Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

So the guy runs a track for 35+ years. Has one real bad year compounded by several issues, and you all know how to do it better than him?

Forgive my skepticism.

Have faith. Mr Naylor has done this long enough he sees a lot of the issues and will I am sure do what he can to remedy the situation.

Everyone spouting on about "my way or the highway". Well. Thats not new now is it? Yet he still filled the pits up until this season... I don't see why people are shocked.

Pay more money... thats a vicious circle. Allcoast puts up big dollars and that really isnt bringing the kind of car count that you would expect. So if 2.5k to win doesnt bring the cars why will $200 to start?

Tires? Well arent WC 360 and VRA on the same tires this season?

Im not saying things are awesome, but if you throw out everything every time you hit an obstacle thats some serious bad business. Once the bad dirt is gone the surface will be back... besides, everyone is racing on the same bloody track. Car setup is at least half the battle...

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

Buzzard and Mike are correct- Jim Naylor is and has been not just the promoter of Ventura Raceway, but everything Ventura Raceway is and has been for over 3 decades. He has done it right much more often than he has done it wrong. If you know Jim, then you know that he is a respectful, caring individual, and it pains him deeply to be going through this tough spell.

One thing I can say, we can bitch and moan all we want about what's going on there, but how many of us are willing to lose, 10's of thousands or even 100's of thousands of dollars to try to get the track back to its status of "The Best Little Dirt Track in America"- a title that the track earned, not just decided to use. We all gave Steve Quercio credit and props for bringing Victorville back for us. He was communicating with us on the net here, and saying all the right things. Well, less than 1 year after making all those nice statements and promises, he was starting to lose money and quickly grew tired of all the bitching and moaning that we love to do- and he is now long gone. Now we put are hopes in Victorville in Scott Burns and Dirt Entertainment.

Who is going to step up and put the time effort and money in for Jim to make things better??? Mike Grosswendt?- he has done more than anyone can ask a mere mortal to do. Anyone else?? I know things are tough all over. We have had to drastically cut back our racing schedule due to lack of funds and sponsors- but we are still trying. Every promoter I have talked to has told me that this is the worst year for sponsors they have ever had- they are all still trying.

I've sent Jim an email and spoken to him on the phone this week about this very issue. He knows about the problems that face his track and the struggle it will be to right the ship. He is not sitting on his hands and doing nothing about it. Many ideas have been suggested to him and he has implemented many of those suggestions we have given him. In the long run these changes will help. He knows of the struggles that some have had with his staff members, and he is working with them to understand that they are part of a team selling their product, and need to treat their clients with respect. But this respect is definitely a two way street- if you want their respect, give them your respect in return.

I know times are tough and things are tight- but we all need to do EVERYTHING we can to help out OUR tracks. Spend the money and see a great 410 race at Perris- their USAC CRA shows are still a great open wheel bargain. The June 30th race the the Route 66 Motorplex damn well better have a full grandstand- we all begged for this show- we need to make sure it is a huge success. There is a CRA show in just over a week in Santa Maria with a $1000 to win Wheelie Contest. Make sure that the stands are packed and the pits are full so Chris Kearns can do it for us again.

Finally- make sure that the All Coast Races (July 21st and November 10th) are huge successess. There should be well over 30 sprint cars in the pits for this show and the stands should be full- NO EXCUSES!! The West Coast 360's and the CRA are not running on July 21st. If you want to send Jim Naylor and Mike Grosswendt a message- attend this race!!! Let them know that all the money they have spent the past few years keeping our sport alive is appreciated!!! It's a great way to get him to listen to your thoughts and concerns!

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

Jim is fully aware of how some racers feel about the track. Just remember, there are two sides to every story- and if both sides happen to be wrong, or feel that they have been wronged- it still does not make anything right.

As I said in my previous post, I had concerns and sent Jim an email. He personally called me the next morning to make sure we both understand each other. He gave me the respect I feel I deserve as a car owner, and hopefully he feels I gave him the respect he deserves in return.

Jim is not going to air the issues about Ventura Raceway on the internet- it is not his way. If you or anyone feels slighted about things at Ventura Raceway, call the track office. If Jim is not busy working with his other business or track business, he will talk to you on the spot. If he is busy, he will call you back and talk with you as soon as he has that opportunity.

If you are building a bridge, you need to start from both sides and meet in the middle- people from both sides have to work on it to get it done.

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

Talking part is done, racers (all classes) have voted with their feet. Look at all the turnouts, not just sprint cars. The self proclaimed best little track needs a house cleaning.

Some of the reasons I can relate to and have been told by other drivers.

Personally, We towed approximately 6 hours round trip when we ranVentura. You know you love the track and promotor when you tow that distance or from Victorville or Riverside area.

We presently run the West Coast 360 Series. We also have 7 to 9 cars from Ventura running the series with us. Regardless of your thoughts on those teams or drivers that is a large loss for Ventura. One driver complains I understand sour grapes normally, but when 12-15 cars you have a problem you need to address, create a open dialogue with owners and drivers both upper tier 1 and second tier 2 which makes a full field. The rules have to consistent, fair and enforced, and All teams have to feel that they can win on any given night. Years ago I was a race track (Not Ventura) and the guy was running 5th as we were watching the Main Event. He said the top 4 cars are illegal. I said how do you know ? He statement was simple: My set up and motor is illegal and I havea really good shoe so that should tell you. I had to believe the statement as he has won tons of Main Events and Championships. Point well taken that rules have to be enforced or no rules should be written.

We do not run Ventura any longer for several reasons:

1. You receive $ 200 to start the A Main in West Coast Series, But it is not the main reason.

2. You have to run the VRA right rear tire. Additional cost on your budget. The track does not have enough clay and is not fun to run on.

3. They normally start 20 cars in the Sprint Main Event. One night a particular car did not make the Main Event Naylor made the decision to run a 22 car field because of the money from that particular sponsor which allowed that car to make the Main Event. The car was 9th in the "B" Main and they were transferring 8.Naylor did a Promotor provisional option and allowed 22. I had never saw it prior to that or after that. Rules and promotors have to be consistent otherwise the Main Event is a buy in program. That decision was definitely wrong and that is the politics that creates the loss of cars. "RACERS AND TEAMS DON'T CARE HOW YOU SCREW THEM AS LONG AS YOU SCREW THEM EQUALLY"

4. Ventura is a great little track but if you have a flat you are going to hard pressed to get back out to continue the Main Event with some exceptions which I won't go into. From time the line up is correct you have 2 laps and it is a go. Sometimes as you are being towed away the cars are starting to line up so when you are off you may 1 lap and then they may or may not let you go back out at the track entrance. The difference is at all other tracks they are longer so the 2 laps take longer and race crews can change a tire, shock, or some other some item in that time. When you tow 340 miles round trip and you work to make the Main Event you would like to race. More than once the cars could not get lined up for some unknown reason and some team got their car back in the show. Again, I state "RACERS AND TEAMS DON'T CARE HOW YOU SCREW THEM AS LONG AS YOU SCREW THEM EQUALLY"

5. I saw one problem in the pits where one driver beat on the hood of another team. Police was finally called due to the damage. Nothing was brought up in the next pit meeting about that type of behavior will NOT be tolerated. There is more to the story which involves management but you get the drift.

You asked for reasons but most drivers and teams do not want to air dirty laundry about any track as we need ALL tracks. Jim Naylor has proven to work hard as a promotor and up until the last 2 years I would have to give him very high marks as a person and as a promotor. I do not think in the prior years the Jim Naylor I know would been involved or allowed what occurred in item 3 Sometimes tight budgets coupled with low car and spectator counts create cloudy thinking.

I definitely would like to see Jim Naylor and the drivers and owners work together to create the best environment for all parties and give the spectators the best entertainment for their money.

The nice part about being in America is each is allowed their opinion whether you agree with it or not . Working with all parties and their opinions will either bring the Race track back or be the demise of the famed raceway.

WC 360 and VRA Pro division can run the same right rear. Hoosier 105/16 medium.

I don't really have any answers, just questions and confusion and a desire to help whoever I can with photographs and word of mouth about how much fun I have at the race track. Any race track.

So far this season I am having a blast attending anything I can, WC 360, VRA or CRA... but one thing holds true at all race tracks I have been at this season. Dry. Dusty. Slick as all heck. Every track so far has had similar track conditions... The PAS has had variable conditions and really has been the best prepared out of the five tracks ive frequented so far this season. All promoters have had issues to deal with... staff, track surface, time and car count.