East Bay USAC
 

I was wondering what everyone on here thought about USAC going to East Bay Raceway for 3 shows in February. With some of the teams cutting back, will many teams tow down from the Midwest? Plus the shows are on Monday-Wednesday so how many fans will turn out? Have any thoughts.....

Re: East Bay USAC
 

we have been to eastbay the past 9 years.... racing either non-wing, wing, and or open wheel mods....... there is never a large crown during the week...... you have to remember it is there winter and usually cold.......

Re: East Bay USAC
 

The Mon-Wed schedule gives me a little heartburn as far as going to watch.

Originally Posted by Hosehead:
I was wondering what everyone on here thought about USAC going to East Bay Raceway for 3 shows in February. With some of the teams cutting back, will many teams tow down from the Midwest? Plus the shows are on Monday-Wednesday so how many fans will turn out? Have any thoughts.....

Well I'm glad for it and plan on taking my new GRP 410 down to run. Hopefully we can have a good show for the snowbirds and convince Florida promotors to run more shows.
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Re: East Bay USAC
 

I'm planning to go watch, but it looks like I'm going to be alone. I'll be happy to talk to anyone who might want to share a car and/or room. I'll even drive if anyone from New England wants to do that; we made that trip many times 30-odd years ago.

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I think the car count should be pretty good with all the sprint shows scheduled around Daytona. Thinking of taking a week off and driving from Michigan with the family.

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I'd go if it was other than Monday-Wednesday. Thursday -Saturday would be more appealing to me.


If you want to share a room with Dick Monahan,Allan, I can vouch that he doesnt snore anywhere near as bad as I do.

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General Admission is $25 each night for fans and wonder why they can't draw a crowd. Yeah, I know it is winter and you are seeing racing but if any promoter in IN charged that much there would be a riot. Plus I am sure the the prelim nights are not paying a full purse.

Re: East Bay USAC
 

Originally Posted by staggerman:
General Admission is $25 each night for fans and wonder why they can't draw a crowd. Yeah, I know it is winter and you are seeing racing but if any promoter in IN charged that much there would be a riot. Plus I am sure the the prelim nights are not paying a full purse.

You guys are just spoiled. The only time I ever see a race for less than $25 is in Indiana. $25 is the normal price for a reglular Saturday night show in Southern New England. New Smyrna will be charging $25 for its winter shows, and take a look at the prices at Volusia the same nights: http://www.volusiaspeedwaypark.net/i...=102&Itemid=79

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I'm still undecided. Probably won't make up my mind until a few days before.

I'll wait and see how things shake out with probable entrants and the weather. If I get the feeling that there will be less than 20 cars, then I'll stay home and save my money for later in the year.

Oh, and I'm glad I don't live in Southern New England if that's the price of a regular weekend race.

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Dates Look good to me :2: Don't care if I'm off Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,OR Thursday ,or Friday.Florida is expensive(LIKE CA,NY,NY).50 degrees is warm FEB.

I'll be around there one of those nights. I'd rather it be a back of the week show but the LMs have those dates. $25 is fair to pay when nothing else is going on.
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I've been going down since 2003 and already have my tickets & room this year. What's not to like? Sprint cars, warmer weather, ripe strawberries and great food. Hope to see some IOW members down there.

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i go to indiana to see them i'll be there all three night's:6:

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Nowlings should be a happening place

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:10:usac is promoting this event!!!!!!!!!! So know you understand why????????? Its mon tues weds!!!!! They have no one there thats understands the market in tampa and how many that are working makes less then $10 a hour!!!!!!! Its going to be a tuff sale!!!!! And they need 3 more races in fla. To get a lot of cars!!!!!!! And not in feb!!!!! To much racing there in feb!!!!!:7::15: :11;

Re: East Bay USAC
 

FEB. 1 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models Monday $35.00 $40.00 $5,000.00
FEB. 2 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models Tuesday $35.00 $40.00 $5,000.00
FEB. 3 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models Wednesday $35.00 $40.00 $5,000.00
FEB. 4 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models Thursday $40.00 $45.00 $10,000.00
FEB. 5 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models Friday $40.00 $45.00 $10,000.00
FEB. 6 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models Saturday $40.00 $45.00 $12,000.00
6 DAY PASS $210.00

Advance Race Day Members-Non Members
FEB. 8 USAC Sprints Monday $20.00 $25.00 $30 Pit Prices $35
FEB. 9 USAC Sprints Tuesday $20.00 $25.00 $30 Pit Prices $35
FEB. 10 USAC Sprints Wednesday $20.00 $25.00 $30 Pit Prices $35

FEB. 11 All Star 410 Sprints Thursday $20.00 $30.00 $3,000.00
FEB. 12 All Star 410 Sprints Friday $25.00 $32.00 $5,000.00
FEB. 13 All Star 410 Sprints Saturday $30.00 $35.00 $7,000.00
3 DAY PASS $70.00

FEB. 18 Crate Late Models & Mod Lites Thursday $20.00 $25.00 $2,500.00
FEB. 19 Crate Late Models & Mod Lites Friday $20.00 $25.00 $2,500.00
FEB. 20 Crate Late Models & Mod Lites Saturday $25.00 $35.00 $3,000.00
3 DAY PASS $60.00

FEB. 25 ASCS 360 Sprints, Fl Mini Sprints Thursday $25.00 $30.00 $1,500.00
FEB. 26 ASCS 360 Sprints, Fl Mini Sprints Friday $30.00 $35.00 $1,500.00
FEB. 27 ASCS 360 Sprints, Fl Mini Sprints Saturday $35.00 $40.00 $10,000.00
3 DAY PASS $85.00

Here is the Florida Schedule. This is perfect for me, because as of right now I plan on catching the Last three nights of the Late Models, three nights of Non-Wing and two nights of the All-Stars. If some of the All-Stars take the Wing off the car count shouldn't be too bad.

I wonder if they would have sandwiched the Non-wingers between the All-Stars and The ASCS 360's, if any of the 360's would take the Wings off.....OOOO Well, it is what it is, And I can't wait for February... :36

Re: East Bay USAC
 

According to thier website east bay runs limited non-wing sprints every other week in the regular season, so you might have some of them run as well. but also on the website there is a banner that says all 6 weeks of racing will be on PPV wonder what the cost is? and is it for the whole time or ?????

Re: East Bay USAC
 

Originally Posted by VSneader2:
According to thier website east bay runs limited non-wing sprints every other week in the regular season, so you might have some of them run as well. but also on the website there is a banner that says all 6 weeks of racing will be on PPV wonder what the cost is? and is it for the whole time or ?????

no they wont run they have 4 barrel carbs. (and are wing car's )
the cheap bastard's that own the track cut the regular 360 sprint's because of $ . the car's they run now were going to be a support class for them with a lower budget. the people that own the track are modified people ,that's why the track is being leased out,they could care less about sprint car's

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All you foks who live nearby should make sure you tell everyone you know that is any kind of fan about this. The last time they ran non-wing sprints there, they ran wing/non-wing on alternate nights. At the last wing night, we sat next to a "snowbird" who lives 20 miles away during the winter, and who was a real race fan from upstate New York. He said he attended all kinds of racing all summer up there, and would have been to the non-wing races, execpt that he didn't know about them. There was, he said, no local publicity at all.

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Originally Posted by Dick Monahan:
All you foks who live nearby should make sure you tell everyone you know that is any kind of fan about this. The last time they ran non-wing sprints there, they ran wing/non-wing on alternate nights. At the last wing night, we sat next to a "snowbird" who lives 20 miles away during the winter, and who was a real race fan from upstate New York. He said he attended all kinds of racing all summer up there, and would have been to the non-wing races, execpt that he didn't know about them. There was, he said, no local publicity at all.

zero publicity so far, but i'm doing my part by preaching to every one i know and will continue to do so:6:

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Asking an opinion.

In the past I have gone to the Copper Classic and when it went bottoms up,I went to The Copper on Dirt.

Is going to East Bay in Feb. a good idea? I love racing in Feb.,but I do not want to go to a snoozer.

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Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
Asking an opinion.

In the past I have gone to the Copper Classic and when it went bottoms up,I went to The Copper on Dirt.

Is going to East Bay in Feb. a good idea? I love racing in Feb.,but I do not want to go to a snoozer.

It's pretty close to Daytona bike week:18:

I don't know my crystal ball is in the shop,but I'm going to take a chance(like I do every time I leave the house for a race)that it will be worth the time money and energy:31::32::22::29:

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Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
Asking an opinion.

In the past I have gone to the Copper Classic and when it went bottoms up,I went to The Copper on Dirt.

Is going to East Bay in Feb. a good idea? I love racing in Feb.,but I do not want to go to a snoozer.

every time i go to indiana i take a chance that it might rain, but i still go:18:

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Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
Asking an opinion.

In the past I have gone to the Copper Classic and when it went bottoms up,I went to The Copper on Dirt.

Is going to East Bay in Feb. a good idea? I love racing in Feb.,but I do not want to go to a snoozer.

I went the last time they had non wings, and I thought the racing was good. Much better than the wing shows I have seen there.

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Staggerman, obviously you have never been to a Winternational show at Eastbay before. They are notorious for high prices at these shows. Thats why when I seen $25 a night I was pleasantly surprised. I mean come on, look at the prices of the Late model and All star shows. Also, if $25 is to much for you, order your tickets in advance for $20. Of course if $15 is going to keep you from coming to Florida in February for some racing you should probably just stay home anyway. I live just north of Tampa and have heard USAC will pay a full purse each night. This is just what I have heard, nothin in writing. I was also at the last non wing deal down here a few years ago. SNOOZER was definatly not a word I would have used to describe the racing.

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Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
Asking an opinion.

In the past I have gone to the Copper Classic and when it went bottoms up,I went to The Copper on Dirt.

Is going to East Bay in Feb. a good idea? I love racing in Feb.,but I do not want to go to a snoozer.

I went to both years of the nonwing races there and saw some excellent racing. Two were just great. One had Roger Rager (yes, THE Roger Rager) come from 22nd to finish second. The next one had Daron Clayton come from 21st to finish second to the Kruser, who started on the pole. Just great racing that had the crowd in a frenzy. That was the same year that Clayton turned the banking into about 45 degrees. Went up on the wall with his right side in turns 3-4, came back down, gassed it down the front stretch, went up even higher on the wall in 1-2. That time it took longer to come down and I don't think he ended up on the wheels. Just classic Clayton.

Anyway, I would really recommend going. I have seen them run a nonwing day race to make up a rainout, take an hour to prepare one of the hardest, blackest tracks I have ever seen into one which looked like they had two days to prepare it, and saw great racing all night. Another time, they had water half-way up the track at mid-morning due to more than a foot of rain the day before, pumped it out, and had an excellent track that night. They know what they are doing.

And the strawberries are ripe.

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Originally Posted by Coach:
Staggerman, obviously you have never been to a Winternational show at Eastbay before. They are notorious for high prices at these shows. Thats why when I seen $25 a night I was pleasantly surprised. I mean come on, look at the prices of the Late model and All star shows. Also, if $25 is to much for you, order your tickets in advance for $20. Of course if $15 is going to keep you from coming to Florida in February for some racing you should probably just stay home anyway. I live just north of Tampa and have heard USAC will pay a full purse each night. This is just what I have heard, nothin in writing. I was also at the last non wing deal down here a few years ago. SNOOZER was definatly not a word I would have used to describe the racing.

I have been to the Winternationals before to watch the King of the 360's. My response was to the original question of how do you think the crowd support is going to be. I guess I look at it if I had a family of 4 and took them to the races you are looking at $100 to get in the door plus the extras. Do you think a guy is going to take his family each night for that, maybe a wealthy guy but not your average guy. I guess you just have to pay a premium to watch racing in February but when people complain that no fans showed up to watch I think the admission price is a big factor. That or they are saving their money to watch the Late Models as the stands have always looked packed for the Lucas Oil Late Models on TV.

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Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
Asking an opinion.

In the past I have gone to the Copper Classic and when it went bottoms up,I went to The Copper on Dirt.

Is going to East Bay in Feb. a good idea? I love racing in Feb.,but I do not want to go to a snoozer.

On top of bike week you will have maybe a couple Rubes go down plus East Bay is close to Carnyville, USA...Might be too many carnival ride owners for you!!!:18:


Been there twice and always a good time...:6::6:

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Originally Posted by LittleRube:
On top of bike week you will have maybe a couple Rubes go down plus East Bay is close to Carnyville, USA...Might be too many carnival ride owners for you!!!:18:


Been there twice and always a good time...:6::6:

What is Carnyville?

Re: East Bay USAC
 

Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
What is Carnyville?

Dont know the real town name but there is a bunch of carnival ride owners there

Re: East Bay USAC
 

Originally Posted by LittleRube:
Dont know the real town name but there is a bunch of carnival ride owners there

Gibtown.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr...bsonton-great/

Re: East Bay USAC
 

GIBSONTON.My buddy Platts(from pa) almost moved there with a sword swallowing midget from the freak show back in 88:18:

PS You don't have a real carnival unless half the rides and concession are from GIBSONTON:)

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PLATTS :5::3::5:......I don't know who I feel more sorry for, Platts or the Sword Swallowing Midget....:19:

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Originally Posted by littlerube:
dont know the real town name but there is a bunch of carnival ride owners there

gibsonton

you can ride past someone's house and see an elephant or a tiger in someone's yard:18: ,has been thier winter home for a lotta years

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The International Independent Showmen's Association is the trade association for the carnival industry. Every year, in February (at the same time as the Florida State Fair), they hold their annual convention and trade show at their headquarters in Gibsonton. When we were first going to Tampa for the sprint races (early 70s), we always made a trip over there. At first it was free to attend the trade show, then it went up to $4. Now, I see it is $50. (http://www.gibtownshowmensclub.com/)

It was a crazy show. Inside the building, there were people selling "slum jewelry". Gen-you-ine gold chains sold for $4 per gross. Outside, there would be someone selling a used Tilt-a-Whirl for a quarter million dollars. All the rides were set up and operating. Our kids loved the place. They remember playing the first ever Whack-a-Mole, they year the game was introduced.

One year, Dick Gallagher and I were intrigued by an outfit that was selling battery operated bumper cars. Since they didn't need an outside source of power, they could be set up anywhere. Each comprised a cylindrical frame, surrounded by a tractor tire inner tube. It was powered by an electric motor, driving the two back wheels through two cone clutches from some sort of lawn mower. The single front wheel was a caster. You controlled it with two handles that operated the cone clutches, so you could go in any direction, and spin like a top. Fortunately for us, the outfit went out of business before we gave them any money. :-)

Even at $50, it might be a good deal. I thought it was the best take in Florida.