Angola Motor Speedway

DocHolliday · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Although it might sound like fun to knock the windows out of a front wheel drive car and "go racing" is it a good idea for AMS to try to start such a class? Everyone needs to remember that Wes is the promoter and he needs to make decisions based on what the fans want to see and what will put people in the stands. We need to do a better job of promoting AMS to friends and other racers alike. The more people come to watch the more likely there will be fans that want to see a front wheel drive class or outlaw modified mini's.
If front wheel drive classes at other tracks are not doing well and no one wants to watch them why beat a dead horse? Craig was willing to start the class last year but only had a few cars (I think 2 were his) so he cancelled it. When the mini's run their feature last notice how the stands empty. Mini's are the Rodney Dangerfield of racing, they "get no respect". So is splitting into an A and B feature a good idea? Not with 10-12 cars. That would be the same as running the heats just with more laps.
This is a "racing family" and I am sure if some of the slow cars were to ask Kedrin and others would be willing to give some ideas on what they could try. Not implying that he or others know so much more than others. From watching even I can tell that some cars that are running slower times could do much better with some set up changes (stagger, gearing, air pressure, etc.) Some small things can make a big difference.
I am sure the field could be tightened up this way.

Grubby · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 34 Location: North Webster, IN

Doc this year at NP we are going to run the A features in reverse order, mini, street, then lates. Alot of tracks around the country has gone to this to keep spectators at the track longer with much success. I suggested this a couple years back, but they said it wouldnt work. Maybe Angola could try the same thing. Everyone knows most people come to watch the late models, so as soon as they are done half the fans leave..... Kev
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Grubb Racing

DFR81 · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 12

I agree with Grubby. People always base the popularity of a class by how many people's butts are in the seats. Start with the slowest class, and move your way up to the fast cars. The pace of the racing gets faster as the night goes on. Also it let's us guys in the mini's load up and still get to watch some great racing before getting to payout.

DocHolliday · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

I could not agree more! They have been rotating at AMS but it makes the most sense to run the mini's last. This keeps more people at the track longer which has to mean more concessions sold by the end of the night. It might make it more congested when everyone goes to leave with their trailers. But I am sure it would help gain fans for some of the mini and street stock drivers. You know the kids like to watch any racing it is the adults that have their favorite driver in what ever class and leave as soon as that driver has raced.
Wes, I know if you took a poll the drivers would want to run the mini's last but it is a business the more butts in seats for a longer period mean more sales at the concession stand. I think you should run mini's first every night. Just my opinion.

Promoter · Site Admin Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 289

Not sure if I agree with the every night part of it BUT I plan to mix it up a little each week. I like doing some sort of rotation.

Wes

Jelly Bean's Wife · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

As a spouse of a Mini Stock Driver, I appreciate the rotation of the classes. It's nice to know that I will not always have to wait until the end of the night to watch my husband race. It can be discouraging to racers to know that everyone is leaving the stands just as they start particularly if you are always the last class. So thanks for the rotation!

DocHolliday · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

My original post was mostly to say that I think we need to get more drivers and fans to the speedway for the classes that already run and not try to start up new classes (front wheel drive). The having the mini stock features first each night was more of an after thought. But, it would help sell more concessions.
I do think that a front wheel drive class of 14 to 18 year olds with maybe their high school colors, etc (for rival schools) could make things interesting for fans. This would give the younger drivers a taste of racing before jumping into a mini stock where experience and speeds are increasing. Getting the youth of today involved in most anything we all grew up doing can be very difficult (hunting, fishing). If racing does not embrace the youth in some way it could loose an entire generation.
Just my opinion
Doc

racer32 · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: stroh, indiana

As a wife of a streetstock driver, I would like to see other classes go after us and the mini's. The streetstocks are in a bad position to race every weekend, because we hardly get to watch the superlates or the mini's. I like the idea Wes mentioned about rotating the classes, that would be a way to help keep fans in the stands.
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Heather & Tommy