Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

Mad Mikes Racing

I have seen it at Devels Bowl and in OKC, and up close this year at Lawton. The less than first place finishers of Heats and Features fussing and fighting and making accusations a little too much this year.

I see the effects it has on the Grandstand Fan as the disgruntled racer refuses to line up after a caution, demanding ,slow lap after "SLOW Caution lap, that he was further up to the front before the caution or that he wont let this racer or that racer in because of some on going pit feud.

The fans all complain that its just too much drama. It seems to me to have gotten over the top and needs to be brought under control by track officials and track owners

. Fans want to watch close, fast, on your feet racing. If a fight breaks out once in a while, well thats racing, It shouldn't be the norm.

Most complain that a fight breaking out all the time is more of a disappointment in the age of anti-heros. Fans love racing and want their kids to have the same great experence as they had. They dont want to sit waiting with their kids while grown men fuss and fight. They want Home Town Heros who race hard and set some sportsmanship like examples for the little ones.

Remember that little Fan is the future paying customer of your local track.

I believe Its time for Racers to represent their sport with more dignity, pay more attention to the Fans and watch the impression they leave with a child. I think its the bottom line in restoring the popularity of Dirt Track Racing.

If you want the pay window to pay more, the stands need to be full. If you want that sponsor to hand over the Big Bucks, you have to show his advertising dollar is paying off with positive exposure to a full Grandstand.

I think Its time to stop hidding in the pits and spend a few minutes with your fans each Saturday night.

What do you think?

MM

Fight to win on the Track, not in the parking lot! I 
just love the " Ur # 1. wave " from fellow racers as 
we head home to our other lives !

Mad Mike, don't know ya from beans, but that's a helluva post. It would be so cool if more drivers could come over to the stands and say hello. All those helmets look the same from the stands and we don't know who the heck ya'll are. We get to see winners at intermission but the rest are just kinda lost to us like names on paper but no face. I've done a few stints in the pits as a mud scraper and I know it would be hard for a driver to leave the pits even if the car was perfect and didn't need a wrench (has that ever happened lol). And after the race would be tough because everyones getting loaded up, a little tired and wore out and so forth. But if we could just see who ya'll are somehow so the little ones don't think drivers all have white fiberglass heads lol. There's lots of fans in the stands that don't hang out with racers and have just shown up to see what dirt racing is but they don't really know any drivers. Anyway, I know it'd be tough but it would be cool if the drivers could come over to the stands for just 10, 15 minutes or whatever. I'm just a fan... the only thing I race is Father Time (and I'm running 2nd), but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it lol. Good post, Mike.

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We used to hang around after the races out front with the racecar and talk to the other racers and fans untill the owner politely requested that we get our asses off his property.

Yes great post, at SFS the fans are allowed to come to the pits after the races and see the drivers and cars, and talk, take pictures or whatever, if I am not mistaken, not sure but I have never seen fans come to the pits at Brill Motor Speedway, I think they are allowed to come see thier favorite drivers, but not sure, and no one ever comes down to talk or anything it is a great things for fans to be able to come look at the cars and talk a bit, get to know your drivers and crews also very good for the youngsters too, just my .02

Danny Waller Jr.
Pro/Street Stock #1J
2006-2007-2009-2010-2011-2012 6 Time BMS Pro/Street Stock 
Champion
4 Time BMS Fall Nationals Champion
2 Time BMS Spring Nationals Champion
Driver: Johnny Reed Jr.

Well then,that is a problem. It might be time to work the stands during the racees. If your lucky enough to be receiving a trophy , that is a great time to interact with the fans who come down to the track fence, There is another chance at most tracks to meet with fans in the pits after racing is completed.

I thinks its important to meet with fans on a regular basis. They have to know you are a racer, driver, though or they wont approach you. So tie off the fire suit around your waist, maybe carry your head gear, and always have a black sharpie handy. A hand full of car and driver photos to give away and sign is a inexpensive perk for fans who will be excited to receive one and will be back to support your local track and cheer you on to a win.

Good luck

Mike

Fight to win on the Track, not in the parking lot! I 
just love the " Ur # 1. wave " from fellow racers as 
we head home to our other lives !

81 speedway has the best thing for fans at intermission all fans and drivers with their cars from all classes go on the front stretch and give away t-shirts hats autographs koozies pictures and anything else they have to the all the fans. Its really awesome and last about 15 to 20 minutes. Unlike the midget at SFS C Ray really cares about his fans and drivers.

At Meeker some of the trailered cars pull out to the general parking lot after the races. Usually the driver isn't with the car; maybe the crew's down at the pay window. But if you don't know the driver first it's hard to tell who goes with what car... most of the drivers suits look the same and there's no car number on it, so we don't have a clue who's who. A lot of the cars pull out and leave after their feature; we've only seen winners down on the straight at intermission from 50 yards away... the rest we only know as a helmet in a car. When a race car goes by we can't tell if the driver is a 14 year old rookie or a grizzled ol' driver with 10,000 laps under his belt. Or maybe a grizzled ol' rookie lol.

I don't know if Mark lets fans in the pits after the last feature or not. Might be worth asking him. To lots of the fans, the pits is a place where mysterious mechanic things go on and they don't know if they'd be welcome over there or not after the program is over. Some might think they'd have to pay to go over there after the races. When I'm there as a fan, I'd walk over there pretty quick if I thought some drivers were sticking around and I thought I'd get to meet them.

With that being said, I know there's two sides to every coin. After a race I know the driver and crew are hot, tired, muddy and want a bottle of water (or other approved beverage ) and they're wore out especially if it's a hot summer night. They just wanna go home or find a place to sit somewhere. Probably the last thing on their mind is sticking around another 45 minutes talking to fans. If it's been a rough night and a car's been hit hard, blows an engine or whatever, the last thing they might want to do is stick around and talk to fans; they might just want to head home and figure out where the dough is coming from for the fix.

So at any rate, it would be cool to meet some of the drivers in person after a show, but I know sometimes you just want to get the heck out of there. If some of the drivers stuck around in an area where it was obvious the fans were welcome, I'd be there. I know it'd be a pain to stick around after a show when you're tired and whupped, but it would be cool and the fans would love it.

Edit: yes intermission would be cool too.

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I agree - it is Awesome. We went to the last NCRA Sprint race at 81 Speedway last month and it was a great experience for the fans - especially the kids. More tracks should take note! The atmosphere was great at 81 - the whole show was really, really good.

GOD, Family, Dirt Track Racing,  OU Football, and the 
Dallas Cowboys is what we live for:)

Actually we liked it when fans came by the car after the races it was a way toget to know them and let the kids crawl in the car and take pictures ect. I will never forget the first time a little kid asked me to sign his program, I dont know who was more excited me or him!!!!