Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

Did I hear correctly last nite? Is the state of Oklahoma going to give the Oklahoma State Fair 20 Million.

That's my Opinion and I'm stick'en to it.

Yep, improve the arena, add more horse stables and construction on that new entrance to "State Fair Park." Interestingly, where will that "grand" entrance into the park be at?

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

o boy. I sure as hell hope not. That State Fair is about as hopeless a cause as the Crimson Creek Golf Course here in El Reno. They talked about all this stuff that golf course would bring in, but all that has happened is 3 and a half million dollars of tax payers money to keep it from goin under.

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

Is that the one over by that beautiful lake? LOL

Flash
New website!!!!!!!!!

www.flashracecarbodies.com

  I know you guys don't want to hear this and it makes me cringe to think about it too but those stables and barns bring in appoximately 200 million dollars anually to the local economy.   I know, I know.  I wish somehow we could get some of that action at the speedway.   The only way to do it though, in my opionion, is to bring some big sponsors for some big national touring series shows about once or more a month.  Big sponsors and big name drivers bring big crowds and more money with it. 

Just my thoughts on the subject.      Some of you might not know but some of those horse shows bring people from all over the world. I know of at least one of those shows that is a world championship.     Does this bring anybody's couriosity and imagination alive for what can be done with one of the nicest racing facilities in the country? 

Skeesiks, every interesting you mention that about the track. Nonwingbill and I have mentioned on many occassions just what could be done "special event" wise there at SFS. Like it or not, Timms and Greg Moore touched on it for just one year ('05) with the running of the Xtreme Super Nationals for modifieds. They do have a following and with time, I see where it could have grown bigtime. Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace just competed last night (Tuesday night) with the USMTS up north and to sold out crowd. Whether we like it or not, the name NASCAR sells and bring in different people. They may not be our kind of race fan BUT they will be there to support the show.

The WoO seem to be more popular now then they were ten years ago when we use to be treated to the best sprint car drivers money could provide. When Shane and MARCAR promoted the deal all those years, the crowds were great. You now through in the series' late model division and you would have a whole different crowd.

But the main thing lacking (well kinda) is all of this is the track. You would have to fix up that legendary half mile for specials since the local racers don't care for it. This is the day and age for USAC so why not tie that in with the running of the Larry Hill USAC Silver Crown Nationals, in memory of the former USAC Silver Crown car owner and, who I feel as a fan, is the best promoter this track ever had. I would bet if you would ask Kenny Schrader (good friend of Larry Hills) if he could help bring in some NASCAR guys for a meet and greet with the fans, he would be more than willing.

The USAC sprints bring in another type of following with the so-called "future Cup" drivers and for Tony Stewart and others, I feel, would also bring in the crowds.

Yes, I feel all the above would bring in the out-of-state race fan and all scenerios have proven that. But it won't be a success unless it is on the half-mile. The facility is there, the fan base both in and out of state is there but it would take a commitment for more than just one or two years for it to grow beyound belief.

All is just my opinion.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

Wow!! Skeesiks and Dave have hit the nail on the head.

SFS, despite its age, is still a quality dirt track facility. There are plenty of spots for RVs, the stands are still good, the concessions are okay (could be better but still passable), the pit area and access to the track are great. The biggest drawback is the actual track. The old half-mile would be necessary for a Silver Crown race. USAC sprints would be okay on the little track as would the midgets. But a big ol' half-mile is the way to go for a big time event.

Having attended the Copper on Dirt at Manzanita this year, pulling off three classes at one big event would be awesome. The stands at Manzy were packed more than I've seen them in six or eight years. I don't think you even need the NASCAR names, just promote the heck out of the show.

NonWing that is the problem right now is promoting at the track. When the non-wing guys came though a couple of years ago the stands were full. Where are they this year? The closest they get to Okc this year is Creek. Although the show was decent when the late models were in okc the stands were full. Although that could have been b/c of the fireworks too. The night before they had somewhere near 50 cars at Devils Bowl and that was becasue a local company put more money inot the purse.

I am not saying that Lanny is doing this on purpose or he doesnt care but if you have someone there that cared to bring in the races it could be done without a problem. I do remember when Greg did the mod special I sent him an email after the the first years program and told him what I would like to see the next year as far as a fans stand point. He sent me an email back and told me he appricatied the suggestion and would look into it. To me that told me he actually cared about the event and was not just into it for the money. We all know that if you break even on these events you are doing very good.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

Deep pockets, a major sponsor and/or the ability to promote a show without having to pay rent money to the fairgrounds is essential for a major show in OKC. In '86, when we brought the CRA sprints through, the crowd wasn't huge and our gate was horrible. I, along with several other employees, actually pitched in a little cash to complete the purse. Breaking even on a big-time show at the fairgrounds is next to impossible. The only entity that could make money promoting a big show in OKC is the fairboard itself and that sure ain't gonna happen.

I don't think Lanny gives a rats ass. 1 or 2 WoO races at OKC would do what you all have described.....but Lanny won;t do it. He will continue to run weekly shows and his buddies ascs shows until he stops making money doing so. When he stops making money..........see yaaaaa.

Everyone (myself included) thought that Lanny saved racing at OKC.......I'm startin to think a lil differently. Gotta have a big race with some big names........ascs is better racing in my opinion but they don;t do for the local economy what WoO does or some nascar guys runnin stock cars.........

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

I think I remember Lanny saying that the promotor fee was getting to large for the WoO to bring here and not having enough people though the gate to offset it.

During the Prelude race did anyone notice the number of people that were in the stands and it was not just a late model show either. Okc did have some Nascar drivers show up once and race pro stocks in a exhibition but I forgot what the stands looked like b/c was in the pits. Last year I went to Whicita for the non wing race and I know there were at least two Okc residents there in the stands (me included) but the stands were full and it was some good racing,

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

OK, so let's go see if we can take over the fairboard. What's involved in getting there? Anyone know? It would be a great help to be able to promote such racing with the sponsor help from the fairboard. Right? Maybe wrong but I'm just asking.

It rained the regular events out that night.  But the nascar boys got to run about ten laps or so if I remember correctly.    They were Sterling Marlin,Kenny Wallace, Michael Waltrip, and Ken Schrader.

The nascar guys have been here more than once. The year I remember Todd Bodine, Hunt Stricklin were a few of the drivers.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen