A question for the race track chasers
 

So, I know many of us keep records on all of the tracks we have visited. (My number is 93), but I have some questions about how you classify some situations.

1. The race track has two tracks at the same location. There is the big track and the little track inside. You sit in the same grandstand, but the two tracks are completely different and have nothing in common. If you watch a race on both tracks is that two on your list?

2. Similar to one but a little different. There are two tracks but they share the front straight away. The two tracks race completely different, but for a moment they are on the same straight way. Once again, you sit in the same grandstand to watch both races. If you watch a race on both tracks is that two on your list?

3. The race track was cut down in size. At one time it was a big track (usually 1/2 mile) but the racing and car count suffered. Thus the promoter cut the track in size to something much smaller. Sometimes the front straight away in reused, but sometimes a smaller track is just inside the larger track and the larger track is abandoned. However, once again the same grandstands are used for both. If you watch a race on both tracks is that two on your list?

4. The track was brought back to life. This is where the track has a history, went dark, and then was brought back to life. This is where everything is new except for the location of the track. Pennsboro Speedway is a great example of this. If you watch a race on both tracks is that two on your list?

5. Complete rebuild of the complex. Similar to four, but instead of keeping the track in the original location, it is moved to a new location within the complex. The only thing similar to the old track in this situation is usually the name and the address. The proposed changes at Little Belleville in Illinois would be an example of this. If you watch a race on both tracks is that two on your list?

I count them as one.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

http://www.roamingtheraceways.com/guide.html

I told Guy Smith one time that ice racing tracks shouldn't count because they melt in the spring, he didn't find any humor in my joke.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

I also count them as one.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

I follow the Trackchaser rule book:

1. Track within a track. Yes. They count separately. You only count tracks separately IF you see a race on them. Examples: Salem - Big half with a 1/4 mile on the inside (You see sprint cars on the half, Kenyon cars on the 1/4 - that' 2 tracks), IMS - Superspeedway with the Midget Short Track inside (You went to the Indy 500 in May, came back in Sept for the BC39 - that's 2 tracks).

2. Even if the tracks share the same straightaway, they can count as separate tracks. Again, only if you see races on both configurations. Examples: Anderson - the oval and the figure 8 track, Baer Field - 1/2 mile oval and an inner 1/4 mile that shared the front straight.

3. That's a point of contention with some Trackchasers. The short answer is "no". Only count once. A perfect example is Lawrenceburg. I've seen shows on the old flat quarter and the new banked 3/8. They are completely different configurations, in my opinion. To save on any arguments, Lawrenceburg can only be counted once.

4. Counts as only one track. Cosmetics don't matter.

5. Moved to a new spot within the same complex - I've thought about this one myself when it comes to the new Belle-Clair (if it ever happens). I would say "yes". Counts as a new track. This one might have to go to the Trackchaser Board of Directors for review. :)

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

I'm a one track man for all of the aforementioned scenarios. Even if, for the sake of argument, you watched the Rolex 24 Hours at Dayona and then went back a few weeks later to watch the Daytona 500 on the oval. I call that one track - both at Daytona International Speedway.

But you cannot just "go with the name". For example, we once went to a race at Alabama International Motor Speedway. If I went back now and watched a race there it would be at Talladega Superspeedway. I would not count that as two either.

Interesting topic, though, Jonr.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Not mentioned yet is the scenario of changing track surfaces…

If you’ve seen racing on the same track, at different times, with different surfaces, one dirt, one pavement, you count as two tracks.

For example – I saw racing at the old Flemington Fair Speedway (NJ) in 1983 when it was dirt. I also saw a sprint car show there in 1991 when it was pavement. I count Flemington twice. Lakeside Speedway (KS) – I saw a stock car race there in 1997 when it was pavement. Came back in 2000 and saw a sprint car race there when it was dirt. Two tracks.

Again, that’s just how the Trackchasers count them. Not to be taken too, too seriously. It’s all good fun.

I count Flemington as one but understand the argument for counting as two.

In the examples given by the original poster, I would also count them as one track. But to each their own.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

I agree with most of the people here, one location=one track. As for "official" Track Chaser rules. I guess some people like to formalize & define everything.... I like the comment " Not to be taken too, too seriously. It’s all good fun" ;)
By the way, I'm a relative lightweight at 39 tracks. Hope to hit at least 3 new ones this summer :23:

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Did not know that there was a group with rules. Will have to work on my list this afternoon. By using the rules listed my count will go up, but for the race chaser group it may go down. There are a couple on my list that I visited with my dad 40 years ago that I only have vague details. I know we went to “old dirt track outside of Odessa” and it is on my list but it might not make race chaser list.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Jonr,

Any track is countable if you know you were there. To gather information on an old track you can consult The History Of The American Speedways by Allan Brown. A good reference for looking up old race tracks with dates the track was in existence.


Bruce Eckel

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Here's an interesting scenario to add to the list. On July 10, 2019, USAC had a midget race scheduled at Concordia, KS as part of their midwestern swing. I went there, camped in my RV, paid to get in, sat in my seat and to the best of my recollection, cars were on the track for packing or warm ups. Suddenly the program got cancelled, using the excuse of track conditions or a wet pit area. I heard later on that some car owners and/or drivers had safety concerns with the retaining wall, but have no idea of the accuracy of those rumors.

Can I add that track to my list? I did, and I am now at 101. That figure is unlikely to change thanks to Flo racing. Regarding the points raised by the O.P., I always counted these as one track, except for the final one on the list, as I have never encountered a track relocating on the same premises.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Wouldn’t that be the same as a rain out?

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Unfortunately, no. According to the track chaser guidelines, just seeing wheel pack/warm-ups doesn’t count. You have to see an actual race to count the track. A race being two or more cars where a winner is declared. That means a heat race, dash, consi, feature, etc. I know some track chasers who won’t count the track unless they’ve seen a complete show.

Personally, I have been to about a dozen tracks where the unexpected happened, or most likely, it rained, and I never got to see a race. I went to West Plains MO once for a WoO show in ‘96. Saw hot laps and time trials. Then the heavens opened up right before the first heat race. Show cancelled. Never went back. Never counted the track. Sh*t out of luck.

The biggest thorn in my side was Hales Corners WI. Been there not just once, but twice. First time for a WoO show in ‘98. Then again in ’99 for an SCRA show. Paid to get in both times. Saved a seat. While I was hanging out with friends in the parking lot, a thunderstorm hit. Both visits. Both shows cancelled. Never got to count the track.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

It looks like if I go by the track chaser guidelines, I would have to drop Concordia off my list, but can add the track within a track at Manzanita. I remember a long ago WoO race there where they over-watered the half mile and spent an hour trying to get it worked in, with no luck. They ended up running the program on the quarter mile and there was almost a riot in the stands. I thought they put on a great show on the little track, but could also see why people were upset. I know I've been to a half dozen or so tracks that ran mini-sprints on a smaller inside track as part of the program, but I'm not going to burn any brain cells trying to recall which ones they were.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Theres a site called Track Chaser Guidelines

You could count the quarter mile at Manzy in your total. We were at Concordia that day & it really sucked. The locals almost ran a show that day but could round up enough cars at the last minute. Bummer!!!

Bruce Eckel

I guess I count grandstands ?😂
I don’t count a 1/4 inside of a half mile. Daytona I don’t count the big track, road course and backstretch “Battle at the beach” track separately.
Multiple tracks on the same property I do count separately, such as Las Vegas motor speedway with the 1.5 mile big track, and the separate dirt and paved short tracks.
I’ve been to regular and dirt covered Oswego and Berlin but I don’t count those separately.
Saw WoO hot laps at Drummondville Quebec and then got rained out. Don’t count that.

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Updated my list and using the TrackChaser guidelines, my new total is now 95 tracks. It was a lot more fun that I thought it was going to be to research some of the old tracks. It also brought up a lot of good memories that I had with my dad.

I was able to document all of the tracks on my list. I stumbled into this site that helped a lot with the older tracks. https://www.autoracingrecords.com/index.php

I knew that there were some guys out there who was taking race chasing to the extreme. I had been at a track or two when one of them would be interviewed by the announcer. I had forgotten thier levels. +2600 https://randylewis.org/

Re: A question for the race track chasers
 

Jonr,

As soon as you hit 100 different tracks you can submit your list to Trackchasers for listing. A good friend of mine, Will White from Quakertown, PA, is the author of Auto Racing Records. He has done an excellent job over the years doing a tremendous amount of research to populate that great website.

If you need any assistance in this matter just let me know.


Bruce Eckel :6: