Bobby

Do I have a fix? Nope. Do you? I'll take that challenge… The reason racing is on life support in this part of the country is because the tracks can’t be logical and consistent enough to stay open. We all know the drill – new track operator, big talk and plans, but as things go on, cracks develop. Nonsensical or emotionally-driven decisions happen (sudden rule or payout changes), racers and fans are driven off, the cycle to the bottom happens, in four months to three years that promoter is out of business. New operator comes in, cycle repeats, then he is gone in three years or less, Everyone knows that pattern by now, so for a couple of years no one commits any significant money in new equipment, especially if the classes aren’t close to what already exists in the immediate area, and the payouts don’t make relative sense between the classes, given the relative out of pocket expenses (my original point in this thread). Which of course creates the beginning of the downward spiral. So then the track operator starts looking to add cheaper, less interesting classes where he can finagle his expense to revenue ratio better, so he can pay the bills. Suddenly you have eight classes running, with half of them being miniature vehicles. Racers spend all race day waiting on other people for a few minutes to practice so they can hope to be competitive. The audience comes to an expensive facility to find a program subsisting on $2000-5000 cars, and wonders about the value of the experience. Then they spend a drawn out night waiting for their few favorite classes, most of it under expensive floodlights, further detracting from the value equation. The cycle to the bottom continues. What’s the biggest problem in this picture, that you can change? Classes and rules. Classes and rules cause the confusion and the inequity. Classes and rules cause the drawn out programs. Classes and rules mean you have clear disparities *within* the classes and lack of competition. Classes and rules cause the friction between the racers and the track. What’s the alternative? Bracket racing, of course, adapted to oval racing. You would have to separate cars by size, for safety reasons. But there would be no reason to separate them by what body they have, what components are in them, or how fast they are. In fact, in the context of bracket racing, those differences would add excitement, rather than create silos. No more buying a new set of racing tires each outing. No more spending all day at the track waiting on other people so you can practice or working on your car to get an extra tenth. No need for the operator to worry about whether he is compensating or incentivizing the classes properly in relation to each other. No barriers to entry (and fewer reasons to leave) because you can't afford a class you like. Once it is going, no need for a new track operator to reinvent the wheel, causing community disruption. There are multiple benefits, this is just a sample. This would never happen instantaneously. Like any new format it would have to be developed, understood and promoted. But I can see it being extremely interesting from both fan and racer points of view. Most importantly, it would be much, much more competitive. No more freight train racing, where the drama evaporates as the race drones on. In this case, drama would build as the race progresses. I have some thoughts (and one concern) about how this would work in practice, but I see it as a doable realistic solution that addresses many of the current problems. I’ll stop now and throw this out for comments.

Golden Triangle Raceway Tomorrow Factory Stocks will pay $500 to win, and $75 to start. No minimum car count.

I generally respect Josh's opinions, but if he thinks dirt guys don't complain about purses (even while not having the tire bills), he is very much out of the loop. Maybe not in the sprint car echelon, but people who race cars still having some factory parts do. (And I know non-sprint racers and crews aren't happy about having an extra $5 added to their pit passes, just because sprints happen to be on the same bill). And just like with asphalt racing, many, many of them have done as suggested here and found cheaper hobbies. Odd that the same people who say "Find a cheaper hobby" also say "Be happy you still have a track". If you find a cheaper hobby, who gives a rat's behind about the track, or the remaining racers? Which puts us right where we are now...

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The prize to expense ratio for Super Stocks, when compared to the Trucks and the Ecos seems outright designed to kill off the class. Same mechanicals and expenses as the trucks, prizes closer to the Ecos. Not to mention that the class was designed for out of town cars that have to tow. Can anyone see where this is going?

^^^^^ This

If you have not already, you might want to look at posts seven and nine in the Supermodified Book thread in this same forum. Each one has a contact that might prove useful.

My memory of Don, starting from maybe late '60's, was that he was always in a purple Ford with the number 29. Something that I've not seen recognized on this forum is that he was always one of the top three or four cars to beat. Always great equipment, driving and driving strategy.

Willie Veach - In regard to "where are they now", Willie and Joe Bob Veach (don't know the relationship) have been racing dirt modifieds and crate models here in Houston the last few years.

Butch Harris co-owned and owned (depending on the year) Motorama Speedway in Beaumont until this past winter.

Early seventies might have been a little early. I know that somewhere in the 71-73 period Chet was a teenager just starting out behind the wheel of Marvin's 55 Chevy stock car. I can't imagine him being in a Super quite yet.

Actually, there is a bigger clue to a link between the two cars - they have mirror image paint schemes.

Love that spoiler on the yellow #4 !

The close-up above of the #4 Clyde Johnson car answers the question on another thread about whether the header was actually that long or just debris in the picture.

Darlene Rhemur, if I remember correctly. It was pronounced "Ray-mur" If anyone is interested, I still have some authentic 90W rear end lube from this era. You would have to get it out of my old, old work clothes, but I still have it with me. It was in my hair too, although not deliberately. I finally got that out.....

#97 is Walley garcia #10 is willie charro, #93 Pat Chandler, #26 Richard Gather #21 Tommy Davis I agree on these (just needed a little memory prompt!) You are probably correct on Walter Groff. I knew it didn't look like Ronnie, but I didn't know of any other possibility.

Bubba Storbeck is the first person behind Darlene. Oatey's Dad, Don Oatman is a couple of faces to the left, peeking around someones shoulder. The person in glasses one row back and to the left from Don looks familar, but I'm not sure of the name.

Yeah, I'm with Oatey, some very serious flashbacks. Some miscellaneous comments - It was nice to see Teddy Jone's convertible (#66), I was wondering if it would ever show up on this forum. A few of those pictures are earlier than the rest, as they show the tires the Super Stocks were running before the "Indy" or "Steamroller" tires appeared in about '71. I had completely forgotten about the through-the-hood header stacks. Some drivers: #1 - Buddy Jerkins #02 - Leroy Brooks #20 - Fred Elbel Jr. #22 - Fred Elbel Sr. #37 - Ed Siegmund - The holes in the hood reminded me! #42 - Buddy Woodall? #54 - Don Oatman. #55 - Bubba Storbeck (I don't remember him ever running a Ford, but here is evidence) #56 - Hubert Bean (Bean Bandit) #67 - Ed Szeck - later to go to bigger things #88 - Ronnie Groff (the car doesn't look familiar, maybe he was just a sponsor) If I get time I may try to add more.