That's my seat
 

Today at Tri-State was the second time this sprint week that we have had trouble with people in our seats. At the Burg these guys cut our tape and took away some of our seats so they would have enough. Tonight the people around us brought their stadium seats and didn't mark enough room so now they are taking over our area. I don't have a problem with the stadium seats, just make enough room for them when you mark your seats off. What ever happened to respecting people's marked seats. Never really had a problem with it until this year. Sorry to go on a rant here but it's upsetting to get in the bleachers and be packed like sardines because someone else moved in.

If you wanted reserved seats, should've paid for them. This has always been a gripe I've had about tracks, if you don't sell reserved seats don't let people come in early and reserve them. More than once I've went to a track and seen tape down and nobody setting in them, or taking up three or four seats for two people. I'll step off my soapbox now and watch the flaming begin lol.
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I absolutely hate the taping down of stuff. It punishes people who work and can't get there early.
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Thats the reason I spent the extra $3 for reserved seats tonight. Packed in everywhere except the frontstretch.
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I definitely understand your gripe, especially when no one shows up. I guess I didn't mind what Kokomo did this year. They took up all blankets prior to the gates opening, then once the gates opened(at 3 or 4) you could put a blanket down. My beef is when tracks allow their "regulars" to leave a blanket down. Then they don't show up. Just my opinion, don't know if there's a right or wrong
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I would just like to sit on a blanket when I get there, not reserve it. But due to the kind soul that stole the blanket my family has been taking to the races for 20+ years at Bloomington a couple of months ago, I sit on the bleachers again.
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Re: That's my seat
 

When people do that, I think the promotor should pull the tape and blankets and donate them to Good Will. First come-first served when the gates open on race day.........or, as someone stated earlier, sell reserved seats....

Well, reality is that almost every track DOES allow fans (all fans, whether you are local or not, work or not, etc) to enter early and put blankets or tape down. Just because some people don't like it doesn't mean you have the right to rip up tape or blankets...or sit on someone else's tape or blanket.

We had this happen at Kokomo and Lawrenceburg this year. It's just rude.
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Re: That's my seat
 

If you were sitting there no one could have sat there now could they????I went to the burg for the USAC show and there were seats taped off all over the place and no one sitting in them . There were blankets that sat vacant all night until the feature then the people showed up to sit. To that I say bu!!crap if you only want to watch the feature watch it from where ever but don't inconvenience everyone else so that you have a seat for a 15 minute feature race....I saw people take the blankets and un-tape them and just push them on down and then when the people showed up to sit"at feature time" they just stand there looking like some one just took their puppy from them...IF you want the seat sit there if not go away..........Your nobody special.....

Re: That's my seat
 

other than at the high school/little league levels there is no other sport that doesn't do reserved seats. It is way past time that tracks sell reserved only seats for special events. I have witnessed too many times people taping off seats and not using them, taping off seats for 10 people then 4 use them and they spread all their coolers etc out. I will no longer go to certain tracks because of this unless I am going into the pits because we are racing there. If you want new fans then reserved seats are a must, so that they can have a seat and a good one and not have to look and see all the blankets taking up the good seats with no one in them. It's time to move up to a PROFESSIONAL level and the next step should be reserved seating, it's not that much cost to print tickets that you call sell ads on the back of and charge maybe a buck more for.

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by RacingGirl10:
I would just like to sit on a blanket when I get there, not reserve it. But due to the kind soul that stole the blanket my family has been taking to the races for 20+ years at Bloomington a couple of months ago, I sit on the bleachers again.
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Welcome to bloomington , I've lived here my whole life and thefts are becoming way to common , All the homeless houses and shelters. This town has turned in to a nasty town to live in , has realy changed the town the last couple of years. Can't sit any thing down with out it getting swiped . And on the marking seats , Well they should have to pay extra for that , I don't like going to the track and hour and half before racing starts and can't find a good seat , seats taped off and no one around . :6::22:

Originally Posted by lazyifoto:
If you were sitting there no one could have sat there now could they????I went to the burg for the USAC show and there were seats taped off all over the place and no one sitting in them . There were blankets that sat vacant all night until the feature then the people showed up to sit. To that I say bu!!crap if you only want to watch the feature watch it from where ever but don't inconvenience everyone else so that you have a seat for a 15 minute feature race....I saw people take the blankets and un-tape them and just push them on down and then when the people showed up to sit"at feature time" they just stand there looking like some one just took their puppy from them...IF you want the seat sit there if not go away..........Your nobody special.....

Exactly the reason I don't go to the burg anymore, same thing happened to me and my dad at the Dick Gaines memorial a few years ago. Three rows taped off with caution tape and no one sitting in them when heat races started. We went ahead and set there, and was informed they were reserved for "weekly regulars",
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Re: That's my seat
 

If a person wants a reserved seat at Tri-State Speedway then they should purchase a reserved seat in the reserved seat section. These clowns that tape down blankets in general admission areas act like they own the speedway if their belongings get moved or they feel "crowded." Lawrenceburg has plenty of good seats in turns 1 and 2 where you have room for yourselves and three pet elephants.

Re: That's my seat
 

I agree, Kokomo did it right. 3pm open gates to everyone pit and grandstand. Had the benches cleared.

Re: That's my seat
 

Maybe people wouldn't have to put an "EXTRA" blanket down in front of them, if they didn't have to worry about the inconsiderate "people" with the stadium seats. Stadium seats is what the promotor should rip up and donate to good will......Just Sayin'...:22:

And half of you complaining about blankets, probably own stadium seats....

Re: That's my seat
 

I really don't think the "homeless houses and shelters" are in any way related to people stealing a blanket at a racetrack. Sorry to hear that story RacingGirl10.

It's 91º here today, so I really don't think it's fair to tell people to stay in their seats all day and night. That being said, I ass-u-me some people take advantange of these unwritten laws. I could careless if someone has sat in the same seat for the last 180 years. If someone is there before you on that day, they should take that seat.

The most effective and revenue generating way of eliminating this is by selling reserved seats.

I will leave stating that I have only sat in the grandstands maybe 10 times in the last 300 races I have been to.

I own a stadium seat but if the stands are full we dont use it. If we know that there are going to be tons of people and the track sells reserved tickets we buy them.

Whats funny is the blanket people complaining about the stadium seat people.
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Re: That's my seat
 

Taping down blankets is infinitely more of a problem over here in mud taxi country (Illinois). During the Summernationals people will be taping down blankets as much as 2 or 3 days ahead of the races. As someone else said, a working person doesn't have a chance.

I liked the policy at Manzy. We were out there for the Western World 4 or 5 years prior to them closing and I asked if they allowed blankets and the track worker said "sure, be my guest". He followed that by saying that they will go through the grandstands just prior to the spectator gates opening and take up all the blankets and you can get them as you come in the gate. He said there is usually a pile of them and yours should be in that pile right there. Best blanket policy a track can have.

In regards to stadium seats they shouldn't be allowed. Nor should bags or coolers larger than a foot tall X a foot long X 8 inches wide be allowed into the grandstands. Just build boxes to those dimensions and if the bag or cooler won't drop directly down in the box without any squeezing or if it sticks out the top then it doesn't come into the grandstand area. AND MAKE IT STICK! When I used to go to the World 100 at Eldora there were people bringing coolers big enough to hold 3 cases of beer and they'd set them either in the aisle or in the walkway of the bleacher seats. One of many reasons I no longer do that deal.

Re: That's my seat
 

I am thankful for good friends that always get there when the gates open and save me a set or two with them!!

Actually the only problem we had all week was at Kokomo.....in the pit stands. The race team I was helping went up to watch the sprint heats to see how the track was handling and where the best grooves were. There were very few seats available. Fans had taped down so many blankets and stadium seats there wasn't any room for us to sit high enough to see well. There was a section of blanket taped that no one was sitting at so we sat there. About midway through the third heat they finally showed back up and wanted us to move out of "their" seats. We made the comment that we were thereto try to do a job and needed to be able to see and there is no such thing as "reserved" seats in the pit stands. The people said they didn't care that was how Kokomo had always done it. So we just moved. I don't care what happens in the main grandstand but if you're just spectating in the pit stands don't take a seat away from someone that's there to do a job. Especially during the biggest race of the year. Pit stands are primarily meant for race teams not fans - that's why they have the smallest seating.
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Re: That's my seat
 

I wish we had that problem out here in CA

Re: That's my seat
 

JMHO, after 40 years of racing and chasing, but anything down before the gates open to everyone should be removed ... period ... once the gates open, its fair game and mark off what you want, but if you are found to mark off double, or the seats in front of you to 'control' your leg room, etc .. security should make a quick round and ask you to remove your 'excess' prior to the first event ...

... also, seats should be cleared prior to ticket gates opening on EACH day of multi-day events ... again, JMHO

Re: That's my seat
 

I am not a fan of taping down the blankets. The easiest solution is reserved seating. If giving the choice, I will always pay for reserved seating.

If I was a promoter, I would think that this would be a problem that they would want to fix. I have a limited supply of seats. I am counting the number of people that come through the front gate trying to determine how many seats to sell. However, I have a certain percentage of people paying for pit passes and then marking off seats in the stands. I have also been to the track where the person with the taped off seat sat in it for all of two races. That is a horrible use of the tracks resources. The casual fan has to sit in a horrible seat, and will never come back.

Re: That's my seat
 

we got to brownstown when the gates opened went and found a seat put a blanket down and went to the pits came back for the heats and found no blanket

Re: That's my seat
 

http://www.values.com/inspirational-...107-Wet-Cement

Some of you will get it... others... well, nevermind.

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by Bill Gardner:
http://www.values.com/inspirational-...107-Wet-Cement

Some of you will get it... others... well, nevermind.

LOVE THIS, it is a GREAT lesson for all of us... Thanks Bill.

Re: That's my seat
 

I think Gas City has to be one of the worst. At least they are not falling down or have broken boards but are the weirdest seats I have ever sat my track bleecher worn butt in.

They need to do the same thing that Kokomo did at Sprint Week.
After every race at GC they need to rip up any thing left over that is marking a seat. I swear some stay marked over the winter.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for saving 5 or 6 seats and usually my friends or I show up early "on the same day" to do just that.

I am not one to watch the mods or bombers. I would rather hit the parking lot and have a coldie and BS with folks. When we hear the Sprinters fire off we hurray back. So marking some seats is crucial.

I am all up for nothing being marked till the gates open. Makes it pretty fair. After the races take it all up and start fresh for the next show.

For the BIG SHOWS? for those that have to work all day and show up at
6 and did not have someone save a space? I have to say sorry for your luck. You just have to take a day or 1/2 day off and join the party.

Re: That's my seat
 

People have always saved seats, and I have never heard complaints about it til this thread. The people that sit in those seats are the ones that keep the tracks and racers going during the rest of the year, financially and moral support wise. I personally have never saved a seat for myself but have always respected the ones that do, even when they are late or unable to show up. I feel like a guest at their place because I know those are the ones that have done a lot more for racing than I ever will. I have seen more and more disrespect for tradition at the races this year, more than ever. I was almost knocked over at Kokomo during the national anthem and at Gas City some guy felt the need to order a beer during the prayer. Nothing against beer, but can't people stand still and quiet for a few moments when most people are taking a moment to be thankful they can be there and pray for safety?

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by Bill Gardner:
http://www.values.com/inspirational-...107-Wet-Cement

Some of you will get it... others... well, nevermind.

Classic Bill. Thanks for the reminder.:)

Re: That's my seat
 

People taping blankets down really P!ss me off because I have a set of bucket seats out of a 68 GTO that we carry up into the grand stands and we like to sit in the same spot in turn 1 every week. And the people in there little puny bleacher seats get in the way of my feet and 32qt cooler....get a life ya'll .

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by axsom#11:
Welcome to bloomington , I've lived here my whole life and thefts are becoming way to common , All the homeless houses and shelters. This town has turned in to a nasty town to live in , has realy changed the town the last couple of years. Can't sit any thing down with out it getting swiped . And on the marking seats , Well they should have to pay extra for that , I don't like going to the track and hour and half before racing starts and can't find a good seat , seats taped off and no one around . :6::22:

I've lived in Bloomington my whole life, too, but we must frequent different parts of town because my experiences with my hometown are nothing like yours...

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by nonwingnit:
Actually the only problem we had all week was at Kokomo.....in the pit stands. The race team I was helping went up to watch the sprint heats to see how the track was handling and where the best grooves were. There were very few seats available. Fans had taped down so many blankets and stadium seats there wasn't any room for us to sit high enough to see well. There was a section of blanket taped that no one was sitting at so we sat there. About midway through the third heat they finally showed back up and wanted us to move out of "their" seats. We made the comment that we were thereto try to do a job and needed to be able to see and there is no such thing as "reserved" seats in the pit stands. The people said they didn't care that was how Kokomo had always done it. So we just moved. I don't care what happens in the main grandstand but if you're just spectating in the pit stands don't take a seat away from someone that's there to do a job. Especially during the biggest race of the year. Pit stands are primarily meant for race teams not fans - that's why they have the smallest seating.
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Try the pit bleachers at chili bowl, esp on the sat night program when your driver is running the alphabet.

Re: That's my seat
 

How about the people that rarely go to races that now show up and find good seats all taped/blanketed over and end up sitting who knows where? Not a good way to impress hopefully new fans or to grow the attendance at races. If saving general admission seats is a long tradition then that is one tradition we can do without. Too much of an "entitlement" belief for me. Nobody sitting down at NASCAR races is also a lousy tradition but maybe it is going away as the crowds have dissipated.

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by Flatrightrear:
How about the people that rarely go to races that now show up and find good seats all taped/blanketed over and end up sitting who knows where? Not a good way to impress hopefully new fans or to grow the attendance at races. If saving general admission seats is a long tradition then that is one tradition we can do without. Too much of an "entitlement" belief for me. Nobody sitting down at NASCAR races is also a lousy tradition but maybe it is going away as the crowds have dissipated.

I agree, drunk driving and beating your spouse was once somewhat of a tradition. The sense of entitlement is appalling. I imagine some promoters would be under fire for switching to reserved seats, that is a decision they would have to make!

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by jonesy112:
Try the pit bleachers at chili bowl, esp on the sat night program when your driver is running the alphabet.

MAYBE THIS CAN BE REVERSED.Tell the ones with pit passes to stay in the pits and not the regular bleachers.--- Works both ways ---

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by SHORTBUS:
MAYBE THIS CAN BE REVERSED.Tell the ones with pit passes to stay in the pits and not the regular bleachers.--- Works both ways ---

Great idea. I was thinking about something close. The people with Pit passes can not go into the stands until the first race starts. This would allow all of the front gate fans a chance to find a seat, and the pit people could find the open seating. The current situation has the roles reversed.

Re: That's my seat
 

Lets see how this post really works out on Aug 5th when WoO show up at Bloomington. Bet at 5pm on the 4th there will be a sell out to mark their seats might be neat just to watch the rush in.

Re: That's my seat
 

Originally Posted by Sawdust101:
Lets see how this post really works out on Aug 5th when WoO show up at Bloomington. Bet at 5pm on the 4th there will be a sell out to mark their seats might be neat just to watch the rush in.

I bet it looks like the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889.:5:

Re: That's my seat
 

The stadium seat issue needs to be addressed.
I have no problem with the foam style stadium seats because they take up the room that a normal person would.

I do however have a problem with the ones that go further back than the seat and take up half the aisle. Then Billy Bob feels like leaning back in the chair and next thing you know someone is trying to lay in your crotch.... not a pleasant experience.

The solid stadium seats need to go!

Re: That's my seat
 

ok you all are talking bout blankets so my recliner is ok? :6: