Parts Gal
Linda Schaefer
Those were SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!..We had them at Belleville too. I remember the white line ALL the way around the track. Weren't supposed to cross the line. What fun back then...Thanks King!!!!!
Belle Clair in 2011....Lets give ideas on what to change
- Thread starter smaldirt28
- Start date
Those were SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!..We had them at Belleville too. I remember the white line ALL the way around the track. Weren't supposed to cross the line. What fun back then...Thanks King!!!!!
Darkstar44
Active Member
I remember at Godfrey one night when a guy thought he was a real big deal wheeling his cherry '72 Monte Carlo. That is until he completely trashed it. Stuffed it right into the front stretch wall. He tried to put on the bold front and acted like it didn't matter to him, but to me, it looked like he was ready to throw up right there in front of everybody. But, you guys are right about one thing; the crowd went nuts. Alot of fun for them, not so much for the hot shot with the Monte! lol.
Brian #44
Brian #44
racingfan03
Well-Known Member
I agree with most of what you said from a technical aspect, Tom…but the bulk of the problem seems to be with the lack of butts in the seat, not from lack of drivers.
I don’t think that the time the races get over is a major factor. There has been many times where I’ve found myself leaving Tri-City after midnight, sometimes closer to 2 AM on bigger shows (modified mania last year). No one is forcing you to stay, and you typically get what you pay for. If you have to work early the next morning, **** it up like everyone else.
One of the big things I have noticed since Scott took over at Highland is the amount of local sponsors has increased dramatically. I see more sponsors on the backstretch wall than I can ever remember, and there are individual local sponsors (Daum Crop Insurance, Excel Bottling, Grapperhaus Metal, GFI, Agripride, Lee’s Loans, Kettle River Furniture) stepping up to sponsor individual nights. There must be a market for this kind of deal if Highland was able to pull 8 sponsors whom each sponsored an individual night of racing. I know Linda already mentioned this, but all of the businesses near the track that benefit from fan dollars are mostly corporately owned. There tends to be red tape with corporate conglomerates when asking for donations/sponsorships. Local sponsorships similar to what was awarded for donations for Highland’s “Save the Ta-Tas” race seemed more than reasonable.
I do remember the jr. fan clubs being a lot more involved, but I realize that this takes a lot of time and effort. Debbie Cummins at Belleville and the crew at I-55 probably do the best job on jr. fan club in the area from what I’ve seen. I remember Highland used to raffle off a quarter midget every year. If you give memorable experiences to the kids, they’ll be begging their parents to take them back next week.
Growing up at Highland, I remember that the front stretch used to be packed during intermission, as the drivers and their crew would come out onto the track to talk to fans. I also recall a night where drivers pulled their cars out on the track, and fans were allowed on the track to take pictures with their favorite drivers and the car. Seemed like a much more personal experience 15-20 years ago.
I also agree with all the comments on the food, way too expensive for the quality.
My favorite part of the races growing up was the brake checks in the bomber division…I realize with the disc brakes used today that it’s not really possible anymore.
Another thing I honestly contemplate being a part of the problem (and I know I've been part of it), is live updates from local tracks. I love it just as much as the next person, especially currently being deployed, but people can opt to sit at home in the air conditioning and hit the refresh button and have results minutes, sometimes seconds after a race is complete. However with all of the social media outlets we have at our disposal today, I don't think there's any way of getting around it.
I don’t think that the time the races get over is a major factor. There has been many times where I’ve found myself leaving Tri-City after midnight, sometimes closer to 2 AM on bigger shows (modified mania last year). No one is forcing you to stay, and you typically get what you pay for. If you have to work early the next morning, **** it up like everyone else.
One of the big things I have noticed since Scott took over at Highland is the amount of local sponsors has increased dramatically. I see more sponsors on the backstretch wall than I can ever remember, and there are individual local sponsors (Daum Crop Insurance, Excel Bottling, Grapperhaus Metal, GFI, Agripride, Lee’s Loans, Kettle River Furniture) stepping up to sponsor individual nights. There must be a market for this kind of deal if Highland was able to pull 8 sponsors whom each sponsored an individual night of racing. I know Linda already mentioned this, but all of the businesses near the track that benefit from fan dollars are mostly corporately owned. There tends to be red tape with corporate conglomerates when asking for donations/sponsorships. Local sponsorships similar to what was awarded for donations for Highland’s “Save the Ta-Tas” race seemed more than reasonable.
I do remember the jr. fan clubs being a lot more involved, but I realize that this takes a lot of time and effort. Debbie Cummins at Belleville and the crew at I-55 probably do the best job on jr. fan club in the area from what I’ve seen. I remember Highland used to raffle off a quarter midget every year. If you give memorable experiences to the kids, they’ll be begging their parents to take them back next week.
Growing up at Highland, I remember that the front stretch used to be packed during intermission, as the drivers and their crew would come out onto the track to talk to fans. I also recall a night where drivers pulled their cars out on the track, and fans were allowed on the track to take pictures with their favorite drivers and the car. Seemed like a much more personal experience 15-20 years ago.
I also agree with all the comments on the food, way too expensive for the quality.
My favorite part of the races growing up was the brake checks in the bomber division…I realize with the disc brakes used today that it’s not really possible anymore.
Another thing I honestly contemplate being a part of the problem (and I know I've been part of it), is live updates from local tracks. I love it just as much as the next person, especially currently being deployed, but people can opt to sit at home in the air conditioning and hit the refresh button and have results minutes, sometimes seconds after a race is complete. However with all of the social media outlets we have at our disposal today, I don't think there's any way of getting around it.
Darkstar44
Active Member
Racingfan03, you're right no one is forcing people to stay late at B-ville. Unfortunately they are forcing people to leave. The track has an 11:00 p.m. curfew. A problem that Tri-City doesn't have. I raced at Highland in the days when the drivers would line the fence at intermission. The reason they did that was because at that time the drivers and crews were not allowed to go into the stands from the pits without buying a grandstand ticket. Intermission was the only option left open to them to visit with fans and family until after the races. I too liked the fan appreciation nights when the cars and fans were brought onto the track at intermission. But, with the curfew at B-ville I don't think that it would be feasable at intermission. We have done that after the races though and it was a big hit. I think it should be done more often. Thank you for your service. God speed!
Brian #44
P.S. I don't know why they stopped the autograph sessions after the races. Maybe (and I stress the word maybe) it's because security wants everyone out of the pits so quickly.
Brian #44
P.S. I don't know why they stopped the autograph sessions after the races. Maybe (and I stress the word maybe) it's because security wants everyone out of the pits so quickly.
20rocks
Well-Known Member
The other problem maybe that people are not into cars like they used to be.I think gearheads are a dying breed, drag racing has to pay espn to broadcast their racing which is sad but there is small demand for that also.They also need to bring back the dashes the fans are expected to pay more for less racing I think the no dashes experiment failed miserably.
Darkstar44
Active Member
20rocks, the fans are not seeing less racing. They are just seeing a different type of racing (Pro 4's). A class that was added this year. They took away the dashes to make time for the new class. I understand this, but, I too, miss the dashes.
Brian #44
Brian #44
Please bring the dashes back. Half of the time it was the best race of the nite. I miss the drag race starts they used to have. I think id sell my sportsman if they had like a farm truck class. And do it like the old days. Biuld huge bumpers front and back, side rails, and make them stock as a rock. I would build one in a heartbeat. Small block class. Have a $500 motor claim and run them beat them bang them. It would be riculous and id never leave to miss them.
Chad-Daddy
Member
As a fan not a driver:
1) I would say that my biggest complaint is the food. Belle-Clair’s food is not as good as any of the other three major area tracks and it is also the most expensive.
2) I do miss the dashes. I understand that there is a curfew in Belleville and that the extra time would bring the program over curfew most weeks. This brings me to my next two suggestions.
3) Five classes may be too many. I remember reading in a magazine that one of the ways to tell if your track is hurting financially is if they host more than four weekly classes. This means that the track is making more off driver entry fees than fan attendance. I understand that there is extra money brought in by the extra class, but the cluttered show, and rushed program makes for an overall less enjoyable experience for the fans.
4) Maybe this comes from not being a driver or official, but why does it take so long to get the cars racing after a spin? I know that this is more a question for Allied than Belle-Clair, but the three other tracks seem to be almost twice as fast at returning to racing after a caution. Is thi9s because of the inside wall? With the wasted time one could come to believe that the additional dash races could be run.
Overall I think that Belleville did a much better job on engaging fans this year. I thought the last few years that Belle-Clair had slipped with promotions the last five or so years, but this year there was defiantly a turn around.
Also could someone please answer my “Why does Allied have different rules than other tracks?” question. You can send me a private message to avoid cluttering the thread.
1) I would say that my biggest complaint is the food. Belle-Clair’s food is not as good as any of the other three major area tracks and it is also the most expensive.
2) I do miss the dashes. I understand that there is a curfew in Belleville and that the extra time would bring the program over curfew most weeks. This brings me to my next two suggestions.
3) Five classes may be too many. I remember reading in a magazine that one of the ways to tell if your track is hurting financially is if they host more than four weekly classes. This means that the track is making more off driver entry fees than fan attendance. I understand that there is extra money brought in by the extra class, but the cluttered show, and rushed program makes for an overall less enjoyable experience for the fans.
4) Maybe this comes from not being a driver or official, but why does it take so long to get the cars racing after a spin? I know that this is more a question for Allied than Belle-Clair, but the three other tracks seem to be almost twice as fast at returning to racing after a caution. Is thi9s because of the inside wall? With the wasted time one could come to believe that the additional dash races could be run.
Overall I think that Belleville did a much better job on engaging fans this year. I thought the last few years that Belle-Clair had slipped with promotions the last five or so years, but this year there was defiantly a turn around.
Also could someone please answer my “Why does Allied have different rules than other tracks?” question. You can send me a private message to avoid cluttering the thread.
jh11zracefan
Collins Fan
Your right no one forces you me to stay till the races are over that is why I haven't gone as much. When a show gets over after 10 or 11 the drivers leave before the fans can get into the pits to see them. I have known some of these drivers my whole life and love talking to them at the races. Why should I have to spend the extra money to get a pit pass just to talk to everyone I want to talk to?
LONNIE CASEY
LC6
Pit passes 25 for "everyone" even the oldtimers 10 stands. Bid the concessions out too highest bid and get rid of the people who really don't wanna be there. You know who you are.
dirt hound
Registered User
get rid of the man with the white hair
your right jen but also remember that alot of these drivers are pretty tired from running a heat race plus a feature in 100 degree weather plus working earlier in the day so that they can come and race,but i still think they coud stick around for a while and greet the spectators , as that is who is there to see them .
dirt hound
Registered User
Darkstar44
Active Member
Oh, that can't be me. I have no hair and I have more of a let's say Cheshire grin.
Brian #44
Brian #44
craigmonk67
Member
Maybe Allied, Belle-Clair Promotions, and Drivers could have a Town Hall type meeting and get some changes going now so people know what to expect come race day 2011. If we do our part, hopefully the rest will do its part. And yes i mean you too Mother Nature!!!
