From [email protected]
Mr. France, Some Real Suggestions
by Chris Campbell-Staff Writer
It's me again...and I am going off the beaten track here a little and
writing about something that has become a hot topic as of late. Again, I
don't think this is going to be a "popular" article, but I don't write
to make everyone agree with me. I write to make you, the fans, think and
maybe take any actions you feel are necessary -- either by writing,
talking, or with your pocketbook.
It was recently announced by Bill France Jr. that NASCAR is looking at
realigning the schedule in 2004. They are considering taking the 2nd
dates of some of the tracks (4 in particular -- Darlington, Atlanta,
North Carolina, aka Rockingham, and Charlotte, aka Lowes) and giving
those dates to some of the tracks that consistently sell out their one
date and are in other areas of the country.
First point I want to make to Mr. France and others is have you looked
at the economy lately? People are losing their jobs left and right, so
of course sell-outs to any sports events will be less likely to happen.
Attending the races or games have become a luxury that can and has to be
cut out if the family budget has become low. I know personally, I have
had to cut out many of the races that I could get tickets to down here
in the NC area.
An article written by Skip Johnson How Much Does a Nascar Race Cost
brought about the cost of two people from Ohio to reasonably attend two
races at Bristol. Now, granted this is one of the more expensive races
to attend, but I think his figuring of $1,700 dollars is pretty much
right on the money. Although, he only counted on having a hotel from
Friday through Saturday night, as most fans would stay Sunday night too
because of the long day they had Sunday.
Now granted, he didn't get a view from a standpoint of the "locals"
which would be about $500 cheaper! But STILL, $1,200 bucks for a race?
Mr. France this is just for one weekend, and many of us diehard fans try
to go to at least two events, although I know many people who attend 5-7
each year. So don't think that the empty seats are a sign that the
track can't sell out, because if it was a little cheaper to attend these
races, believe me we would!!
Mr. France, the NASCAR organization needs to rethink how you are
considering this realignment. I have sat here for several years thinking
that your "scheduling" was a little whacked to begin with. It is a known
fact that most sponsors have to spend at least several million dollars
for one year of racing (primary sponsors). Sponsors are dropping out of
NASCAR faster than the crew chief and driver changes in Silly Season.
Sponsors and teams are having difficulty competing because of the costs
associated with just running in your races.
Your constant rule changes, template changes, and other changes you make
throughout the year consistently cost these teams much time and money.
You should really consider keeping the rules the same from start to
finish of a season. Also, I think that the teams should be able to
choose the tire they want to run at what tracks. The cost of these tires
have been astronomical throughout the years, and I could run my
household for over a year just with the budget the teams have for tires.
In addition, you require them to run at about 4 different types of
tracks: Superspeedways, Speedways or Intermediate Tracks, Short Tracks,
and Road Courses (never mind a "flat" track). That means a minimum of 8
cars they have to have to modify per track. God forbid one gets caught
up in one of the wrecks and they have to replace that car. How much does
this cost the team?
So, as I have been trained, don't complain without coming up with a
possible solution. So, I suggest the following as a help to the teams
and ultimately the price of the tickets.
Starting at each track: Stop this monopoly of allowing only one soft
drink or vendor of each type of concession sold. I detest going to a
track and being allowed only Coke products. Let the two big ones duke it
out and make me want to leave that heavy cooler at home. Same thing with
those dang hot dogs or burger joints, charging five dollars for a hot
dog and three dollars for a bottle of water? Then you say we can only
bring in a 14" cooler? But, we have to be at the tracks early and stay
over 12 hours. We are all getting baked by the sun I think.
Secondly, as I stated before, stop changing the rules. The whiners will
learn to change their cars over the season. Either that or change
once...at the halfway point, take an evaluation and submit changes to
the teams then. Do not make changes less than 48 hours before race time!
The crews do need sleep too, you know.
Another thing...have you seriously looked at the schedule? I know you
try to get to the warmer states during the early part of the season, and
you try to schedule around the predictable and unpredictable Mother
Nature, but I know I can do that and still look at this schedule and
make some better changes than just taking away dates.
I suggest one getting rid of the two road courses. I know this is not
popular with some fans, but neither one of them sells out, nor can you
ever see all the course, no matter where you are seated. This costs the
teams an extra car and some even hiring a road specialist. Give these
two dates to one of the other tracks crying for dates.
I also suggest that you take the three breaks in the first half of the
season and sporadically and strategically place them throughout the
season. The teams get worn out running 20 weeks straight without a
weekend off. They should be scheduled about every 12 weeks. In addition,
how about scheduling twi Saturday races after each of these weeks off,
to provide a better schedule.
Presently, the Saturday races are right after racing on a Sunday (God
help the teams if Sunday's race is rained out) and this is a very
exhausting schedule on top of working 20 weeks without a week off.
I also suggest that all tracks get not only soft walls for safety, but
also lights so that rain dates are less likely. This way, the teams can
get done the day of the race, and not have to expend more finances on
staying another day. I know, a night race is a unique feature to many of
the tracks, and I am not saying make all races night races...just have
the capability if need be.
One last suggestion. This has been done to some degree in other
professional sporting leagues, and I believe NASCAR should do it also.
Block scheduling. You have presently four tracks in the Far West (this
is saying you don't take away the road courses). Use these four tracks
in one month. Then, another month or so later, use the tracks in the
Midwest and Texas (ie., Michigan, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas) and
another block of the more Northern tracks (Dover, Pocono, New Hampshire,
and Watkins Glen (again if you keep the road courses), then a block of
the Southern states.
You may have to do the blocks a few times to cover the two dates for
each track. However, this will cut down the travel time of the crews and
truck drivers. This will further cut out the need for different cars if
you remove the road courses.
Now, I know that there will be several who agree with me, and many
others who will call me idiotic. But, maybe between us all, we can come
up with something a little more suitable than what the present system
gives the teams, fans and tracks. I don't think taking away dates from
any tracks is the answer at this time, as that is a result of the
economy. How can we answer some of the problems arising out of the
sluggish economy? Well, at least I gave everyone something to consider.
I just wonder if NASCAR is listening. Probably not.
You can reach Chris Campbell at: [email protected]
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mr. France, Some Real Suggestions
by Chris Campbell-Staff Writer
It's me again...and I am going off the beaten track here a little and
writing about something that has become a hot topic as of late. Again, I
don't think this is going to be a "popular" article, but I don't write
to make everyone agree with me. I write to make you, the fans, think and
maybe take any actions you feel are necessary -- either by writing,
talking, or with your pocketbook.
It was recently announced by Bill France Jr. that NASCAR is looking at
realigning the schedule in 2004. They are considering taking the 2nd
dates of some of the tracks (4 in particular -- Darlington, Atlanta,
North Carolina, aka Rockingham, and Charlotte, aka Lowes) and giving
those dates to some of the tracks that consistently sell out their one
date and are in other areas of the country.
First point I want to make to Mr. France and others is have you looked
at the economy lately? People are losing their jobs left and right, so
of course sell-outs to any sports events will be less likely to happen.
Attending the races or games have become a luxury that can and has to be
cut out if the family budget has become low. I know personally, I have
had to cut out many of the races that I could get tickets to down here
in the NC area.
An article written by Skip Johnson How Much Does a Nascar Race Cost
brought about the cost of two people from Ohio to reasonably attend two
races at Bristol. Now, granted this is one of the more expensive races
to attend, but I think his figuring of $1,700 dollars is pretty much
right on the money. Although, he only counted on having a hotel from
Friday through Saturday night, as most fans would stay Sunday night too
because of the long day they had Sunday.
Now granted, he didn't get a view from a standpoint of the "locals"
which would be about $500 cheaper! But STILL, $1,200 bucks for a race?
Mr. France this is just for one weekend, and many of us diehard fans try
to go to at least two events, although I know many people who attend 5-7
each year. So don't think that the empty seats are a sign that the
track can't sell out, because if it was a little cheaper to attend these
races, believe me we would!!
Mr. France, the NASCAR organization needs to rethink how you are
considering this realignment. I have sat here for several years thinking
that your "scheduling" was a little whacked to begin with. It is a known
fact that most sponsors have to spend at least several million dollars
for one year of racing (primary sponsors). Sponsors are dropping out of
NASCAR faster than the crew chief and driver changes in Silly Season.
Sponsors and teams are having difficulty competing because of the costs
associated with just running in your races.
Your constant rule changes, template changes, and other changes you make
throughout the year consistently cost these teams much time and money.
You should really consider keeping the rules the same from start to
finish of a season. Also, I think that the teams should be able to
choose the tire they want to run at what tracks. The cost of these tires
have been astronomical throughout the years, and I could run my
household for over a year just with the budget the teams have for tires.
In addition, you require them to run at about 4 different types of
tracks: Superspeedways, Speedways or Intermediate Tracks, Short Tracks,
and Road Courses (never mind a "flat" track). That means a minimum of 8
cars they have to have to modify per track. God forbid one gets caught
up in one of the wrecks and they have to replace that car. How much does
this cost the team?
So, as I have been trained, don't complain without coming up with a
possible solution. So, I suggest the following as a help to the teams
and ultimately the price of the tickets.
Starting at each track: Stop this monopoly of allowing only one soft
drink or vendor of each type of concession sold. I detest going to a
track and being allowed only Coke products. Let the two big ones duke it
out and make me want to leave that heavy cooler at home. Same thing with
those dang hot dogs or burger joints, charging five dollars for a hot
dog and three dollars for a bottle of water? Then you say we can only
bring in a 14" cooler? But, we have to be at the tracks early and stay
over 12 hours. We are all getting baked by the sun I think.
Secondly, as I stated before, stop changing the rules. The whiners will
learn to change their cars over the season. Either that or change
once...at the halfway point, take an evaluation and submit changes to
the teams then. Do not make changes less than 48 hours before race time!
The crews do need sleep too, you know.
Another thing...have you seriously looked at the schedule? I know you
try to get to the warmer states during the early part of the season, and
you try to schedule around the predictable and unpredictable Mother
Nature, but I know I can do that and still look at this schedule and
make some better changes than just taking away dates.
I suggest one getting rid of the two road courses. I know this is not
popular with some fans, but neither one of them sells out, nor can you
ever see all the course, no matter where you are seated. This costs the
teams an extra car and some even hiring a road specialist. Give these
two dates to one of the other tracks crying for dates.
I also suggest that you take the three breaks in the first half of the
season and sporadically and strategically place them throughout the
season. The teams get worn out running 20 weeks straight without a
weekend off. They should be scheduled about every 12 weeks. In addition,
how about scheduling twi Saturday races after each of these weeks off,
to provide a better schedule.
Presently, the Saturday races are right after racing on a Sunday (God
help the teams if Sunday's race is rained out) and this is a very
exhausting schedule on top of working 20 weeks without a week off.
I also suggest that all tracks get not only soft walls for safety, but
also lights so that rain dates are less likely. This way, the teams can
get done the day of the race, and not have to expend more finances on
staying another day. I know, a night race is a unique feature to many of
the tracks, and I am not saying make all races night races...just have
the capability if need be.
One last suggestion. This has been done to some degree in other
professional sporting leagues, and I believe NASCAR should do it also.
Block scheduling. You have presently four tracks in the Far West (this
is saying you don't take away the road courses). Use these four tracks
in one month. Then, another month or so later, use the tracks in the
Midwest and Texas (ie., Michigan, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas) and
another block of the more Northern tracks (Dover, Pocono, New Hampshire,
and Watkins Glen (again if you keep the road courses), then a block of
the Southern states.
You may have to do the blocks a few times to cover the two dates for
each track. However, this will cut down the travel time of the crews and
truck drivers. This will further cut out the need for different cars if
you remove the road courses.
Now, I know that there will be several who agree with me, and many
others who will call me idiotic. But, maybe between us all, we can come
up with something a little more suitable than what the present system
gives the teams, fans and tracks. I don't think taking away dates from
any tracks is the answer at this time, as that is a result of the
economy. How can we answer some of the problems arising out of the
sluggish economy? Well, at least I gave everyone something to consider.
I just wonder if NASCAR is listening. Probably not.
You can reach Chris Campbell at: [email protected]
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
