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

Topic: Unhappy sprint fan in Washington
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bja5150
December 03, 2006 at 02:15:45 AM
Joined: 04/01/2005
Posts: 40
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I moved up here some years back saw some races at Portland Speedway...that closed....found a few new tracks up North.....Elma and Yakima. Saw the Outlaws race Yakima once and have been going to Elma every year since I have lived here. In just a few years I have seen that place become a first rate track......the town, the vibe on the Big E weekend I haven't seen in a long time. The racing has always been awesome. I have also been to Skagit a few times. So now with the current state in our sprint car world, Elma has been erased from the Outlaws tour and even Cottage Grove, which has been hailed as one of the most beautiful tracks to go to by some is now on the outside looking in too. The whole NST/WOO thing really hurt a lot of fans and now with the direction the WOO is going these two Northwest tracks face a hard future. They will have good races and I will be there for those too, but I know the big money is in the Big shows...that is common sense. How will these tracks survive in their current states without all that revenue. I know there was a rivalry between Skagit and Elma, but in my opinion the better track, the better races were at Elma. This track was on its way to becoming on of the nations best and now with the powers that be....serious issues lay ahead for their survival. I just can't lose Elma and I don't want that for Cottage Grove either, which I stilll need to go to. By the way. I swear with the weekend races scheduled the weekend before Skagit are in Canada and how long has it been since they went there....it is like they are going out of their way to destroy Elma and not have any chance for them. Fred Brownfield did so much for this area and racing, for the fans, the drivers with the NST and it just saddens me that all his work is falling apart. If I had money, I would buy it myself just to keep it alive. All I know, I would soon start planning my yearly vacation plans that would center around the Big E weekend and now I don't have that option anymore. This is very saddening. I love my sprints, the Outlaws shows were what I looked forward to all year, but now that is over. I still could go to Skagit, but it wouldn't be as good.

Brent

 



dnsprint2000
December 03, 2006 at 11:39:26 AM
Joined: 11/12/2006
Posts: 23
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: bja5150 on December 03 2006 at 02:15:45 AM

I moved up here some years back saw some races at Portland Speedway...that closed....found a few new tracks up North.....Elma and Yakima. Saw the Outlaws race Yakima once and have been going to Elma every year since I have lived here. In just a few years I have seen that place become a first rate track......the town, the vibe on the Big E weekend I haven't seen in a long time. The racing has always been awesome. I have also been to Skagit a few times. So now with the current state in our sprint car world, Elma has been erased from the Outlaws tour and even Cottage Grove, which has been hailed as one of the most beautiful tracks to go to by some is now on the outside looking in too. The whole NST/WOO thing really hurt a lot of fans and now with the direction the WOO is going these two Northwest tracks face a hard future. They will have good races and I will be there for those too, but I know the big money is in the Big shows...that is common sense. How will these tracks survive in their current states without all that revenue. I know there was a rivalry between Skagit and Elma, but in my opinion the better track, the better races were at Elma. This track was on its way to becoming on of the nations best and now with the powers that be....serious issues lay ahead for their survival. I just can't lose Elma and I don't want that for Cottage Grove either, which I stilll need to go to. By the way. I swear with the weekend races scheduled the weekend before Skagit are in Canada and how long has it been since they went there....it is like they are going out of their way to destroy Elma and not have any chance for them. Fred Brownfield did so much for this area and racing, for the fans, the drivers with the NST and it just saddens me that all his work is falling apart. If I had money, I would buy it myself just to keep it alive. All I know, I would soon start planning my yearly vacation plans that would center around the Big E weekend and now I don't have that option anymore. This is very saddening. I love my sprints, the Outlaws shows were what I looked forward to all year, but now that is over. I still could go to Skagit, but it wouldn't be as good.

Brent

 



Come on Brent - we all loved Freddy - but come on. This is just role reversal. Skagit was on the outside looking in a few years ago with no Outlaw show. So, why doesn't Elma come up with their own signature 'big name' race (think Dirt Cup or 360 Nationals). Granted, they will have the Wilskeys there as part of speedweek, but they need to develop their own big name race. It wasn't in the cards this year to get the Outlaws, given the uncertainty of the NST, but maybe in the future????....... David

the instigator
December 03, 2006 at 07:08:15 PM
Joined: 05/22/2006
Posts: 39
Reply

What's really sad is Skagit is a pit, and a lousy place for spectators to watch a race.

The owner needs to quit pocketing the profits and invest in some restroom and food upgrades. We don't need monuments at the front gate.

Then turn his attention to understanding how to prepare a racing surface so people can see the races. The few times I've been there recently it's like I'm at a day race in Oklahoma. You can't see from one end to the other half the time. Half the fans wear goggles and mask to survive.

I'm with you on Elma being premier and I won't be donating my money to Skagit. I'll go drive 3 hours to watch the stock cars at Lebanon first.

 



mtroy
December 03, 2006 at 07:55:33 PM
Joined: 12/17/2005
Posts: 29
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: dnsprint2000 on December 03 2006 at 11:39:26 AM
Come on Brent - we all loved Freddy - but come on. This is just role reversal. Skagit was on the outside looking in a few years ago with no Outlaw show. So, why doesn't Elma come up with their own signature 'big name' race (think Dirt Cup or 360 Nationals). Granted, they will have the Wilskeys there as part of speedweek, but they need to develop their own big name race. It wasn't in the cards this year to get the Outlaws, given the uncertainty of the NST, but maybe in the future????....... David


Elma has become a first class facility in the 9 years since Brownfield promotions took over management of the facility.

They also have been working on their "signature" events. The Shipwreck Beads Northwest Modified Nationals is going into it's eigth year and is one of, if not the largest paying modified races West of the Mississippi at $10,000 to win and a total purse of nearly $40,000.

The Evergreen State Sprint Challenge is also a Grays Harbor Raceway event which has always been associated with the NST Speedweek, but it is a GHR event not a NSCS event. It may still be associated with the NSCS in 2007, but it will always be an event started by, and run by GHR.

The Cut Rate Auto Parts Hobby Stock Challenge is another event started to try to diversify the evnts at the racetrack. It is in it's infancy, and may soon become a bigger event than it is right now.

We have always relied on big events to help pay the bills, as does EVERY racetrack in the country, but as stated, we may need to find creative ways to bring in the revenue, as the Big "E" weekend just may not happen in 2006.



bja5150
December 04, 2006 at 06:59:01 PM
Joined: 04/01/2005
Posts: 40
Reply

You know dnsprint2000 I will give you that a little on Skagit being on the outs for a while and honestly I am not going to ramble on about why that happened because I don't know why they were put out. I went to Skagit many years ago when I was a kid and recently. This year I hit the Big E weekend as always and turned North for the celebrity sprint with Tony Stewart and Kahne just because it was such a rare opportunity kind of race. I thought I would always have Cottage Grove to go to so I put it off till next year. When I first went to Skagit, it was Wolfgang in the 20 neck and neck with Shuman in the 75 so needless to say it has been some time from my first memories there to the Kasey Kahne charity race. I walked in and to be honest things haven't changed much. The track was still dirty from the WOO race, the restroom conditions were bad, the food lines were horrible and the parking was something else. As a kid it was all about my heroes racing on the dirt….my parents took care of the rest. As an adult and parent, Skagit is not a family friendly track. My wife, who I got into racing said she never wanted to go back. Concessions are really needed for some. Nice bathrooms and food are basics. A 2 and a half year old potty training waiting in super long lines for nasty restrooms or hungry and can't eat because the track ran out of stuff or the lines took forever is just wrong. They ran out of everything. With an event like that, there should have been some plans in place and they could have really made an impression, but instead they frustrated and turned off a lot of people including me. Elma was always rolling out the welcome mat and that is what I am saying. Why take a first rate race series to a less than first rate track. If some don't like that oh well it is the truth. Like mtoy mentioned, Elma has it share of great races. This past Evergreen challenge race could have been any NST or WOO show. It was cool have Kasey race it, but the racing was fast and furious and that was a 360 race at that. The Big E weekend was just that BIG…stands full, parades, parties you name it. It was for me the best racing I would see all year and now that is gone. That is why I am so upset. I don't want to see Skagit gone or any sprint track….I want them to all endure and succeed. See you at the weekend shows at Elma….I WILL be there.

 



slider
December 04, 2006 at 08:25:56 PM
Joined: 12/20/2004
Posts: 15
Reply

Instigator.Your opnion about Skagit is just that, your opnion. Elma is a great track but it took Fred quite a few years to make it better. He also had county backing money if I am not mistaken. If you pick your race track by how clean the shitter's are, man you have bigger problems than can be fixed. Picking the fly shit out of the pepper must be your priority in life. I like seeing races at both tracks and could care less about the food or stuff I cannot control. Your right about the dust but both tracks have it. Its all about going fast. Get another beer and bitch about the prices while you drink it.



mesprint69
December 04, 2006 at 09:58:32 PM
Joined: 02/19/2005
Posts: 67
Reply

I attend races at both tracks . Instigator really has some good points on Skagit though, first off the DUST at Skagit is all I saw the last couple of trips there, you couldn`t see any races, and I was wearing goggles! And that parking situation is a lawsuit waiting to happen! You can`t get out if there is an emergency! Ridiculous! Bathrooms and food are not that big of a deal to me usually, but having NO FOOD available is just stupid!!! I will still go to both but in my opinion, GHR is a much nicer facility to spend a weekend! I`m really disappointed to hear mtroy state that "BIG E" may not happen in 2007, As for Mod Natonals and Hobby Stock Challenge, that maybe good for the locals but GHR has gained it`s rep for SPRINTS! I don`t travel 2 hrs. for Mods or Hobby Stocks, sorry!



the instigator
December 05, 2006 at 01:02:31 AM
Joined: 05/22/2006
Posts: 39
Reply

Slider

I'm not worried about me.. Skagit promotes itself as a family place to go. It's doing nothing to grow the sport. mesprint69 said it well.

As far as the fly shit let's really get it going. I believe Skagit has mixed chemicals in the dirt to hold the moisture because he can't figure out the basics to track prep.. Let's take some samples of the crap being ingested by fans and send it off for testing.

Dirt track racing has dirt, no argument, but that place is desert storm. If it is good racing you can't see it happening. I've stood on the straight away and could not see turn 1. I've travelled all over the US to races for 20 years and NEVER seen a track that bad.

 

 



dnsprint2000
December 05, 2006 at 02:27:57 AM
Joined: 11/12/2006
Posts: 23
Reply
This message was edited on December 05, 2006 at 02:28:29 AM by dnsprint2000
Mr. Troy - I appreciate that Elma has the Mods and the Hobby Stocks (kudos to you), but it is sprints for me. I know you had the Big E weekend, but no other signature sprint event. That is what I was alluding too. By no means a dig on the track as I respect what Fred was doing. Hopefully y'all can get the WoO in future years. I wish you luck in your future years...... As for Skagit - Been going there since the early 70's. I will always go to Skagit. It is home to me. I have always seen dust there - even when Fred had her. As for a family place - I applaud Steve each and every time me and my now 5-1/2 year old daughter go there. He gives me an evening of pure enjoyment that I get to share with my daughter each and every time. She has never had to wait for a bathroom or food (even at Dirt Cup). Ya just gotta know when to go.... the only line I wait in is at Brady's Espresso by the tower, but it usually isn't too bad. "The few times I've been there recently it's like I'm at a day race in Oklahoma. You can't see from one end to the other half the time. Half the fans wear goggles and mask to survive." That hasn't been my experience. Sure, sometimes it is dusty (ummmmmm, it is a dirt track), but I have been there plenty more times when I drove away without having any dust at all on my truck. You all can bad mouth Skagit all you want or Steve - but I support what has been done and what they are doing there as long as he provides me more memories for me and my daughter. As of now, the WoO show last year will live in infamy with me, the fun we had watching the races, then afterward meeting all the drivers and getting autographs for her. This time in her life is about setting up the next generation. She cannot wait to get into a 1/4 midget in the next few years. What are you doing to perpetuate the love of sprint car racing in the PNW? David ps - did y'all bitch like this when Fred or Burrow or anyone else had Skagit with the same problems? I never have.

MSPN
December 05, 2006 at 11:41:58 AM
Joined: 11/23/2004
Posts: 3943
Reply

bja, I also went to Yakima once and it was a non-stop fairly boring race with Steve lapping far into the top ten over the 40 laps.

On my two visits to Skagit I saw some very good racing. Kasey Kahne went out last and 2nd last and was quick time both nights with over 50 cars in the field, impressive track prep in my opinion. The crowds were great and the only line-up that was bad was the Expresso place. The fans were rabid the time I was there with the Outlaws and while the track was rough it wasn't dusty.

I wonder if there's more to the NST-W of O's thing for these opinionss and anti Skagit sentiment? I commend the Outlaws for their venture up to Edmonton, opening up new horizons is always a good thing for a business. It is one heck of a road trip though, yikes! Take It Easy.....



the instigator
December 05, 2006 at 06:51:28 PM
Joined: 05/22/2006
Posts: 39
Reply

I'm betting Edmonton will not happen....................Say what what you want..yes Skagit has always been dusty...but never like the last couple of years.



H2H
MyWebsite
December 05, 2006 at 07:37:54 PM
Joined: 05/03/2005
Posts: 903
Reply

the instigator

How many times have you been there in the last few years ?


Brian 

"TURN AROUND; MATE !"







mtroy
December 05, 2006 at 08:50:18 PM
Joined: 12/17/2005
Posts: 29
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: dnsprint2000 on December 05 2006 at 02:27:57 AM
Mr. Troy - I appreciate that Elma has the Mods and the Hobby Stocks (kudos to you), but it is sprints for me. I know you had the Big E weekend, but no other signature sprint event. That is what I was alluding too. By no means a dig on the track as I respect what Fred was doing. Hopefully y'all can get the WoO in future years. I wish you luck in your future years...... As for Skagit - Been going there since the early 70's. I will always go to Skagit. It is home to me. I have always seen dust there - even when Fred had her. As for a family place - I applaud Steve each and every time me and my now 5-1/2 year old daughter go there. He gives me an evening of pure enjoyment that I get to share with my daughter each and every time. She has never had to wait for a bathroom or food (even at Dirt Cup). Ya just gotta know when to go.... the only line I wait in is at Brady's Espresso by the tower, but it usually isn't too bad. "The few times I've been there recently it's like I'm at a day race in Oklahoma. You can't see from one end to the other half the time. Half the fans wear goggles and mask to survive." That hasn't been my experience. Sure, sometimes it is dusty (ummmmmm, it is a dirt track), but I have been there plenty more times when I drove away without having any dust at all on my truck. You all can bad mouth Skagit all you want or Steve - but I support what has been done and what they are doing there as long as he provides me more memories for me and my daughter. As of now, the WoO show last year will live in infamy with me, the fun we had watching the races, then afterward meeting all the drivers and getting autographs for her. This time in her life is about setting up the next generation. She cannot wait to get into a 1/4 midget in the next few years. What are you doing to perpetuate the love of sprint car racing in the PNW? David ps - did y'all bitch like this when Fred or Burrow or anyone else had Skagit with the same problems? I never have.


I was responding to the fact that Elma does not have "signature" races. Those are all GHR signature races.

As far as sprint races the Evergreen State Sprint Challenge, which always has been and always will be a GHR event, does include sprints. That is why we call it a SPRINT challenge.

When Fred and Brownfield Promotions took over GHR there were only about six to eight "regular" sprint cars. To my recollection there was Stormy Glick, Mike Zvono (RIP), Glen Borden, Jr., Rob Johnson, Trev Wilson, Jay Cole and Don Warren (sometimes). Over the years the sprint class was built up to include the regulars that you see there now. It hosted a Bomber class and super stocks. These were the classes that were run each and every week and we cannot forget them when we do our schedules each and every year.

Skagit has been a sprint car track for many years, and I was there for both years that Brownfield Promotions was in control. Their "signature" events do not include the WoO. They have always been the Dirt Cup and the 360 show. The WoO can not be considered a signature show as they have only been there four times since 1994. I have not been there for a race since championship night of 1995. So I can not, and will not comment on the track or facility conditions. My last visit to Skagit Speedway is when, ironically I might add, we used Steve Beitler's and Fred's trailers to move out all of the items that were the property of Brownfield Promotions.



mesprint69
December 05, 2006 at 09:01:25 PM
Joined: 02/19/2005
Posts: 67
Reply

I don`t want it to sound like I`m ripping Skagit, cause that`s just not the case. I`ve seen some great racing there when I make the 4 hour drive! I was pretty upset that I couldn`t get out till 1:45 am. on Friday Dirt Cup. I heard the terrible news about Fred about midnight, and just wanted to go back to my motel, but I couldn`t get out for another hour and a half because of the silly parking situation. I was also there for the Beef and Brew 360 nationals. Both events were great racing, but I was really surprised at how dusty it was. Now I`ve been to races all around the country as well, and I have to say it was extreme. I talked with some regular fans and they said that it has been bad for the past two seasons! I just think it sucks that there may be some great racing on turns one and two that I can`t see !!!



nobby
December 05, 2006 at 10:13:55 PM
Joined: 12/08/2004
Posts: 75
Reply

I commend the Outlaws for their venture up to Edmonton, opening up new horizons is always a good thing for a business

Nelligan's just saying that 'cause he's Canuck. That said, I don't for one instant think the WoO put it on the schedule without a fairly concrete commitment, and it won't be the first time they've logged an insane amount of miles (kilometres) to go to some backwater, Canuck or not.

 

As far as Skagit V Elma, they both have their strong points and weak points, but for this NW fan no WoO at Elma means I'm down to probably 2 trips there (one NST and maybe a weekly Focus midget show, which the track up 'til now has supported and grown from 3 cars to about 12, but that's a different thread and maybe board).

 

Skagit has Sprint Cars and Avalon, Elma has Street Stocks and Oaksridge.

 

It is what it is.



dnsprint2000
December 06, 2006 at 01:22:23 AM
Joined: 11/12/2006
Posts: 23
Reply
This message was edited on December 06, 2006 at 01:22:50 AM by dnsprint2000
Hi Mike, I think we are trying to say the same thing from different angles...... :) I wish you luck and good fortune this coming race season!!!! As for the rest of ya - just be damned glad that we have/had people with the vision, enthusiasm and wherewithall (sp?) to build premier sprint car tracks up here in our little corner of the lower 48. If you think Skagit is too dusty, well - sorry - go to Elma. Otherwise, support these tracks as often as you can and stop bitch'n about them. I thank Fred and Steve everytime I pull into the parking lot for a great evening that is to be had. Without them, I'd be reduced to going to Monroe ;) David

OKCFan12
MyWebsite
December 06, 2006 at 04:19:43 AM
Joined: 04/18/2005
Posts: 4764
Reply

instigator:

boy you hit the nail on the head. Not a worse idea in the world than a day race in Oklahoma! I might as well go get one of my old asbestos abatement suits along with respirator for a day race here in the Sooner state. Miserable sums it up.


How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

OKCFan12
MyWebsite
December 06, 2006 at 04:24:34 AM
Joined: 04/18/2005
Posts: 4764
Reply

In response to what was said regarding Skagit's promoter.......

It's a shame thata promoter of a track with that good of racing and revenue won't furnish good restrooms, etc. Although sometimes we don't get the full story. I do believe that this year will really make or break the near and long-term future for our sport. With the very nice and big TV contracts that have been signed on the same channel that wil now be affiliated with NASCAR hopefully corporate sponsorship will join our sport. I think it will help local promoters especially with the prospect that in the next few years your track could be on nationwide television. That gives you a few more bargaining chips when you go to bargain with potential local sponsorship. This might just be wishful thinking....but for good promoters (which there are few) it could really help.


How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

OKCFan12
MyWebsite
December 06, 2006 at 04:31:13 AM
Joined: 04/18/2005
Posts: 4764
Reply

BTW it is mind-boggling how a track in the Rain Capitol of America (Washington) could be dusty. Track crew must be negligent at best. As much as we bitch about Lanny Edwards here at Oklahoma City I will say that we could be in the middle of no rain for 3 months and still he can put together a heavy track. When it comes to treatment the guy stinks but geez, when it comes to track prep there aren't many better.


How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Grove
MyWebsite
December 06, 2006 at 10:01:56 AM
Joined: 01/28/2005
Posts: 332
Reply

When Fred had Skagit, he tried putting "blue clay" on the track. No dust but God

awful rough and they took it out.

We haven't missed a Dirt Cup in 20 years.

It's call the Dirt Cup, not the Clay Cup, hence the dust. When you get rid of the dust, the track just isn't as racie.

 

 



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