Mud Packer (Offline)
#92
8/8/08 2:51 PM
Originally Posted by agar:
I think if I was a cop and heard both sides of the complaint I would have told USAC to give the people there money back since you had charged them for a show you were not going to put on.
then the people who wanted to stay for the Speedways show could have repaid the track and went in and watched that show.
Joe,
The track collects the money not USAC. The track in turns pays USAC a sanctioning fee but at no time does USAC collect the money the fans pay for admission.
In your scenario, they would have had to clear the grandstands giving everyone their money back and then start over. I left at 8:15 PM and they were just starting the first hot lap session. What time do you think they would have gotten started with your plan in place?
Mike
Be nice to people on the way up. You might need them on the way down. Jimmy Durante
KOP (Offline)
#93
8/8/08 2:57 PM
Been sitting here with my popcorn and coke watching this movie run its course. One thing keeps coming to mind after reading all of this...........
The "diehard fans" will keep going to the tracks and watch some great high speed wheel to wheel action even after such senarios as to what happened at UC Speedway. The "casual fan" that takes in a race every so often will be more apt to think twice about going to the races or they may choose another course of entertainment for the evening next time. It is those fans I am most concerned about. We need those casual fans to keep the sport going as they add to the overall attendence. Even the days of the "Back Gate Nationals" will surely come to an end if there aren't enough fans to spend $$$$ at the track.
Regardless of which way the fingers are pointing, the principals in control just need to make sure they don't potentialy run off the fans we are all trying to put into the grandstands......PERIOD!
As some have stated, I don't blame any driver that didn't race if they really felt a hazordous situation was present. As for the drivers that did put on a show for the fans that attended.................:applaud:
randyrad (Offline)
#98
8/8/08 3:19 PM
Tough to make excuses for USAC. Change is seldom smooth or easy. The boss stepped up, publicy took responsibility, & said changes have already been made to prevent a reoccurrence. Let's see what follows.
It's a lousy deal to lose a race. I doubt the decision was taken lightly. I'm sure the negative PR was anticipated. Sometimes you gotta do what you think is right, despite the aftershocks you know will follow.
Reading the message boards, I wonder if Indiana racefans always appreciate how fortunate you are to have the options you have. That doesn't mean you deserve to be treated badly or taken for granted - but you're still surrounded by the best racing in the USA (imho).
It's hard to imagine a better way to spend a Fri eve than USAC national midgets at Bloomington, especially if joined by local Sprints. I'd even take that over Knoxville, & you've got 2 more events to follow. Think of last night as a rainout & enjoy the other 4 races, all at tracks that just successfully hosted ISW events.
Wish I could be there to join you.
RandyR (midwesterner exiled in MD)
