19 replies to this topic

[RACERSPASTOR]

i subcribe to many racing venues mostly just to stay aware of the entire racing world as it has played a great part in my life for 75 of my 78 years and hoping for many more.

 

The artivle is by Carl Bowsers wife and is very well written she has her own buisness in the racing world and like everyone else I dont always agree with her but I still know I can learn from her and most everone else, she has used another writers experience to bring this message to your attention.

 

This has a base from the Motorcycle Racing world and before you say I dont like them please ask yourself one questio are you a Motor Sports Racing fan?

 

You can find this article on her web site Dirty Mouth Communications ans it will be dated today please read it and if it rings true in content wonderful if not remember we are all just going in circles very fast .

 

Living on The Edge

Chaplain Bill

 

[speedondirt]

Here's a link to the full article: http://www.dirtymout...n-at-rpm-recap/

 

Thanks for sharing, Bill!

[The Legend]

It ignores that the lifelong racers who used to pass it on to the next generation got out instead of passing it on because of the costs ..

[Skull]

It ignores that the lifelong racers who used to pass it on to the next generation got out instead of passing it on because of the costs ..

 

I agree, but she is spot on about back gate promoting and why that mentality is a Band-Aid, at best. People with children are busy, especially during the weekends. Holding them hostage much past 10:30 or 11 p.m. on Friday or Saturday simply won't cut anymore.

[jo73]

I do agree with Jon. Many racers have left the sport due to costs. This article's basis is on a type of motorsports that on a national level comes to the Pittsburgh market area only 1 time a year to my knowledge. I do agree with the comments on the point of back gate income. I don't know what the answer is to the speedway's that have the attitude of the more people in the back gate the more for me. Do I think it drives fans with kids out of there seats. YES. These are the next generation of racer that is going home early. Most do not want to sit through a class that first has very few cars, most head to the restroom or food stand. The only thing promoters see is how many come through those gates. I actually wonder if, her point was very good, that promoters understand that some of those leaving may not be back.

When I took my son cart racing, there where no fans in the seats, a occasional few that where grandparents of the youngest of racers. At some pit gates it would cost us a cart entry fee, a driver entry fee, and a pit pass. You need to remember, most cart classes give a trophy for winning.

My relocation here in SC and going over to SCREVEN for the WoO SLM opener was a eye opener to say the least. 90, yes 90. 4 cylinder cars. It would take a track up north a year to get that total. For me personally, I was thankful they ran hot laps then after the SLM feature was over they ran there show I believe. My only point being the car numbers. The pit gate was 40.00.

Whats the answer ? Nobody has it. Each of us just has a opinion. We will never see the grandstands full on a weekly basis. We will never again see full fields and b-mains at weekly events. Why no one will resurrect a 1/4 mile and cater to the entry level guys is beyond me. You say it can't be done ? There are tracks out there doing just that. We don't have any and you rarely here of the others.

[RACERSPASTOR]

jo73 your report of 90 4 cylinder cars was very interesting in light of the fact it is an entry level class and has such a large field of cars, in the south they have mostly rust free cars and that is great I wonder how the safety tech is on these cars if not watched very close it could be a disaster just waiting to happen and then another black eye for our sport.

[jo73]

Just seeing the cars on track and not up very close race pastor made me feel the same way. Some cars where visibly faster than others. I was just amazed at the number of cars. It will be interesting to see in the coming weeks when it warms up a bit and I make it back to the track. The thing is they do not have the many different number of classes that the tracks up north have. Esp. Western pa. We have to be one of the few area's across the country that offer as many top classes racing on a weekly type of schedule. This track down here has a all star spring car race scheduled. That may be interesting to see the turnout, if there is even any local cars. I have been told there is not any sprint car, e-mod or modified cars in the tri state area of the Carolinas and Georgia to even field enough cars. As Walt and many others have preached forever. There is to many classes of cars. That is not a issue down here.

[racer82t]

They had 90 mini stocks because it was around 10,000 to win. They got cars from all over for that race.

[Walt Wimer]

If tracks would just cut down on the number of classes all the "surviving" classes would seep an uptick in the number of cars and put on better racing for all concerned. I have said that on here a number of times and also in my AARN columns. However, the promoters just don't seem to see it that way. Four classes should be the most...TOPS!!      jo73......I lived in South Carolina for about 15 months back in 1960-61. Of course most of the racing back then was Flathead Ford coupes.  Tracks  were just beginning to add a second class for "stock" cars of about 1949-52 vintage cars.  The beginning of the Street Stock class!!   In 1960 Greenville Pickens Speedway, which is still operating as a paved track, was running NASCAR coupes with Flathead/6-cylinder engines.  Only ONE class with just four races, two heats, a consi and the feature.  That would never fly today, but four good classes with strong car counts would!!

 

GOOD RACING TO ALL!!

 

Walt

[rocket2L]

I am speaking from a fan point of view. I feel like four good classes would be great. Everyone would be happy and the fans would get home at a decent time, especially the young fans. The racing community needs to do something to get the families interested in the sport. People want good food and a well run show with minimal down time. I travel to a number of the sprint car tracks around Ohio and PA and it is amazing how quick the shows can be done with two three other classes running. For example I went to Lincoln speedway two summers ago it was the special race that pays tribute to the firefighters and first aiders. They ran three divisions with 30 plus cars in each division and the show was over by 10:30. That was hot laps, heats, and features. Things were ready to go and there was not much down time between classes. This included two sprint car classes and the Central PA legends cars. I spoke to a man that evening and he said I bought my house close by so I would not miss the shows. He was talking about when they go to other tracks why they have so many classes with not many cars. He also could not understand why the track was not ready to go when they put the cars out for hot laps. He was talking about a track in our area that I will not name as to not hurt those people. Yes this is a problem and people that travel from other parts of the country see it. 

[jo73]

Racer82. Are you kidding me ? 10K to win for those 4 cylinders ? Plus the WoO SLM for 3 nights I think. If the place had 500 people in the stands I would be surprised. That is not counting the pit grandstand. I don't really pay that much attention to payouts. BUT, the place just could not have made any $$$.$$

[racer82t]

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[Space Racer]

If a class is getting at least 12 to 15 cars, it's justified.  Combining classes only serves to cut the payoff for the promoter, and pay less money to the drivers in total.   Money paid to the drivers helps keep them on the track.

Watching 6 features is more entertaining than watching 4 features and consis.

 

The theory of too many classes is not correct.   Lernerville in its prime ran SIX classes.   It was one of the best shows in the world with one of the biggest weekly crowds ever.  The show also ran like clockwork and was finished timely.   The four division show there these days does not draw near the crowd of those days.

 

The problem isn't too many classes.   A long show may be a problem, but the running order and not running a tight show are more problematic than too many classes. 

 

We all need to face it, people have evolved.   Racing is becoming an "ancient" form of entertainment, like going to a drive in movie.   Many race fans have passed on with nobody to replace them (their offspring have other interests).   Most racing facilities do not have great comfort levels, and the sport does not have enough general interest to justify building excellent pro-league facilities.

Edited by Space Racer, 27 February 2016 - 03:27 AM.

[deathpunch]

Back in 2006 I traveled to Ohio for a 5k to win 4 cylinder race was around 250 cars. I finished in the top 10 and had a lot of fun

[jo73]

Well. I gotta say it. Put the money on the table and they will follow huh. Grass roots racing. Being 4 cylinders few if any print gets out there I guess. That and it's not something I would pay any attention to. Again, I go back and say it then. Why does someone not take a 1/4 mile bullring and run a program that brings the little guys in. From 4's to these new mini mods and micros to sportsman cars. It has been proven. You put the money on the table and the racers will be there. I am talking about the little guys out there. They out number the top classes anymore.

[FanJim24]

Well. I gotta say it. Put the money on the table and they will follow huh. Grass roots racing. Being 4 cylinders few if any print gets out there I guess. That and it's not something I would pay any attention to. Again, I go back and say it then. Why does someone not take a 1/4 mile bullring and run a program that brings the little guys in. From 4's to these new mini mods and micros to sportsman cars. It has been proven. You put the money on the table and the racers will be there. I am talking about the little guys out there. They out number the top classes anymore.

North Hills went out doing just that.  Blanket Hill is a coin toss each year.  I hope Brett Neupert get his track built and it works.  There's another issue--govment.  Regulations are prohibitive for opening any business, especially one that "polutes" and draws crowds.  

 

Personally, I would feel ripped off paying money to see one class, unless it could be guaranteed that that one class would be a great race every week.  

 

And yes, I have  children.  

[old man d]

Just my OP. The regular or hard core race fan will be there every week with kids in tow. To these fans racing is what they do as a family and the love of the sport. Then you have the corp. nights, which might bring some fans back and maybe bring a friend or two. These fans are glad to be home early for the kids nothing wrong with that ether! I agree with Walt, as a die heard there are times i have left at mid-night there were two more races left. I feel if an owner wants to promote whey try handing a survey sheet to see what the fans liked or dislike. Also, they need to talk to the racers. Again, just my OP.

[spike]

Punch, besides all the fun, do you remember your share of the purse?

Edited by spike, 27 February 2016 - 02:33 PM.

[FanJim24]

Just my OP. The regular or hard core race fan will be there every week with kids in tow. To these fans racing is what they do as a family and the love of the sport. Then you have the corp. nights, which might bring some fans back and maybe bring a friend or two. These fans are glad to be home early for the kids nothing wrong with that ether! I agree with Walt, as a die heard there are times i have left at mid-night there were two more races left. I feel if an owner wants to promote whey try handing a survey sheet to see what the fans liked or dislike. Also, they need to talk to the racers. Again, just my OP.

...right, and if I have to leave early, then I leave early.  It doesn't happen very often.  

[deathpunch]

Punch, besides all the fun, do you remember your share of the purse?

9 place was 250$ if I remember correctly