Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

How do you all feel about this? Do you think it is ok to put blankets down and mark your seats days before the show or even leave them on all season?? Personally I think it should be limited to day of show only. There have been many times I have gotten somewhere early to get a good seat and they are all marked off already. What are your opinions on this??

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Nothing makes me more angry than to get to a track early, pay my hard earned money then get to the grandstands and find blankets taped down everywhere on the good seats.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I've seen blankets taped down and the people never even showed up for those "claimed" seats. :7:

I hate that practice. JMO.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I think it is ok to mark your seats early, we open up the bleachers days ahead of the Jackson 100 at Brownstown. I dont think you should leave them there all year. Why shouldnt the people that support the track EVERY week get a shot at the good seats before a big race. this is just my opinion and mine alone.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Absolutely not. General admission should be just that.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Blankets day of race only,everyone pays the same and gets the same chance for seats!

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by awnunn:
I think it is ok to mark your seats early, we open up the bleachers days ahead of the Jackson 100 at Brownstown. I dont think you should leave them there all year. Why shouldnt the people that support the track EVERY week get a shot at the good seats before a big race. this is just my opinion and mine alone.

Because I pay the same price for my ticket. This is my opinion:21:

---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Fisher79:
Absolutely not. General admission should be just that.

That's exactly right ...GAS CITY

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I pull the crap up and sit wherever I want too, they should''ve been there earlier IMHO

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I like what our (PA) tracks do. The top two or three rows are reserved. You pay 40$ per seat at the beginning of the year and thats YOUR seat for the whole year. That includes "Special Events". Not all reserved seats are sold so people can call ahead the weeks they know they will be at a certain race and get a reserved seat that is not already taken...

1) You don't have to worry about getting there early
2) There is still reserved seating
3) More income for the track
4) Evvvvvvvvvvery one's a winner.... :6:

badcoupe, you would do that to me ONE TIME........Have a nice day.....

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by badcoupe:
i pull the crap up and sit wherever i want too, they should''ve been there earlier imho

some people get there the day before or 5-6 hours ahead of gate opening.
Then there are the ones who get there as the races are about to start & expect to have good seats.i know there are a few that never show up to claim there seats.( this is wrong )
the only way you get my seat is fight me for it or show up 5 hours ahed of time.
It is against race track etiquet to mess with some one elses blankets,
thats just like going to the parking lot & moving my vehicle -- which is also a no no .
Good luck getting a good seat.:34:

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Blankets holding seats instead of the a$$es that will be using them later?
Well, that sucks for a guy who drives a couple hundred miles one-way to Kokomo and finds all of the seats up high already "blanketed". Some folks who live a few blocks away drive out to the track as soon as the first gate opens, put down a multitude of blankets, and go home for the evening meal. They return just in time for the first heat, and those of us who have been out there for an hour have worse seats than Mr. Blanket.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by Pine:
I like what our (PA) tracks do. The top two or three rows are reserved. You pay 40$ per seat at the beginning of the year and thats YOUR seat for the whole year. That includes "Special Events". Not all reserved seats are sold so people can call ahead the weeks they know they will be at a certain race and get a reserved seat that is not already taken...

1) You don't have to worry about getting there early
2) There is still reserved seating
3) More income for the track
4) Evvvvvvvvvvery one's a winner.... :6:

badcoupe, you would do that to me ONE TIME........Have a nice day.....

I kinda like this idea, It also helps the track financially and could raise purses a bit.

Other than that. Day of event only. I believe it would be ok to leave them as markers for the second day of a two day show as well

I got to Bloomington July 3rd at 2pm in the afternoon. Any good area to put a chair was taken already by chairs laying there from days before. I'll not complain to much about that as I got a bleacher seat two from the top in front of the concessions. The bleachers leave a lot to be desired though.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Five hours before race time the stands should be clear. Then you may put down your blankets.

At the Frog Follies in Evansville, one of the biggest street rod gathering in the country, I heard that officials drive around the fairgrounds in a truck, and if they see folding chairs saving spots for people, they pick up the chairs and throw them in the back of the truck, to later be distributed to a deserving charity.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I totally agree with Pine that there should be reserved seats available. East Bay is over 1,000 miles for me to drive and I don't mind paying a little more to know that I have a seat waiting for me. I really don't understand why the only tracks in Indiana I have found which have reserved seats are Tri State and Terre Haute. I also agree with being able to put down a blanket the day of the race. Perris is over a 2,000 mile drive for me and they don't sell reserved seats. I really don't want to drive that far and have a bad seat, so I go early enough to get a good one. If a track sells reserved seats, I buy them. If not, I want to be able to get there early and put down a blanket. I realize that my raceday routine is different from most of you. I get to the track early, put down a blanket, and then go to the pits. I take pictures until hot laps and then go to my seat in the grandstand to watch the races. On tracks where I can get into the infield (half miles), I take pictures during hot laps and then go sit in the grandstands.

In 7 years I have had no problems or complaints, except for this year in the pit bleachers at Gas City where some individuals of perhaps questionable upbringing took up my blanket, threw it under the pit bleachers, and then used my tape to tape their blanket on the top row.

I totally understand the frustration people have when seats can be taped off all year. IMHO, that is a policy which is in serious need of rethinking. I is also irritating when three people save enough room to seat six people comfortably or seats are taped off and no one ever shows up. I have no problem when someone's wife, husband, best friend, etc. may have to work late and wants a seat saved. However, there should be a point in the evening when saved seats are no longer saved, when large taped gaps in the grandstand can be filled. Seems to me that common courtesy should be the rule here, and most (but unfortunately not all) race fans show it to each other.

Anyone want to start another thread on stadium seats which take up two rows?

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

How can you say it helps a track financialy ? If your a race fan you don't only go to an event if you have been able to put down a blanket days ahead.If thats the case you can stay home.I know many people who stay away because of all the blankets.I drive in every year from Arizona for Sprint week and other events and have got to tracks early {GAS CITY} and every row had things taped and saved.I left and went back to the motel.I think its very unfair.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
I kinda like this idea, It also helps the track financially and could raise purses a bit.

Other than that. Day of event only. I believe it would be ok to leave them as markers for the second day of a two day show as well

I got to Bloomington July 3rd at 2pm in the afternoon. Any good area to put a chair was taken already by chairs laying there from days before. I'll not complain to much about that as I got a bleacher seat two from the top in front of the concessions. The bleachers leave a lot to be desired though.

You will find no chairs or other markings from DAYS BEFORE at Bloomington. They always open the gates at 5PM the day prior to the event for fans to go in and mark their seats or put their chairs in the desired location. Nothing is allowed before that time. This prevents someone from marking seats for the entire season and not always showing up, as is allowed at a track farther north.

I think fans who support a track on a regular basis should get first chance at their regular seats for the special events also. After all, over a seasons time, we spend many more dollars at our home track than the special event only fans.JMO

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I dont think it should be a practice day's before a show or for a whole season, Thats crap. I think the stands should be cleared the morning of the show, then if you get there early and can get into the stands to put a blanket down so be it. I infact practice this at shows in which I am camping, I put my blanket on my seats in the AM after the stands have been cleared, then enjoy some adault beverages & some adault fun then head to the stands after wheel packing knowing my seats are good & at the end of the night I pick up my blanket & head back to camp. I too whole heartedly agree that if you have moved my blanket prepair for me to move your teeth.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I agree that there should not be taped off seats for the entire year. I do like the way Haubstadt does this, Day of show the grandstand is open to mark your seats if you want to get there early. I live in Kokomo so getting there early takes extra effort but I know if I get there I at least have a chance as does everyone else at getting a prime seat. I usually do not go to Gas City because of the seating policy. Opening the stands early so everyone has a chance is the best program as far as I am concerned.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I love Gas City's policy of seats for the whole year.I don't have to put down a blanket every week.So if I work late I know I have my seat.Take about taking care of your regular customers:6::6::6:

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Sorry to disagree bigq11 but for sprint week I got to the track at 10am and the entire hillside off turn 4 was covered with lawn chairs Now if it was not allowed till 7 hours later tell me how this could me ???????????????????????/

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I think the blankets are :21:. What really pisses me off and it is disrespectful is people who save the seats in front of them as well so nobody sits in front of them. The yellow caution tape that is weaved up and down the top 3 rows at lawrenceburg is crap as well and two or three people sit in the middle of the tape.

I like the reserve section as well.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Sorry== you said day before I read it wrong thought you said day of race.my mistake

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

williams grove in Pa has the best policy you can purchase the seat for the whole year ahead of time.:6: I almost allways walk up into the reserved area and sit, if the people show up I just move a little. Even WoO shows i still do this and have no problem. THe track makes some easy money from doing this. Grandview my Saturday night track opens the gates usually at about 6:00 am. My friend lives 2.6 miles from the track & he goes up SAt morning and puts blankets down. decent but if they did like the grove I bet all 5 of us they go weekly would all buy the top row seats for the season. Yes you still must buy a ticket each night. Again it would be easy extra income for the track.

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This is why I love Haubstadt, I have my reserved seat and don't have to worry about it being taken.
We have had the seat taking incident at Gas City a couple years ago and Bloomington, and I find it very rude if i have put my seat down and come back when the race starts that someone is in my seat or has moved my stuff.
And in my opinion there are no good seats at Gas City....those seats are one of the worst to sit on.........and before I get trashed on what i just said about Gas City.....mind you I said my opinion!

HAVE A NICE DAY!

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

This is the reason that I don't go to Gas City execpt for ISW. I try to get to any track I go at least several hours before the race starts in order to get a good seat. Then I get there and all the good seats are gone and come to find out they have saved 7 or 8 seats for two people. I save two seats for two people or four seats for four people. I don't have a problem saving seats, I just get upset when I get ther at noon and the race starts at seven thirty and the good seats have been saved for two days.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

After gates open the day of? YES! Under these circumstannces, you pull my blanket up, well god be with you. This happened to me about five or so years ago and after this rather confident lad left the ER I doubt he has pulled up any blankets since. If the track doesnt allow it fine, but DO NOT pull up my blanket without consequence.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Personally I am ok with people getting to the track early the day of the race and putting down blankets. However, I think gas city's all season seat policy sucks. Being a public servent and having a wife in nursing school I am not able to afford a trip to gas city every week. I really think gas city should reconsider this policy, especially for special events when fans are traveling long distances to see the races (I am not considering my 1 hour drive to be that far). I love the racing at gas city, but I am leary of making the trip. I worry that regardless of what time I arrive I will not be able to get all that good of a seat. Since I am on the subject, the grandstands at gas city are extremely uncomfortable. They are way to short for some on who is 6' tall. I can't imagine what they must be like for someone bigger than me. I know I am kinda bashing gas city here, but I do want to say the racing there is top notch. I love the racing everytime I go. However, I think the grand stand situation needs to be adressed. Just my humble opinion

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by bigq11:
You will find no chairs or other markings from DAYS BEFORE at Bloomington. They always open the gates at 5PM the day prior to the event for fans to go in and mark their seats or put their chairs in the desired location. Nothing is allowed before that time. This prevents someone from marking seats for the entire season and not always showing up, as is allowed at a track farther north.

I think fans who support a track on a regular basis should get first chance at their regular seats for the special events also. After all, over a seasons time, we spend many more dollars at our home track than the special event only fans.JMO

That might be the official policy and a few said they came the night before. A few more said they dropped their chair on Tuesday or Weds.. Maybe it was just for this event, The fireworks show at Bloom was huge in crowd size.

Chuck, just finding it ironic to show up four hours before hotlaps not to find a decent place for my chair except way up the hill

---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Wingman:
I think the blankets are :21:. What really pisses me off and it is disrespectful is people who save the seats in front of them as well so nobody sits in front of them. The yellow caution tape that is weaved up and down the top 3 rows at lawrenceburg is crap as well and two or three people sit in the middle of the tape.

I like the reserve section as well.

Expecially when its the Mayor and his clan and they only show up for the features :)

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

No blankets. Ever. You don't need a huge grandstand to do this. Just make the top 3 rows reserved seating, and you can sell them for the complete year for a certain price, or buy a 10 race package, or a "pick 5 package", and the tracks would sell them rather easy.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by Joey Woods:
After gates open the day of? YES! Under these circumstannces, you pull my blanket up, well god be with you. This happened to me about five or so years ago and after this rather confident lad left the ER I doubt he has pulled up any blankets since. If the track doesnt allow it fine, but DO NOT pull up my blanket without consequence.

Dang Shroder. Your tough :) Just kiddin

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I'll tell you why people mark off the row in front of them: to keep some freakin jackass away that wants to bring his/her mega size reclining lounge chair. Tracks need to ban those damn things or else charge the people double. Blankets and seat cushions only. Sorry if you've got a bad back.

I was at a track recently and there were so many people (in fine health I might add) showing up with them that I knew I'd have to block off the seat in front of me or else I'd come back from the restrooms with someone leaned back and no place for my knees. Saw a few "almost" fights over these things that night. That doesn't need to happen. Tracks can ban them.

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Just an observation from the big EAA Airventure in Oshkosh every summer. The airshow prime "seats" are right along the flightline. They have thousands of folks trying to get the good spots each afternoon for the airshow. You can put your chair there at 7am as long as your fanny is in it until the flying starts in the mid afternoon. If they find an unattended chair or blanket they confiscate it and they patrol hard. Seems to work fine but they have tons of volunteers to patrol that long flightline area. Truth be told the seats a half mile away from the runway are just as good and a lot less crowded

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Basically, taping down a blanket is reserving your seat -- whether you do it at 7 a.m., or 7 p.m. I don't see how anyone can call it anything else.
Maybe there should be a blanket fee that is equal to the price of a reserved seat. When you pay that, you are entitled to choose your seat and tape down a blanket. Just like choosing a reserved seat.
Why should it be allowed for free?
Jim Morrison

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
Dang Shroder. Your tough :) Just kiddin

Na not me. I'm a lover not a fighter, this took place with a gent in my party.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Anyone going to Lawrenceburg Speedway and want a great seat?

Do you want to show up when hot laps start, or later, and not have to
worry that someone pulled up your blanket and is sitting in your seat?

Get in touch with Dave or Kim Rudisell at rpmproductions@comcast.net
to find out about renting one of the booths.

I'm pretty sure they also have package deals that include LaRosas pizza
and refreshments. Just remember to bring a jacket since we keep the A/C
turned down low so we don't roast next door in the announcers booth.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I'm good with whatever the policy is at the track I am visiting. At Lawrenceburg, I tape down seat savers for myself and two friends who are there every time Dave opens the gate. It's not that our regular roosts are so doggone desireable (far down from top row). It's done more so that our friends and Cherie (50/50 ticket hottie) will know where to find us. ;)

When asked, usually for SE shows, I will do tape downs for out of town friends. If they haven't shown by half an hour or so before hot laps, the seat savers come up.

Unless it's a two day show, all seat savers come up and are taken to the trusty Silverado immediately after the sprint car "B" main. :22:

Be careful what you wish for. Do you really want the Section "A" goofballs spread throughout the grandstand, perhaps even where you sit?? Hmmmmmm???

Got a problem with that??? Tell it to Jackie, the track Chaplain. ;):2:;)

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by Wingman:
I think the blankets are :21:. What really pisses me off and it is disrespectful is people who save the seats in front of them as well so nobody sits in front of them. The yellow caution tape that is weaved up and down the top 3 rows at lawrenceburg is crap as well and two or three people sit in the middle of the tape.

I like the reserve section as well.

I am at L-burg 7 days a week, and as for people coming in and marking a seat, have at it! I always try to have the main bleachers hosed down by Monday evening and it is fair game after that, at least that is the way I see it. 99% of the people marking the seats I either know personally or recognize and the the seats they mark are used, no extra. As for the yellow caution tape, that is going overboard. I know of the person doing this, they mark off an area that seats 150 people and 3 show up. I have taken it down several times, and seems each time I do I get busy doing stuff in the pits like equip. maintenance etc, and the next day I look up and there it is again. Steps have been taken to nullify this. I always clean Section "A" first, if that pisses anyone off and I hop it don't we do have a complaint department................ Me

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

I can do whatever the track allows. I am not a fan of Gas City and there all season saved seats. I still go there and enjoy the races. I also dislike the current grandstand and ***** to Kelly half of the night when my knees and back hurt.:3: I applaud :8: Gas City for not allowing those damn LazyBoy recliners to be brought in. I have seen them turn people away with them and I am pleased that they won't allow them. Last year at Kamp we almost got into a fight over the people in front of us using them. TRACK OWNERS: Outlaw them those damn things and do all of us a favor.:34::15:

I see nothing wrong with putting down a blanket or cushion to save a seat the day of the show. If the track will allow it, we will do it. The only way to stop it is to lock down the grandstand area and comb the seats and remove all blankets an hour before opening the gates. Either that or have a reserved section and charge additional $$$$$$ to accomodate the folks that want to have those seats. JMO

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Originally Posted by badcoupe:
I pull the crap up and sit wherever I want too, they should''ve been there earlier IMHO

And this is when the azz kicking begins.

Re: Should there be blankets allowed to be put down before the nights events
 

Originally Posted by AERO410SCJA:
I love Gas City's policy of seats for the whole year.I don't have to put down a blanket every week.So if I work late I know I have my seat.Take about taking care of your regular customers:6::6::6:

Aero, now thats funny about you working.:5:The whole year I don't think so, maybe thats why I'm not a regular customer:15: Too bad for the new fans that might want to see a race?:11: