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Post by smokingun on Jul 20, 2013 22:50:07 GMT -6
Had a grate crownd 2 nite. Too bad they showed up fore only 60 sum cars. Seems like we are loosing more and more cars everi nite.
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Post by crashtestdummy on Jul 22, 2013 10:30:12 GMT -6
That car count is really low. Think maybe some were worried about rain?
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Post by slidinsideways on Jul 23, 2013 8:43:08 GMT -6
Why r car counts dropping?
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Post by Administrator on Jul 29, 2013 15:17:37 GMT -6
I understand that there was a low car count again this week. Any ideas as to why it is dropping, or what can be done to imrpove car count?
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Post by jarmey76 on Jul 30, 2013 9:03:24 GMT -6
There are a couple of reasons in my opinion. First and what I believe the most significant is the track; our track surface is horrible. We pay a person to work the track each week and this guy waters and drives it in then he is done. A good track worker should be doing all he can to keep the surface as good as possible throughout the night as well as during the week, That’s what we are paying for. I know there are a few that prefer a dry slick track however I would say the greater amount of people would prefer a tacky or at least semi tacky. The racing is better when there is at least some grip, it creates multiple lanes for racing, not to mention cars are more able to drive around trouble and maneuver around others which is safer and typically less cautions. WE NEED A TRACK PREP WORKER. Second and vary important we are the lowest paying track around. We originally were the only track in the area to race Micros; Valley jumped in the mix and pulled cars mostly because they pay more. And Double X is hosting Micros and they pay more. The board needs to stop giving our money to the local businesses and invest in our purse. MONEY DRAWS CARS BOTTOM LINE. And one more thing is that travelers know what SSMC is going thorough as much as we do. Last season the attitude around the track was great the club did well and racers were happy. We no longer tech, we fired the best Official and Flagman we ever had, If you are not part of a select few the club favor you are going to have more BS. It is not worth it to most, especially if you are a traveling team.
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sph89
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by sph89 on Jul 30, 2013 12:01:59 GMT -6
I won’t profess to know how to make a great racing surface. I know what I liked as a racer, and what I didn’t like. I know what most of the fans have said they like and don’t like. I have no idea how to create that surface! I believe this is more of an art than it is a science since the conditions are different every week leading up to race night. When I was on the board, we were in position several times to have to replace this position, and I can tell you that there aren’t many guys out there who know how to do this art. Track prep is very critical with this new lineup format. For the record, I am still in the position that this board did not have authority to make this rule change. I’m not going to debate whether it is better or worse for the growth of the business, just saying the rules were NOT followed when this was rammed through. We are stuck with it for now. In order for this format to have the value it is advertised to have, the track must be conducive to passing…You are right Jarmey, it is not always a good track. As for the “money draws cars bottom line”, this is a double edged sword:
• SSMC is already under capitalized; we need money for improvements like erecting the storage building, maintaining scoring systems, improved PA systems, bleacher repairs, safety fencing, better drainage, equipment repair, new machinery, upgraded electrical system in the entire facility, safety vehicles, the list goes on. For various reasons, I don’t believe we are on a solid financial plan that will allow us to fund the improvements. I no longer see the financial statements so I’m only guessing at our position. • I think one of the attractions to SMMC is the value for the price paid. In order to raise pay outs, the money has to come from somewhere…the only a way to generate more revenue for a business like ours, a backgate business, is to raise pit passes which only puts greater burden on the family members of the racers. We can match payouts of Valley and Atchinson, if we raise our pit passes to $25 - like theirs. Fans in the stands help a little, but it is mostly pit passes that pays the way. Who knows, if we raise pit passes to $25, we might not lose any pit pass numbers. • Due to the ridiculous lawsuit settlement, track insurance has doubled. That does not help the financial situation at all. We live in a litigious society, steps need to be taken to insure individual assets, as well as, club assets are protected.
Car count has been really good the last few years. The counts appear to be low for 2013. What has changed…1) the president, 2) a few board members, and 3) the racing lineup format. That doesn’t seem like that much to me. Gotta be something else.
Shawn H
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Post by 2roundsin on Jul 30, 2013 18:32:09 GMT -6
Personally I prefer to watch 2 or 3 wide racing ALL night long, rather then the same 2 cars in the back every week trying to make their way to the front! The only happy people with this new lineup owns Speedway.com and also the USPS! The track got just a 20 min. shower a couple of weeks ago and it was the best racing this year! So many people in the pits got out of their cars that night and said how much more fun it was! The next week hot and dry again and single file racing! Last week a shower came through in the afternoon and great racing again! Not rocket science PUT SOME WATER DOWN!!!! I Heard this lineup will help make you a better driver! That's all fine and good, if you are 14 yrs old and, being groomed for the bigger cars! Also,someone else is footing the bills! So much racing is falling by the wayside because of the $$$$, micro racing is still somewhat affordable unless you have to spend $500. for repairs every few weeks because you are starting in the back EVERYWEEK! As far as payout goes it is endless how to make more $$$! It is a great track we should be having at least 3 big races every year! What happen to The Race for Life?!? I HEARD THE TRACK BEAT THEM OUT OF SOME MONEY SO THE TOOK IT ELSEWHERE! I do know it was setup to be a traveling race however the PR people liked our track the best but, then we turn around and screw that up! This race track needs a PR person that can put together a team to go out and get business involved and put people in the stands!!!! Go to Double XX they are packed! We need to fill our stands (and not just with the locals! Raise pit pass to $17 OR $20 it doesn't have to go up $10.00! Ok,I am going to come right out and say it-This board needs to be CLEANED OFF, everyone needs to go except Richard!!! It needs new blood with fresh ideas, before it's to late!
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Post by Spineless on Jul 31, 2013 11:39:15 GMT -6
The only board member you want to keep is the one with out a backbone? He knows something is wrong but will vote with the majority and won't lobby on it's behalf. I could give examples but that would kill my anonymity.
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sph89
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by sph89 on Jul 31, 2013 13:10:29 GMT -6
Spineless ~ It is OK for you to make anonymous posts. That is reality of social media. It is the reality of society in general. Some are not cut out to bang their fist on the table, cuss, yell and cause a big scene nor are they cut out try to build a coup to overthrow the current government...some are...some are to a fault. Anonymity is OK in a public forum. Being sucked into the majority can happen to anyone.
In my experience, it would be out of character for Richard to be spineless, yet also out of character for him to raise hell. I have seen Richard vote in opposition to the majority in board votes. I have listened to Richard debate (not argue) an opposing viewpoint on an issue. Just because he “knows something is wrong” as you say, it doesn’t make him exclusively responsible. Sounds like there are lot of folks who “know something is wrong”, but nobody is getting outside of their comfort zone to influence change.
I disagree with your opinion that Richard is spineless. I’m not an *ss-kisser nor am I running for office looking for his vote. Just sharing my opinion, and in my opinion, Richard is a valuable resource and asset. Perhaps in this current environment, and under this leadership, he is reluctant to overpower some big personalities in a verbal showdown...I’m not speaking for him, just saying “what if”. I would promote and vote for Richard on the SSMC board.
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Post by Johnna Thompson on Aug 1, 2013 6:42:11 GMT -6
Richard is one hell of a nice guy, he is one of the few board members that stick up for Hershel when the board called Hershel into a meeting at the track prior to a race because they didn't like a post he made on the forum. He also came up into the tower and helped the ladies in the tower one night when the computer want figuring points right. He is one of a few of the fairest open minded board members we have
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Post by jarmey76 on Aug 1, 2013 10:53:11 GMT -6
I try to approach statements from both sides, I understand you may not be in favor of Richard being on the board and that is absolutely your opinion. With lack of reason I am not sure of your position toward him and nor do I wish to influence a change in it. From my own stance I would like to say I know Richard fairly well and consider him a good friend. And without a doubt I would contest that he is spineless. I have discussed rules and issues with him in the past and even when I am as frustrated as I can get he seems to be a voice of reason. I agree with Shawn, sometimes in war you have to choose your battles. You can see what happened to Hershel when a single person starts making waves, and maybe a little against the grain from what the board is thinking. Richard is an asset to the club, he has a vast knowledge of racing and knows many people around the entire Micro community he has seen what works, what don’t and has watched rise and falls of many organizations. I would promote him as well. Shawn I agree that all issues need to be addressed, and I am not an accountant and never wish to be. I don’t know the right answer for the club to start putting money in the right places but I understand what you are saying. I think the score board is a perfect example, the thing is still not right and the club is spending money on a golf cart, building (laying in the weeds) and giving it away. But I still stand behind what is going to bring more cars to our facility, MORE PAY. I know that it is a hard pill to take but it seems money the club is wasting could be put to better use. If you raise the purse more cars register and they bring more pit pass purchases, more fans in the stands, more concessions. If we had a promoter for the track that person could find sponsors for a few purses or at least contribute to a purse. Rumor is that Grain Valley may lose the battle with the city about noise and if so, there may be an opportunity to pick up some cars, but Atchison is getting more and more competitive and we will most likely lose Valleys racers to them.
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Post by Joe on Aug 2, 2013 5:35:36 GMT -6
Well most of Grain Valley's drivers are former SSMC drivers that got fed up with SSMC and left. Since Valley and Atchison race on the same night, I'd bet most of them just go to Atchison. As to more pay, the only way that is going to happen is if they raise the entry fee. I doubt that will go over well at a board meeting and I doubt they change it anytime soon. As to Richard, he's a SUPER NICE guy and extremely knowledgable about dirt racing in general. And while those are 2 atributes you want in a board member, those aren't the only two atributes we want. Also, just having those two atributes doesn't automatically make you a great board member. I'll admit he's not my first pick of board members that need to be fired, but he's on my list of board members that need to go. The reason he's on my list is simple. There SHOULD NOT BE A BOARD. I understand that this is a club owned racetrack, but we need 1 person in charge. No voting on rule changes, no whining about track prep or officials, no bickering about scoreboards and golf carts and whatever else has your panties in a bunch. 1 promoter/Ceo/president whatever he (or she) needs to be called. My reason for this is there is too many chiefs and not enough indians. This person can even be an elected official with at least a 2 year term, but it needs to be 1 person only. The board has to meet, and discuss, and debate, and vote, and... Just have one guy making all the calls. Sure I won't like every decision he (or she) makes just like at every other track on the planet. But as long as he is consistant and makes the same set of rules for everyone, I can live with that. Since they are an elected official, they'll have to appease the people or be ousted come the next election. And the new CEO/Promoter/President can reverse any prior decisions. My only other stipulation is that this 1 man doesn't have the power to change the rules during the season (except for in the interest of safety). They need at least a 2 year term because sometimes people will not like a decision at first, but over time they may come to like it or at least see the justification for it and the leader can't be in fear of his job every week or he may not be able to make the unpopular but needed changes.
Just my 2 cents, but what do I know? I'm too scared to sign my real name too for fear of retalliation by current board members and club officials. So I guess I'm just as Spineless as the last guy.
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Post by Wildside on Aug 2, 2013 7:14:34 GMT -6
While it is possible that a track would run smoother with just one person calling the shots. With that scenario though, doesn't that one person usually own that track and have paid employee's? Since ALL of the work at SSMC is done by volunteers, how would you get anyone to fill those spots? Based on the financial decisions made in the last 6 months, this track is headed back to having zero capital as it was 3 to 4 years ago and erasing everything that was done in the last few years let alone be able to afford a full paid staff. I am not sure that by just making one person in charge in a club ran track works.
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Post by Administrator on Aug 2, 2013 10:53:49 GMT -6
So who would you appoint as the new "king". And why that person? I personally disagree with the thought of having a "king" in charge who does waht he wants/when he wants...oh wait, is that waht is going on now?
This is a club. A not for profit corporation. Like all little league sports. Just needs good leaders, and good indians.
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