52 replies to this topic

[Miley Motor Sports]

North Central Speedway
9651 MN-371 BUS, Brainerd, MN 56401


How to become a favorite driver at a racetrack (allegedly)
July 21, 2015 3:12 pm ⋅ KT

There are many drivers out there that feel they always get the short end of the stick or the raw end of the deal. Well I am sorry to be the first to break your entitlement and everyone feel sorry for me bubble but that is just not the case. However there are a few steps you can take to properly ensure that you will get the benefit of the doubt or at least your concerns will be considered and will hold merit.

Step 1 and overall big picture
Dont be the problem, be part of the solution. Clearly tracks are trying to survive and maybe one day build but you have to take part in that goal and understand your role and how big of an impact even the youngest and least experienced of drivers has on that goal being attained.
Step 2
Pick your battles. Maybe finding something every weekend to complain about or blame and making a huge deal about it is not the way to go. Many times a driver can get to the point where to the track there is always something that keeps you from winning or keeps you from having fun and its not always something the track can control. Unless you want to give us mind control.
Step 3
Be a little more considerate and understanding and supportive on the little things so when its something big it will mean more. If youre not a steady complainer and have had our backs and are usually positive and what not, then what you say will grab our attention a little more.
Step 4
On the heels of step 3, dont come screaming that we have to get our heads out of our butts or that we dont know what we are doing. Come ask for an explanation (even if its in a yelling voice) but understand that we may have to do some checking into it before giving you the answer. But that it is a concern for us and we will look into it.
Step 5
Understanding..understanding that we need fans and that we are all part of a show for entertainment. At the end of the day, we are in the entertainment business and we need the fans to have a good time and that if you think about things from a fans point of view in what you add to the show and what people want to see you will be better off. Its not about each driver and or the promoters or the staff its about the fans first and stopping on the track and giving the bird to the crowd or behaving like a 3 year old WILL NEVER BE OKAY. Help us put on a great show that keeps people coming back and we will like you better. Create problems for us or make it harder for us to look good, then we probably wont want to listen very intently.
Step 6
Acting professional and at least pretending to give a hoot. We get many requests of first time fans that would love to get to meet the winners of that night somewhere close to the exit or have the last weeks winners go into the crowd during intermission and meet some fans and sign some autographs. WOW what that would do for us you have no idea. The impact you have on these kids which in turn makes the parents so grateful is a huge responsibility and drivers need to start respecting that. We had a driver in a popular known car send 2 young girls home to cry themselves to sleep because of how they acted on the track and this car to them was their hero. So remember the young people you are affecting and that is something we as a track cant fix.

Step 7
Quit acting like your more important than someone else. Its amazing to me that the person that hits everyone on the way up to the front will become hysterical and an embarrassment if someone barely touches them. But newsflash drivers, that kind of racing is horrible to watch. When you bang everyone and push them out of your way when you are probably more experienced and most likely faster, it makes people cringe. Dont be a bully. It makes the show HORRIBLE and we dont want to punish people. Fans leave the place talking about the awesome race between the drivers who show respect on the track and win because they were patient and made good passes.not the race where the win came out of pushing people out of the way. It instantly makes even me cringe and say, Now why did you have to do that? That was dirty and unnecessary and makes me not very happy for the driver that won. And it feels like the other guys moment (the once in a while moment) was taken away on the last restart or whichever. You shouldnt deserve the win if you have to win like that. THEN be happy for your competitors who raced you clean and got the win even if you didnt.
Step 8
Stay off of social media and stop with the cyber bullying. The one thing we can do as a track and racers is impact others and we dont want people around that are okay with teaching them that writing lies about people and attacking other racers, promoters, owners, or staff is how you handle things in life. That trying to hurt people to get back at them, when you most likely dont even have a foot to stand on, is the way to deal with your frustrations is okay: IS NEVER OKAY WITH US.
Step 9
If you want something changed bring it up in the pit meeting and we can discuss it and get lots of feedback in one place. Dont fuel the negative in front of the fans or create a bandwagon for people to jump on and create a situation in which the track or individuals have to be put on the defense. Drivers have a lot more power than they think or want to believe so start using it for good and stop trying to hurt something you love.
Step 10
Be a good role model and leader. Take time to say thanks or good job or thanks for coming to the races. We want everyone to have fun and to put on racing that you dont see anywhere else and that starts with respect. Help in your own way make our program better. And I can guarantee you will become one of our favorites that we are excited to see pull into the track and will help you look good to your sponsors and family because of what you do for us.
Posted in: Uncategorized

[jo73]

You've posted this on everything and anything that says miley motorsports. My comments are about YOU being positive and caring for, IN ORDER, the racers. There lives are on the line, serious injury is Something nobody wants to see. the fans, THEY PAY THE BILLS. the facility, If you feel the place is not in need of renovation in many area's then someone is just out to screw #1 the fans, remember they pay the bills. #2 the racers, no fans, no purse.

[RmiT]

You've posted this on everything and anything that says miley motorsports. My comments are about YOU being positive and caring for, IN ORDER, the racers. There lives are on the line, serious injury is Something nobody wants to see. the fans, THEY PAY THE BILLS. the facility, If you feel the place is not in need of renovation in many area's then someone is just out to screw #1 the fans, remember they pay the bills. #2 the racers, no fans, no purse.

I reiterate, AMEN!

[Davesr14g]

Matt this post should be a two way thing. When you don't do the things you say in the post when you don't have time for car owners and drivers and fans then you deserve what they say. I tried to talk to you and as you do to others you turn your back and walk away. I have tried to be supportive of the track but your lack of respect sunday was the last straw, you treated regulars very bad and expect them to ay thank you. not prepping the track for them was wrong then doing it for sprints. As long as I have been there I have never been to a pit meeting for the purpose of problems at the track. I do not consider a drivers meeting that.  Not all owners drive your lack of track maintance is poor can't fix wall, lights and other things is bad. W are going to start going other tracks other than PPMS and only go when we have no choice. Good luck and hope you succeed in what your trying to do at the track

[RmiT]

Matt this post should be a two way thing. When you don't do the things you say in the post when you don't have time for car owners and drivers and fans then you deserve what they say. I tried to talk to you and as you do to others you turn your back and walk away. I have tried to be supportive of the track but your lack of respect sunday was the last straw, you treated regulars very bad and expect them to ay thank you. not prepping the track for them was wrong then doing it for sprints. As long as I have been there I have never been to a pit meeting for the purpose of problems at the track. I do not consider a drivers meeting that.  Not all owners drive your lack of track maintance is poor can't fix wall, lights and other things is bad. W are going to start going other tracks other than PPMS and only go when we have no choice. Good luck and hope you succeed in what your trying to do at the track

been there, done that, I have been twice this year, once when it was free, and once when it was necessary, for my cousin to be able to race. I love the track, but hate seeing what it has come down to...

 

[VPRacing15]

Here is the biggest problem with the place. Just like you said above you can't expect people to treat you nice when you can't even talk to people. All you do is ride around in your truck and If people do try talking to you all you do is say 2 words and walk away. People wouldn't be on here bitching about the place if you would actually show that you're trying to change the place and make it better. I can guarantee you if people had to pay 40 dollars to get in a place and seen that the track is getting upgrade for example, better seating, the weeds cut down, maybe do some kind of giveaways like other tracks. Little things matter cutting down the weeds and putting in some new boards would make the place look better. So don't expect people to not complain when nothing is changing.

Edited by VPRacing15, 03 August 2015 - 04:24 PM.

[Raz900]

Here is the biggest problem with the place. Just like you said above you can't expect people to treat you nice when you can't even talk to people. All you do is ride around in your truck and If people do try talking to you all you do is say 2 words and walk away. People wouldn't be on here bitching about the place if you would actually show that you're trying to change the place and make it better. I can guarantee you if people had to pay 40 dollars to get in a place and seen that the track is getting upgrade for example, better seating, the weeds cut down, maybe do some kind of giveaways like other tracks. Little things matter cutting down the weeds and putting in some new boards would make the place look better. So don't expect people to not complain when nothing is changing.

 

Can we get more than 4 lights to work on any of the light poles? There's at least 8 spots up there, maybe 10. Or will more of the 60's era Heidelberg transformers blow out....

 

Anyone that goes to the Jersey shore for vaca... I invite you to New Egypt Speedway. http://www.newegyptspeedway.net/index.html 

The last 3 years, I've gone with my father in law while visting. Awesome facility, awesome racing from.... very labor intensive and time consuming track prep. They've even installed a sprinkler system on the track this year to water the track without packing it in at the same time.

[VPRacing15]

I completely agree they need to invest in some new lights and maybe even a catch fence that would catch a car. That fence wouldn't stop anything let alone a 140 MPH sprint car.

[no alky added]

it is to hard to get a bob cat to go around the track and pick up all those rocks laying by the tires? somebody is going to spin down low and shoot them rocks every where and hurt some one.

[GEARHEAD]

It's funny how he never mentions the fact that they used a crooked lawyer to pull the rug out from under two guys who were going to buy the place and invest in it.  They already had plans to replace a section of the bleachers when the Mileys swooped in and screwed them out of it.  For some reason they can't see that by doing that they screwed over everybody that has supported the place over the years who could now have a nice facility to attend.  Why would they buy a place that they don't care about and can't afford to maintain or improve?  They've never even tried to consider for one moment that the problem is them, not us.

[dano47]

If we want this sport to continue, we need to support our local tracks by bringing our family and friends. It takes money to operate these tracks. If there were 3,000 fans in the seats for a regular show the money would be there. It's all about the fans. I've been a driver, sponsor and will always be a fan. We can bash the operation or we can support it. So instead of bashing lets brag on our sport and get people excited about racing before it's gone.

[The Legend]

So we have an entire post admonishing the racers to take personal responsibility for THEIR program and in the same sentence deflects any and all responsibility for their OWN program lol lol lol you have to give the fella credit he has a set of stones !!

[NotToday]

Its always been my thought that why would ANYONE associated with operation of a race track, even use a forum such as this in any manner, all that does it let users know they have an ear to chew on. I myself would rather visit the UP TO DATE website to any information regarding such track. I guess there in lies the problem..........

[dirtguy200948]

Other tracks use this forum and rarely do they have problems, but then again other tracks care most of the time.

[blaneyfan10]

matt doesn't realize it but ppms is a gold mine if they would just fix the stands clean the place up and advertise more yeah racestud and facebook are good tools but your advertising to the people that are already gonna be there or know about racing gotta advertise in the local papers and the news stations to let the people know that the place is there. I didn't mind paying 30 for admission sunday but its always better to have a full grandstands at 20 or 25 and make your money off the concessions. 

[Davesr14g]

well every time we would go I would pay for two or three new people to come to the track bought paint for the walls offered to buy lights and many other thing so I have supported the track and probally been going there since the 80's so you can only support so long and then one day you get tired and I am tired when I go I will still pay for others to come but that's all but am going to other tracks.

[racer67x]

If we want this sport to continue, we need to support our local tracks by bringing our family and friends. It takes money to operate these tracks. If there were 3,000 fans in the seats for a regular show the money would be there. It's all about the fans. I've been a driver, sponsor and will always be a fan. We can bash the operation or we can support it. So instead of bashing lets brag on our sport and get people excited about racing before it's gone.

I won my first heat race at PPMS in 1988..maybe you haven't seen the decline like some of us.
we've tried to support it only to see it turn into a ghost town and that is somehow our fault..at this point it doesn't matter to me anymore,I can take it or leave it.
spent last night working on a street/strip '71 Nova instead of a new stockcar.

[Skull]

I won my first heat race at PPMS in 1988..maybe you haven't seen the decline like some of us.
we've tried to support it only to see it turn into a ghost town and that is somehow our fault..at this point it doesn't matter to me anymore,I can take it or leave it.
spent last night working on a street/strip '71 Nova instead of a new stockcar.

It's guys like Mr. Rich here that have had every last little bit of money, time and patience wrung out of them by the Miley's long after most had given up on the place. Racestud members like Gearhead faithfully defended the joint up until just a season or two back. It's sad to see, really. These people grew up there, and they have reached the end of the line, and I don't blame them. For 20 plus years these people patronized the place, and they have not been replaced or added to by current ownership and it's "if you don't like it, go somewhere else" attitude. Well, they don't and they have.

[old man d]

This is a shame. The place could be great, but that won"t happen and that"s SAD. All because the owners over inflated EGO. Like i said before all this talk falls on dead ears. He doesn"t care he has proven that meany times over.    Come on Matt prove me wrong. Make PPMS the track to go to on Saturday. Make it the best track in Pa. 

[Sparkler]

That would only happen if they put in a full scaled bar like Eldora, so he can sit on his stool and get hammered.