Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

I want some of you to call me tonight and tell me how kick ass the racing is in NOR CAL. I personally know how good it is, but I want one of you to step and tell my worldwide audience who are some of the "gassers" are and who needs some love in our sport. There are a lot of sprint and midget fans in this world that has no clue about racing in NORCAL. This is your chance to be heard!

The Jackslash LIVE Show with Sean Buckley airs tonight at 9pm eastern on www.racefanradio.com

(866) 376 - 4720 is the studio number.

Let's hear you NORCAL!

If I had seen this earlier I would have called in! NorCal racing is the best, I come from Washington and the races in Oregon, Canada and there do not hold a candle to the racing here in NorCal. The drivers here are not doing it for a "hobby" on the weekends, they are doing it as a chosen career in racing and anyone of them would pick up in an instant and go out on the road and make it their career to drive for a living.The intensity level here is far more above what I have seen. That is the difference between NorCal drivers and the rest.

you want intensity? check out the wingless warriors of USAC/CRA @ the PAS.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

I try to give Northern California racing the same level of coverage in Sprintcar Daily as we do with World of Outlaws, All Stars and Central PA.

Weekly racing at Chico, along with Knoxville and Williams Grove/Lincoln/Port Royal and Attica/Fremont are front page stories in SCD by default. But not if I get the report three days later!

We have readers across America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and then some more in unlikely places like the Philipines!

Unfortunately the promtness of the feed of news, results and reports is pretty poor in this day and age. People don't want to wait two or three days for results and news, and that is unfortunately the case with Nor Cal. Take today for example. No news on Chico, Friday night and it is already Saturday morning EST. Our promise to our readers is that when you wake up, the news from across the globe is delivered to your desktop. Nor Cal? More like two to three days. And if it were not for Gary Thomas' releases for his clients it would often take longer. Another notable exceptionis Paul Trevino.

And when the GSCS travels to non-JPM venues, well you are lucky if a report is issued at all.

We appreciate help from all quarters to get topline results and a couple of paragraphs (and perhaps a photo) asap after a meeting. You dont need to be a professional journalist.

We are willing to showcase Nor Cal at the highest level, but we cant do it without help from locals...

www.sprintcardaily.com

Dear Andre,

I just want to let you know that the race reports and press releases for Placerville Speedway, the Civil War Series and Silver Dollar Speedway are sent out promptly following each event. Usually the same night and if not in the early hours of the following morning.

I have personally checked my own records and all of our releases for this season WERE sent to you on a bulk emailing.  In the future, perhaps you could let us know directly if for some reason you are not receiving such documents, rather than portray people like myself, Troy Hennig and others that are employed in this business appear as if we are not doing our jobs when in fact we often spend extra time doing so.

Please check your spam filter, etc. and see that everything is ok on your in end. From this point on we will send all of our documents with a read recpt. to insure they are getting to you. I for one work extremely hard to get results and releases out and I personally do not appreciate being included in the above comments which really are quite un professional as well.

Sincerely,

Bill Sullivan

Director of Communications

John Padjen Motorsports

Andre,

It's been a while since I have felt the rage and sadness in reading something like this on the Internet...I put over 100 percent into this racing thing. For the most part I'd say 80 - 90 percent of this year I have posted and written about Chico after the races. Not that I need to explain myself in an open forum but here is my excuse, for at least last night.. Last night I came home to a wife with the flu and an upset baby at midnight. My wife was suppose to work on Saturday morning and she leaves at 6 am, but did not happen because of the flu, and I needed to get back up with our daughter when she woke up about, usually about 6 - 6 30am. So for one of the few times in my nine years of working for John and Robbie Padjen I decided the story could wait until the next morning, I needed to get about five hours of sleep, Northern California time. I proceeded to get up at 6 15am, Fix my daughter some food and myself a little breakfast before turning on my computer at 7:45 am, Northern California time to write a story. In between interuptions of watching an 18 month old and tending to a sick wife I finished the story at roughly 9:15 to 9:30 am Northern California time. If that is not good enough for you, the racing community or anyone else, feel free to write me a personal e-mail and express what I need to do to get it done in a more timely fashion.

To challenge myself or my race track is way out of line. Things happen in life and at times I can't make yourself, someone in the Philipines or Australia happy every day of my life. Can you please apologize to your vast numerous readers of your amazing website that I, Troy Hennig, let them down. I also apologize on the message board to the Padjen's for making their track look bad from a PR standpoint.

Bill Sullivan kicks butt in Placerville, puts out the most releases of any other PR person in the country that I know of....Gary Thomas does a bang up job on getting as much info out there are possible.

I rarely read message boards any more, unfortunately I don't have a lot of free time running a family, business and trying my best to handle the race track duties. I received two phone from friends who read this comment from Andre, and know me personally, and know what I do for the sport. I feel like it's high school again, having to come onto a board and defend my self.

By the way, Thanks Bill for the nice comments.

Troy Hennig

John Padjen Motorsports

Announcer/Public Relations for the Speedway

Andre,

Just to defend my two guys, I must say this is wayyyyyyyyyy out of line. I see the releases each day that is sent out by these to guys and believe me other tracks should have such luck as we have. Our results are posted after each event on our website under each track (Results) click on for that specific night and voila there are the results as our scorers are always our web managers and everything is electronic and the results are posted as the races are completed. I really feel an apology is due to Troy and Bill.

Have a great weekend and hope you get your info sooner from other tracks.

Regards,

Robbie Padjen

I have to say regarding GSC, he (Sprint Car Daily) is dead on.

Regarding JPM, Troy and Bill are top notch. Aaron could get a little more jiggy with the web site updates points and results wise, but he's limited by tracks faxing in the official results in a timely manner as is specified on the scoring sheets, so I give a kitchen pass to the webmaster.

Back when I was doing GSC media, I had a 9am Monday morning deadline for pubs and the story was posted Sunday night on the web site and sent out to the pubs shortly afterwards. It's a lot of work to get back from the track, clean the trailer and make dinner, then write, write write, and be a parent and a husband too.

And that was prior to having a wireless connection card that allowed me to be there do that live. The only time I did a live deal was at Hanford with a chat room and it was the shit. A lot of fun but WAY stressfull. Would I do it again? In a heart beat!

The issue really lies in the fact that GSC does media by committee. There is no one single point of contact or reporting. I'm not throwing anyone under the bus, that's just the way the BOD decided to go after 2001. John and Robbies scribes do a fantastic job, Sessa handles Stoga and the rest is a drag line off the back of the boat.

While Im a retired scribe and happy mowing the lawn on Sat instead of a full 40-hour gig supporting the series, GSC needs to regain a level of continuity to its reports and have a dedicated reliable person there every week. Plain and simple.

And with Troy at Chico, Bill at Pvill, they are both out. Sessa don't have time with the state of Ca and PRI taking his time (which while it's a career, its too bad).

The last problem is the expense. To be a scribe, travel all weekend and then write the race report requires more time and effort than GSC is willing to compensate for. It's just not worth spending race team level travel funds for no or little compensation and thanks. Having been there, done that, on my tab and no one else's, I can say that as fact, not fiction.

Being a series media czar requires dedication from the hired pr person as well as the organization. I agree completely with the SCD comments as well as JPM's defense of Bill and Troy. It's a demanding and thankless job.

But, its up to the GSC BOD to resolve their media issues, not the fans or a message board peanut gallery (or a retired scribe with an attitude), lmao.

...

Think Jim Allen or David Vodden... that level of effort and attendance at every race. I see JPM covered VERY WELL, but GSC needs the help.

Troy, ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

It's been 18 months already?

Stu, the text editor for this board automatically double spaces for every carrage return entered.

I like Paul Trevino but did not know he wrote stories.

Top, I wrote it in word as opposed to my press releases , lol that messed up the spacing.

But I still do believe, as in 02 when BG took over, that the GSC BOD needs to step up to the plate media wise and put this series to the forefront and get the recognition it deserves.

Hell if ya wanna take it down to dollars and donuts....

KASEY KAHNE was here!

who remembers that and wrote a story besides me/?

...

Dear All,

I have replied to Bill / Troy / Robbie via e-mail. It was not my intention to personalize this or offend.

Bill assured me that I am included on his media circulation list and that is good enough for me. Fact is looking through my Inbox in alpahbetically sorted mode, the last media release I received from Bill was Feb 28. Fom Troy the last was after season opening Chico Points Race (Apr 1).

I suspect we are going to find the explanation in the e-mail address contained in the media circulation list. Regardless, if I did offend the three gents, I apologize unreservedly.

Sprint car fans typically are not well informed as far as the international sprint car landscape goes. For many their knowledge does not extend beyond their local and perhaps neighboring raceway.

It is our mission to change that. With hundreds of raceways and dozens of sanctions I had to develop a strategic plan that would best do the job of educating people in far flung corners as to what the international landscape looks like. No one can learn everything in one go, so I asked myself, what constitutes the most important sanctions, raceways and special events that a fan needs to be aware of (and follow) to have a good basic grasp of the most important happenings across the globe.

I then assigned a tier status to sanctions in each of the 410 and 360 classes, as well as weekly sprint car venues and special events. The most important ones are Tier One status; Front page status by default.

We have only three 410 tier one sanctions, i.e.World of Outlaws, GSCS and All Stars.

We have five tier one 410 weekly veues, i.e. Chico, Knoxville, Williams Grove, Lincoln, Port Royal and PCR (Australia).

In 360s ASCoT is treated as if a 410 tier one member. Civil War enjoys tier one status in 360s (along with quite a few others)

In terms of Tier One Special Event Status, the Gold Cup ranks alongside Knoxville Nats, National Open (WG) Kings Royal, and ODU.

So, with California playing such an integral part in our strategy, it is merely my frustration at not being able to showcase the California components as I believe is necessary. It is not a slight on individuals or JPM which may in fact be the best run organization outside the... I better not say that, it will just open another can of worms!

PS: John M, I merely mentioned Paul Trevino as someone that goes out of his way to get a photo to me asap after a meeting. As far as yourself (John's Racing Photos) goes, I am on record as saying that I have not seen better sprint car photorgraphy than yours. And you have made your entire stock available to me to use as and when needed. Much appreciated!

www.sprintcardaily.com

Was a Pleasure to Hear Mr Sullivan do what He does so well!This Man Knows His Public Relations Read His Reports and press Releases for a couple years. Had the Oppertunity to hear Him In Person, He really is good on The Mic.

Bruce

We have only three 410 tier one sanctions, i.e.World of Outlaws, GSCS and All Stars.

We have five tier one 410 weekly veues, i.e. Chico, Knoxville, Williams Grove, Lincoln, Port Royal and PCR (Australia).

Traditional Sprint Car racing:

If your publication is interested in California Sprint Car racing why do you ignore USAC/CRA, without question one of the top sanctions in the U.S. Perris may be the top sprint car track in the country. I would put the socal drivers up against anyone. I have visited your website and find it very informative - your just missing out on Southern California sprinters - including Ventura. USAC/CRA is not considered 410 tier one sanction?? Is it a wing thing.?

Robert Davidson

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Thanks for the comments above guys.

As for Andre, I have sent you an email in regards to the email you sent me and the others in regards to this issue and the future of our results and courtesy announcements for your site at our venue.

Both Troy and I appreciate your effort on attempting an apology but at the same time once again you have chosen to portray this as our fault with the sentences that follow. I don't know, maybe you guys apologize differently down there or something but an apology including a "but" is still, well not an apology at all.

Much like Troy mentioned above, we do work hard to get the information quickly. But at the same time, we also have families and lives as well and in addition to this job we have full time jobs along with it and a simple Satuday alone consists of set up for a race, ranging from sound equipment to infield banner, sometimes more and then the task of aquiring driver information, line ups, etc for announcements during the night and of course at 11 p.m. or later it all is broken down once again, its all time consuming. Many people think we turn out the lights, go home and watch Saturday night live. I can honestly speak for everyone involved, that is not the case at all. Everyone works hard here in California at everytrack to get their results out except for a couple of tracks that are not connected to us and they deserve credit for everything they do, regardless if they are a promoter, PR person, flagman or the person who puts the stick in the corndogs every week. Its a team effort and it's all about "working together," something that EVERYONE needs to do to if they wish for our sport to grow, their team to grow and their publication to grow as well.

 In my years of professional experience which includes nearly ten years as a paid full time journalist prior to current position in the racing world. I have NEVER  had the owner or editor of website or a publication insult us like this was. In my opinion, your business thrives on "content" and a little more tact and professionalism from those who benefit from it is just my suggestion.

There is an old saying that goes "You should never bite the hand that feeds you" in this case, yes it goes a both ways a bit as our stories and results do publicize our events. On the same token it is also content for your site and unless I am mistaken you sell advertising, etc. within that "tool."

Just as an example of how many people read board like this, I had nearly a dozen different people come up to me Saturday night prior to our event in disbelief that this subject even came up and the fact that it came up in a public forum was surprising as well. Word does travel fast in this community, unfortunately I find myself trying to reverse negativity more and more these days when the time could be spent promoting the sport harder in California.

As far as I'm concerned this thing is a dead issue to me. I've written Andre a personal note and cleared things up/ Hopefully we won't have to use a public forum in the future.

Thanks for everyone's input. Sprint car racing is a hard life we all choose, whether it's a car owner, driver, fan or some sort of media relations and communications in this sport. I have strongly felt it's better to be constructive in a positive way. I hope if this things teaches us anything it's we all have to work together in helping to push the sport of sprint car racing in a positive light.

Continued success to everyone in this sport...

Top Wing, she actually just turned 19 months today. She is the love of our lives and as I write you this note she is taping me on the leg telling me to get off the computer. She is just like her mother...lol....

Well said Bill.

Andre - I like you from what I know about you but I think you overstepped this one. I did know what you were talking about. Paul is a great guy and helps anyway he can. By saying with the exception of him though you excluded the rest of us. I look at your site regularly and it does has up to date content. Someone has to be sending it. Your site relys on this content, whether it is within hours of the race or 1-2 days of the race. However, that content is free to you. Yes you spend time putting it together but you receive a monetary return through your advertisers. Those sending it to you receive nothing in return other than a pat on the back for a job well done. Bill, Troy and even Gary receive some money for the work they produce but it is not from any of the websites or persons they send the releases to. They are paid to provide it to their respective websites.

Not even 10 years ago we were waiting for results to come in the mailbox on Friday from Racing Wheels and Speed Sport News. Now people are upset if they can not get the full story with photos by the time they wake up in the morning. Not just in sprint car racing but all of it. I have heard grumblings now for awhile about content not coming out fast enough. If you want it faster, sponsor them. I can tell you if someone was writing me a check to have photos from an event posted by morning they would be there. As was said above, don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Sorry if this offends anyone. Just my 2 cents. Off my soapbox now.

We have exchanged e-mails and from my side I would like to lay this to rest.

I genuinely did not direct my comments at any individuals and was really surprised at the responses. So much so that I have re-read my post repeatedly to find the "offensive" part. I really only meant to appeal to regular fans to just send me an e-mail or a pic with a top line story to "tide us over" until the official race reports are available. I have such contributers in other parts of the world.

We do aim to have the news in our morning edition, even if it is just by way of a short news flash/breaking news. That is the very essence of SCD.

Even though absolutely no malice was intended, I did apologize unreservedly in my previous post. Since you feel there it contained some sort of qaulification, let me say there are no "buts" in it. I meant no discredit to any of the JPM staff or reporters. I think you do a heck of a job. To do the race-calling and then write race reports is a big ask. There are only a handful of people that I know of that does that.

Just as an aside, I have never made a cent from SCD (yeah theoretically I sell advertising, but it is a tough market as you know). I gave up my corporate job of 24 years at the start of the year to pursue this vision of providing the international sprintcar fraternity with a daily newspaper. I have not had an income for nearly six months now. And I doubt if I will for the next...

www.sprintcardaily.com

I went up to Oroville Friday night to get a head start on Quincy. Not long after I woke up Saturday morning I got my cell phone and checked my email. Right there was a full story on the Friday night race at Silver Dollar, complete with results.

Andre, if you promise your readers that "when you wake up, the news from across the globe is delivered to your desktop," then perhaps you should send your own reporters out to cover the events so you can be sure to keep your promise.

John, your post should not offend, you are right on the money.

See ya at Tulare.

CWM

I too am letting this rest, what's done is done and I hope perhaps professionals can act like such in the future and resolve issues in better fashion.

Now I do have a math question, perhaps Sto or Mike can help me with this one. How many hours is AU ahead of us?  News when they wake up? We get done around 11 in California?  I suck at math but to me there is something in the figures there that can't happen???

I have learned in my experience to be careful what you promise because then you are commmited or can end up looking like an idiot, and no comments on how I dress out of this either.