feature time and nobody can pass, scrape the cushion off.  If everybody is running on the bottom during the heats and nobody is using the top groove, water the top of the track before the features.  If everybody is running the top, water the bottom.  It's all common sense, but nowadays most dirt tracks don't have a freakin clue.  If you want to go to a racetrack that knows what they're doing I have one word for you...#FALS.

[NotToday]

Isn't that what racing on dirt is all about? Most dirt tracks were not built in these modern days, some evolved and some didn't. To say a track needs this or that is just a personal opinion. It's kinda like saying that track needs new clay? Why would that be cause my butt dyno says so or cause I can't get my car hooked. What scientific data is presented when making a statement like that.

[pabandit]

Yep..that would help get the straightaway speed up over about 150mph.  especially on the front stretch.  The place needs shortened....just like Bedford does!  Too Big.....Too Fast....= poor racing!  Thats the problem with Bedford as well!  Too Hard on equipment....thats why guys don't want to race there!  In the Day though, there were the Bedford/Cumberland Hero's!  The guys that raced at those two tracks exclusivley

The only problem i have with Bedford is that blasted pavilion, that blocks the view of most of the backstretch!

Edited by pabandit, 28 October 2014 - 05:13 PM.

[GEARHEAD]

Isn't that what racing on dirt is all about? Most dirt tracks were not built in these modern days, some evolved and some didn't. To say a track needs this or that is just a personal opinion. It's kinda like saying that track needs new clay? Why would that be cause my butt dyno says so or cause I can't get my car hooked. What scientific data is presented when making a statement like that.

If the racing sucks it's the track's responsibility to fix it. Terrible racing isn't always a matter of opinion, a freight train is a freight train. If somebody is entertained by a freight train then so be it, but that doesn't mean the racing is good. Track prep is an artform that only a few have mastered like Sargent and Helfrich have. Not just anybody can do it.

Edited by GEARHEAD, 28 October 2014 - 06:33 PM.

[crazylarry12345]

Yea what he said

[CHEVY1A]

I always like Cumberland cause of the scenery. Saw some decent racing there, not great. I had a good time there if there was 6 cars or 20 cars in a feature. Cant say the same for some tracks ive been to that had full fields.

[yuengling2]

You guys sure are hard on Cumberland. In its heyday it presented pretty much the exact same product you see at 75% of tracks in this area. Which is 50% $hit shows and 50% good shows. Mostly all of it depending on weather, start time, time trials, and ownerships drive to put on a decent product. But even the best surfaces in the area can put a guy to sleep depending all on who starts at the front. As Cumberland went through promoters, the amount of $hit given by each group went down and the fans quit giving a damn. Late 90's early 00's they still could hold a decent weekly car count, but when Rick Jones laid his hands on it, it ended like all his race track ventures do. I don't know if pairing up with Bedford would be in there best interest, as Bedford doesnt light the world on fire with their car counts, and prehistoric rules in there lower classes. Running Saturday againt Knob and Hagerstown with todays car counts would be a death sentence. The area could really use a Sunday night track but with that always comes with the dreaded fear of fan support and car count. Sundays are great for a track if rain washed out a night or two on Friday or Saturday and guys want to get  there fix, but the weekends Fri and Sat both run, Sunday races there previously were always hurt.

[NotToday]

Back in the day nearly every track had their good and bad shows and it's still that way. However back in the day you only had a handful of guys who had money, equipment and support. These days nearly everyone is running the same stuff, you now have 90% of the guys who show up capable of running in the front. If you like passing and side by side racing, tell track management to invert the entire field. They spend half the night qualifying, place the fastest guys near the front......then you wonder why you have freight train...

[The Legend]

I have a better idea ... How about when a guy wins a race he gets banned for life and the track confiscates all of his equipment and burns it while all of the toss offs like you who think everyone deserves a trophy sit there and crank each other's taffy !!! Penalizing cars for being fast makes as much sense as castrating dudes for getting with girls who look too good. You fuKing liberals wonder why the country is like it is

[NotToday]

"If you like passing and side by side racing, tell track management to invert the entire field." Never said it was my opinion, or my thoughts. called sarcasm.

[GEARHEAD]

"If you like passing and side by side racing, tell track management to invert the entire field." Never said it was my opinion, or my thoughts. called sarcasm.

 

So you don't like passing and side by side racing?  If that's the case go ahead and buy your season pass to Cumberland now and you won't be disappointed!  Pill draw shows with passing points is the most equally fair format to both the fans and the drivers.  Time trials are a waste since running a fast lap all by yourself doesn't prove anything and certainly doesn't prove that you can race, so reward drivers who race well in the pill draw heats with a good starting spot in the feature.  The Lucas Oil series hit the nail right on the head with their I-80/Florence format. 

Edited by GEARHEAD, 29 October 2014 - 11:04 AM.