track closures

[chathamracefan]

Many reasons why we are seeing the decline, tech is just one of them.

People have way more options today, and truthfully we use to live in a 'car culture'- not really that way today. Sitting in the heat for hours on end for the price of a ticket is just not as appealing an option as it once was. What have we done to help this? Why we added more classes and made the event even longer. No real change in involvement for the fans (in fact, less- to late at the end of the night to cross over into the pits and get a pick with your favorite driver).

From the racer side, the payout has not kept up with inflation. The entertainment value for the fans has declined so that means we really can't charge more and we are going to have less fans. Less fans mean less money to pay out (and let's not forget the upkeep of the track has also gone up quite a bit). Classes are added to try and enhance the back gate revenue; longer race nights and less fans.

The racers themselves seem to have forgotten the reason we are there- to entertain. Qualify 8 classes and race- wonder why we don't see much action.... Last weekend I watched a whole class of limited late model drivers have an absolute meltdown because the promotor was going to run heat races on 'fan appreciation' night. Walked away from the meeting when they said 'it only pays $2,500 and no where do they run heat races for that').

In the end, our wants and needs evolve or change. We are born, hopefully live a full life and whither away. I am afraid we have seen the best part of auto racings 'full life' and are now just the care takers. Hopefully someone can bring some fresh air in and make the needed changes.

Weird thing is the big events still draw great crowds. Eldora, PDC weekend, Knoxville Nationals for sprint cars, etc. There is still a demand there but maybe the demand isn't what it once was. Also as you mention the quality of the weekly show has greatly diminished. Lets run 7 classes, qualify all of them & none of them have more than 12 cars. That doesn't draw people in the front gate.

The problem in the future is without the weekly shows, the future participants don't become participants because there is nowhere to participate if all the tracks die off.

[WisWildManFan]

Weird thing is the big events still draw great crowds. Eldora, PDC weekend, Knoxville Nationals for sprint cars, etc. There is still a demand there but maybe the demand isn't what it once was. Also as you mention the quality of the weekly show has greatly diminished. Lets run 7 classes, qualify all of them & none of them have more than 12 cars. That doesn't draw people in the front gate.

The problem in the future is without the weekly shows, the future participants don't become participants because there is nowhere to participate if all the tracks die off.

Exactly I can't see tracks staying open just to make money at a couple shows a year. Look at East Bay they had more lucas shows than anyone else on schedule and that wasn't worth them staying open.

[Dirt Clod]

Exactly I can't see tracks staying open just to make money at a couple shows a year. Look at East Bay they had more lucas shows than anyone else on schedule and that wasn't worth them staying open.

Before East Bay closed, I remember reading an article with the owner talking about how hard it was to make money the rest of the year at his track. Imagine trying to run a dirt track near Tampa in that heat. And I can't imagine there were that many race fans and cars in that area. He had to make his money in Jan and Feb to survive the rest of the year.

[MRM]

In a lot of places, the property is worth more to be developed than it is a racetrack. Some owners are older and want to get out but their kids have no interest in running it (see I-80).

[t4g2]

Don't disagree but even in IL some of the tracks are hanging on by a thread. As mentioned Peoria is closing, Tri City is for sale & hasn't run this year. Spoon cancelled due to low car count one night.

The tracks in central IL I'd confidently say are healthy are Fairbury, Jacksonville & Highland. I think Brownstown does well but that is sort of getting into southern IL. Farmer City is probably ok as they get huge crowds for the WoO weekend & summer nationals. I don't think they get much for cars or fans on the weekly shows though. And I think Macon is really struggling. Haven't been there this year yet but just looking at car counts leads one to guess things aren't going real well.

Farmer city not sure how they stay open. On the woo/illini it's ran by woo not the track. Woo leases the track gets all $ except concessions.

[3 wide]

Dang it just seen that about Golden Mountain closing that leaves what 4 tracks west of Nashville ? Camden, Clayhill, Duck River and Thunderhill then all the rest is in the eastern time zone ? I had actually forgot about Tenn National closing up.

I forgot about tenn national we have more tracks closed than open

[3 wide]

I forgot about tenn national we have more tracks closed than open

And now duck rivers is for sale

[TheJet-09]

I spectate far more than I race anymore, so I'm looking at things through a different set of eyes than I have for the past 30+ years.

Promoting has gone stale to say the least. Unfortunately the product (racing) no longer sells itself. I watched the majority of the Dream stuff on Flo, and was blown away by how much down time there was. I'm not talking about intermission or during track prep, I'm looking at cars lined up in the chute and not one piece of equipment on the track, yet nothing is taking place. What are you waiting for?

My #1 rule as a promoter (which I am not) would be: As soon as that National Anthem is over, engines are fired and cars are on that track. Imagine paying top $$$ for front row tickets to see your favorite band. The house lights go down...the intro music starts...the curtain drops....and there's no one on stage, just a couple announcers talking about what a great show it's gonna be. Lame! You've got the crowds attention, whether it be racing or a concert...use it or lose it.

And whatever happened to the extras? The Green Mamba Jet Machine (R.I.P.), Truckasaurus, or the Clown with the little car, or just blowing some stuff up? Go watch a Monster Jam show with the kids or grandkids, and pay attention to how much they do when the trucks are not running around.