Circle City Rocks
 

I don’t want this to turn negative as no one on here wants to lose racetracks.If something isn’t done about the rocks at Circle City, someone is going to get hurt. I appreciate the effort that has gone into building this racetrack and I hope it’s a success, but I have been drilled by rocks 100% percent of the times I’ve been there. One of the two that got me tonight was the size of a strawberry and left a decent welt. I didn’t find the other one. Luckily it got me and missed my young son that I brought to the track. I’m not sure what the solution is but I’ve been to racetracks most of my 44 years and haven’t experienced this as bad anywhere else. A group in front of me stacked the rocks that they caught and left them on the seat as a subtle suggestion. Again, I am only bringing this up in hopes that a positive solution can be found.

I got hit with a small rock on my left cheek tonight. Put on my safety glasses to protect my eyes. Saw a huge rock someone had collected about row 5. It's been a problem since CC first opened. Disaster waiting to happen.

Can’t say I’ve ever been to any track short of chili bowl where it wasn’t a problem, some worse than others. Last year CC had some this year we’ve ran there a few times and no issues, usually if it’s rocky driver bitches about his helmet getting hit. Granted we’re always sitting in pit stands.

You know the funny thing about this is (honestly not funny) I have posted this multiple times. I have been told, including again tonight, that I'm being negative, no I'm being honest and realistic, some people dont know how to do that.

I've been to CC twice this year, one time last year. I've said each time, it's a great race track, great facilities, great parking, good food (lil high priced), but the rocks are ridiculous. It's not pea gravel, its ROCKS.

Sprint Week my bald head got cut open, not enough for stitches but enough to be bleeding. I had to go buy a hat to protect myself. Sunglasses or safety glasses are a guarantee for me at any track, eye injury at 13, no way will I go without now days at 40. Got hit a couple more times at Sprint Week. Seen a man in his 80s moving rocks out of the way with his cane so he didnt stumble.

Tonight was better for me, sat in a different area, but still rocks. Got hit in the side of my calf, not only a welt, but cut my leg open. Went out for a break, in the handicap aisle way, a rock the size of a strawberry, good example crappieman.

I second what you say, not saying this to be negative, just being honest and hoping for some major improvement by next year, before someone gets seriously injured. The nay sayers, claim it's not true, it doesnt happen, it happens at every track, blah blah blah. No, Circle City is far far worse than any other track. Outside of the rocks, my 3rd favorite track!! Thank you for a great race, please do something/work on the rocks!!

It’s hard to feel bad for people that post every time they go there they get hit by rocks. If you are getting hit by rocks, have some sense and sit elsewhere!

I went last night for the first time. I’ve read about rocks flying, so I sat up high just to the right of the flag stand. I didn’t get hit by anything AND there were plenty of seats available in my section, including a few on the top row. I didn’t see anyone anywhere around me get hit either.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Going to need some help from the farmers/construction guys, but I am 90% sure that I read about a local track in KC using a machine to de-rock the surface. From what I remember, the machine would take it the top x inches of the surface and sort/mill the dirt for the rocks. The end result was a rock free race track.

When I read it, it all made so much sense that I wondered why all tracks did not do this.

Anyone have experience with this?

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by Andrew S. Quinn:
It’s hard to feel bad for people that post every time they go there they get hit by rocks. If you are getting hit by rocks, have some sense and sit elsewhere!

I went last night for the first time. I’ve read about rocks flying, so I sat up high just to the right of the flag stand. I didn’t get hit by anything AND there were plenty of seats available in my section, including a few on the top row. I didn’t see anyone anywhere around me get hit either.

Some people don't have the luxury. If your handicap you may have to sit low.. I do think it's complaining but a legit one for sure if people are getting welts and cut by them. only a matter of time. TMEZ a couple times. Here's my go pro with a broken case again from CC.

Every track has rocks in it. some not much to worry about. Others depending on weather conditions have rocks float up and some are silted and checked pretty often.

Used to get nailed everytime at Union County (Liberty) by thumbnail sized stuff, Didn't matter where I sat. Sometime in the night, Wap!

Eyes are important, without them, You can't see the races, I have more than one friend who don't go anymore because they've lost one due to rocks. (FANS)

I haven't been to CC but want to. (Really the closest or fastest to get to track that runs sprint cars after Burg) But I couldn't see them visibly like first year. First year there was hand sized stuff. (Baseball) clearly visible on cam.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

I went there once last year for the World Of Outlaws Late Model Series show and got nailed hard on a couple of occasions. BTW that crap that hit me was huge and I was sitting up high in the grandstands even bought a pit pass like I usually do and sat in the pit stands. I'm lucky I can tolerate $h!t ton of pain and not feel it unlike others. Over the years I've been hit by some good size rocks but those are by far the biggest rocks I've seen at any race track.


They really need to walk the track with at least a Phillips Screwdriver and scrape the dirt around the rocks and pull out at the very least the larger rocks they see.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

I lived in Sun Prairie for 15 years and never missed a race . I never got hit by a rock not once. They had a free pizza and rock picking night or two every spring. This shouldn't be that hard of a fix. Spend a few dollars and save yourself and someone else from liability/injury.

I got hit by a rock at the Smackdown two nights in a row. I sit on top row near anouser booth. Been to CC 4 times and have not been hit. I do here them bouncing off of the stands. All tracks has stones it just part of it. I do believe CC has more of a stone problems then most tracks.

For reference, I’ve sat in a different location each time I’ve been there, which totals 4 times I believe. This time I was about 3/4 of the way up very near the press box. My entire reason for sitting in this location was to hopefully avoid getting hit by rocks, but no dice. I wonder if a call to Tom Helfrich at Tri-State Speedway would help the folks at Circle City find a solution. In my opinion there isn’t a better racing surface in Indiana than Haubstadt.

Originally Posted by Jonr:
Going to need some help from the farmers/construction guys, but I am 90% sure that I read about a local track in KC using a machine to de-rock the surface. From what I remember, the machine would take it the top x inches of the surface and sort/mill the dirt for the rocks. The end result was a rock free race track.

When I read it, it all made so much sense that I wondered why all tracks did not do this.

Anyone have experience with this?

Yes, they do have equipment that does this. Its talked about in the pits every race I've been to at CC. By owners and drivers. No it's not free, may not be cheap, but it would CONSIDERABLY help!! Especially when it comes to injury, possible death, lawsuits, liability, and tearing up owners and drivers equipment.

The idea of a pizza party so to speak, get together, call it what you want, to have several people walking the track picking up rocks, h*ll that's better then nothing or just ignoring it and saying oh well.

Chuck is right, weather does play a role, specifically rain and winters. Moisture brings rocks up. That's why serious arrowhead hunters will go arrowhead hunting after a rain. All dirt does have rocks, very true statement unless it's been machined and sifted. I live in some of the best farm ground country in the state of IN, proven fact not opinion. They still have rocks. My guess is the first mistake they made when building this track, they bought sh*t dirt. That's a bad start.

To EldoraMark, I dont doubt you got hit at Kokomo, one of my good friends had a friend who had to get stitches at Smackdown this year from a rock. My eye injury at 13 years old come at Kokomo on the back stretch when we could sit in our vehicles along the track, and I have repeatedly said in here, to me, the best track in the state and nation. That's biased bc I live there and an OPINION. I had prescription glasses on back then. Back then glasses was glass. Not high tech plastic like they are now days. Rock and shattered glass went in my dominant eye, right eye. I am going blind in my right eye bc of that incident and will have to have surgery in the next 5-10 years or totally lose that eye. I also quit going racing for 20-25 years bc of that incident and missed a ton of great racing and drivers including but not limited to BC. All tracks do have rocks, but no other track in Indiana do you see rocks on tv or hear "ting ting ting ting" all night. As Chuck stated that, my best friend lives in Orlando and watches on Flo and ask me every time why are the rocks so bad at CC bc he can see them on the screen, but there's not a problem?

Oh for the nay sayers, Kokomo doesnt have aluminum bleachers on the front stretch, well the back stretch does. So does other tracks. Gas City has 1/2 inch x 1/2 wire all along the front stretch attached to the main fence, guess what, very few if any rocks go through that. CC is again, by far worse then any track in Indiana.

I wish I knew how to post pictures on here bc I d*mn sure would. Not only of the rocks, but welts and cuts I have gotten. I'm like the person that mentioned the pain issue, physical pain doesnt phase me. My entire upper body is covered in tattoos, 4 other tattoos on my legs, and 10 piercings. Physical pain doesnt phase me, it's a SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL INVOVLED. Yep, noone made me go, noone makes me go, I CHOOSE TO, to support racing, the tracks, drivers, teams bc it's what I do when I'm not working, hunting, or fishing. I dont want to lose ANY track anymore then anyone else does!!

For YOU Quinn..."have some d*mn sense and read the WHOLE post"...I did sit in a different place, so did crappieman...show me one time in any of my post where I said poor Josh, poor me??? Cant do it bc it's not there. Crappieman and Grocery Guy didnt say poor me either did they. IF you can sit there and say you never got hit which may be true, but never seen a rock or never heard a rock, or heard ting ting ting ting off of the bleachers, well then you must be ONE H*LL OF AN HONEST PERSON lmfao hahaha. People like you are the problem. When something needs attention or addressed that can affect the future of the sport or a said track and dont speak up and voice your facts and opinions. Noone is trying or wanting to be negative or bad mouthing the track. Reread the rest of my post, 3rd favorite track, great racing, great facilities, great parking, good food regardless of price, all around 4/5 stars for me.

Again as Chuck said, not everyone can sit next to Quinn. Not everyone can sit on the top. People have health issues. People are in wheelchairs. People have walkers. People have canes. Some people dont like the d*mn view from the top including me. Some people drink tons and tons of fluids every day to stay hydrated and have to urinate alot and dont want to sit at the top, including myself. Some people have blatters/kidneys that when the urge hits they have to use the restroom they have to go right now and they cant sit at the top bc they wont make it to the restroom in time. Some people take water pills. Some people take other meds and must be as close as they can get to restrooms. Midget Week, Sprint Week, Smackdown type races, NOT EVERYONE can fit in on the top.

The rock issue, is SAFETY. Not complaints or b*itching or crying. The size of the rocks that's being thrown into the stands at CC, someone can get seriously hurt or killed. Guess what that spells, LAWSUIT. Guess what LAWSUIT means, usually losing a place or closing it down. It takes EVERYONE for a track to stay open and be successful. Not just owners, teams, drivers. Not just regulars or travelers. It takes families too. I can just about guarantee you, if a family goes to a track, if their child gets smoked and/or hurt by a rock, their done, people they know who was on the fence is done...guess what, that adds up. Those ticket sales add up. The money they spent of souvenirs adds up. The money they spent on concessions adds up. When people have to move rocks out of the way, that's a problem. When people are making rock piles on the bleachers, that's a problem. Whether you get hit or not, whether your too naive to admit the rock problem or not, it's a problem. Plain and simple. Like it or not.

You guys that come on here after a decent night of racing, and not posting one thing about a decent night worth of racing, but quick to just post about rocks hitting them on a public forum is the problem.

Next time try emailing the promoter or calling them and tell them of your concerns in a reasonable manner, and you might have better luck.

One promoter that has posted here in the past has said something to the effect of: “If you like what you see, tell your friends. If you have a problem, come see me”.

These came out of the floor pan of a midget that raced at CC Friday.

Originally Posted by Knoke77:
These came out of the floor pan of a midget that raced at CC Friday.

Oh there's no way that can be!! Quinn says so!! Quinn says there's no rocks or a rock problem at CC. They was there Friday and sat up high and didnt get hit one time so there cant be a rock problem!! Quinn has been there one time this year and knows everything and there cant be a rock problem. Honestly though, wow that's absolutely ridiculous!! That's one pile from one d*mn car!! Imagine every car from Friday and sweeping the bleachers just from Friday. There is probably a semi dump trailer load of rocks in that track but there isnt a problem according to the know it alls, there isnt rocks according to the know it alls. Then that's the other thing, call text email, be a man and talk face to face to the promoter and/or owner is a waste of energy, they are not that stupid or naive, they know there is a major problem. Like I said earlier in the year, the employees at the ticket booth and concessions sit there talking about the rock problem. It must come down to same situation another great track is having, promoter either does not care one bit or doesnt have the funds to do anything about it. Which the funds issue, likely b.s. being they have a jumbotron??? As the one person stated, could easily have a rock picking up party that doesnt take much money, just effort and honesty. Of course most people dont do either one these days.

Originally Posted by Andrew S. Quinn:
You guys that come on here after a decent night of racing, and not posting one thing about a decent night worth of racing, but quick to just post about rocks hitting them on a public forum is the problem.

Next time try emailing the promoter or calling them and tell them of your concerns in a reasonable manner, and you might have better luck.

One promoter that has posted here in the past has said something to the effect of: “If you like what you see, tell your friends. If you have a problem, come see me”.

When I read the title of this thread “Circle City Rocks”, I thought it was going to be rave reviews about Circle City. Normally when someone says something rocks, that’s a good thing. Man was I wrong. 🤦🏻*♀️

Originally Posted by Andrew S. Quinn:
You guys that come on here after a decent night of racing, and not posting one thing about a decent night worth of racing, but quick to just post about rocks hitting them on a public forum is the problem.

Next time try emailing the promoter or calling them and tell them of your concerns in a reasonable manner, and you might have better luck.

One promoter that has posted here in the past has said something to the effect of: “If you like what you see, tell your friends. If you have a problem, come see me”.

Very well said ASQ,this forum used to be very informative and interesting to frequent,not so much anymore,guess I need to use the ignore list..

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by Dirtfan:
Very well said ASQ,this forum used to be very informative and interesting to frequent,not so much anymore,guess I need to find the block or mute option.

Agreed!

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

I agree. Circle City does rock.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by Andrew S. Quinn:
You guys that come on here after a decent night of racing, and not posting one thing about a decent night worth of racing, but quick to just post about rocks hitting them on a public forum is the problem.

Next time try emailing the promoter or calling them and tell them of your concerns in a reasonable manner, and you might have better luck.

One promoter that has posted here in the past has said something to the effect of: “If you like what you see, tell your friends. If you have a problem, come see me”.

Amen brother. The hypocrites on this forum make it nearly intolerable. They come to trash promoters that aren't one of their chosen few, or heaven forbid, schedule a race against the almighty USAC.

Funny that no one has mentioned the machine gun sound of pebbles against the turn 1 stands at Larryburg. Folks, promoters don't want rocks in their surfaces any more than you do. Most work very hard to get rid of them. And lets keep in mind, Circle City is not a stand alone racetrack, it is on a fairgrounds which is used for more than just races.

Let's give them time to work on the issues, eh?

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by leftrear:
I lived in Sun Prairie for 15 years and never missed a race . I never got hit by a rock not once. They had a free pizza and rock picking night or two every spring. This shouldn't be that hard of a fix. Spend a few dollars and save yourself and someone else from liability/injury.

I second this about Sun Prairie. Been there well over 100 times, sat in a bunch of different spots and never took a rock. Some good sized lumps of clay - but those have some give, rocks don't.

If rocks on a racetrack are a problem, a fence with 1/2" mesh about 12' high above the wall will take care of the rocks. I've raced all over the USA and the best tracks for no rocks are the ones who use black dirt, the kind of dirt that grows corn. Boone Iowa is a good example, it's a black dirt racetrack

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by DaleDuBois:
If rocks on a racetrack are a problem, a fence with 1/2" mesh about 12' high above the wall will take care of the rocks.

This sounds good in theory, but in practice it would severely limit spectator views from side to side. You'd probably only be able to see the cars once they got to within 30 feet of your seat, and then past also. That is, unless you used a mesh so thin that it would be useless.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by leftrear:
I lived in Sun Prairie for 15 years and never missed a race . I never got hit by a rock not once. They had a free pizza and rock picking night or two every spring. This shouldn't be that hard of a fix. Spend a few dollars and save yourself and someone else from liability/injury.

I think the CC people may know a caterer!
:5:
:47:

They are good people. They see what you are saying. I bet if you give them some time, they will make it better.

Thanks for the new name "Quinn the know it all" I'll have to think of new lyrics to the song "Quinn the Eskimo" and start singing it.

At least I'll be wound free when singing,as I know enough not to sit where I'll get hit by flying debris....

(Edit) thought of a new lyric on the way to work this morning.....

Come all without, come all within
You won’t get hit by rocks if you sit next to know it all Quinn...

Originally Posted by DirtTrackTherapy16J:
Oh there's no way that can be!! Quinn says so!! Quinn says there's no rocks or a rock problem at CC. They was there Friday and sat up high and didnt get hit one time so there cant be a rock problem!! Quinn has been there one time this year and knows everything and there cant be a rock problem. Honestly though, wow that's absolutely ridiculous!! That's one pile from one d*mn car!! Imagine every car from Friday and sweeping the bleachers just from Friday. There is probably a semi dump trailer load of rocks in that track but there isnt a problem according to the know it alls, there isnt rocks according to the know it alls. Then that's the other thing, call text email, be a man and talk face to face to the promoter and/or owner is a waste of energy, they are not that stupid or naive, they know there is a major problem. Like I said earlier in the year, the employees at the ticket booth and concessions sit there talking about the rock problem. It must come down to same situation another great track is having, promoter either does not care one bit or doesnt have the funds to do anything about it. Which the funds issue, likely b.s. being they have a jumbotron??? As the one person stated, could easily have a rock picking up party that doesnt take much money, just effort and honesty. Of course most people dont do either one these days.

Originally Posted by Tief:
I second this about Sun Prairie. Been there well over 100 times, sat in a bunch of different spots and never took a rock. Some good sized lumps of clay - but those have some give, rocks don't.

I must respectfully disagree with any notion that The Prairie is rock-free. My pre-race ritual of walking the track with my screwdriver includes exhuming the visible rocks that are half the size of my fist or larger. Business is always good… if I were to try to remove the rocks smaller than that, I would never be able to leave the racing surface. Any driver that races there will tell you that rocks are an issue. Turn 1 spectators know to be on the lookout.

Most tracks have a rock problem. Occasionally it is of the track operator’s own doing because they’ve graveled the pits, and sticky mudpack tires pick up the gravel and “redistribute” it. Even without graveled pits, the native rocks work their way to the surface from track work and rain. We’ve reminisced about the rock collection parties at Sun Prairie, but to my knowledge there hasn’t been one in years. In reality, the only tracks I can say we haven’t experienced a rock problem are the few gumbo tracks that are in the river bottom, or the dust bowl stock car tracks that never get opened up at all.

If you want to a part of the solution, offer to organize a rock party through the track operator or booster club. Get with the local scout troop or high school band and for a modest donation to that volunteer organization, you can have them pick up the rocks and make a small improvement to the racing surface.

If you want to be a part of the problem, keep banging your keyboards and pontificating about what someone else should do. Do that enough and the whole racetrack will become one big rock parking lot for an auto salvage. But hey, at least then you won’t have to worry about being hit by rocks…

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Best solution to eliminate rocks and dust, pavement

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

You can always spot Quinn at a race track, He's the one singing "Can't touch this" :)

Didn't a USAC flagman get hit in the nut sack by a rock at
16th Street Speedway back in the 1990's?

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by mc/rider:
Best solution to eliminate rocks and dust, pavement

Dirt is for racing,
Pavement is for getting there.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by The Old Coyote:
Dirt is for racing,
Pavement is for getting there.

Unless you're going to Shadyhill, in which case, you will have to drive on some dirt to get there as well...:D

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by Vookie:
Didn't a USAC flagman get hit in the nut sack by a rock at
16th Street Speedway back in the 1990's?

Yup I was there, got hit in the chest with the first clod then in the nuts with the second. Race was running green and someone had to climb up the ladder and throw the red.The EMTs had to carry him down the ladder. Wasnt too funny at the time but always causes a chuckle when I remember it. I think it was Shipman that got hit.

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
You can always spot Quinn at a race track, He's the one singing "Can't touch this" :)

deleted

[QUOTE=racefan20;557770]Yup I was there, got hit in the chest with the first clod then in the nuts with the second. Race was running green and someone had to climb up the ladder and throw the red.The EMTs had to carry him down the ladder. Wasnt too funny at the time but always causes a chuckle when I remember it. I think it was Shipman that got hit.[/QUOTE

Was Hewitt racing that night?

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

[quote=Vookie;557772]

Originally Posted by racefan20:
Yup I was there, got hit in the chest with the first clod then in the nuts with the second. Race was running green and someone had to climb up the ladder and throw the red.The EMTs had to carry him down the ladder. Wasnt too funny at the time but always causes a chuckle when I remember it. I think it was Shipman that got hit.[/QUOTE

Was Hewitt racing that night?

Its been too long ago to remember who was there that night but I see where u are going with this :3:

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

The flagman was knocked out at 16th Street as I was there also. I think it was the second "Summer Sizzle" event. The place was really bad with rocks AND ruts.

What a great time that little racetrack was

RIP D.O., Railbird, Robin and Bill Stebbins

Re: Circle City Rocks
 

Circle City has a larger problem and that is the Neighbors....they dont like the noise and will stop at nothing to end the racing here when the current contract is up.....