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Topic: Ventura Raceway What is happening
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June 03, 2012 at
01:34:00 AM
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Hello everyone. To start don't misunderstand me I Love Ventura raceway and would never want to see it closed. .
But why are the officials running off all the drivers, Atleast that's the word in the pits and it's the drivers and teams that make the car counts go up or down (for what it's worth).
Car counts have been real bad this year. When was the last time we had a simi main in sprint or midget divisions? It was So bad tonight they ran Senior and pro sprints together so we the fans could have a good show. I think that was a great idea. It was great to see more then 12 cars in a main. Some say economy but I don't know other tracks have good car counts.
Can so one tell me what's going on? . Will you drivers that once raced Ventura that have left tell me why you don't race there anymore.
It would be nice if we could keep this discussion honest and constructive. Maybe somebody in authority at the track will put there ego aside and will take some things said to heart so we can get back to great racing.
I don't want to see Ventura die as far as I know once it's gone it's gone.
I ask this to ALL Divisions at Ventura Raceway.
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June 03, 2012 at
09:38:06 AM
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Nearly every Saturday night here in Indiana we have over 100 wingless 410 sprint cars racing in a 3 hour radius.
I can assure you that the lowcar counts. poor attendance and the overall lack of interest at Ventura Raceway is NOT due to poor economy.
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June 03, 2012 at
11:04:10 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: GoJackslash on June 03 2012 at 09:38:06 AM
Nearly every Saturday night here in Indiana we have over 100 wingless 410 sprint cars racing in a 3 hour radius.
I can assure you that the lowcar counts. poor attendance and the overall lack of interest at Ventura Raceway is NOT due to poor economy.
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Agree with that. The head official should be an ex racer.
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June 03, 2012 at
11:58:41 AM
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Whats wrong with Ventura raceway? Jim Naylor and his my way or the highway. Looks like it the highway for a lot of teams.
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June 03, 2012 at
02:56:20 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Spacefish69 on June 03 2012 at 01:34:00 AM
Hello everyone. To start don't misunderstand me I Love Ventura raceway and would never want to see it closed. .
But why are the officials running off all the drivers, Atleast that's the word in the pits and it's the drivers and teams that make the car counts go up or down (for what it's worth).
Car counts have been real bad this year. When was the last time we had a simi main in sprint or midget divisions? It was So bad tonight they ran Senior and pro sprints together so we the fans could have a good show. I think that was a great idea. It was great to see more then 12 cars in a main. Some say economy but I don't know other tracks have good car counts.
Can so one tell me what's going on? . Will you drivers that once raced Ventura that have left tell me why you don't race there anymore.
It would be nice if we could keep this discussion honest and constructive. Maybe somebody in authority at the track will put there ego aside and will take some things said to heart so we can get back to great racing.
I don't want to see Ventura die as far as I know once it's gone it's gone.
I ask this to ALL Divisions at Ventura Raceway.
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Dear Spacefish- We'd like to know what's up also! We're in our second year with a sprint car-focusing on just Racing at Ventura. For fun. Our level of racing over the last twenty years has never been for profit, but some monetary winnings always helped defray costs. When the seniors were told we had had to run for free in 2012, we elected to run with the pro's as it was a gaurented dollar amount to start. We didn't want to fall into the Nascar "Start and park", but didn't want to mess up the fast guys. After the first night, it became appearent that with 12-14 car main, we should race. But then, due to the low car count, the purse dropped. We actually didn't race Saturday, even though the car was loaded and ready, because we couldn't come to grasp the expenses before even leaving the driveway. Money IS tight on all ends, and even though we race for fun, it's hard to find fun in all the work and costs. I too hope someone figures out what's going on, and comes up with a solution!
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June 04, 2012 at
01:50:44 PM
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This message was edited on
June 05, 2012 at
11:08:50 AM by DirtTrackFan.com
I too am a huge Ventura fan. I used to go almost every week until I moved across the country. After moving I would look forward to the live video feed, or video clips, or SurfNSprint write ups, but this year has really killed my Ventura racing spirit. I have no idea what is going on. The cars started leaving and not coming back last year and this year the car counts are half or less of what they used to be. It is really surprising when names that raced every week stop showing up completely.
I see some VRA regulars doing USAC 360 west coast shows. If the USAC 360 west coast is offering more money, etc. I can see some people going that way. But then there are some names that have just gone silent. It seems surprising so many would change Saturday night priorities at the same time.
I hope whatever is going on at VRA gets fixed soon. The good news is - The PAS is looking good this year. JackSlash.com is full of great video content and keeps me up on all that great central USA wingless sprint action. And I hope someone starts broadcasting or video taping the USAC 360 west coast shows.
Just trying to keep my wingless sprint spirit alive in southern late model, stock car racing country :-).
I would like to add ... Congrats to Clark Templeman III on his 15th to 1st win at Ventura on Saturday!
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June 05, 2012 at
02:46:52 AM
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This message was edited on
June 05, 2012 at
02:47:37 AM by surfnsprint
Ventura has some major problems currently, but I don’t think it’s necessarily fatal or can’t be fixed. Traveling from track to track and talking to different drivers and owners, I think a major concern is the condition of the dirt that was imported at the beginning of the year. Somehow Jim Naylor stuck his shovel into the only patch of ground in Ventura County that doesn’t have clay. Curtis Richards and I were cracking up Saturday night laughing about that. Jim Naylor recognizes the problem. He and I have been talking and my company All Coast is committed to sharing our resources and manpower to help him import clay and integrate it into the racing surface prior to the next All Coast Challenge on July 21st. I think that will go a long way towards improving the racing surface and restoring some of the credibility that has been questioned recently.
I know the problems are far more extensive than just the racing surface. Knowledgeable and hardcore teams are unhappy with a range of issues including officiating, structure and purse. I don’t pretend to speak for Ventura Raceway, but I know Jim has been deeply stung by the criticism and wants to do the right thing. It has to hurt to pour thirty years of your life into building a world class racing facility and then listen to critics with less skin in the game ridicule your efforts. But those critics are your customers and you need to listen. I’m not sure Jim understands yet how much change is needed here. If you keep doing things the same way and expect different results, that is a questionable business plan.
Ventura Raceway is not for everyone. It’s a tight bullring with a lot of learning drivers and a brawling style. Some drivers prefer the bigger and more open tracks. Over the years, I have seen many drivers “graduate” to other circuits and sanctions. But the racing seaside is usually first class. Watching Clark Templeman III come from the back last Saturday night and take the win gave me goose bumps. Check out his incredible post race interview on Loudpedal. If you think Ventura is at its low point, trust me, the place was stuffed with soul Saturday night.
I think the short-range solution is that if you enjoy Ventura Raceway, come on out and race and watch. If you don’t like Ventura, you are blessed with racing options up and down the state. I think the long-range solution is for Jim to arrange his business model to adapt to changing tastes and needs. I will say it again and again; the promoters (and sanctions) need to work more closely together. But many drivers who have left have expressed to me their desire to return when things get better. That is going to take more than feel good gestures or gratuitous window-dressing. But a compelling racing program combined with compassion and forgiveness on both sides can heal many wounds.
Don’t mean to preach, but I wanted to stand up for good friend and hard working promoter Jim Naylor. I apologize for the slow pace of articles and pictures; I am slammed at work and that is a real blessing with these fifty dollar-pit passes, five-dollar gas and them fancy Holiday Inn Express rooms. I’m still editing Tulare and I am embarrassed I haven’t yet downloaded the pictures I took two weeks ago at Perris. I got some awesome shots piling up. Be sure to come out for the All Coast Challenge. Jim and I have some cool ideas to show appreciation for drivers, owners and fans. It’s just a little race but it’s our fifth year! It’s going to be a party.
Big Mike
All Coast
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June 05, 2012 at
11:17:54 AM
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Thank you for everything you do SurfNSprint!
May the current troubles at Ventura turn into a great learning experience for all and we can get back to some awesome races with car counts that require B mains! :-)
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June 05, 2012 at
12:16:32 PM
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Mike I agree with most everything you said- I sent you an email to discuss this further. Ventura is definitely saveable. With a few tweeks, it could definitely be heading back in the right direction.
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June 05, 2012 at
02:36:20 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: DirtTrackFan.com on June 04 2012 at 01:50:44 PM
I too am a huge Ventura fan. I used to go almost every week until I moved across the country. After moving I would look forward to the live video feed, or video clips, or SurfNSprint write ups, but this year has really killed my Ventura racing spirit. I have no idea what is going on. The cars started leaving and not coming back last year and this year the car counts are half or less of what they used to be. It is really surprising when names that raced every week stop showing up completely.
I see some VRA regulars doing USAC 360 west coast shows. If the USAC 360 west coast is offering more money, etc. I can see some people going that way. But then there are some names that have just gone silent. It seems surprising so many would change Saturday night priorities at the same time.
I hope whatever is going on at VRA gets fixed soon. The good news is - The PAS is looking good this year. JackSlash.com is full of great video content and keeps me up on all that great central USA wingless sprint action. And I hope someone starts broadcasting or video taping the USAC 360 west coast shows.
Just trying to keep my wingless sprint spirit alive in southern late model, stock car racing country :-).
I would like to add ... Congrats to Clark Templeman III on his 15th to 1st win at Ventura on Saturday!
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Circle Track Networks in conjunction with Loudpedal Productions streamed the USAC West Coast 360's and King of The West Winged 410 Sprint Cars live from the Tulare Thunderbowl on 5/11 & 5/12. Kyle Larson put on a driving clinic taking 3 out of the 4 features and was leading the 4th when he destroyed his engine in a huge ball of flame.
DVD's of USAC West Coast 360's and highlights are available from:
Las Vegas - 3/8/12
Bakersfield - 3/24/12
Hanford - 4/8/12
Tulare - 5/11/12 & 5/12/12
So far we have missed only one event.
Look for more taped coverage and live streamed open wheel events by both companies in 2012.
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June 05, 2012 at
03:06:04 PM
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This message was edited on
June 05, 2012 at
03:06:37 PM by dummy
I haven't been here a lot lately, but I have some input for Ventura. Out with Leon (spell is backwards). This guy is more worried about have two perfectly aligned pens clipped to his shirt. I don't wanna put all the blame on Jimmy, but the pair of them need to do a few things.
1) Listen.
2) Wakeup.
3) Go to Chili Bowl to see how a program is run.
You cannot get the heat race lineup right when there is 17 cars? Yet Oklahoma gets 285 cars right the first time?
I don't believe that they are trying to quarkscrew this thing into the ground, but are failing by wearing earmuffs and looking at the ground.
How about posting suggestions for them to read in this public forum.... anyone to start?
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June 05, 2012 at
03:09:52 PM
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Thank you LoudPedal and CircleTrackNetworks for the videos and the live streams. I did watch both nights of Tulare. Great show and Larson was amazing. I also did watched Vegas. Too bad Rutherford had engine problems. It looked like the trophy was going to be his. I may have a missed a couple of shows due to my wife making saturday night plans :-).
Sorry if I gave the impression no one was video taping USAC west coast 360. As always, your video product is without a doubt top notch. I look forward to hopefully watching most of the future shows this year. :-)
PS: Still watching the 2005 DVDs you sent. Great races and interesting to see who used to race Ventura and the Bandit series and where they are today.
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June 05, 2012 at
04:44:22 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: racerdon on June 03 2012 at 11:58:41 AM
Whats wrong with Ventura raceway? Jim Naylor and his my way or the highway. Looks like it the highway for a lot of teams.
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The my way or the highway approach there goes back a long way. It's been that way since the early days, back when they were running go karts (early 1980's) during the middle of the week. We had been there on many Wednesday nights to race and my 10 yr old brother was on the crew. All of a sudden one Wed night we're told he couldn't be down there and we didn't have anyone he could stay with in the stands. The staff, including the man in charge weren't the least bit understanding of the situation, we were told we'd have to pack up and leave if we couldn't figure something out. They were in no way willing to make a concession, seeing as all the other weeks that it wasn't a problem. We get loaded up and we're pulling out to leave when they come up and tell us it's ok. We told them thanks but no thanks, just give us our money back. Of course, they weren't willing to do that either. Never raced there again.
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June 05, 2012 at
04:45:40 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: dummy on June 05 2012 at 03:06:04 PM
I haven't been here a lot lately, but I have some input for Ventura. Out with Leon (spell is backwards). This guy is more worried about have two perfectly aligned pens clipped to his shirt. I don't wanna put all the blame on Jimmy, but the pair of them need to do a few things.
1) Listen.
2) Wakeup.
3) Go to Chili Bowl to see how a program is run.
You cannot get the heat race lineup right when there is 17 cars? Yet Oklahoma gets 285 cars right the first time?
I don't believe that they are trying to quarkscrew this thing into the ground, but are failing by wearing earmuffs and looking at the ground.
How about posting suggestions for them to read in this public forum.... anyone to start?
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What exactly is a quark?? Or did you mean cork.
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June 05, 2012 at
09:21:41 PM
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I have been goin to races at the ventura fairgrounds for a long time.My dad took me to stockcars back in the 50's on the old horse track.Myself and my 2 sons have raced there.I hate to see whats happening .What is it going to take to get more sprintcars to show up .Lets get some input from owners,drivers and fans and see if we cant get naylor and staff to cooperate and make it how it used to b...I hope we can...Dean Buckley...
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June 05, 2012 at
09:39:01 PM
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This message was edited on
June 05, 2012 at
09:47:04 PM by harryfan
Reply to:
Posted By: CRA91 on June 05 2012 at 04:45:40 PM
What exactly is a quark?? Or did you mean cork.
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A quark ( /?kw?rk/ or /?kw?rk/) is an elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei.
The discovery of quarks was real big news in the late 1960's. But I'll be damned how I remembered it. I am in no way a nuclear physicist.
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June 06, 2012 at
12:39:23 PM
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What’s happening
to Ventura raceway. My opinion great racing true car counts
are down but racing is just as close as ever
As we see
many new winners, this brings opportunity for some teams that weren’t possible because
of the competition level and car counts, we were all spoiled having so many top
quality teams with generous funding, its true we miss them but at least for me I
can run 2 heats & 2 mains in 1 night instead of 2 semis
A far as the
problems
#1 everybody
wants Jim to listen to them
#2 not enough
Jim to go around
#3 Jim needs
to man up and call teams no longer running and invite them back. A therapist
gets $150 per hr Jim gets a couple hundred at the back gate do the math
#4 car
owners having a voice or vote on rules before implemented would greatly help in
car owners feeling heard
Make them
multiple choice questions as I am a product of public schooling
#5 everybody
bitches about race track. Reality is it will never be perfect for you, learn to
run on what you got and be thankful there is a racetrack
or get used
to driving to Arizona
for me
untimely decisions
#1
adjustable shocks – racing has not improved same guys run good just more
expensive
# 2 weight
rule too low add a hundred pounds of metal, cars are way more durable, cut off
a hundred they break or need more maintenance $$$$
#3 changing
track venders, how did that work out?
#4 add ford
and dodge ascs spec head motors to vra
On the plus
side
Jim and the Ventura
crew still cares about the racers.we don’t have to agree with them but the crew
still works just as hard and they still need our support
Weather is
great, view is fantastic, easy access to pits and grandstands , variety of
classes gives something for everyone.
In a world
that majority of population looks up to movie stars and singers that act
like one of us and pay more money to go see them. Why not go see real hard
working talent for $14 a head
Well I feel
better now thanks for listening
sr sprint #96 mike cook
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June 06, 2012 at
07:45:41 PM
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I love the place Ventura can be, not what it has become.
We fought to save Ventura not that long ago hope Jim Naylor steps up and proves we did the right thing.
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June 07, 2012 at
02:19:40 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: surfnsprint on June 05 2012 at 02:46:52 AM
Ventura has some major problems currently, but I don’t think it’s necessarily fatal or can’t be fixed. Traveling from track to track and talking to different drivers and owners, I think a major concern is the condition of the dirt that was imported at the beginning of the year. Somehow Jim Naylor stuck his shovel into the only patch of ground in Ventura County that doesn’t have clay. Curtis Richards and I were cracking up Saturday night laughing about that. Jim Naylor recognizes the problem. He and I have been talking and my company All Coast is committed to sharing our resources and manpower to help him import clay and integrate it into the racing surface prior to the next All Coast Challenge on July 21st. I think that will go a long way towards improving the racing surface and restoring some of the credibility that has been questioned recently.
I know the problems are far more extensive than just the racing surface. Knowledgeable and hardcore teams are unhappy with a range of issues including officiating, structure and purse. I don’t pretend to speak for Ventura Raceway, but I know Jim has been deeply stung by the criticism and wants to do the right thing. It has to hurt to pour thirty years of your life into building a world class racing facility and then listen to critics with less skin in the game ridicule your efforts. But those critics are your customers and you need to listen. I’m not sure Jim understands yet how much change is needed here. If you keep doing things the same way and expect different results, that is a questionable business plan.
Ventura Raceway is not for everyone. It’s a tight bullring with a lot of learning drivers and a brawling style. Some drivers prefer the bigger and more open tracks. Over the years, I have seen many drivers “graduate” to other circuits and sanctions. But the racing seaside is usually first class. Watching Clark Templeman III come from the back last Saturday night and take the win gave me goose bumps. Check out his incredible post race interview on Loudpedal. If you think Ventura is at its low point, trust me, the place was stuffed with soul Saturday night.
I think the short-range solution is that if you enjoy Ventura Raceway, come on out and race and watch. If you don’t like Ventura, you are blessed with racing options up and down the state. I think the long-range solution is for Jim to arrange his business model to adapt to changing tastes and needs. I will say it again and again; the promoters (and sanctions) need to work more closely together. But many drivers who have left have expressed to me their desire to return when things get better. That is going to take more than feel good gestures or gratuitous window-dressing. But a compelling racing program combined with compassion and forgiveness on both sides can heal many wounds.
Don’t mean to preach, but I wanted to stand up for good friend and hard working promoter Jim Naylor. I apologize for the slow pace of articles and pictures; I am slammed at work and that is a real blessing with these fifty dollar-pit passes, five-dollar gas and them fancy Holiday Inn Express rooms. I’m still editing Tulare and I am embarrassed I haven’t yet downloaded the pictures I took two weeks ago at Perris. I got some awesome shots piling up. Be sure to come out for the All Coast Challenge. Jim and I have some cool ideas to show appreciation for drivers, owners and fans. It’s just a little race but it’s our fifth year! It’s going to be a party.
Big Mike
All Coast
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Thank you Mike.
I have a shovel ready to help move that clay onto the track. Call me when you and Jimmy are ready!!
I stuff my soul into the track every race night. I don't want to lose my playground.
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June 07, 2012 at
11:13:02 PM
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unless ascs runs this track their rules wont help here .
try something simple
decent start money $200 min
no restricted 360s , this means no restrictors
1500 lbs with driver at race end
ht2 tire
stansbury , out of there , too many problems with too many people
nailer , working with racers not aginst them ( this will make or break deal )
the racers need a voice that is actually recognized and considered
most of the tracks in the midwest run their weekly shows with only a few rules ,
look into it like i did , there is something there .
basic is best for this situation .
Drama , Controversy , Rivalry
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