Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I am in Illinois, and frankly almost every track that I used to attend is doing this. Some of them are so bad that they have the 7 classes and 5 of them are kids racing. Legend cars, sometimes go karts, classic modifieds (legends cars on steroids), 3/4 cup cars, it is a JOKE. They are all running on a 1/3rd of a mile oval in the case listed above. Ever watched karts on a 1/3rd of a mile oval? Trust me, you don't want to. Midgets and Sprints should be more than capable of covering the show with one, maybe two classes for support. And when I say two classes, I say this questioningly, because I am not so sure that 2 is not too many as well. I do not understand why it is that the classes can not be broken down into different days. If anything I would think that it would help the tracks to have clubs running shows at the facilities more often instead of less. Especially when they can tailor a program to a given crowd instead of trying to stuff us all into one place and ending up with half of us bored to death. That requires an effort in the advertising arena though, and promoters and race teams are notoriously absent when it comes to helping promote a program. We used to see cars showing up at auto shows and parades out here. Not so much any more.

I have not heard that this is a problem in Texas, but I suspect that it probably is almost everywhere. If it isn't now just wait, you will start to see it soon.

Never hit stationary objects!

I went to McCool Junction, NE for the USAC show and was impressed with the facility and racing last Sat. Clean rest rooms, not a bad seat in the house, great catch fence on the track and a quick and well ran show. Two classes of mods, late models and USAC sprints. Great racing in all 4 classes. Just wish I would of took my non wing car. Several driver interviews at intermission and all in all a COOL place to go.

( No pun untended)

Sprint Cars Do It On Dirt!

That's why I only go to races at Devils Bowl, and only when they bring in ASCS.     On an ASCS national event they will generally only have two support classes.    Since my nephew races in one of those classes, then obviously I find watching that class more interesting.   If he wasn't racing in it then obviously I wouldn't care for the class at all.

There are other tracks in the area that bring in ASCS, although usually just for regional events.   When you go to those tracks you sit through the all the mod/sportmod/street/factory/hobby/I-stock/mini classes, and I pretty much refuse to do that.   

good weather...good quality track prep...good quality concessions...clean facility = I will be there.

goofy gimmicks...dumb@ss fireworks...some jackass on the microphone talking about sprky the spark plug ridding on a four wheeler - im changing the channel

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

Hi , Don't K D C , I am not making a blanket statement ,  but  I say  most  tracks need  to provide   cleaner  facilities - so you can take  a date or your wife , reward you  for your support , provide  good concessions , have  better  communications with there fans by internet , office phone etc . ,  reward you  as they reward drivers with  a weekly  money contest  or other  smart  monetarial  rewards , provide  convenience  accomodating large  crowds , easy  access to and from  grandstand   , open up  early to accomodate  a large  crowd , invent other  ways  to entertain  for down times ,  and there  are other ways  to reward you  for  your support . I am don't going to divulge  all  my ideas,  but will if asked  . I do consult and help tracks  where  I attend  or participate  as  a fan  or sponsor  fan  events . I hope this answers  your  comment or question . I  truly care  about fans before money  , and have done ,  spent  much  personal money over  my years  of attending  races  in east  and  at other  tracks  to benefit  fans .

Was wondering the same thing, do more of what?

A

Some tracks do these types of things.

A

Yes , some do but not any many as need to . Tracks  need to  be more attentive  to you the fan , not just open the gates  and here  they  come  . Yes , good racing is number 1 priority , but  attention  needs  to be seen  by fans , Port  Royal  in Pa  is  one example  to putting  the fans first  with better  facilities  . This track will  be number  1  in Pa  when there  new restrooms  are built  once  permits are  approved  , Sorry Williams Grove's facilities  aren't  as nice  and they are making more money then Port  with there WoO races  , but fans are  supporting  Port Royal enabling  them to put more money into there  facility . Fans  are  showing they approve  of what there doing  .

Seems to me if you are wanting all these "extra rewards" then the product (racing) must not be very good. Thats what you're there for, to watch racing, not to be rewarded for being a fan.

If I am watching good racing and the show is moving along without spins, wrecks, and endless intermissions I could sit on wooden bleachers, nothing but a port a pot, and a crappy concession shack and enjoy it. But it could be Taj Mahal and have crappy racing and I wouldn't go back.

Too me going to the races is all about one thing, Racing.

 

I agree with you highspeeddirt. My wife and I have never gone to one track over the other because the crapper was cleaner either. 

Never hit stationary objects!

Its pretty simple.  Plenty of water on the track and good pizza.

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

I am curious as to the original poster's age. I was taken to my first race by my parents 61 years ago, and have been attending ever since. Back then it was the 'Hoodoos' running.

All that I ask is a place to sit, the availability of decent concessions and dirt track racing. Since I work at Eagle Raceway, I see 5 classes weekly and normally the racing is done by 10-10:30. I enjoy that because I like all types of dirt track racing, not any specific type. I, of course, have my favorites, but I still enjoy all classes because I get to interact with all of the drivers, teams, etc. weekly.

When I was growing up you sat on wooden bleachers, had the bare minimum for toilet facilities and very little in the way of concessions. When I look at Eagle (or Junction Motor Speedway as was mentioned earlier) I think "WOW! What great facilities!!" Of course, back when I first was going to races there was no interweb, no smart phones, no instant gratification to speak of at all in fact.

Maybe it's an age thing, and I'm tickled with what I get and don't ask for much.

I am lucky enough to work at one of the best tracks 
anywhere.

Port has been doing a great job the last couple years no doubt. I still prefer the racing at Lincoln the best of any central PA track but I really enjoy going to Port once again. They've done a lot of improvements, have the most comfortable grandstands plus they know how to spruce it up for a big show. Ms. Motorports walking in front of the grandstands holding up the signs before each heat race is just good entertainment. LOL Military night with free admission for vets is a great thing also. Port always starts on-time and has a well run show. I think the reason you see Port doing these things and you don't see it at the Grove or Lincoln is because Port is out in the boonies and in pretty close vicinity to Selinsgrove. The Grove and Lincoln don't have much nearby competition. There is fierce competition for fans(and cars) between Port/SG so they have to up their game. Selinsgrove has done a lot of good things as well but I don't think they have the resources as Port even though it's a more populated area. 

One fan-friendly thing Selinsgrove did last week that Port didn't was wait out the rain-delay and run the features. IDK if SG would have done that if it wasn't for the big LM race being on the card but I'm glad they did. Track was crazy fast and the LM and 360 sprint features were awesome.

WG has their fireworks every other week which I could do without.  Selinsgrove has the stunt-pilot do plane tricks with his double winger for big shows which I think is cool. Port has had military jet fly-overs during the anthem which I also like. All the tracks do a great job for kids night although I think Port takes oit a little too far and too long with heat races and the whole 9 yrds for the bicycle races. 45 minutes is too long of a break for kids bicyvcle races IMO. 

A

I  thank you for your comments  Mr. Holden  Caufield , fans  should be rewarded , but  presented   with clean  facilities  , good  concession foods , and good racing  , yes these are  the  necessities   for a  devoted  race  fans that  Central  Pa  possess and else where . But then  other states  don't have  tracks that are   as close by  and weekend racing  like  in Pa .  Just   to clarify  a  few things, I have  attended  races  for over  40 years  all over  USA , AND MY OPINION is  that   tracks  need to  show they  care , upgrade there facilities , provide  more  fun , a  few  monetarial rewards  weekly   to fans for there  loyal support  , not take advantage of  them .  And  if  you don't  agree  with this,  you  are  the  fans  they  want,  that ask for  very  little .  Every one  who attends weekly make there  own investment  , fans  , drivers , crews , car owners , and others who participate . You   should  benefit  just  like the  tracks ,drivers  in small  but  feasible  ways ,  that is what I  am  suggesting , and I hope  you understand  , not  blasting or complaining  just  a  good marketable idea for  tracks .

I pay 14$ on a friday night to see quality drivers and cars, and usually right around 25-30 cars in one division.  Then saturday between two tracks (both costing the same admission) you get anywhere from 25-40 cars in one division.  Last weekend at Lincoln there was 95 cars over three divisions.  A fan cant really ask for much more.  Now this weekend for 35$, theres already expected to be 65 cars and 20k to win, with a knoxville format.  I think tracks are doing it just right or they wouldnt have people coming back each and every week.  All I need is cars, dirt, and a place to watch from.