18 replies to this topic

[jo73]

without anyone getting there nutz in a uproar. it's just a conversation...

 

I see Sharon and PPMS have both released there 2018 schedules. I think this just about put the end to someone coming in to buy Mercer, or if someone did they surely wouldn't have sprint cars. The mini series plus extra pay shows are what guys will be shooting for next year. The all-stars have i believe 2 to 3 shows scheduled both facilities. A concern i see is Lernerville only booking 1 all star show and no news on what mite be in place for 2018 schedules for the sprint car guys. Many are going toward racing 1 night a week anymore and with the saturday shows paying a much better purse. Where does this leave Lernerville ? I hope there not really putting hopes of the new spec sprint car taking there place. It makes no sense as to why Altman didn't try to lease the place ? At least he would have had a income coming in, I heard there was interest but he rejected it.  Sharon and PPMS jumping in and releasing there news i think will also have a direct effect on friday night. I went to Screven friday night to watch what i thought was SLM and crates, i really need to read the ad, SLM saturday only. The crates had 30 cars  and the racing was very good. But, there was 15 people, 15, sitting in the stands. I just don't get it. In my opinion they will never be expected to draw fans. The 4 cyl were on the card also and the little b-tards were everywhere. Boy, the track at this place is excellent, so that's surely not the reason people stay away. My only point being, why is Lernerville not doing anything to make guys want to come there on a Friday ? Work commitments for teams to get there is tuff enough. Yet I don't see any positives coming out that will keep them there.  Tomson's are business people first and foremost and personally I don't like the direction there moving in. Maybe after the schedule is released it will look brighter. Does anyone know of what direction Tri-City is going in next year ? There was very little information released in 2017.

[blue by you]

well with there lm tire rule an the 604 sportman class  lernerville pretty much slamed the door on anybody coming there to race. ....jmo

[Walt Wimer]

I mentioned on another thread Nov. 14 about with the Sharon and PPMS schedules it will be very hard for anyone who might buy Mercer as a race track.  No one commented on my post, so maybe no one cares???     With all the bigger paying races Sharon has on the schedule, it could effect Lernerville's car count as the number of drivers running twice a week is down in all three of the top classes.   Just look at the Modifieds between Lernerville & Sharon.   High costs are a major factor!!

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt  

[jo73]

Walt, I do remember and your correct there was not much conversation about it. I have said it before, I am now 65, I am still stuck in the 70's and 80's as far as dirt track racing goes. Rising costs have hurt the sport more than any of the younger generation realizes.

[94.3-RADRACER]

and as i've said a million times, only vicki is doing anytthing to save it......

[TCM29]

I saw Berkshire Hathaway signs on Latrobe Speedway property today, but I can't find the listing.

[bhhracing]

PPMS has only 1 all star race. Lernerville will remain fab 4 with all the divisions per Tomsons mouth. PPMS never gets many sprints. They always get a few good ones and the rest are field fillers there for the tow money. 

[WannaRace]

Vicki needs to buy Mercer, and make it Rush Raceway.  Keep all her crate crap in her own yard.  

[jo73]

1 all star show and 6 410 shows...between them and sharon Saturday will be better paying night of the 2..

[Paul55]

Crates!

Edited by Paul55, 19 November 2017 - 07:45 PM.

[bullittwrench]

All the crate crap is keeping a lot of low buck guys in racing who otherwise wouldnt be.

[jo73]

SLM owners, Crate owners, top teams are spending huge amounts of cash. The teams that pulled into Screven Friday night ranged from toter and stackers with slide outs and 2 new xr-1's or longhorns. To guys showing up with a tractor pulling a 40' 3 axle. These guys with the stackers and all the latest equipment could run SLM they don't want to run mid pac so theY are out running top 3 to 5 and satisfied .

[3799]

I mentioned on another thread Nov. 14 about with the Sharon and PPMS schedules it will be very hard for anyone who might buy Mercer as a race track.  No one commented on my post, so maybe no one cares???     With all the bigger paying races Sharon has on the schedule, it could effect Lernerville's car count as the number of drivers running twice a week is down in all three of the top classes.   Just look at the Modifieds between Lernerville & Sharon.   High costs are a major factor!!
 
GOOD RACING!!!
 
Walt

I hate to say it Walt, but I think Mercer is history. Too bad a lot of memories were made there that are a huge part of Western Pa history. Sharon had raised the bar with their Super Series. Hopefully drivers and fans will step up now and support what they are doing. Who knows maybe Mercer failing will be a good thing for the overall health of racing in Western Pa. We have too many tracks which spreads car counts and fans too thin. It probably wouldn't hurt to eliminate or consolidate a couple divisions also.

Edited by 3799, 20 November 2017 - 02:11 PM.

[Walt Wimer]

Hi Mike!!!!................Outside of the drivers and car owners, you and I have about as much history at Mercer as anyone. I started my announcing career there in 1973 and went to my first race there in 1966.  I hate to say so, but I agree with you that things don't look good at all!!!   Sharon's series of six $3,000 to win Sprint Car races looks to be the final nail in the coffin!!   Add another half-dozen Sprint Car races at Pittsburgh and I don't see how a new track owner will be able to draw a decent field of Sprints!!    And I just don't see how Mercer can survive without them!!   Especially given the state of several of their support classes!!

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt

[jo73]

You guys both hit it on the head. It's a shame what has happened there. I think with Sharon and PPMS your going to see a drop on Friday night as far as sprint cars are concerned. The track prep has changed so much at Lernerville over the years. Personally, I think the 2018 season is going to play a huge role in Lernerville's future.

[flash49]

Lernerville will be fine.

[raceover5]

Lernerville will be fine if they keep the fab4 . Track prep is why I go there! Last place to see real racing with a cushion!

[BUTTBEAK]

Lernerville was and is built on forward progress thinking, not many other tracks, besides Sharon, are on the same business model.

[jo73]

Time will tell...let's see what 2018 brings.