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

One would think that younger fans would read the comments by those of us considered higher risk and have some empathy for our situation.  I have been attending races for sixty years so my only desire is to feel feel like I could attend safely.  The message to us older ones is pretty much "fuck you old man, it sucks to be you".  

There should a welcome sign for the for travelers at the international terminals in airports.

America: If it doesn't directly impact me or those that I care about, I don't give a fuck.

I decided on the two racing channels and taking a wait and see approsch so despite the fact that it's bad news and a different part of the country it's necessary to know.  Catching it outdoors isn't as easy as a subway or bus or indoors but it's still possible.  I'm done debating this subject, people are going to think and do whatever their world view dictates and nobody will change anyone's mind.  That was my main reason for making the decision as we all have to take care of number one aka ourselves.  I can't imagine sharing grandstand, concession line and bathroom space with people who don't believe it's for real.  Those of us who are older managing the usual health issues for our age group have to make our own descision.  The sad thing about it is that it could be better if everyone would cooperate.  I'm surprised that some of these drivers aren't getting it when MLB, NFL training camp and many schools are having.outbreaks.  My only gripe personally is that I have a favorite race that I have only missed once last year when I was overseas and don't want to extend that streak two years.  In effect those with the casual attitude who think it's a hoax are calling the shots for everyone else as prevention efforts are only as strong as the weakest link.  

While dirt track fans are packing the stands and not distancing in many places I struggle to square that with empty stands for MLB, the NHL and NHL.  Either dirt track fans are much more knowledgeable about infectious diseases and their mitigation than all other sports and concerts or the opposite is true.  I'd rather error on the side of caution and still be around when the dust clears.

No arguments from me.  Enjoy yourself at the races and I will stay away from the tracks.  You win.  

So what's your solution? Limit people every where until things no longer become economically feasible and just shut up like all our local businesses WERE doing? So no reaturants, racing, or gatherings though no one is forced to go. Apparently you can't catch CV at Walmart. Unfortunately the flu will always be around so I don't see how this ever goes away. 

And it's not just young people that feel this is a joke so please stop unfairly grouping everyone into this category as you see fit. Plenty of young people are scared of the rona too.

The greatest irony.  A 69 year old racing fan goes to races for sixty years and is considered the enemy on HH's because he wants to go to a race but circumstances beyond his control are keeping him away from the tracks.  How about at least a little bit of understanding, this isn't a fun situation to have to sit out a whole season but the televised races take some of the sting out of an ugly year.

I don't have any solutions, just saying that when I hear reports of people contracting the disease at the races I am not going to risk it given what I'm seeing on TV.  Some tracks like Knoxville have the space and appear to be doing fine.  Others I have watched a person wouldn't even know there was a virus by the way they're seated so close.  I'm just frustrated because a Memorial race is coming up at my local track.  The driver being honored drove a supermodified that my cousin and uncle worked on and was the reason I went to my first race in 1960.  As the date approaches I'm getting a feeling of dread about having to miss it again.  On a scale of 0-100 with 100 being the most important this one scores 1000.  

The greatest irony, being hated for wanting to attend a Sprint Car race.  Couldn't even make that shit up.

Professional sports (including Nascar) live in the media.

Dirt track racing for the most part does not.

There are plenty of baseball, football and Nascar fans that would be in the stands if the organizations had enough of a spine to open the stands.

While Covid 19 in and of itself isn't a "hoax" the media's overblown reaction to it and constantly stirring up public fear most certainly is.   

"When the dust clears", you may already be dust even though you likely won't die from Covid 19.   This isn't going to go away until an effective vaccine is created or we reach herd immunity through natural infection.   FYI, the next effective vaccine for a Coronavirus, which Covid is one of many Coronaviruses that humans get, will be the FIRST. 

IMO, living in constant fear isn't living at all.    There is a long long list of things I'm more likely to die from and I don't live in constant fear of those either.

After attending the 2 night Haubstadt WOO show I made a post on one of the Facebook pages about how I felt about the conditions there. People responded by cursing at me, calling me names etc. I was just expressing that I had some concerns about the safety of the fans but was shocked at the response. Been to Pevely twice and felt pretty safe but watched from the infield last weekend because of full seating. 

No hate here. I'm just asking a serious question. Everyone can have problems with the way things are ran or with others but then the question remains what is the solution? If some feel it is inevitable it is definitely a sad state for older fans who feel at risk. What then for the rest? Do we wait until we all can go again together and how long until that point? At least with the rest going on with status quo it gives the at risk something to watch online otherwise we are probably stuck with reruns at home for all. I grow tired of everyone offering complaints without giving a solution to the complaint. 

Also I am not a doctor but with these being open air events I believe you could achieve the mask wearing social distancing you desire at this race if you work at it. Most people will respect your decision and distance but this also doesn't mean we have to feel obligated to try and maintain the same standards when not around you. 

My solution would be to set aside a section for the older fans and put a couple porta john's in close proximity.  A couple of food lines could be designated as for older fans like myself.  They do that at tracks all over the country to give families a place to sit where they won't be hassled by drunks.  I'm 69 with a couple of managed health conditions so for the assholes telling me I'm living in fear _____ you and the horse you road in on.  I'm a Navy flight deck catapult crew veteran and stood along the edge of the tracks taking photos for years.  No, I'm not trying to claim I'm some kind of hero but my life experiences suggests that it's ludicrous for anyone to suggest I'm some kind of pansy huddled in the corner.

I'm wanting to go to one race for a driver I first saw race in 1960.  All the rest of them don't matter this year but I am beating myself up because I don't want to miss my favorite race of the entire season.  The event first ran in 2001 and I have been to every one, most as a reporter and photographer, except for last year when I was in the air half way between Iceland and MSP at race time.  Just one race but all it takes is one and my wife would hit the ceiling if I even brought it up. 

I guess I'm speaking up part out of frustration that I can't attend a Memorial to honor a childhood hero and part out of anger that tracks can't make some kind of accomidations for us older folks like they keep the drunks away from families in family sections.  Apparently the drunks rank higher up the pecking order than us life long fans of 40, 50, and 60 or more years.  Probably my fault for believing science and not wanting to kack over a damn race.

Anyways, I have more than made my point and expect any responses to be insults.   

Stan I'm only 40 and share your sentiments.  When we look back in history and see the shared sacrifice this country was capable of in World War II, it's hard to believe we're the same country.  As someone else put it earlier, "if it doesn't affect me it doesn't matter" seems to be the prevailing sentiment.  I think the two weeks to flatten the curve was probably more of a compromise than the best solution, because I don't think the administration even wanted to do that... if it should have been 30 days then they should have come out and said it. Now we're stuck with what we have becuase too many people have written it off as no big deal becuase they haven't lost a loved one. 

Other countries absolutely had their ducks in a row and did a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better job than the U.S. did.  Mistakes were made all around.  But as soon as Memorial Day rolled around, it seemed like many had decided it was over and started letting their guards down.  

I've had arguments with my parents about staying away from people (irony not lost that I'm now lecturing my parents) and yet they don't listen.  The only two people I'm around without a mask are my dad and my best friend.  I always stay six feet away from my dad when he comes over and same with my best friend.  She's asked me to come over for birthday parties for her kids and I've passed both times since I know her family and others aren't going to be wearing masks and won't be distancing.  I just don't get it.  It sucks, but we are our own worst enemies becuase so many people have basically carved out our own exceptions of why we can do what we want.  

It's really depressing.  I am so incredibly grateful for DirtVision and Flo, but there is a part of me that feels uncomfortable seeing full grandstands.  While someone else made the point that it isn't known if Barry caught it at Lincoln, it's also unknown if any others have caught it and were there.  I'm not convinced people would be forthcoming about that. It's worse than the flu and we shouldn't just accept 170,000 deaths... it reminds me of that scene from the ending of The Dark Knight with the two boats and giving the other boat the detenator.  I can't imagine filling Cowboys stadium up to capacity, pushing a button saying you all have to die so I can go out to a restaurant, REFILLING IT, and doing it again.  This is not happening everywhere, our percentages are much higher than other industrialized countries.  And I just can't believe that so many people are so nonchalant about people's lives, not just our older folks but younger ones too.  I personally worry about the other conditions like heart troubles that may be resulting from this. 

So, you're not alone.  I hope that the Memorial Race you want to go to is going to be streamed, but it's not worth the risk. I'm sure the person they're honoring wouldn't want you to take that risk and you can still pay tribute and remember them in your own way, even if it's not the best/preferred way to do it. 

Great post! I agree 100%. It's sad that a nation that once stood together and really had to sacrifice to fight facism, can't come together to stop a pandemic. IMO that's because it was politicized by the conspiracy theorists from the get-go and unfortunately those nuts are becoming more influential and mainstream thanks to fauxnews, social media and youtube. Doing what you can to contain the spread of a virus isn't living in fear, it's common sense and common courtesy for others. Unfortunately a lot of people in this country don't have either nowadays. It's a damn good thing this virus isn't more deadly(of course we don't know the long term effects) or we would really be in trouble. Even so, it's ~20 times more dealdy then the worst flu seasons so it's nothing to sneeze at. The shutdown did slow it down but it wasn't more effective because less than 30% of businesses were shutdown. Everything else was deemed essential even if it wasn't really, and most places opened up too soon with little or no restrictions. If we had taken action sooner and had taken it as seriously as other nations, I believe we would be back to normal by now, at least for the most part. As it is, we are stuck until an effective vaccine is available. Just found out that several people at work now have it, just wonderful.

Great post! I agree 100%. It's sad that a nation that once stood together and really had to sacrifice to fight facism, can't come together to stop a pandemic. IMO that's because it was politicized by the conspiracy theorists from the get-go and unfortunately those nuts are becoming more influential and mainstream thanks to fauxnews, social media and youtube. Doing what you can to contain the spread of a virus isn't living in fear, it's common sense and common courtesy for others. Unfortunately a lot of people in this country don't have either nowadays. It's a damn good thing this virus isn't more deadly(of course we don't know the long term effects) or we would really be in trouble. Even so, it's ~20 times more dealdy then the worst flu seasons so it's nothing to sneeze at. The shutdown did slow it down but it wasn't more effective because less than 30% of businesses were shutdown. Everything else was deemed essential even if it wasn't really, and most places opened up too soon with little or no restrictions. If we had taken action sooner and had taken it as seriously as other nations, I believe we would be back to normal by now, at least for the most part. As it is, we are stuck until an effective vaccine is available. Just found out that several people at work now have it, just wonderful.

My solution would be to set aside a section for the older fans and put a couple porta john's in close proximity.  A couple of food lines could be designated as for older fans like myself.  They do that at tracks all over the country to give families a place to sit where they won't be hassled by drunks.  I'm 69 with a couple of managed health conditions so for the assholes telling me I'm living in fear _____ you and the horse you road in on.  I'm a Navy flight deck catapult crew veteran and stood along the edge of the tracks taking photos for years.  No, I'm not trying to claim I'm some kind of hero but my life experiences suggests that it's ludicrous for anyone to suggest I'm some kind of pansy huddled in the corner.

I'm wanting to go to one race for a driver I first saw race in 1960.  All the rest of them don't matter this year but I am beating myself up because I don't want to miss my favorite race of the entire season.  The event first ran in 2001 and I have been to every one, most as a reporter and photographer, except for last year when I was in the air half way between Iceland and MSP at race time.  Just one race but all it takes is one and my wife would hit the ceiling if I even brought it up. 

I guess I'm speaking up part out of frustration that I can't attend a Memorial to honor a childhood hero and part out of anger that tracks can't make some kind of accomidations for us older folks like they keep the drunks away from families in family sections.  Apparently the drunks rank higher up the pecking order than us life long fans of 40, 50, and 60 or more years.  Probably my fault for believing science and not wanting to kack over a damn race.

Anyways, I have more than made my point and expect any responses to be insults.   

Seems like a mostly reasonable solution. I appreciate constructive comments that offer solutions like this one. I do feel however your beef here would be more with the tracks and not the fans. Let's face it, it's human nature to defy leadership or being controlled. Also "science" is too objective nowadays in their studys. Everyone has an agenda one way or another. Not saying the Rona Is a huge threat nor non existent but rather likely somewhere in the middle where it is no worse than usual sicknesses that develop every so often. Just my take.

I decided on the two racing channels and taking a wait and see approsch so despite the fact that it's bad news and a different part of the country it's necessary to know.  Catching it outdoors isn't as easy as a subway or bus or indoors but it's still possible.  I'm done debating this subject, people are going to think and do whatever their world view dictates and nobody will change anyone's mind.  That was my main reason for making the decision as we all have to take care of number one aka ourselves.  I can't imagine sharing grandstand, concession line and bathroom space with people who don't believe it's for real.  Those of us who are older managing the usual health issues for our age group have to make our own descision.  The sad thing about it is that it could be better if everyone would cooperate.  I'm surprised that some of these drivers aren't getting it when MLB, NFL training camp and many schools are having.outbreaks.  My only gripe personally is that I have a favorite race that I have only missed once last year when I was overseas and don't want to extend that streak two years.  In effect those with the casual attitude who think it's a hoax are calling the shots for everyone else as prevention efforts are only as strong as the weakest link.  

While dirt track fans are packing the stands and not distancing in many places I struggle to square that with empty stands for MLB, the NHL and NHL.  Either dirt track fans are much more knowledgeable about infectious diseases and their mitigation than all other sports and concerts or the opposite is true.  I'd rather error on the side of caution and still be around when the dust clears.

I never said the virus wasn't real. But we are almost in the 6th month of the "2 weeks to flatten the curve" bullshit. I do believe the government is now using it as a way of controlling the people to see how much they can push. If 6 feet apart works then why are we still wearing masks? If masks work then why are we still staying 6 feet apart? Just a reminder; the flu has been around for many years and has a vaccine, but it still kills 45K-75K each year. But we don't panic about that anymore, do we?