Hmmm I dunno about tonight because I had to work. But last year's sprint week show there was no way in the world they was getting that show in. Yes it rained 10 to 15 minutes but that is the hardest ive ever seen it rained. You couldn't see 10 feet in front of you. Yes the sun came out afterwards and guess what I couldn't attend on the following sunday but knowing the teams had another race the next night I knew there was no way they could get that race in. It would of took a good 2 to 3 hours to get the track back in shape and then run the progrom. Teams were already running on fumes as sprint week was coming down to the end. If you really think they had a chance then maybe you should reconsider your thoughts. Blake Memmer

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

Wow, Shouldn't jump in here but in LPS defense, I seem to remember they tried to put on more racing for the fans last year by running several Thursday shows, getting rained on at one of them and a couple others had 100* plus and giving teams some tow money when it did get rained out. Not only that, They gave away bottled water on a couple of hot and humid days. Not to mention they lost their ass on every single one of them but still paid everyone.

You ever get there two hours early and see how much moisture they put in that track? The pack truck won't even stay on the banks.

I remember a accidental almost rain out under the old promoter at a NST (WOO Type) race where they over-watered the track and it was 10:30pm before they hot lapped and 230am when they finished That was brutal.

I also know that Middle Indiana got upwards of 7 inches of rain the past week or so a steady light rain, cool temps and cloudy skys are just going to bring the moisture in the surface up.

Could they of possibly run? Maybe but you'd probably just now be watching the checker fly at 730am.

Also know that every track has their rain-out policy on their ticket booths and websites.

Its a shame they even try to put on a show for you cause Im d@mn sure you'd be B*((*chin if they'd of called it due to what the forecast or radar looked.

I went to the Burg last night knowing full well any decent rain would have probably quashed the show, By the looks of Radar early about 2pm both tracks could have cancelled and everyone would have probably understood. Neither did, LBURG GOT LUCKY, LPS DIDN'T I drove the 45 miles from LBurg home and through Sharonville it was lightning and thunderstorming.

Whats all this babble mean? I just think a couple peeps are being very harsh on a Promotor that did his darndest to put on a show for you and got hit by Mother Nature, Something totally beyond his control.

They announced that ticket stubs from tonight would be honored at any show this season, including sprint and midget week. Yes, driving to BFE for a heat and a half sucked, but they made the right call and made it as right as they could for the patrons IMO.

Posted via Mobile Device

Well shoot. I wish I would have known. I still love the place though. I am not bashing them at all if it seems that way. I think people should vent their frustration to Mother nature not the track.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

We made the haul from Wisconsin for the double USAC weekend. It was only our second time at Putnamville and the first time for my Dad. I really like the place and will attend more shows in the future. It was one of those "no win" deals for the track with the sprinkles coming down. The red for the flip did come at a bad time since racing couldn't continue but stuff happens. Anybody who is complaining about the rain out policy needs to listen to the announcements made or talk to somebody before you leave. I got to meet Joe Spiker last night and you gotta love the guy. He thanked us for coming knowing where we came from and made sure we knew our tickets were good for midget week which we were planning on coming to anyway. Make sure in a rain out deal that you know for a fact what's up with your ticket before you leave. Just cause you don't agree with the show being called don't just storm out the gate. I love Lincoln Park!

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

The best part of your trip was quality time with your dad. I sure wish my dad was still around so I could have time with him be it racing or a rain-out. Enjoy what time you have with family and friends, it won't last forever.

So true.
All of you should.
Mine passed away when i was 9 but not before he gave me some great memories and passing on roots to my dirt track racing that have lasted my lifetime. Thanks Dad.

Posted via Mobile Device

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

:44: :5: :8:

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

The person who lost the most money on this deal was Joe Spiker. A rain out is a money losing propostion for a race promoter.

Several years ago, a promoters right hand man at a couple of tracks in DFW got on a local forumn to discuss what happens when there is a rain out. The information is a couple of years old but it is all still relevant.

Re: WHAT'S THE MOST $$$ A DFW AREA DIRT TRACK HAS MADE
by ReggieF » Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:04 pm

Now let's talk about a rainout.

Insurance - (Note the insurance has to be in the mail before the race night for an established promoter. A new promoter often must have his check to the insurance company before the date of the races)

When you call the rainout is important.

No one in the pits - your entire premium can be applied to the next race night

Open the pit gate - 25 to 30% of the premium forfeit

Hot Laps - 50-65% of the premium forfeit

Any race takes a green flag - 100% of the premium forfeit

C-Stand - about 25-35% of your concession stand supplies for the night cannot be saved and reused. Throw them out or eat a lot of burgers.

Staff costs - most track staff get paid nothing on a rainout, maybe half pay if the races have started.

Security, ambulance and often c-stand workers get paid for the hours worked.
Depending upon the track and locations - you may have to pay a full night ambulance fee. That was the requirement at NTMS which was expensive. Once the ambulance left Tyler for NTMS - we had to pay a minimum 8 hours at $85 per hour.

At a minimum - 40% of the race night costs without the purse is what a rainout costs you. That does not include any weekly costs which are almost all wasted.

You also loose between 3 and 5% of your potential yearly income with a rainout. If you get six rainouts per season - your yearly gross have been cut by 20 to 30%.

You can never make up that income.

The absolute worst for a promoter is to have a rainout after the races have started. The next week the pit gate income will likely be below $700 as everyone comes back with their armbands from the previous week. Probably half the front gate crowd will get in free.

So you've taken two nights income and barely get enough for one good night. You have your good race night full expenses and 30% of the previous rainout night expenses.

Money loser anyway you look at it.

The entire thread can be found at:
http://www.elbowsup.com/viewtopic.ph...31610&start=10

But you're talking about the real world, this is the internet, this is no place for facts, just arm chair promoters allowed here.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

Not trying to start any problems or cause a pissing match. However, I was at LPS last year and Brad Dickison, track announcer, "announced" that "if" they were rained out your raincheck would be good for any race on the schedule the rest of the year.

The policy at the ticket booth stated that a raincheck would be honored for only the next two races. I just assumed that he knew what he was talking about.

Well unfortunately, we were rained out that night. When I attended later in the year, I was told that my raincheck was not good as it would have had to have been used at either of the next two shows after the rainout.

Again, I am not trying to stir the pot. My point is that it is posted "[B]IN WRITING"[B] and what the announcer said isn't. Many times announcers are either mis-informed or don't know the policies at the track. I would double check with LPS prior to assuming that the announcer knew what he was talking about.

I still go to LPS and enjoy their shows but last year taugh me a valuable lesson. Make sure you know the tracks policy before you invest your money. Enough said.

Sam had the right perspective when we said we would just use our tix for midget or sprint week. He said we'll get to see 1.5 USAC shows for the price of one!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

Mike,

I am curious about the raincheck policy, too. I know the sign says next two events, but Brad said they are good all season. Since these were $25 tickets, I plan to use them for another event that has the same admission price. If I attend an event that has a lower admission, will I receive the difference in cash? I certainly don't want to surrender two $25 rainchecks for a $13 race. Is there someone in authority from LPS that can post on here and give a definitive answer?

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

The rain out policy is on the bottom of the Schedule Page HERE.

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

Thanks! The policy for special events is a good one!

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

even an old geezer can understand this :8:

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

04/29/2013 - LINCOLN PARK SPRINTS RESCHEDULED JULY 4
The AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars will return to Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind. July 4, replacing the event interrupted by rain last Saturday night.

The July 4 event will be a “complete” program, including qualifications, heats, semi and feature.

Rain halted last Saturday night’s program at the 5/16-mile dirt oval during the second heat race. Bryan Clauson had posted the B & W Auto Mart fastest qualifying time and Landon Simon won the first heat prior to the weather.

Race organizer Joe Spiker has announced tickets from last Saturday night will be honored for the July 4 race, or for that matter any one of the remaining USAC races at Lincoln Park. “Indiana Midget Week” visits Lincoln Park June 13 and “Indiana Sprint Week” stops there July 18.


--USAC--

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

anywhere else i've been seem to refund your $ the night of the rainout if you're from out of town/ and those that don't will refund the $ if you mail the ticket to them (lps is the only place i've been to that didn't do one or the other of the above):7: so as much as i love sprint car n midget racing/ if the weather report does not say zero percent chance of rain/ i steer clear'a that joint

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

In going to races for 40 years, I've never at any track got my money back same night and only at Eldora was I ever able to send my ticket for a refund. I think Track Enterprises does as well but those were either pre sold or events that didn't happen due to their fault. (Dust out)

Show me one instance? Not trying to bust chops, but check any racetracks page and it none of them do

Oh wait, I have once, Midget Week 2009 Union County and they still put on a show and paid what was advertised despite the sanction pulling out and half the cars leaving but it wasn't a rainout..

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

I've seen Jiggs do it at Gas City and Gerry Olson of all people do it at No Vernon but for sure its not usual track policy to hand cash back on a rainout. Remember if they make an exception for out of towners then they risk peeing off their regulars.

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

I agree. We are coming back for Midget Week so i'm not worried. My Dad won't be able to come with us but instead of trying to get his money back i will just bring the ticket along and sell it to somebody.

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

I'll give ya $5 Tim

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

When John Stiles had the Speedrome his rain check policy was stellar: If the entire program was not complete your rain check was worth face value the rest of the year!!

When weather was threating the crowd did not diminish!!

Promoters that are in it for the long haul might want to think this through! What am I giving up one night vs what I might gain over several nights???

When JS took over the Speedrome it was ave about 450 fans a night, when he left it was ave about 1400 per night?

Have been to about 110 different tracks in the past and he was the only one that I am aware of that had a rain check policy like this, he was also the only promoter I have ever seen increase his front gate 315%!!

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

Last year my wife and I were at the Rainout at I-30 in Little Rock and I emailed them when I got home and explained to them I lived in Indiana and no way I could come back last year, and they told me to send my pit passes to them and they would send me a check. Top notch people the Clays are and they understood.

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

Interesting, we did the same thing and never heard from them.:18: However we will probably go again this year.

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

$5 now and $20 the Thursday of the race? :11:

eldora refunds $ to out of towners the night of the rain out, as does lernerville, attica, and any other tracks i've been rained out at away from a reasonable drive refunded my admission when I mailed them my rain check (call me lucky if you wish, cause i've been to mucho events amd l p s is the only place where i've haven't received a refund) i'm not used to this new format, where's the logo with the guy beating the dead horse????

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Lincoln Park Speedway-USAC 4/27
 

heres my .02 cents, race track rain out policys should allow you to use your ticket anytime throughout the year, not just 2 weeks more than likely if your local track rains out you are not gonna take a chance on going to another track that might get rained out also if your only allowed to use raincheck for two weeks. know this is what we look at now before we take off to another track with fuel costs and everything else, so like saturday some people went home mad, but i would say with the small crowd that was there saturday, chance of rain, rainout policy, people just stayed home, and looked for updates. with money like it is now promotors need to be more pro-fan and rethink rain policys, no refunds but, dont try and hold people hostage so they will come back or lose their money. chances are they will just stay home.