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

I have contacted OKC Mayor Mick Cornetts office and we have scheduled a phone conversation for Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM, concerning the true future of SFS. I already know several hard-ball questions to ask and I will do my best to make sure all are answered with no side-stepping.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

I would be curious to know if Mick has been out there on a Friday night. Is that among your questions? Sometimes I think there is a lack of appreciation for the place among folks that have not been there. And I don't mean that in a smart aleck way at all. Mick's a good guy. I just don't think there are all that many events that draw those kinds of crowds. Outside of the Redhawks, what is there in the summer among the regular events that out-draws the track? I credit the Oklahoman with figuring out that the numbers are decent enough to merit some coverage. The paper's work with the track is far better than when I arrived eight years ago.

Here is something else that I think would be worth investigating. How many police calls are there at the track? As all of us know dirt tracks have a reputation in that area, yet I always feel completely safe at SFS and can count on one hand the number of times I have seen things that deserved police attention. That's a pretty strong statement given the fact that the beer flows pretty freely. I'll bet the average number of police calls is a lot less than at most other events of the same size in OKC.

In the end, I feel like the track contributes to the entertainment of the OKC citizens and that it does very little to be a detriment to the area.

"I'd pay $15 to watch a sprint car sit still."

very well put Kenny.

be sure to mention that david. and good luck.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

David, I also contacted the mayor just the other day. The answer I got was that they are working on several issues and all I would be happy with. I also contacted the fair grounds. I was told the grand enterance has been changed. How I'm not sure. I have only a few suggestion, record the conversation with the mayor's permission, don't ask open end questions. Ask If the changes include the fair grounds going to asphalt or staying dirt and what changes are plan. Can a ORA board member be included in planning stages.But the most inportant is see if the ORA can have more dicision power over rule infractions and inforcement. Also good luck.

PS great web site, luv

That's my Opinion and I'm stick'en to it.

Here's another. How about putting racing back in the State Fair. Adding one tropy dash a night. Rotate class. Do the plans include the same size track. Is the new construction going changing the placment of the race track? Is racing still going to be on friday night. If night when? Where is the track going to be located.

That's my Opinion and I'm stick'en to it.

We covered the answer to the State Fair two season ago, but I will address it again here.  The events held at the State Fair are part of the State Fair.  Those folks have control of the SFS during the State Fair dates.  To be included in the Fair, one needs to complete a proposal, submit it in writing and be the highest bidder for those dates in question. 

Typically the event that pays the most for the dates wins the use of the facility for their event.  Last year is was the Destruction Derby, Tractor Pulls and the Motocross plus the Monster Trucks.  This season it will be Tractor Pulls, Motorcycle Racing, and Monster Trucks.

Anyone can bid on the dates.  Simply contact the State Fair Office and provide your credentials, insurance carrier, funding agreements and list of sponsors for the event.  How you will staff it, promote it, budget for advertising and other specifics.  Amount of ticket sales from previous events of similar nature especially ones produced during other State Fairs. 

What is this I am reading regarding the current SFS at the Fairgrounds?  Did I miss something leading up to this thread? 

Hey dirttrack, thank you for that bit of information. I am going to have him be more informative but in a professional manner, with the same question asked twice, just different wording.

I have consulted my questions to somebody who often posts on this message board, is a professional at what he does and he loved my questions and added one more. I highly respect this persons opinion and am going with it. Trust me, I will make sure that my questions don't get side-stepped.

AMP, people saw drawings of the future entrance and looks to State Fair Park and the grand entrance sits right where the fairgrounds is today. But then again, original plans back in the 1950's didn't have the racetrack there either so that is something positive. There are lots of rumors floating around and for once it would be nice to actually speak too the Mayor and let it be known what exactly was said and how stated.

I seem to have lost Tim O'Tooles phone number at State Fair Park so if anybody has that, I would like that too.

Thank you.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

David if the Mayor lets you tape the interview you can put the whole interview on youtube.

I trust AMP in what he says on how to get races to the Fair. I would like to see a big mod race at the Fair. I remember when the NCRA brought the mods in to the fair they would have at least 50 to 60 cars in the pits for a one night show.

AMP this topic has been brought up many times over the last couple of years. Ever since we had the last fair board president that said he did not like auto racing and knew the horse shows brought in more money for the fairgrounds. 

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

Although I respect your effort, do you not think he is going to tell you what you want to hear? Politicians will do what ever makes them happy and it doesn't matter what the people that voted for them want. They will tell you what you want to hear and then do what they want to make their ego's feel good. Mick has already shown he wants to move on to bigger and better things. Good Luck.

I can tell you from first hand experience that working with the Fair Board there in Oklahoma City is far eaiser than the ones in Texas and in Tulsa.

The last two years I promoted the motorcycle races at the speedway, we had lots of fun, but did not seem to meet the Fair Boards expectations of the potential of the Grandstands. We took in over $50,000 through the gates and the Fair earned over $24,000 of those dollars, plus fees for the EMTs, Security, Box Office staff, Auditors and other expenses..

Last year Lanny decided to host Tractor Pulls, a Demo Derby and have Mike Kidd MKEG bring in a Motocross race as many Fair Goers had requested the Moto Cross races instead of our Dirt Track event.

However, lack of ticket sales made a return of those shows history, so back to the drawing board for the Fair Board. The promoter of the Monster Trucks proposed two weekends of Grand Stand events for this year's Fair, so that is what it will be. Monster Trucks, Tractor Pulls and Motorcycle Racing. Not sure if any are sanctioned or who the promoters are or if they are outside 3rd party productions.

May want to have a petition during the fair to see if you can get Auto Dirt Track racing back for next season. See how many Fair Goers welcome the idea. I understand most of us think the fan base will attened the races, thus increasing the Fair gate count. Biggest problem with that type of thinking is:

1. Parking sucks, folks have to walk up to a mile to get to the grandstands. Most are used to parking less than a 1/4 mile away during race season.

2. Pit area is taken by Fair Support Vehicles so the pits have to be either off of turn one of the 1/2 mile or in the infiled or both. There is no PA system in those areas so communications are a struggle.

3. The Fair Board owns zero equipement for maintaining the track, so you either lease it from, an outside source or lease it from Lanny. He can provide operators as well if you use his equipment.

4. You are required to have x number of security at $25+ per hour with a four hour minimum, and hire their Med Units that run upwards of $600 per night.

5. You cannot offer a discount ticket unless it is tied to gate admission on the advance ticket sales included with the Fair. Walkups are based at the same price as an advance ticket less the gate admission that is free with the advance purchase. So folks just wanting to watch the races are forced to buy a Fair gate admission, others get the gate deal for free so they are happy. But just plain old race fans grumble over that deal. Problem with that pricing structure is it cost $16 for a ticket to attend the race, which included the gate pass and was not a bad deal. But if you have already paid the gate fee and are in the Fair, it is now $16.00 if you walik up to the ticket box office.

One could make a two class division program work there providing they have the purse paid by outside sponsors like I did. However the logistics are very difficult to deal with and you have open gates everywhere that you must put people on that have a brain. Not as easy as it appers from the outside looking in,

I would do it again given the opportunity, I had fun and made a little operating cash for our Indoor Series races. I always submit my proposal at the beginning of the spring for that venue.

.

I have not gone to the Fair since they got rid of the races. I find that I have no interest in the fair if the races are not there. I know I always looked forward to the races at the fair b/c of the chance of out of towners showing up.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen