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*************************************** David L. Pletcher
Just a note to thank you for the coverage of David on your site. His showing
at Lakeland is a true indication of the talent he has. I was also very proud
of our pit stops by the team and believe that we have a lot to offer to the
sport as well the fans. Thanks again for the exposure! - Mike Mulbire ******************************************** June 5, 1999 Greetings from Nova Scotia, Canada:
I am a Travel Agent in Nova Scotia and I have clients who are coming in
for the Daytona 500 and they would like to get a schedule of other races
going on there at that time. If you have this info, or know where I
could get this info, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Juanita Conrad ********************************************
June 6, 1999
Please allow one correction; There are always paramedics on hand during
the hot laps and the races on Saturday evenings. Safety is very important
and there is a good system in place. Sorry, but I had to say something good about Charlotte County Speedway.
Thanks, Jon Hall (a member of the Broom Crew at CCS) ******* June 7, 1999
I am fairly new to the racing scene, about 3 years new, and I am very
confused in some areas. Unfortunately, our track is showing a lot of
favoritism, and I am not one to complain but the rules change on a weekly
basis and what is good for one driver is not good for the other, from
equipment to racing tactics.
1.)If one driver spins out because of a car leaking fluid
directly in front of him and the tech officials "claim" that the car spun due
to the fluid leaking, should the driver who spun fall to the back of the pack
or does he retain his spot from the last completed lap?
2.)A Tech official claims a car is leaking, pulls the car into
the infield, checks the car then proceeds to tell the driver he is leaking
oil to take the car to the pits. After pulling the car into the pits the
driver and his crew try to determine what oil leak he was black flagged for
but cannot detect anything. The driver has two tech officials from inside
the pits come to his trailer to inspect the car and NEITHER OFFICIAL could
find any kind of leak....The tech official that told the driver to go to the
pits because "He was throwing puddles of oil onto the track" refused to show
the driver what oil leak he claims to have seen. What repercussions does the
driver have? Obviously, The race could not be stopped since it is only a
dozen or so laps, but Who has the final say so? This car did not have any
leaks at all, and two Tech Officials from inside the pits even stated that
NO LEAKS OF ANY KIND COULD BE DETECTED.... -unsigned **** May 1999
Jack, hope you have the time to visit my site and view news postings
featuring pages from the 1971 Sunshine Speedway yearbook, 1977 Golden Gate
Speedway Governor's Cup program, and more! Don't know how old you are but I'm
41 and I'll never forget those days! Although I have settled back on Long
Island now I had the pleasure of living in the Tampa Bay area during the
decade of the '70's and never missed the races, some of my fondest memories!
As soon as I figure out the new message board I will post a message to notify
the Florida racing fans everywhere who may be interested in viewing this old
stuff, there must be a few who remember these days! Click on
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/1752/programs3.html , hope you enjoy.
Sincerely, Jim King
*******************
May 1999
I am new to this Florida Stock Car Racing thing on net... My nepher Kevin G
from St. Pete. hooked me up to it... He knows I am a grand old nut who loves
local race tracks. Sunshine has been around since I was in high school at
good ole DIXIE. Have seen it grow and grow and grow... the crowds are
arlways there. I don't think any track can beat it... I work in
Jacksonville(x 8 yrs) and travel to St. Pete when I need a good "RACE FIX"
but for local fun, I found out the new St. Augustine track is quite
exciting... well run and has a decent group of late models and modifieds (the
only two classes to get my blood flowing).
Now, something from the good ole days when Golden Gate was dealing with the
crabby folks in the neighborhood. The following article appeared in the
Tampa paper (Sunday, June 4, 1978)
LETTER TO THE TRIBUNE
MORE NOISE THAN NOISE DESERVES
re: Complaints force Golden Gate to close
TAMPA -" I find it difficult to believe that there are people who complain
about the noise level at stock car race tracks because those people moved
into the area long after the race tracks opened.
I think officials should take a look at more serious offenses than noise
level complaints by people making too much noise about nothing. Those
complaining very likely have nothing better to do than to find fault with
those people enjoing themselves."
R(Bob)O'L
I hope we never lose another great track like the gate. The man who wrote
the letter to you in March and named all those old greats really got me to
thinking. I remember when Bobby Alexander Jr was about 7-8 years old...
remember good ole Leroy Porter (7).. I remember being the first one to climb
up on the flag stand when a car crashed thru it breaking Johnny Hicks leg....
wish we could re-live those days... like the exciting Florida 200 race....
got to go.... starting to feel too old..
bob O'L
***********
May 1999
On June 11, l999 at the Imperial's Comfort Hotel and Convention
Center in Melbourne, Florida, Patrick D. Smith, well known Florida
author, will be inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame by
Secretary of State Katherine Harris. State Representative Bill
Posey, also known as a Late Model driver at Orlando SpeedWorld,
was one of the men who spearheaded this induction. Smith will
join other authors such as Rawlings, Hemmingway to name a few. [this inductee is the father of Jane Smith, one proud daughter]
*******************
May 1999
Saw your article that there was no ambulance at CCS or paramedics granted
no ambulance but our safety crew are all off duty firefighter/ems workers
from charlotte and lee countys....they are on the scene at all times and
strategicly placed and have done an outstanding job for our drivers and
fans....the cost of a county ambulance on site is astronomical in a county
that dosn't work with the track owner
Larry/Nancy Eungard
*****************
May 1999
Thanks Jack. even though some of the people could be quite childish at times on the old board, overall it was very enjoyable. My young grandson checks the board daily, usually before I do, it just so happens I checked it first Sunday morning and I am so glad I did. Even at my age I was shocked at what the creep or creeps had written. You are to be commended for your quick action. Keep up the good work. -unsigned ************** May 1999 Just read Rednecks,White Trash, and Racers. You GO Girl! *************** May 18, 1999
I have been going to Desoto Speedway since you paid one admission at the
Dragstrip gate and could go to either track. I watched a car salesman make
our local track the best and most modern facility around. I saw NASCAR stars
racing on her. I introduced my son to a sport that I have been going to since
I was 6 months old and that my Father showed me. I am what's called a racing
nut, I guess my motto has always been "If it goes fast and smells funny I
like it!" This is probably why I am having such a difficult time dealing with
the current situation at Desoto. I jumped at the chance to be the track
reporter for KARNAC when I saw it on the sight. I did two race reports from
there and Jack, the guy who runs KARNAC, and other people e-mailed me and
said I had a knack for this writing thing. I did write in one of my articles
that Desoto didn't have corner workers and I didn't think it was a safe
thing. Other than that my reports have been unbiased and straight from my
love for the sport. Then one day I checked my e-mail and there was a letter
from Ken Willis the track media person from Desoto Speedway accusing me of
everything from being a malcontent to out right plagarism. All that I wrote
were my words. Since the track has been closed I have been welcomed to other
tracks with open arms, from Sunshine Speedway to Eastbay Raceway to
Charlotte I have seen nothing but smiling faces and open hands ready to shake
mine. I know that all these tracks have their controversy's but hell that's
what brings us all out to watch. Who hasn't sat in the stands and gotten mad
at a call to send our favorite driver to the rear or when "that"one driver
cut off the other one? Mr. Willis told me there is no room for those
feelings in any sport but every single sport has them and where there is the
most controversy there is the fullest stands. Since the season began at
Desoto (which was late) I was told that it would be closed after the ASA race
which is exactly what has happened. If Mr. Musik opens the track again with
the repairs needed then I will congratulate him and be happy as hell that
racing has started again, but until then I can only go by what I am seeing
and hearing....this track is not going to open again until someone buys it
and it doesn't look like it will be in time to save this season. While most
tracks are already into heated battle's in their points races the Desoto
drivers' cars are up on jack stands waiting. Do they realize how much these
people spent to get these cars ready? These are regular working people and
most of them don't just have ready cash around and must work extra to do what
they all love which is racing. Business again is winning out to the working
class persons love for something and you know what? "I THINK IT SUCKS" sorry
about all my babbling I just wanted to state my point.......well race fans
I'm heading down to Charlotte this weekend read my report from
there.......Rick Anges
May 18, 1999
Hey guys, when are you going to stop treating the Mini Stock Class like a step child. This past Sat. night was as good as an example as any other so far this year. As a sponsor and a fan, I found extremely frustrating to wait over an hour for the road warrior to finish their shortened feature only to have the Mini Stocks cut short by curfew. I have attended the races every week (except for one) faithfully and find it hard to remember when the Mini's were allowed to complete a feature. Most nights the race is cut because of curfew. As for the increased number of cautions, maybe a different format is needed for start positions. When you have @ 25 cars every week and start them in reverse order of points we have inexperienced or slower cars bumping their way while the "better" drivers race like hell to pass them because the race will undoubtedly be shortened again. Where is the logic. Maybe all cars should have to earn their way to the front. I think that by putting the leading cars toward the front, better racing will follow and some interesting driving will take place later in the race as the leaders take on lap traffic.( I think I've seen this done before, maybe watching TV). Also the drivers in the back of the field might try a little more to drive rather than block out a car that they know is going to pass them anyway and cause a wreck. Well, just a thought. I think I will skip this weeks debacle and try another form of entertainment. Hopefully, someone will take heed and make some overdue changes before all is lost.
G B May 6, 1999
Need any extra drivers?
Just kidding, sort of.
I am sure that you get this all the time, but how on earth would
someone go about becoming a driver
on one of your circuits? Do you send drivers on to the NASCAR
circuits?
I am a student at Florida Southern College in Lakeland and I have been
bitten by the racing bug lately
and I was just wondering how your racers got their start, and what it
might take for me to get mine.
Thank you for your time. Please reply to this address even if it is
just to tell me "no". Thanks
again for your time.
Sincerely,
Mark P. Vanderhoek
[editor:just couldn’t resist Hello Mark, And thanks for your letter. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. Which track are you referring to?
If I had the ability to send folks to NASCAR, I would instead send them to the USAR Hooters ProCup where people still know who they are. Though I did help in getting a guy in a Busch race once.
And why on earth would you want to go from the sanity and safety of college to running a moving vehicle in circles at high speeds with 20 guys with steel in their eyes who are sure to make you bounce off a concrete wall at 80 mph?
How most drivers get their start is by developing an intense fondness for the smell of burnt gasoline. Though I'm told many are actually born with such fondness. The second stage is to routinely drive like a madman or madwoman on public streets until your husband, wife or whatever, demands that they help support your racing career at a proper racing facility. Now you're in, because you have a partner in your endeavor to help support the habit, that you will certainly develop. You see, running a moving vehicle in circles at high speeds with 20 guys with steel in their eyes who are sure to make you bounce off a concrete wall at 80 mph becomes more addicting than nicotine. Scary.
So after carefully considering all the ramifications of the above, if you think you have what it takes, go into the pits and find some guy with a big wrench, muttering to himself something about carburetors and say in a deep voice, "I want to join." That's really all there is to it. Good Luck and Happy Racing! Jack Smith ____________________ May 1, 1999 More on Track Safety
Jane, No one wants to see a horrible accident, but the truth of the matter
is, as long as people race, accidents will happen. Safety is paramount, but
you cannot compare Winston Cup to the local Saturday night races. Correct me
if I'm wrong, but isn't Winston Cup a sanctioning body that only leases
specific tracks? Do they own tracks? I'm sure it cost serious dollars to be
part of this body which in turn puts these dollars toward everything they do,
including safety. I believe it also cost serious dollars just to enter a
Winston cup event. We the local Saturday night racers pay $20 to go onto
someone's PRIVATE property which they call a racetrack and obviously are
doing it to make money, and we do what we love to do. The owners accept the
possibility of accidents/injuries and lawsuits when they open the gates and
the drivers accept the risk when they go through the gates. Crude but true.
Look around and see the tracks closing or struggling. Should we impose more
rules and regulations on the few tracks that are left, or as drivers, use the
best safety equipment available to protect ourselves and help the promoters
with suggestions and support? We the drivers, then can make the decision to
boycott if a track is out of line, which in turn can make a promoter improve
conditions, or he may throw the towel in and do something else with his
PRIVATE property. Or on the other hand... Instead of policing the tracks,
police the drivers. I don't like the thought of either, but what would be the
lesser of two evils? Do we make the promoter responsible for our safety or
make the responsibility our own? I'm not here to argue, only debate to make
things better for all.
#########################
April 28, 1999 Ocala Speedway Accident I was there. This was a typical small track tradgedy. I attend almost every Saturday night and I can truthfully say myself and buddies have discussed safety and the lack of equipment at this track often. The fire truck consist of a pickup with emergency canisters only. On this particular night there had been a motor fire in the pits and the canisters had been used to put this fire out. One canister appeared to be used on the driver after he exited the race car. It was a ghastly scene. The racetrack personnel were slow to repond and one of the tow truck drivers tried to smother the flaming driver with his light jacket. Please do not
continue the cover up. Their were lots of mistakes on all sides. The announcement over the PA system that the driver had walked to the ambulance etc. was all lies. Race fans aren't stupid! We know what goes into the Saturday night races. We love it and the drivers who perform for us. It's a dangerous business. Be up front and do what's right. Paul, you are
making alot of money---don't cheat your driver's or fans---provide top notch safety equipment. If you don't---The State Fire Marshall will have a new task. - Jim Gilbreath, Hawthorne, Fl. April 6, 1999 This is Pastor Barnsdale from Covington, KY. My birthday was yesterday (I think I told you it was May, must be getting old) and my wife gave me The Florida Morosports Retrospective that I ordered from you. Outstanding! Every page was a memory. There were so many cars and racers I had forgotten. The shot of Wayne Reutimann in the 00 in front of the arches at Golden Gate was great. Many of the boys who went to the track would wait for Wayne to finish at the pay window then we would hop on hope trailer and ride around the track to the pits. It was the old maroon #00 Kash & Karry car.
-Kevin April 12, 1999 GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
In reference to Jane Smiths column on state inpsectors. Sorry but you will
NEVER convince me that a state inspector is the answer. Don't get me wrong,
it may help some things but apparently you have never delt with one. In the
long run it would cost and cause more problems than most people want to deal
with. And I don't know where her facts came from on the incident but
according to people ON THE TRACK (drivers and officials) at the time, it
would not have made any difference what equipment was on hand. No I was not
there that night, but. Fact: 1.the car was on fire as soon as it flipped. 2.
Tom had on his old warn out 1 layer proban suit, but had a brand new 2 layer
nomex at home in the box but didn't wear it because it was too hot.3. He had
a motorcycle helmet with no face shield. 3. There is still a debate as to
whether the fuel cell cap was on or left off. They had just topped off the
cell before the race. 4. Ocala does have EMT's, and they do have a truck
equipped with fire fighting equipment and manned by firemen.4. People did use
water buckets after the fact to douse the smoldering tires. And if you are
wondering why I did not put this on the message board, it's because there
are too many disturbed individuals there that would pick back up on this. For
goodness sake let the turmoil die down. Yes I am still concerned about Ted.
He is not in the clear yet. He will still have a 50/50 chance for the next
several weeks. He is still critical but stable, however he is experiencing
trouble with his kidneys. My name is Dennis Maples. I race modifieds,
enduros, late models, hobbys, street stocks, PARTS trucks, oh well whatever
anybody offers I drive. Two time track champion at Ocala in Sportsman, two
time enduro winner at Ocala(totaling $32,000 in earnings) and I guess maybe a
hundred or so feature wins. I do enjoy the board occassionally but there
are........for lack of a better word idiots there. Have a nice week. See you
at the races.
-DEMaples Jane Smith Response To GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Mr. Maples - I am not calling for Government Intervention but some form of
board to oversee the tracks to make sure that they are just as safe for the drivers
as your car is for you. I was not at Ocala either like you but personally, I
don't want that kind of accident to happen again. So I will not argue on any of
that since I was not there but I love my racers, even you, and you deserve the best
just like Winston Cup at the track to take care of you if something should
happen.
We have more tracks than you want to know that don't have EMT'S or ambulances
or fire safety vehicles. Would you rather that no one cares about you or
that we do care about you? It would be great if every track owner just did the right
thing but if there is no one, nothing, to make them - can we expect them to? I am open to any advice or ideas you may have since you are a racer. Would you boycott a track until they do upgrade their safety or would you race anyway? Please, be honest.
-Jane Smith
March, 1999
“Good Ole Days” How i wish we could turn time back to good ole days . if you did not get to races by 6 pm you could not find a place to sit .chair back seats .covered stands .hot dogs 50 cents coke 25 cents .two nights racin.friday also saturday packed stands pits full .30 late modles start feature.30 .40 sprint cars in pits ground pounding
when johnny hicks threw flag to start race it sent cold chills down your spine .to see drivers like jack arnold. billy gill dave mcginnis dave scarbourgh wayne buzzie rueitman frank riddle jimmie riddle jim alvis bill roynum chett rutledge emil cush gordon lee donnie tanner aden erb pat hutision milton burseyck bobbie alexinder keene brothers bo hammond and so many other great drivers at so many great race tracks .golden gate speed way oh what great races they were florida 200 for so many years ed howe .bobby brack .gary balough.all the other great drivers i have seen over the years .will we ever see that many cars or great drivers at one race track ever again.you have to have the talent then the people will COME STANDING ROOM ONLY.
RON March 1999
Track Safety
I'm concerned about the accident at the Ocala speedway and the safety of the
drivers. Paul (the owner) of the Ocala speedway said the at least 6 others
race tracks in Florida have phony ambulances sitting at their track just to
make it look good. I would like to know if this is true as I have loved ones
who race. At this time Ocala speedway is not one of them. The night of the
accident my brother asked Paul if he was planning on getting a fire truck, His
reply was NO you guys are going to get different fire suits. He acted like
the sight of accident didn't have any effect on him.
Sincerely D.Heath March 1999
DeSoto Response I read your artical, HOW TRUE -HOW TRUE, I have raced at the Speedway since it was built in 79, We had the First car on the Speedway and one the First race there was there. I have seen many owners come and go, Tom Stimus was the first who really cared, yes he did some wrong things but, he also did so many
correct things to make the Place it once was. He was not afraid to speed the
money that it takes to improve a facility. The current owner has admitted that
he bought the Track as a Hobby !!!!!! What a Hell of a Comment to make to the
Public and the Racers who work so hard to put on a show for HIM ! The track
has the appearence that it had over ten years ago before Stimus bought it and
did a face lift. We see nothing that has been put back into the Apprearence
of the Speedway to improve it, last year we were all made to race on a
turn 3 and 4 that was falling apart because the owner didn't have the $$$$
(lol) of the willingness to correct it, you should have seen all of the
equipment that was destroyed from that turn being "left alone" . Not all of us
have the Money and equipment to travel to a non-local speedway, We race with
what we have. Hopefully someone will buy the Speedway and treat it like it
should be, and let the Rich Boys who have time and Money for HOBBIES, go
somewhere else!!
DB March 12, 1999 I entered "Florida Motor Sports" in computer just to see if I could locate any of my old heroes. What a blessing to find Florida Stock Car racing's web site.
I grew up in Tampa in the late 60's and early 70's. My dad was a Hillsborough Co. Sheriffs deputy and worked security at Golden Gate. We were there most every weekend. I will never forget the modified and sprints. Dave Scarborough was and is my heroe. It was good to see he continued his dominant success at Citrus County.
The photos by Mr. Westerman were great. I would like to contact him or someone about a couple of photos of Dave's early cars. These are the one's I remember: #96 orange modified coupe, #11 blue and yellow sprint (Harry Campbell's Garage?), #11 White and red sprint (Bud Distributing), #8 red early model (56 Ford? owned by Carl Butts) and #8 red late model (mid sixties Chevelle). Watching Dave Scarborough win races with that inverted start was a sight to behold. Can Mr. Westerman be contacted about any of the above cars?
P.S. I am a 41 year old minister. I live in Kentucky now. I will check your web site often for the meories. Some of the brightest memories of my childhood were at Golden Gate Speedway.
Thanks,
-Pastor Kevin Barnsdale March 12, 1999
My British boyfriend is a fan of Stock racing --We are going to be in Orlando the weekend of March 27 and 28 (and the Friday before).We will have a rental car -- are there any races on that weekend within an hours drive of Orlando -- or so?
Many thanks
Jo Fox March 10,1999
Miss our racing season Hi my name is Tom and I’m from Shelton Conn. . just reading your Florida stock
car site and I think it is wonderful. We are associated with the Waterford
Speedbowl in Waterford CT. They run late models SK modify's stricklies and
mini's every Sat. night from Apr 17th - Oct 3 1999. I am in the pit crew of an
SK modify here. I have never been to the Florida tracks yet but we are hoping
to go down for vacation in early April. what is NSS and the Orlando speedworld
like? Oh how much we miss hearing our V8's in the pits and on the track at 100
mph but we have open practice starting Apr 3rd this year. How long do most of
your seasons run down there and do you have SK modify's in Florida?? We heard
up this way at New Smyrna that the late models run real fast (oh what a
pleasure it must be to have year-round racing). We'll just wanted to send a
fast note saying what a terrific site you have down and hope to hear back from
you telling me about some "sunshine racing" since we have lite snow now (it
is 33 yukky degrees now) .......Tom February 14, 1999 On Jane Smith's column
As a sports writer who regular covers the non-Series Modifieds, I was very
interested in Jane Smith's story, and I enjoyed it very much. She certainly
hit people's feelings about Teddy Christopher right on the head. It's never
boring when Ted is around.
All three oval tracks in Connecticut run what you call the "Limited"
Modifieds. Here, they are referred to as SK Modifieds to differentiate them
from the Featherlite Modified series cars, which run bigger motors and have
more leeway with the rules. They were once called Connecticut Modifieds and
absolutely no one remembers how the SK came about.
Stafford Motor Speedway runs them Friday nights, Waterford Speedbowl on
Saturday nights and New Thompson Speedway, usually, on Sundays. Stafford and
Thompson are NASCAR tracks, so they reach run about a half-dozen special
shows that include the Featherlite and Busch North tours. The SKs and other
support divisions run also, and it's not uncommon for Featherlite Series
drivers to take a turn in the SKs, too. As far as Teddy Christopher goes,
he'll climb into the Series Modifieds, SK Modifieds and ProStocks, then do
it again at another track the next night. Those tracks also run Late Models,
Pro Stocks (except Waterford), Strictly Stocks and Mini Stocks. The
Northeastern Midget Association visits those tracks, as do the American Race
Trucks and Legends cars. Thompson is five-eighths of a mile, Stafford
five-eighths and Waterford one-third.
In most cases, the SK Modifieds are the lead division, although Thompson has
been leaning toward the ProStocks. In all three cases, as far as I know,
anyone can buy a pit pass, usually a couple dollars extra (16 and older
only).
Riverside Speedway in Agawam, Mass., a quarter-mile track, runs the
Featherlite Series style Modifieds weekly on Saturdays. New Hampshire
International Speedway has three Featherlite shows and will crown a track
champion too.
Your on-line version has been a great help, especially in keeping up with
Teddy. I hope to get down there to see some Florida racing this spring or
summer.
Bill Toscano
The Day newspaper of New London, Conn. ==================== February 15, 1999 Re: Florida Stock Car Racing
Hi ,
This is charlie , I was at Speedweek 99 . I traveled to both New Smyrna
Speedway and Volusia Speedway Park the racing was great at both places . The last night at New Smyrna it was really cold for me anyway . The racing was hot as normal the limited late model ending with I thought was a bad call by the track officails , a bump of the lead car and the second place car ending up with what was to be the win but the officials the reversed the car and give the win to the second plaes car . I being in the crowd wasn't happy with the call made by the official . The call was wrong the way we saw the tap of the cars as racing but I guess you have to be the local racer there and seeing that the out-of-towner got ripped !
The races at Volusia Speedway Park was just totally awsome !!!! The D.I.R.T
modifies were just awsome the just were flying around the 1/2mile dirt track .
I was hoping that Barefoot Bob would get into the winner circle when I was
there but he tried but came up short the last night for the big blocks was
just a blast to watch . All the other classes of cars were great there too.
I am now living in Aurora , Ill. I like the reading in the e-mail that you
send me and I read it to the last part so please keep sending me this e-mail. =============================== February 9, 1999
Re:behind the scenes
It doesn't matter how "entry level" the class is - there is no entry
level for safety. I work at Delaware International Speedway and U.S. 13
Dragway in Delmar, Delaware. At the speedway we have both a street
modified division and a dwarf car division as entry level classes. Those
drivers are required to wear the same exact safety equipment as the
drivers in the late models and big block modifieds.
While NHRA dictates what driver safety gear is required for the drag
racers, the Jr. Dragster division is a good example. The cars in this
division are powered by 5 hp Briggs & Stratton engines but the racers
were fire suits, gloves, helmets, and collars.
Nothing is more frightening than a fire on a race car, especially if you
are sitting in the middle of it. If you can't afford the equipment, you
simply can not afford to race.
Charlie Brown ==================================
February 2, 1999
Re:behind the scenes My wife and I promoted a sprint car series in Florida for 2 years. The
reason I was ASKED to promote it was the former promoter ran off with purse
money (or did he?) We took this group from 10 or 11 cars to a speedweek of
40 plus. We got thanked by being pushed out because WE STOLE PURSE MONEY.
see the trend. I was asked about 3 months ago to promote another traveling
series for sprints cars, we turned it down because of the above
experience.
You have no idea who I am, and may not care, my background is, Racing Hall
of fame in Flemington NJ, Race Officials Hall of Fame, 15 years on the
Flags for The World Karting Association, and owner, driver of sprints,
midgets and modifieds.
Your article on New Symrna hit home. not the rules but the BACK GATE. My
touring drivers who would travel 350 miles to race at a track bringing in
25 to 30 cars with 4 to 6 people per car where nailed more than once a
HIGHER pit fee than the regular divisions OR the regular divisions where
nailed along with them. The reason was the tracks had nobody there, except
for a selected few, the owners where making there purse from the BACK GATE
not the FRONT GATE. A well promoted track with a WORKING PR person, as
opposed to a sit on there duff and hope type, can make or break a track. I
moved here in 1972 and thought I was going into the HOT BED of racing, this
area has no idea what a HOT BED of racing is. My former home track
FLEMINGTON NJ was called MODIFIED COUNTRY USA and well it should have been.
The fans . all 15,000 of them, would see anything from 125 to 150 cars
EVERY Saturday night. The tracks down here get 125 cars in 7 divisions,
this was in 2 divisions, SPORTSMEN,MODIFIED which ran together but paid
separate with a sportsman bonus, and the NOVICE division. The
drivers/owners bought a license and there car was inspected and then it
cost 50% of the admission to the stands to get in the pits. The insurance
problem was covered by the STRICT coverage of the pits, NO LICENSE NO
ENTRY, anybody could purchase a license to hang around the pits and many
did, but this held down the insurance cost because of the structure of the
admission and the fact that there was a SITTING AREA in the stands for the
wives and kids of the licenses holder. The difference in the cars where the
ENGINES only. Today you buy a victory by starting your own class of 6 or 8
cars and call it a race.
If the Florida promoters want to PACK the grandstands look at the concept
of the past, SAME CAR, SAME SPECS, DIFFERENT ENGINE. You solve the safety factor, the GETTING OUT factor since your car can be sold UP or DOWN and the fans get there monies worth in the long run.
I enjoyed your article and am very sorry for the rambling, but since our
experience with the promoting of the races here I have not been NEAR a race
track since. I guess when you see the inside and see that the only reason a
track owner is there in most cases is to get as much money in as possible
and then pay out as little as possible so they can make there profit. no
problem except that there tracks have poor attendance so they rape the
driver. The other promoter pays a good purse, runs a clean show, has good
officials, enforces the rules, and they charge LESS at the pits and PACK
the STANDS because they have MORE CARS which brings in MORE FANS which brings in MORE MONEY. Thank you for reading this.
George C Pavlisko ====================================== email: FlaLetters@karnac.com |
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