announcers
 

Why dont some track announsers keep it goin after the start.They give the lineup and thats it till someone spins or crashes.There has been some real exciting races goin on.They need to add to the excitement,i think..What do you think .

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Originally Posted by Deansnuts:
Why dont some track announsers keep it goin after the start.They give the lineup and thats it till someone spins or crashes.There has been some real exciting races goin on.They need to add to the excitement,i think..What do you think .

I don't care what they do during the race because I can see what's going on. My problem is, I would just like some "down time" from the incessant gabbing and/or loud music on the PA during the breaks!!!!!!.....

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I am a little old school but sometimes I would rather have a little down time on the mike, instead of an announcer rambling on just to be talking. Hard to hear most when the race is going on. Everyone is different. Will take it either way as long as there is good racing.

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Originally Posted by cecil98:
I don't care what they do during the race because I can see what's going on. My problem is, I would just like some "down time" from the incessant gabbing and/or loud music on the PA during the breaks!!!!!!.....

I second that!

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I would be happy if they could just figure out how to give the lineups BEFORE the cars hit the track. So many still haven't figured this out yet.:17: Also, they should know what the tracks policy on rain checks. I loved the one who told everyone repeatedly for 20 minutes prior to the rainout, that your rain checks would be good for any race the rest of the season. The track policy is they were only good for the next two weeks.:14:

They seem to think they have to give you ever detail going as far back at the 1940's to tell some cockamamy story most of us could care less about. I have labeled them the "Masters of Misinformation". They love to hear themselves talk and adore the sound of their own voice.:15: Most have no clue of when to just SHUT UP!

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Personally for me it's a fine line between enough information and over the top rambling.
I am firm believer in, the folks that paid to get in, came to see and hear about the drivers that are there.
Any downtime could easily be filled with recorded interviews from the drivers in the pits, and make it interesting not the same old blah blah blah.

I can't get this to embed, but you can copy and paste the link, this is fun stuff to fill downtime with. But I dig the heck out Jackslash.com stuff anyway. JMHO

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

Speaking of that ... I realllly liked announcer at LPS . Who is he ?

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Brad ???? He also announces @ Bloomington on Fridays...Very interesting to listen to...

He think remembers facts & tidbits from EVERY race he has attended.

He does know when to talk & when not to...

I've always been impressed his silence during red flag situations until news of driver is confirmed.

I thought that was him at Bloomington but sound system is much better at LPS .

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Originally Posted by cecil98:
I don't care what they do during the race because I can see what's going on. My problem is, I would just like some "down time" from the incessant gabbing and/or loud music on the PA during the breaks!!!!!!.....

Been through this one before. Im in 100% agreement with this and a PA should be hearable. not domineering. I can't even say a word to the person next to me when the PA is blaring.

Even if I think the announcer is top notch and does a great job announcing lineups. It can be just too much and TOO LOUD. Have someone walk out of the booth, go sit near the speakers for five minutes and come back. I bet they say. Dude, cut back a couple notches. :)

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I find it annoying when announcers have a contest to see which group of spectators can make the most noise.
Also, asking the spectators to come to their feet at the start of the feature, but failing to tell them to sit down so that every one can enjoy the race is a major pet peeve.

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I would be happy if they could just figure out how to give the lineups BEFORE the cars hit the track: Mudpacker

I agree 100%, Mudpacker! At most tracks, the announcer waits until they start pushing off and then you can't hear the lineup......

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The problem isn't bad at Haubstadt but a reminder for fans to sit once the green flag waves is always good. I think some younger fans would stand if not told to sit by those around them. That's one thing I love about sprint car fans---they always have sat down when the races start. One reason I don't care to go to Charlotte for the World Finals is that there are a lot of NASCAR fans there in for the Cup race and a seat to them is something not to be sat in. I also have no idea why an annoucer screams into the mike when the green flag is out. Speaking when a yellow or red flag comes out is sufficient.

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It's the best job in the business. Next to actually racing of course

Originally Posted by Chris Nunn:
It's the best job in the business. Next to actually racing of course

Yeah but announcing is a heck of a lot cheaper haha

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Yep,they are get paid the same every week..;)

Originally Posted by Hotshoe65s:
Yeah but announcing is a heck of a lot cheaper haha

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[QUOTE=Chris Nunn;381522]It's the best job in the business. Next to actually racing of course[/QUO

This is my first year announcing. I can tell you first hand it is not as easy as it appears. My first time announcing was at Brownstown and I can tell you that Chris does an outstanding job.

Each time out I am learning and every announcer has his or her own way of doing things. What I have been trying to do is pick up some new ideas each night from the track announcer.

I was wondering what the fans thoughts was on rather or not you should announce during the race itself. Most of the announcer booths is set up to where we can not even here ourselves on the speakers. So we can not always tell if the fans can here us or not. I do try to announce the line ups either before the race or when the cars first comes out onto the track. Sometimes things are happening so fast when the cars comes out to the track that it is almost impossible to even get the entire line up announced before the green flag drops.

It is good to have this post because for someone like myself who is learning it helps to know what the fans like or do not like about announcers. I know someone else mentioned sponsors being mentioned. This is really important to make sure they get recognized. I know we all hate commercials but without them we would not have a race to watch.

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I always enjoyed the announcer at Gas City years ago.......he would ask if anyone in the stands had a part for a car that was broke down on the track........He'd also introduce Tim Bookmiller as a "Nice Young Man from Kokomo"!!!

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Bill Donnella was my favorite; Tom Carnegie being in his own category of course..

Brad Dickison and Pat Sullivan at Bloomington, now featuring Kimb Stewart. Brad is also at LPS now too. Great announcer, personable and does it right.

I announce my local H.S. Football games , we r not allowed to talk once a play is started (IHSA rules)so therefore I get a chance to watch the play and gather my thoughts. I'm not the best but haven't had anybody ask me to step down since I volunteered 10 yrs ago.I am so impressed with race announcers that present a race "on the fly" . I've never announced a race but would love to sit in on one once ! People shouldn't complain until they've sat in front of that mic ! I've loved every announcer I've heard in indiana . Keep up the gd work fellas .

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Scott Daloisio (Sorry if misspelled) best announcer on the best sound system at the PAS.

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Just wish tracks would have a scanner frequency or AM/FM station available to listen to track announcements and starting line-ups. I do know The Burg does have a AM/FM station just for this it works great even during the races.

The terrible ringing in my ears most of the time prevents me from understanding anything the announcers say. No matter who it is.

Sometimes, I can hear Brad Dickison say Indiana Open Wheel over the PA. So for that reason alone, he gets an A+ grade for adding excitement. Yes, I know... My grade scale is a bit biased. :)

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On another thread we discussed driver/car number roster sheets and if you had those the announcer could basically take the night off. We could figure out things for ourselves when the cars hit the track and get lined up.

Originally Posted by Flatrightrear:
On another thread we discussed driver/car number roster sheets and if you had those the announcer could basically take the night off. We could figure out things for ourselves when the cars hit the track and get lined up.

Careful, you might add to unemployment.

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I've sponsored races before. If I here my companies name at least 3 times I'm happy.

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I had the advantage of growing up hearing the two best short track announcers I've ever heard: Ken Squire and Chris Economaki. They talked (yelled?) during the races just to provide a background of excitement, knowing full well that their words weren't very intelligible (if at all).

For those of us with touring shows, sometimes it's hard to get the lineups announced before the engines start because the track's home announcer has so many "commercials" to get through, he doesn't give us the the mic until it's too late.

Since the midgets usually visited each track only once or twice a year, I always tried to give a good description of exactly what is a midget. At the Midget/Sprint Week races, I'd like to hear a short description of each of the other classes. I have no idea what are those other cars we see. And, there are probably non-regulars who would like to know what is a midget or sprint. It sure would be better than some of the silly stuff we hear. The worst at that stuff, by far, are those guys who do the Chili Bowl. After five nights, we all are really tired of them.

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I probably fall somewhere in the center on this, but I would like the following: 1. a good PA system, PAS has the best 2. Knowledgeable announcers who give driver background, etc. (although I feel far too much time is spent by some squeezing in all the detail about chassis, engine for each car/driver, particularly as they go out to time trial-seems much too rushed to get it all in: what I really want is driver name and time.) 3. If the PA can handle it some play by play is fun and can add excitement. Years ago Economaki at the K'ville Nationals was a master at this, later Jack Miller also did a great job. Good announcers need a decent PA, knowledge, and timing. I for one do not want total silence during a race and I think in particular we need announcers who add excitement and info for the casual/new fan. Far too often we as long time fans base our opinions on our expectations forgetting the person next to us may be a first timer. They should leave feeling excited, informed and entertained by the racing so hopefully they will return with another newbie.

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Pat Sullivan also writes a great column in Sprint Car and Midget magazine. Definitely knows his history of our sport..

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Johnny Gibson with the Outlaws one of the best announcers out there right now.

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Originally Posted by Rpracing1:
Johnny Gibson with the Outlaws one of the best announcers out there right now.

Yes he is.

Now if he would only turn down the music.

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Honestly as an announcer, I dont think we should bombard the fans with constant talking. During an intermission, I usually go over our sponsor list again, and then let the fans have some much needed quiet time. I usually do giveaways in between races, and then a few more during intermission. During the races, at Brownstown, im blessed with a pretty good sound system, so the fans can actually hear the play by play. An announcer shouldnt be quiet while racing is going on. People have headsets that tune into the FM transmitter, and some fans (not all) do actually like to hear the play by play. Incase they are watching the lead battle, and then I announce something that happened back in the back, and they can turn their attention to it. I know my announcing style isnt everyones cup of tea, but thats just my inside look at my style and why I do what I do.

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Originally Posted by 4th turn fan:
Brad ???? He also announces @ Bloomington on Fridays...Very interesting to listen to...
He think remembers facts & tidbits from EVERY race he has attended.
He does know when to talk & when not to...
I've always been impressed his silence during red flag situations until news of driver is confirmed.

I believe Brad is the best at what he does. No nonsense or silliness (Attn: USAC/TSS). No frenetic blathering. A strong and clear voice Takes advantage of quiet time on the track to tell fans what they need/want to know and can also make himself heard when the cars are running. Very good at getting the team's sponsor names out to the fans. Having a good PA is essential and both LPS and B'town seem to have decent equipment. :6:

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Originally Posted by captrat:
...i think in particular we need announcers who add excitement and info for the casual/new fan. Far too often we as long time fans base our opinions on our expectations forgetting the person next to us may be a first timer. They should leave feeling excited, informed and entertained by the racing so hopefully they will return with another newbie.

:6: :6:

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Originally Posted by Chris Nunn:
Honestly as an announcer, I dont think we should bombard the fans with constant talking. During an intermission, I usually go over our sponsor list again, and then let the fans have some much needed quiet time. I usually do giveaways in between races, and then a few more during intermission. During the races, at Brownstown, im blessed with a pretty good sound system, so the fans can actually hear the play by play. An announcer shouldnt be quiet while racing is going on. People have headsets that tune into the FM transmitter, and some fans (not all) do actually like to hear the play by play. Incase they are watching the lead battle, and then I announce something that happened back in the back, and they can turn their attention to it. I know my announcing style isnt everyones cup of tea, but thats just my inside look at my style and why I do what I do.

Chris has a lot of good points.
It's hard to please everyone. One of the announcer's top priorities is to keep the promoter happy. The guy putting the cash (or check, or bag of popcorn) in my hand has my attention because the paying fan has his attention. If the promoter wants to hear traffic on the PA you're going to hear traffic on the PA. The good announcer has the ability to keep the fan engaged in the event despite any of many delays.

I remember in the 90s being at the Speedrome and first hearing Kevin (Stiles?) recap heat race action. I thought that was pretty cool. Of course I had just seen it, but hearing how everyone got their finishing positions was neat.

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Someone we left out Is Bobby Gerold.I think he is rite upthere with the best......