Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

Judging by the concensus, sic, of the great minds on this board, Ventura is all done. However the palms still wave over the surfers, pretty girls still are on the bike path, the popcorn is still delicious, Jack Parker and those rowdy Rodarte boys still lean on each other and midgets snarl. Wally and the seniors put on a good show. What's not to like? And on the way a cheeseburger in paradise at Danny's Deli on Telegraph Road.

You have to have three things to make a great and successful

racetrack. Those being the spectators, promoter, and race car

teams. They all have to work together to continue the success

of any track.

The spectators views have changed due to some reasons as the

stands a few years back were packed. The change could be based

on ticket pricing, type of classes racing that night, start time, finish

time, or some other reason. Either way you need them. Normally

when a race team goes to a track they count for a lot of spectators being

relatives, friends, or they follow the driver. The balance is based on

the marketing skills of the track. When the car count falls off the

spectator count will also fall off. To increase the spectator count

some marketing will have to occur as the car count increases, Such

as "family appreciation Night". You give five tickets for the price of

three. Remember that a spectator normally will spend a average of

$ 7.00 a night on food which a large percentage of that should be profit.

Have a "Meet and Greet the Drivers Night" All of the drivers in the sprint

Car classes park on the track and let people come down and meet them

And take pictures. Drivers and teams can give away their Frisbees,

Hero cards, and business cards which might get them a sponsor. This

Would a 20 minute maximum and CLEAR OUT the spectators for

the race to begin. You could do this 2 or 3 times a year and announce in

advance of the that race nite. Another Marketing thought being the "lucky Dog'"

night. A spectator grabs a number from one to 20 (twenty cars starting

that main) and that car wins then spectators get three hot dogs for

the price of one the next race. If that car gets in the top 3 then a two for one

night might be good. REMEMBER when the spectators show up the next week

they still paid for one dog and will possibly buy cokes and other stuff. Tracks

have to understand they are not in a racing business but they are in the ENTERTAINMENT business. The race cars are the act they booked that

night. These thoughts took about 3-4 minutes so you could imagine if you

had a full staff putting their heads together and taking suggestions from

spectators and drivers to at least think about. You also need

To get the spectators email address to send out race updates in a

Email blast. You can do 50/50 drawings with a non profit organization

selling the tickets, collecting the money, and splitting funds with the winner.

Next, you have the drivers and the promoters. This situation reminds

of the married couple when they first got married she was all cuddly

and sat next to him with her head on her shoulder. About 20 years

later she was sitting in the passenger seat and looked over at him

and asked the following: Honey, what happened we used to be so

lovey dovey in the car. His answer was very simple:

I am still in the drivers seat , so you tell me !!

I think that is how the drivers and Ventura Raceway at this time.

Both feel they have not moved and are correct in their position.

Both need to have a 4 party committee represent their thoughts

who are reasonable and logical. The meeting cannot be a meeting

of demands BUT a meeting of minds to find solutions to correct

The situation before it takes care of itself.

Drama , Controversy , Rivalry 

This situation reminds

of the married couple when they first got married she was all cuddly

and sat next to him with her head on her shoulder. About 20 years

later she was sitting in the passenger seat and looked over at him

and asked the following: Honey, what happened we used to be so

lovey dovey in the car. His answer was very simple:

I am still in the drivers seat , so you tell me !!

Actually the old car had a bench seat. Some friends of mine were calling bucket seats "birth control".

I give. You are right. BUT......you get the drift . LOL

Right now they do have birth control at Ventura as no NEW teams are coming

forward to replace the exploding losses.

I agree with all your ideas, and actually presented them to the track management back at the awards/rules meeting ! I also have made myself and our car available for any promotions. And we are still available to support Ventura, or any other local race track! If we can't keep our local tracks going, our race cars become yard art, and our sport disappears !

jim made an anouncement saturday that they would be bringing in clay in two weeks...

Now we just need to get them to change the tire rule back to what everyone else in the state runs as it is costly to have two different types/compounds of tires mounted. Then they need to get their officials to be more respectful to the racers who are their supporting their show and I believe some of the cars may come back. Ventura has a nice facility.

Some of the reasons I can relate to and have been told by other drivers.

Personally, We towed approximately 6 hours round trip when we ranVentura. You know you love the track and promotor when you tow that distance or from Victorville or Riverside area.

We presently run the West Coast 360 Series. We also have 7 to 9 cars from Ventura running the series with us. Regardless of your thoughts on those teams or drivers that is a large loss for Ventura. One driver complains I understand sour grapes normally, but when 12-15 cars you have a problem you need to address, create a open dialogue with owners and drivers both upper tier 1 and second tier 2 which makes a full field. The rules have to consistent, fair and enforced, and All teams have to feel that they can win on any given night. Years ago I was a race track (Not Ventura) and the guy was running 5th as we were watching the Main Event. He said the top 4 cars are illegal. I said how do you know ? He statement was simple: My set up and motor is illegal and I havea really good shoe so that should tell you. I had to believe the statement as he has won tons of Main Events and Championships. Point well taken that rules have to be enforced or no rules should be written.

We do not run Ventura any longer for several reasons:

1. You receive $ 200 to start the A Main in West Coast Series, But it is not the main reason.

2. You have to run the VRA right rear tire. Additional cost on your budget. The track does not have enough clay and is not fun to run on.

3. They normally start 20 cars in the Sprint Main Event. One night a particular car did not make the Main Event Naylor made the decision to run a 22 car field because of the money from that particular sponsor which allowed that car to make the Main Event. The car was 9th in the "B" Main and they were transferring 8.Naylor did a Promotor provisional option and allowed 22. I had never saw it prior to that or after that. Rules and promotors have to be consistent otherwise the Main Event is a buy in program. That decision was definitely wrong and that is the politics that creates the loss of cars. "RACERS AND TEAMS DON'T CARE HOW YOU SCREW THEM AS LONG AS YOU SCREW THEM EQUALLY"

4. Ventura is a great little track but if you have a flat you are going to hard pressed to get back out to continue the Main Event with some exceptions which I won't go into. From time the line up is correct you have 2 laps and it is a go. Sometimes as you are being towed away the cars are starting to line up so when you are off you may 1 lap and then they may or may not let you go back out at the track entrance. The difference is at all other tracks they are longer so the 2 laps take longer and race crews can change a tire, shock, or some other some item in that time. When you tow 340 miles round trip and you work to make the Main Event you would like to race. More than once the cars could not get lined up for some unknown reason and some team got their car back in the show. Again, I state "RACERS AND TEAMS DON'T CARE HOW YOU SCREW THEM AS LONG AS YOU SCREW THEM EQUALLY"

5. I saw one problem in the pits where one driver beat on the hood of another team. Police was finally called due to the damage. Nothing was brought up in the next pit meeting about that type of behavior will NOT be tolerated. There is more to the story which involves management but you get the drift.

You asked for reasons but most drivers and teams do not want to air dirty laundry about any track as we need ALL tracks. Jim Naylor has proven to work hard as a promotor and up until the last 2 years I would have to give him very high marks as a person and as a promotor. I do not think in the prior years the Jim Naylor I know would been involved or allowed what occurred in item 3 Sometimes tight budgets coupled with low car and spectator counts create cloudy thinking.

I definitely would like to see Jim Naylor and the drivers and owners work together to create the best environment for all parties and give the spectators the best entertainment for their money.

The nice part about being in America is each is allowed their opinion whether you agree with it or not . Working with all parties and their opinions will either bring the Race track back or be the demise of the famed raceway.

Wow just in time for the fair rodeo and concerts!