What has happened to racing?My 2 cents worth.

Turbo01

Veteran
I don't disagree with you, but this is a "circular conundrum".....An increased purse would require a larger crowd, which would require a larger car count. You won't get one without the other, but personally, I think that these days, getting the crowd would be the more difficult part of the equation.

Yes, the entire world had a really crazy situation thrown at us, last year, and we're just beginning to recover from that. Nonetheless, I attended two of the modified shows at Spencer's in 2019, and planned to attend them last year, which as we all know, were cancelled. However, based on my "guesstimates", despite good shows, the stands were roughly at 50-60% capacity. That level of attendance isn't going to be a financial success, to the point that would encourage a track owner or promoter to really go "all out", and schedule a full season of racing.

Sadly, the fan support just doesn't seem to be there, anymore. At the Spencer shows, in '19, again taking a "guesstimate", I would say that 60-70% of the crowd was over 50 years of age. The younger folks don't seem to have the interest that we "baby boomers" had/have. And the local newspapers cover only the "big league" racing, unlike the 60s and 70s, when they would cover the action at the local tracks, so that doesn't help, either.
We actually had planned to come there and race sportsman (both John and Cam Barber). Unfortunately the tire situation hit.
 

MOD27NY

Newbie
I have been saying this for years. The only way local racing is going to move forward is to step back. People blame the internet, they blame the economy, they blame the kids on video games, they blame the promoters. Well JMO.. and I'm sure I'll piss alot of you off, the biggest problem is today's racers are their biggest enemy. Could somebody tell me WHY you need to spend 30 to 50 grand on a racecar to race at a small local track for the same money as I raced for 20 plus years ago? How many very good racers were forced out because it was more important to care for their family than play. When those guys were forced out the loyal fans who followed them left too. Why in Gods name do you need 2 grand or more in shocks? If something isn't done to reduce the costs. I don't see any racing in this area very soon. The racers and local promoters need to get together to make it affordable again.
I'm sure some of you will call me a bitter oldtimer. Go right ahead. You're going to be the one with 50 grand in racing equipment and no place local to race. I'll get off my soapbox now and just ask you to take a step back in order to move ahead.
 

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Twizted

Champion
Anyone can build their own car, and there are some that have (Andy j - he's won in the Modified and the midget) but it takes allt of time and dedication. I guess people just look easier. Its the hard-core dedicated ones that build their own. Last Saturday I seen the NASCAR Mods and 3 other classes and it's was the most packed its been in 25+ years.

Tonight I seen the Dirt mods and USAC Midgets and i was on the road by 9:20pm heading home. Same with the outlaws a couple weeks back at learnerville but was on the road 10 min earlier. The amount of classes when they're 5+ makes me not want to go, or at least show up very late. I don't attend weekly shows much anymore because of it being dragged out. I'll sick to the 3-4 classes with one of them being a bigger headliner. Getting home an hour or two earlier definitely helps you get up easier for work in the morning.
 

leadfoot4

Champion
I have been saying this for years. The only way local racing is going to move forward is to step back. People blame the internet, they blame the economy, they blame the kids on video games, they blame the promoters. Well JMO.. and I'm sure I'll piss a lot of you off, the biggest problem is today's racers are their biggest enemy. Could somebody tell me WHY you need to spend 30 to 50 grand on a racecar to race at a small local track for the same money as I raced for 20 plus years ago? How many very good racers were forced out because it was more important to care for their family than play. When those guys were forced out the loyal fans who followed them left too. Why in Gods name do you need 2 grand or more in shocks? If something isn't done to reduce the costs. I don't see any racing in this area very soon. The racers and local promoters need to get together to make it affordable again.
I'm sure some of you will call me a bitter oldtimer. Go right ahead. You're going to be the one with 50 grand in racing equipment and no place local to race. I'll get off my soapbox now and just ask you to take a step back in order to move ahead.
"MOD27NY", I agree with you, however, the problem goes back MANY years. "Exotic" speed parts like roller cams, ported to the max cylinder heads, and dry sump oil systems weren't outlawed back in the 60s, because the tires of that era didn't really allow you to get the power to the ground. So, very few thought it was necessary to have that kind of equipment on their race cars. Sure a few "bucks up" racers had that stuff, but it didn't make a lot of sense, at the time.

However, when GoodYear and Firestone engaged in the "tire wars" in the late 60s, and all of a sudden this technology trickled down to the local, short tracks, over night, horsepower was highly coveted, and those "trick (expensive) parts" became standard equipment. We all know what happened after that. Once the barn door was cracked open, it becomes VERY hard to close....
 

lynchmobb

Veteran
Utica, my wife & I went to Evans Mills about a month ago, for the first time in over 20 years. Wow, what a change! Great view from any seat, good car counts, close races, clean & reasonable food. The track can be a little tricky to pass on, but close racing throughout the field.
 

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