For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

So, there has been many threads about should we or should we not be attending races with the COVID virus. This thread is not to repeat any of those old topics. Instead, it is for people like me who drastically limited my races last year and would only attend a race where I knew I could feel socially distanced. For us, when do you plan on attending the races again? Is it when you get the vaccine? Is it when the state(s) remove any limitations on outdoor events? Only, when the CDC announces it safe?

Every year, I will spend countless hours in the off season creating a potential race calendar. I create mine base on series that are close to my house. It is only a potential calendar, because I know full well that I am not attending all of the races. However, now that I am half way done, I wonder if I will attend any of them.

I truly wish I knew the answer to your question. Like you, we restricted our races in 2020, attending less than 50% of the races we usually would have in 2020. We are older, both over 65 and my wife is classified as an “at risk” person due to some immune system issues, so we are trying to be cautious. I seriously doubt that we will see an opportunity to be vaccinated (assuming we decide to take it) until late in 2021.

We have been going to Volusia and then Ocala for the last 7 years, and we are really struggling with whether we will go this year or not. Usually we make out plans for ISW the day after the schedule comes out, but we are holding off this year. I guess we are going to play it month by month, or even week by week.

Not an answer to your question, just wanted you to know you are not alone in struggling with what to do.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

i don't put much faith in anything the government advises, i plan on attending when the gates open.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Thanks for asking Jon. I hit the brakes early on this year. We were down in St. Pete for the IndyCar opener when the state, country, and world for that matter started shutting down. I did not attend one event all year at the tracks. Prior to we DID however go to flagboy55's place and watch the Chili Bowl which was a great offering by him and his.

We just recently lost a friend to the virus. I mean like..... 10:00 this morning. The first person we know who passed from this. I am going to play it by ear for I still have tickets for the 2021 St. Pete GP, but going all the way down to Florida for a vacation amongst this issue, to take full advantage of my $300 already spent for 2020...... That is a huge throw for saving 300 beans. I am hoping Green Savoree will front me tickets to Mid-Ohio on Independence Day. Either way, Florida in March looks like a stretch - race or not.

I will say, though, come mid-Summer, I will make a conservative and protected move to start hitting a local track here or there. This all depends on how this vaccine works out. The U.K. is already seeing a new strain of this killer and is locking down for the holidays. Are we over? Is the vaccine the magic bullet?

Ear to the ground I will have. Thanks for asking.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I attended all but two at the Burg last year, went to LPS and Atomic once each. And Florence twice Only time I was worried was Burg Midget week. Even at Half capacity that was a lot of people. Sat on Hillside in lawn chair at LPS and turn four at Atomic.

Never felt worried. Also just doesn't spread in warm outdoor environments unless your sitting or standing for a long time right next to each other,

Hopefully by May most will be inoculated and for certain the high risk groups.

Open em up. I'll go and be in control of my own safety.
Chuck

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I was at the races the first chance I got thins year which was the USAC Sprint Car show at 34 Raceway in Iowa in late June. Usually my 1st race is the Indiana Icebreaker at Brownstown in mid March. I ended up making it to 30 races in 2020. My normal is around 45-55. I plan on trying to get to as many races as possible again in 2021.

2020 season (30 races at 13 tracks. 4 new tracks)
34 Raceway (IA) - 1. New Track
Boone (IA) Speedway - 1. New Track
Brownstown (IN) Speedway - 1
Fairbury (IL) American Legion Speedway - 5
Gas City (IN) I-69 Speedway - 1
Grundy County (IL) Speedway - 1
Kankakee County (IL) Speedway - 4
Kokomo (IN) Speedway - 6
LaSalle (IL) Speedway - 1
Peoria (IL) Speedway - 1. New Track
Plymouth (IN) Speedway - 3
Shadyhill Speedway (IN) - 4
Wilmot (WI) Raceway - 1. New Track

This Covid-19 crap sucks and needs to go away; but that could be a while since folks are starting to have adverse reactions to the vaccine.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I'm waiting for the vaccine...:41::

Our racing family will be in
the house for the Florida racing events. Be safe and be careful. God bless America. Thanks.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I went to every event I wanted to. Midget week was the only time it was crowded. I live in Northern WI and travel a lot with a close group of friends. First show after the covid hit was Scootland county Missouir, stood in the infield with maybe 10 others. Made trips to Iowa was always easy to find a spot not crowded. Went to Vegas South Texas Tri County Springfield and a few other this fall. If you want to social disance it's really easy at most tracks. I am retired and already have plans for AZ,TX,NE and IN. Get out in the fresh air and support your local track. I am not in a hurry to get the vacine.

If it happens will be in florida for sprints and midgets

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I didnt see the stands as a hot spot. Walking through crowds going to or leaving consessions, bathrooms and gates were concentrated at times.Plus I was guilty of not social distancing several times. You see a race buddy and forget yourself. Not so fun habits are hard to put into practice. No scientific proof but I think racetrack dust and methanol fumes and screaming 410s and maybe a beer or two might kill the virus

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

99.30% will not perish from this. We have been played. All hospitals are paid big money incentives to stamp someone "died of covid" even if they didn't die from it. Way overblown my opinion. 10 months now of panic from the media. I Had to take my wife into the emergency last week ann arbor. I could not enter? They tried to tie it to covid. Nothing at all to do with what her condition was. Not saying it's not there. It's being used for political purposes. I went to many races with lots of people in stands last year. Stay home if you are worried. That's freedom of choice. I am 66.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I would not call myself a covid avoider, maybe cautious or concerned. I got to only less than half my usual races. Mostly due to tracks not open or races cancelled. Went to some limited seating, some limited seating that didn't look limited and a few packed houses where you would of had to assume no one ever heard of covid. Brought my face covering and used it when in crowed areas.

My opinion outdoor races are low risk. As I have heard of very little of folks catching it from the track or pits. Pits are the first place i thought you would see an outbreak with the same teams around each other night after night sometimes. Maybe you just don't sit in the prime seats this year. You can usually find somewhere to sit or stand away from others.

If I survive the Chilibowl I will try to get my race count back up next summer.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

It's been over 2 years since I went to my last race. My motivation to get back involved with the sport is just non-existent, COVID or otherwise. If I do go I won't be forced to wear a muzzle that's for damn sure.

Flights are booked for USAC in Feb and Indycar in March. I'll continue the same preventative measures of hand washing and distancing. I don't believe God will take me from this earth one minute before he has planned me to.

Nobody dies of COVID they die of pneumonia, heart issues etc. Same as process as AIDS.
I have lost a great racing buddy of 30 years and a friend of many on this board of COVID on Thanksgiving. Talking to a Kansas car owner last week he mentioned that a former driver lost his wife at 60. COVID. Al...who has written about auto racing in Indy for years lost his wife. COVID. One of our great USAC Champs and leaders has been very very sick and was so for nearly 2 weeks and isn't out of the woods. COVID and he's still a young man. D O Laycock's wife has been in the hospital. COVID. As the Associate Dean of the IU Medical School and a practicing ER doctor said in a meeting last week "if anyone doubts the seriousness of this come see me."

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

JUST STOP! 317,000 dead so far....

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

A Hoosier racing friend of mine recently died of COVID. I'm gonna let a closer friend make the announcement if he thinks its appropriate :(
Its NOT a hoax

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I've been wondering about that.... maybe since its outside & people are all facing the same direction, rather than facing each other, makes it safer?
Or maybe the cases are not being reported?

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

In early November and early December, I just lost BOTH my mother-in-law and father-in-law to COVID within 27 days of each other. I take it a bit personal when people say COVID is a HOAX. Yes, they were both in their 80's, but it isn't a HOAX. We can all be carriers, even if we don't get sick or have symptoms.

I want to race as bad as the next person. Yes, I will attend races even with this pandemic but please stop calling it a hoax.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Sorry for your loss & THANK YOU

Seeing how my last name isn't *****, I don't hide inside. Will make every race I can. I dont even wear a mask except when on my way into and out of church. While in church, no mask.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Since this thread has some side tracks, how about we thank good ole china for giving us a big ole lump of coal for the holidays and the whole year as a matter of fact.
I'll go to the races like always until it gets a little stale then I wish I could go to IN or IL. I do follow covid guidelines so I don't offend people but I haven't washed my homemade mask since my wife made it for me in the Spring.
I love racing, it has always been a constant in my life no matter what struggles I may go through on the journey. I just can't even imagine a life without racing. Merry Christmas everyone.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Well Our Gov today said it's variable from state to state but generally.
Group
1-A Healthcare workers and nursing/retirement home/assisted living. In Ohio he expects second shots to be completed by end of Jan.

Group
1-B First responders/People over 75 Completion hopefully before April

Group
1-C 60yrs and older and those 18-60 with pre existing conditions Completion June/July BY APPOINTMENT with pharmacies

Group
1-D Anyone who wants one by appt. Starting June/July

Variables If three-four or five vaccines and we know of three more in phase three trials become available. This will accelerate
Number of people who actually take vaccine.

Dewine, Today. says pretty confident in 1-A being done by feb. Rest is outline.

Utter conspiracy nonsense. If it did not have the potential to harm others it would be looked upon as a poor attempt at dark humor.

I understood that political comments were a no no?

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Losing more I know to the virus right now. So sad. I am old and slow but made about 20 shows this past season with a mask and distance. I did not do much socializing and many avoided me because I wore the mask. They thought I was sick. (I learned a trick flying SW air in 2018, where you jockey for your seat,...wear a mask and you get to have the middle seat empty.) Back to racing 2021, I plan on Florida USAC and back outdoors in April for any BOSS shows and Kokomo Midget Gran Prix. If vaccinated by May, it will be full on heading to all that is the month of May in Indy. Stay safe everyone!

Well this thread took a predictable turn. But to answer the original question, as soon as the gates open for a race I want to attend, I plan on being there. The only fear that will keep me away is the fear of watching 4 classes of fenders time trial, such as happened at a certain southern track a few weeks ago.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I am truly sorry for anyone who has lost a loved one from this nasty china flu. Yes it's very contagious. The gov has incentivized covid 19 the cause of death to all hospitals. They are tying all illnesses to it. Not a conspiracy theory but fact. These numbers are what the media can't wait to spew out everyday. I don't believe the masks help that much and I don't believe the high toll we are being told. See you at the races.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

I had COVID over Thanksgiving. It just made me fell a little achy and really tired but I have been a lot sicker than that in my life. Now the doctors tell me I have antibodies and it is unlikely that I can get it again at least for awhile, so I guess I am going to see as many races as my budget allows.

Thanks Mike, we enjoyed you and your wife coming to our annual hootenanny. You guys are always welcome. Like I tell Cigar Dave, you don’t need an invitation just let me know when you’re on your way. We’ll do it again I’m about a month if you’re so inclined.
I first want to extend sincere condolences to anyone who has lost someone to the Wuhan virus. Is it real? Yes. Has it been politicized? Yes. And I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. As far as the original question, I’ve gone to races when I can, I will go whenever I can. The biggest deterrent to me was lack of funds, a side effect of the pandemic. Things are looking up however so next year should be better. I have to say this, we had a bunch of gathering’s in the garage this past summer with 4 TVs going from 4 different race tracks. Not a bad deal either

Belief is one thing, empirical evidence is quite another.

What’s also empirical is that the chances of dying from other more traditional causes are down, so there’s your silver lining

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Made it to 20 races this year all local. I stayed away from the bigger events with large crowds mostly to appease my wife who's terrified I was going to bring this home. Saw the wingless Super Sportsman 7 times so I got my wingless fix in through them.

Duel you are 100% correct. The number of deaths in 2020 are about the same as they have been in the past five years. I do believe there are covid deaths but it is greatly exaggerated. If someone dies today and tested positive 6 months ago they say it was covid related. They get money to do so. I will not be a sheep those that believe differently and follow I will respect their choice

I sure do miss talking with him.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Only got to 28 sprint or midgets shows this season, which is really down from last 10 15 years, normally get to 50 or more. Like everybody else the Covid put a hell of a crimp in the plans, but also we had a lot of rain outs. When I was able to go racing, I went. I wear a mask, social distance when need too. Don"t have any problem doing it, if thats what it takes for me to see racing and my friends. Not hitting Florida, for basically four, five nights of racing (2 nights of midgets wait a week then 2 3 nights of sprints) I figure the money it cost to stay in the sunshine state would help me get down the road to a bunch of races around home in Indiana,plan on hitting road pretty hard this year. I"m a old fart with several health problems( 4 bouts with cancer, dialysis) so should be able to get the shot which if I"m offered I"ll do. I"ll do what ever I need to do to go racing and to see my racing family. Everybody please STAY SAFE and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. :D

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

This pandemic is nowhere near the level of 1917-18 at one point we had 400 a day dying in Cincy area alone per day, Our whole state hasn't reached near that level.. We're at over 300k and I do believe a ton of that is We think it was covid. But Cancer, Old age along with getting sick = death

This is a bad flu and unique meaning nobody's had this particular bug before, similar to '47 and 69-70 They say that the 69-70 bug if the population were the same as today would have taken over 300k and they shut nothing down. Even held Woodstock.

Also Covid is never going to be completely gone. Like the flu outbreaks, about every ten years we'll have break outs, Why, Because it mutates enough that even those that had it aren't immune, plus new generations.

Type B influenza about get me three years ago. I don't want Covid.

Be safe everyone. See ya at the tracks.

Re: For the COVID avoiders, when do return to the track?
 

Saw my last race this year on March 7. Fortunately, I still hit a total of 12 between Jan. 11 and that date, as I live in AZ.

I missed ISW this year for the first time in 8 years, and only the 6th time in 21 years. I watched both sprint and midget weeks on Floracing, and from all appearances when the cameras scanned the grandstands, people were packed in pretty good, with masks very few and far between. This was in spite of ticket sales being advertised as limited to on-line, with supposed reduced capacity at all venues.

I'm not being critical of anyone who does otherwise. I just can't risk getting sick 1800 miles from home with my large dog and I traveling alone in an RV. If I end up leaving the hospital in a body bag, things get complicated real fast.

I also had/have no interest in attending the season ending USAC National midget/CRA sprint show at AZ Speedway last month, or the upcoming events in Jan. That was tough, as this track is 15 minutes from my door. The on-line ticket sale seating map showed all seats available for the Western World, although there was vague wording elsewhere in the advertising of some unspecified restrictions. It wasn't clear enough for me to feel comfortable prepaying for tickets, and then find myself elbow to elbow in the stands.

Hope 2021 gets a handle on this with the vaccine. When that happens, I will blow the dust off the RV and see some great racing again.

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