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

Okay central PA race fans; fill in the blank:  If I was the new promoter at Selinsgrove Speedway I would _______________?  If at all possible let's keep this thread reasonable and realistic.  I belive they should keep racing on Saturday evenings and keep the 360 sprints along with the late models, pro stocks, and roadrunners.  I believe it should remain a 1/2 mile track.  I do not belive it should become a special events only track.  I do believe it should keep the other special events such as the modifieds, the WOO late models, and the occassional 410 races.  Remember that you are the promoter, that you do not own the facility, and you do not own most of the equipment.  You have limited financial resources and you have to deal with the current owner of the track.   

Rellocate turn 1 & 2 so they go through the middle of the infield...that track is too big and too fast = no passing...

create a more fan friendly seating arraignment for big shows...there's only about 10 seats in that place where u can see more than half the track....move the rigs out of the infield...

thats a start....

I think the biggest improvement the next promoter could make is to do whatever they can to make the view better for the spectators. It's a big problem there and I've talked to many people who like the track but don't attend because they don't like sitting there all night and only seeing half of the action. The pit area in turns 1&2 and 3&4 are a major obstruction and the tower in the middle plus the scoreboard also block some of the view. I've never been to a track with a more obstructed view. If its possible to move the pits outside, that would be a great move but I don't think they can due to the limited amount of space they have. I would assume that if they could, it would've already been done long ago. I know at Williams Grove they dug the pits down several feet so that the haulers sit lower. The view is still semi blocked depending on where you sit but it definitely helps. Maybe that would work for Selinsgrove? Not sure but I know they definitely need to do something about that if they can because it sucks. I still love the place but it would move way up on my list if they could correct that issue. As far as making it smaller, personally I don't want to see that because I love it just the way it is but that's something they should talk to all the race teams about if they're considering doing it and if the minority of the teams are in favor of it, then I'm all for it because they definitely need to boost their car count if they want to continue to run the weekly program. I just hope that whoever takes over, whether it be Alan Kreitzer or someone else, can be successful. There's a lot of history at that old track and Central Pa wouldn't be the same without it.

unless they can make a go of it as a backgate track...any "improvements" that do not reconfigure the track and move the pits out of the infield will be a waste of time and money. digging a hole for the pits will result in rtaces being cancelled for flooded pits.

the view is not "semi blocked"...the sightlines are the hands down "worst" of all the posse soil tracks...there is not one general admission seat on the grounds where you can see the whole track.

move turns 1-2 to shorten the track, bulldoze the infield mosque, move the pits outside, open the infield to fans and you have a chance to survive without selling off lots for double wides.

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

Don't change the shrimp one bit. 

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

Much as I expected.  I agree that it would be a much better place if the pits could be moved outside.  I wonder if that is feasible?  I know that shorter tracks may make the racing more interesting and give the lower HP teams a better chance but its length is what makes Selinsgrove somewhat unique.  I don't want to see that change.  And I agree - don't change the shrimp (YUM).   

I agree with all ideas here , whether it will remain a 360 track , there regular Saturday shows , I don't know ? But it looks like to me because of economy , fuel , and so forth it is going to be hard to turn a profit except on the big shows . Pits , sight lines , are the two problems of this track .

Re: But it looks like to me because of economy , fuel , and so forth it is going to be hard to turn a profit except on the big shows  This is true of all tracks,; not just Selinsgrove.  I doubt that any of the promoters seriously make a profit.  A wage maybe but not a profit.  In any case fuel costs (for travel) all depends on the location of the team.  I doubt there is much of a distance difference for the ESS, URC, and Patriot teams that compete in the 360 class.  The local 360 teams are likely closer to Selinsgrove than the other tracks.  Most of the late model and other classes teams are relatively local to Selinsgrove.  Sure is a hike for the 410 teams but that a much smaller number than those regularly participating at Selinsgrove. 

Let's get back to the original question.  With moving the pits seemingly the predominent suggestion; would that alone result in a susccssful track operation?  I think not.  What can be done to draw more 360 teams or to encourage 358 teams to make the switch?  Over time that may happen anyway with the 358 product being a PA speciality.  What else can be done to encourage more fans to attend?  Again this is an issue for other tracks also. What about the other classes? 

One thing is for certain.  The new promoter must do a better job of PROMOTING!  He/she must find a way to bring in newbie fans by providing a better product and then promoting it.  As an example Port Royal has done a tremendous job of bringing that track back to its glory.             

Good points made Mr. 21 but Charlie Paige went to the 360's on the promise they would support the track , they did on the large purse races but not on the weekly show . How does one improve the promoting of a track that a lot of drivers like and  alot don't  ? they say its too far to travel to , or its too fast , or its tough on motors !! These are just a few reasons I hear why they don't support Selinsgrove  , but like you it is one of my favorite tracks . Years ago there would be know probllem traveling there but for costs and previous mentioned reasons fans and teams don't seem to support it enough . Yes , your right a stronger promotion is needed but what ? More improvements like Port Royal would be great but it costs , thats why Charlie eased back on improvements because his profits slipped , attendance dropped and car counts dropped as well . All the above mentioned ideas would be great and some were on the radar for Charlie Paige as well but he couldn't do them . So I don't know what the answers are  but to me without  more support  it could likely become a special events track , I don't like that idea but it could happen .

I don't understand the "too far to travel" argument as far as Selinsgrove goes.  Port Royal is essentially the same distance from any town in South Central Pa. You are looking at almost identical travel distances and times to these two tracks.  

York, Pa to Selinsgrove Speedway 71.3 miles and 1 hr 20 min of travel time.

York, Pa to Port Royal Speedway 69.5 miles and 1 hr 20 min of travel time.

It would be a simple fix on the pits problem the smaller trailers could stay inside like Port does with their Extreme stocks, their is more than enough room outside of turn four for the sprint and late model trailers the only things that would have to be changed are an off ramp in turn three or four and a fence to seperate the pits outside. General admission cars would either have to enter from the top gate or turn two gate. On nights when their are larger crowds the biggest problem is nobody controls the campers they should all be in one place at the top of the hill.

That would fix the biggest fan and Flagman problems the program will be tougher they need to keep the cars they have now and somehow add about six cars in both the main divisions wheather it be a rule change or a purse change.  

Your right but thats what I've been  told , or other excuses not to run at Selinsgrove . Port and Selinsgrove are about 35 minutes apart , you can make it no time over  to Selinsgrove  from Port . Labor day they use run day and night but of course the promoters stopped a fan favorite , why I am not sure but fans liked it . This would be good to bring back if  a promoter liked the idea , there could be a lot options there so that both tracks made out .

I like your ideas Mr. Mitchfan . I have had discussions about changing pits and sight lines before with Steve Inch at S-grove , and he thought they were good ideas but Charlie I guess didn't but he didn't want to spend money over last 5 years or so  I believe .

Idea - Park the rigs outside and offer "Infield" parking for a certain amount of spectators...There is a TON of room in that Infield...

Obviously...Once your in....your in until the racing is over...