Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

What ever happened to the flag person or representative of the club/org handing the checkered flag :checkered: to the winning driver and letting him parade around the track solo one time? This certainly would, IMO, put a finishing touch and a proud moment for all to watch as the driver circles the track holding the checkered flag. Not just the feature but heat races and semis also. :)

Don Moore

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by DonMoore10:
What ever happened to the flag person or representative of the club/org handing the checkered flag :checkered: to the winning driver and letting him parade around the track solo one time? This certainly would, IMO, put a finishing touch and a proud moment for all to watch as the driver circles the track holding the checkered flag. Not just the feature but heat races and semis also. :)

Don Moore

I guess that went out with the dinosaurs.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

No, I honestly agree with DM this time. In the 70s they always stopped at the flagstand and got a photo with the flag, Didn't matter if it was a heat, Semi or feature and the victory lap was celebrated.

It also gave the crowd a chance to applaud the good work of the driver/team.

How come there have been all sorts of TIME SAVING moves in racing and we keep getting home later and later? Qualifying, Dash's, D,C mains? All gone and we still leave 11:30 I remember three classes with all those things and being outta there well before that.

Chuck, not bashing the racing we have but the separation between the racing and the fans is very aparent.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Don, I hate to even suggest it but you do tend to see the old solo lap in fender cars and open wheeled cars with starters (like your chaindrive buddy!). I think most sanctions and tracks like to speed the show up and I would rather see the solo lap. Even if they have to push off again. See you in Tulsa pretty soon.
Tom Casper
Beloit WI

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

It would certainly add more flair to midget events. How much more time would that take anyway? The winner just stays out there until all the cars are off the track. A solo lap and he's off the track. Maybe 2 minutes at the most. IMO, the crowd would love it. When I drove quarter midgets (on the dirt), it was a proud moment to carry the flag solo around the track!!!

Badgerfan.. looking forward to seeing you at the Silly Ball.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Flag lap for all feature winners.Still happens at Riverside Speedway,West Memphis ,Ar.They have a good field of wingless 305's.Class was started about 4 yrs ago.Keeps growing.Lot of the 360 wing drivers have a rides in the 305's.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by dirtshirt:
Flag lap for all feature winners.Still happens at Riverside Speedway,West Memphis ,Ar.They have a good field of wingless 305's.Class was started about 4 yrs ago.Keeps growing.Lot of the 360 wing drivers have a rides in the 305's.

I think this also went out with the drivers getting 2 trophies.... one of which they kept... the other they handed out to children along the fence after the race.... yes I remember this days... I never got one, but the thrill of almost getting one from the driver was thrilling. Paragon always had a trophy dash just for that.... oh the memories.:crying:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

This is an excellent idea. Properly done it would not add any time to the show. A solo lap would take less time than what is needed to line up the next race. And the trophy idea has merit as well. We constantly talk about attracting young fans. You would probably make a fan for life out of every kid that got one of those trophies.:applaud::thumb:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

One of the problems implementing the idea is that the flag person no longer is at track level. He's up on a stand. But..... the race steward could easily take on the responsibility of giving the flag :checkered: to the racer.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by Dwight Clock:
This is an excellent idea. Properly done it would not add any time to the show. A solo lap would take less time than what is needed to line up the next race. And the trophy idea has merit as well. We constantly talk about attracting young fans. You would probably make a fan for life out of every kid that got one of those trophies.:applaud::thumb:

One of the many reasons and the fondest memories I had was waiting on dad to let me go down with all the other kids....:wink1:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

I have still seen this done at some race tracks. Mostly done at tracks that have races other than open wheel. I think that it has gone by the way side in order to save time and speed up the program. I certainly find this more entertaining than those idiots with NASCRAP who act like they have never won in their life with the stupid burnouts.:headbang: I am still waiting for the day when some innocent bystander gets injuried or killed and then that will stop also.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

A lot of the dirt guys would rather do doughnuts than take a lap with the flag, unfortunately. As far as NAPCAR is concerned what is the old saying? "Act like you've been there before." That's another old saying that went out like a burned out light bulb. We are living in the "it's all about me- notice me" age.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by Flatrightrear:
A lot of the dirt guys would rather do doughnuts than take a lap with the flag, unfortunately. As far as NAPCAR is concerned what is the old saying? "Act like you've been there before." That's another old saying that went out like a burned out light bulb. We are living in the "it's all about me- notice me" age.

The Entitled Generation" is what I have heard it called... hmmm still Give a kid a trophy...... simple as that.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

This is still done in Australia. And you dont stop. Just roll by and grab it. To me, the midget, excuse me, speedcar racing in Australia still seems to have some of the old flare to it. Some good some bad. After the Australian Title and after the trophy presentation (WITH TROPHY GIRLS) they put the top 3 in the back of a truck and drove around the track. I dont think any of the fans left. You cant do all these things at every race, but I like the parade lap with the flag.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Good Post Don. Great old/new idea. I would like to see all the A main cars lined up on the front Straight and have each driver and car announced starting from the back to the front with a wave from the flagman when the car and driver are announced with car info and driver . Sure it takes a bit more time but adds a bit of suspence to the start of the A main.


Starting 11th in the #75 Gary Stanton/chevy. from Phoenix, AZ The Fly'n Shu..RON SHUMAN."checkerd flag waves behind his car" He won the main event last week folks out at ASCOT ....Can he come from the inside of the 6th row this week and win 2 in a row?

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Luv the idea of the cars lined up on the front straight with driver intros. This has been done for some races at Sun Prairie. Loved going down as a fan and poking my nose thru the fence getting an upclose view of the drivers and cars before the feature. Good idea but would take some time to orchestrate and a promoter/org with a command of how to move things along quickly. POWRi is the best in the nation at presenting race programs with no nonsense with a stiff hand.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by DonMoore10:
Luv the idea of the cars lined up on the front straight with driver intros. This has been done for some races at Sun Prairie. Loved going down as a fan and poking my nose thru the fence getting an upclose view of the drivers and cars before the feature. Good idea but would take some time to orchestrate and a promoter/org with a command of how to move things along quickly. POWRi is the best in the nation at presenting race programs with no nonsense with a stiff hand.

AMEN.

See you in Ft. Wayne Don.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

A kid has been getting a trophy at Bloomington for years now and presenting a trophy to a winner in his/her favorite class

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

The trophy presentations to the young ones is a great tradition....as well as the driver intros. (The Silver Crown division still continues this today). The flag victory lap is an old tradition that I miss as well.
I know I'm a tad 'old school' but I'm thinking these are the things that help make shows 'events', rather than just another race night.
I vote to bring em' back....:D

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

With 9 classes of racing and the variety of mini stock and street stock class races taking 1/2 hour or more per race leaves no time to do a victory lap until maybe the races are over at 1:30! Thats how they do it in the south.:checkered:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

What ever happend to the trophy dash man I loved those four lap shoot outs. I also agree with what was said in must other post before. Driver intros NEED to comeback so the fans can see who the drivers are. Victory laps man those were the best I remember those as well.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Its to bad we have to run so many classes today to pay the purse. I remember at my home track out west, every night was quals,trophy dash (4 fastest in quals),heats,B main,A main. They always rolled the trophy dash up on front staight to push off after the anthem was played. The kids and adults could come up to the fence and watch drivers get in cars and get ready,this was a thrill to be in top 4. Before the A main all cars were stagged on front straight for driver intros ,the drivers could wave at the crowd then climb in for 25 laps. This IMO gave the spectator a face not just a car to root for, and the kids could see there heros or villans. After the races the pits were open to the public, and kids could get autographs, and drivers were there to talk to the crowd, and have a cold one with them. This was a show not just another night of sprints and midgets. The one big differance was we only ran 2 classes sometimes 3 so we had more time. Today with all the classes they run ,the sprint cars are loaded and gone before the races are even over. We also only ran one night a week so we didnt have to hurry to get ready for the next night. Times change but I think some of the old ideas were not so bad IMO

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by 1BIGracefan:
What ever happend to the trophy dash man I loved those four lap shoot outs. I also agree with what was said in must other post before. Driver intros NEED to comeback so the fans can see who the drivers are. Victory laps man those were the best I remember those as well.

Not only the fact that the drivers taking his victory lap and getting his/her applause but it also gives a chance to announce the next races lineup BEFORE the cars are on the track and the noise drowns out the PA.

Honestly, A first time visitor to a track could leave only knowing the WINNER of the features name and not really getting any KNOWLEDGE of who's who? Who's hot and who's not? ECT. Stuff that kinda gets a fan wanting to see what will happen next week actually know a little bit the next time they visit. Id imagine maybe 2 of ten first time visitors ever return and thats probably less than those leaving the sport for whatever reason.

How about having a Table on the fan side of the pit gate where the top five or whoever wanted can come out and sign autographs for a bit with the kids or whoever and invite them to stay till after the races and come sit in the car? Even if they can't stay for another 2-4 features they would still get to congratulate em and meet them.

Chuck, saying the Outlaws really don't have this problem as theres usually only one class running with them, If that. They are always down after the race passing out their team info sheets and signing autographs.


P.S. I would suggest the 50-50 girl become the Trophy Girl but then those section A guys would probably abandon the sport.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:

Chuck, Who would suggest the 50-50 girl become the Trophy Girl but then those section A guys would probably abandon the sport.

:action-smiley-049:...If the 50-50 girl ever stops visiting Section A Dave will have an ugly scene on his hands!:rolling::kookoo2::rolling:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by Dwight Clock:
:action-smiley-049:...If the 50-50 girl ever stops visiting Section A Dave will have an ugly scene on his hands!:rolling::kookoo2::rolling:

Danny & Marv will be leading the riot!:rolling:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

He didnt start the 6th row, the last row with Ripper in the Heat in this clip:rolling:

http://cmpvideo2go.com/USACCRA.html

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by psullivan:
A kid has been getting a trophy at Bloomington for years now and presenting a trophy to a winner in his/her favorite class

YEa your right Pat I am there every weekend and have been in a few photos in Victory lane with those winners, and yes it has its thrill, it comes close to, but is not the same thrill as the driver coming to the fence or into the crowd... and handing it to someone... the winning trophy or something compared to it in size....but what Bloomington does is def. a great thing and there needs to be more of that. Again, that trophy sits right with the "Every person in the free world who plays youth league and or any sport trophy" but has a moment with it forever in that childs mind and hopefully photographed as well.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by cmp:
He didnt start the 6th row, the last row with Ripper in the Heat in this clip:rolling:

http://cmpvideo2go.com/USACCRA.html

WOW gave me goose bumps... That was cool to see. Shu passing on the top at Ascot. GREAT VIDEO!!!! Thanks for sharing. I have not been to your sight in a long time. Ahhhhh the 21x, one of my favs. I actually am not a big tatto guy bit the only one I have is on my right upper arm of the 21 Ofixco Spl. The Fly'n Shu is a long time Hero of mine since the 70's.

Love to see more if you have any.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

I agree with the two trophy deal. It is a great way to make a fan forever. When I was a young boy I was standing at the fence after the feature and none other than Steve Kinser walked up and handed me his trophy. That made a huge impression on me. I was already hooked but that is the day I decided I wanted to drive these things. When I started racing after my first few wins I started walking up to the stands and giving my trophies away after every race. I wanted to make some other kids day just like Steve Kinser made mine. You wouldnt believe the amount of kids that would come up to me throughout the night asking for my trophie if I would happen to win. The look on the kids face when you handed it to them was priceless. I have young adults coming up to me to this day telling me of how I gave them a trophy when they were a kid and are still fans of mine to this day because of it. I quit giving them when I had my own children because they like to fight over them. So it is a great marketing tool for tracks to invest in two trophies one for the fan and one for the team.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Mr Briscoe somehow it seems that you get over looked on here???..I think you are one of the best sprint car drivers ever from Indiana:thumb:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by riskybrisky5:
I agree with the two trophy deal. It is a great way to make a fan forever. When I was a young boy I was standing at the fence after the feature and none other than Steve Kinser walked up and handed me his trophy. That made a huge impression on me. I was already hooked but that is the day I decided I wanted to drive these things. When I started racing after my first few wins I started walking up to the stands and giving my trophies away after every race. I wanted to make some other kids day just like Steve Kinser made mine. You wouldnt believe the amount of kids that would come up to me throughout the night asking for my trophie if I would happen to win. The look on the kids face when you handed it to them was priceless. I have young adults coming up to me to this day telling me of how I gave them a trophy when they were a kid and are still fans of mine to this day because of it. I quit giving them when I had my own children because they like to fight over them. So it is a great marketing tool for tracks to invest in two trophies one for the fan and one for the team.

Ironically enough I could tell you a few time at Paragon when you gave out soem trophies.......I was always to tall... so the short boys always got them... of to be shoter when I was younger... the trophies I would have had.. hahaha...again class act Kevin...:thumb:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

Originally Posted by riskybrisky5:
I agree with the two trophy deal. It is a great way to make a fan forever. When I was a young boy I was standing at the fence after the feature and none other than Steve Kinser walked up and handed me his trophy. That made a huge impression on me. I was already hooked but that is the day I decided I wanted to drive these things. When I started racing after my first few wins I started walking up to the stands and giving my trophies away after every race. I wanted to make some other kids day just like Steve Kinser made mine. You wouldnt believe the amount of kids that would come up to me throughout the night asking for my trophie if I would happen to win. The look on the kids face when you handed it to them was priceless. I have young adults coming up to me to this day telling me of how I gave them a trophy when they were a kid and are still fans of mine to this day because of it. I quit giving them when I had my own children because they like to fight over them. So it is a great marketing tool for tracks to invest in two trophies one for the fan and one for the team.

:applaud::thumb::applaud:

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

On the topic of checkered flag laps, tropies, and driver intros, I thought Saturday night at Ft. Wayne was excellent.

Cars rolled onto the track, lights out, the spotlight, and REAL driver intros telling drivers' previous experience and racing accolades. That build excitement. That makes you feel like you know who you're cheering for. I wish every USAC show had similar intros.

Re: Checkered Flag Solo Lap?
 

I do remember that too, and it was fun to watch! I miss it!:checkered:
Everyone is in such a hurry to get to the races (me for example!:)!
But then they are in a hurry for them to get over!:confused:
Of course everytime I am at the races I am on vacation so I can't talk!!