Isw 2016
 

The best week in sprint car racing is upon us and I can't wait to get back out there. I know the question about rain dates has come up before but that was about Lburg. Friday looks troublesome in respect to getting too much rain. The O Conners made up a Kokomo ISW a few years ago on alone of the off days so I was wondering if it's possible. Sure would be nice for USAC to get in all the events. Might be wishful thinking but knowing how driven the promoters are maybe USAC will be as driven. So many people come to the area for this week that having a short crowd is not eve a possibility. Like I said maybe it's wishful thinking.

Re: Isw 2016
 

They try to, but depends on the track and timing as well. The first 3 days are a bit easier to make up and they tend to try to on Monday/Tuesday if they can work it out. Kokomo has the biggest advantage being on a Sunday of course. Same goes for Tri-State on the following Saturday which I believe can/will use Sunday as a make up, but not always will. Still the track staff and USAC have to discuss it either way to make sure all the logistics and what not can work out. I've seen years where they won't make up a date(s) and years that they have.

Re: Isw 2016
 

Kokomo runs Saturday, Burg Sunday.
There is some logistical issues for a weeknight not already planned, some tracks may be able to get enough staff back. Some may not.

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The best way to insure the shows get in is to show up no matter the weather. If it is worth the raindate tracks will find a way

Re: Isw 2016
 

Oh right, was thinking of in years past when it was on Sunday. Was still waking up, so guess I got stuck in the past and forgot they swapped it a couple years ago. It's been a few years since I've been able to follow and attend most of the ISW schedule sadly.

Last year they rescheduled the conclusion of the Kokomo events after rain hit on Saturday..the semi and a main??.but then it rained out on Monday..
I can't wait for ISW2016

Re: Isw 2016
 

I agree up to a point. Theres a difference if you actually open the gates and even if you get some racing in. Than being rained out and ready to go the next day. You'll have two prep sessions, Two lighting bills, Two payrolls, Two insurance payments. A support class that will be considerably less the second night on a work night. A makeup night brings in only concession money as attendance is bound to be less. Many who can't make it monday or tuesday who say work second shift will be demanding refunds etc.

Its not easy, But if planned as a option ahead could be easier. What happens if all three tracks get rained out? Who gets the two nights?

There's also a charity softball game setup for one of those nights. I seen one year where they rescheduled the charity games

Some tracks can get by with a staff of 15-25. others take 35

Everyone wants them all ran and for the most part in the last few years, Most of them GET RAN! I've seen it where only four of seven got in, or three of six in the past. So they're trying and THAT'S GOOD!

Re: Isw 2016
 

The best way to get them run is to show up no matter what? Not sure what your point is. I plan to come the 10 hours out there. I simply started this thread to get the idea out there that maybe Monday was a possibility. I would like it all to go off without a hitch and as you say just show up no matter what will do that. I guess you are a man of magic. Thanks for the tip.

One major problem tracks face, one I can think of in particular, is that when the dreaded r-word is mentioned that people don't even bother coming out.

So for instance, if there's nobody in the RV lot or hardly anybody in the stands on Friday and it were to pour, why reschedule for weeknight? Not worth it.

So I think what Brent is trying to say is to show up at any round you planned on and show the track personnel, owners, promoters & USAC that you want to see racing.

If there's a lot of visible support people are much more willing to make something happen versus no support. If any of that makes sense.

In the words of a friend of mine, let's not borrow trouble. The weather will be what it will be and the tracks will do what they will do no matter what anyone on this board has to say about it. What the forecast says now for Friday will change 5 times by then. So, let's just erase the R word from our vocabularies and focus on the chance to spend the week with great friends and the best racing in the world. Oh - and ice cream.

Re: Isw 2016
 

I will use Gas City Midgetweek as an example. It never rained, but the crowd was terrible. I come home, get on here and this site is full of people talking each other out of going because of rain. Tracks rain out quicker than ever because fans don't show. Its not magic, it's simple math.

Re: Isw 2016
 

I will ask you this out of ignorance as I have never been to Midgetweek. Do the same number of travelers come for that as they do Sprintweek? The 16 years I have been coming I know that an awful lot of people travel for this week. If you are comparing the two I will assume then yes the numbers are the same. I ask because just in travelers alone you have plenty of people to open the gates no matter the weather. I have been out for short two day weekends in April or September with perfect weather and see sparse crowds, plus all of those travelers from long distance don't come either. That tells me local support isn't always strong throughout the year. The traveler support is excellent for Sprintweek so again I only started this thread to start the notion of a raindate. If your math for Midgetweek matches Sprintweek then I'm on board if not then I don't see the comparison. This two day layoff is a bad deal. I as a person who can't get to these tracks weekly would like to see as many shapes as possible while visiting. Btw when USAC comes to my area I go to every race regardless of the weather until they cancel, I do it every year. Hope you made the visit to PA and saw all six nites.

Re: Isw 2016
 

As a local guy, yes its easy for me to just leave if it rains and come back or do something else. For those who come long distances for a week or so, I can see where they would like to get the most bang for the buck. Looking for Plan B and Plan C is always in the play book for those people and I get that 100%.

I can tell you from my experience, Midget Week is NO COMPARISON to ISW...not even close.

I think every track should have a back up plan in case of poor weather during this week of racing and the sanctioning body should do everything in their power to help each track get their date in.

Re: Isw 2016
 

The fact is it will probably rain at some point late Thursday or Friday , but knowing the track record of the O'Connor family, whatever it takes to get track in race shape, they will do it.

Its a Friday Night and the next night is just down the road, so if it takes till 2 am to get the race in...you do it....In my opinion

I think all will be good....God loves ISW

Re: Isw 2016
 

HEY! HEY! HEY! Butler Speedway has the copyright on running until 2:00 a.m.! Gas City could be sued if they tried this!

Oh.... wait...... we are talking about if it RAINS. I thought we were just talking about running until 2:00 a.m. because of ineptness.

Well, if we are talking inept, the O'Connors are DEFINITELY not part of the discussion. No one does it better when it comes to running a track. :6:

If it rains, we get wet. If it dries, we race. If we don't race, we go home and go to the next one. But I think we'll be good for Friday. I'm burning the incense, rubbing the ju-ju beads together, petting the cat 100 times on each side, and dancing with one of the chickens to Grateful Dead music.

Not that I am superstitious, mind you.....

Re: Isw 2016
 

It just hit me: The last time I went to Gas City, some guy and a few of his buddies came up into the stands and sat down a couple rows in front of me. No one else was in between. The guy was smiling like no one else has ever smiled. People were coming up the stairs waving, shaking hands, and interacting with him. All seemed to be having a good time and all went away with a smile.

Tony Elliott.

Re: Isw 2016
 

Your pretty much spot on

Re: Isw 2016
 

The latest futurecast I saw shows the rain out in the morning on Friday, so hopefully we have great weather. Even supposed to be a little less humid and not as warm.

On a side note.... There was a decent size plug for ISW on 13WTHR this evening.. Interviewed Aaron Farney and Jerry Coons Jr.. :) Love to see this!!!

Just watched the weather strong storms EARLY in the morning.
WERE RACING FRIDAY NIGHT!

Re: Isw 2016
 

I'm being optimistic and saying were going racing boys and gals. Ice and adult beverages are ready to go. Tomorrow the truck will be fueled and I'm packing up my "race bin" with all the necessary clothes, blankets, coozies and whatever else.

This really is the greatest time of the year.

It's like Christmas Eve!!! I've just gotta get through 1 more day of work then I can relax and look forward to a great ISW2K16! 🏁

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Just listened to TMEZ on 1260 AM....That guy is a classic....dropping the S bomb and baby crying in the background....Bad ass racer for sure

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The last non productive work day before a great weekend of racing has begun. I cant wait for the sights and sounds of ISW 2016 to begin. Everyone be safe in your travels and hope to catch up with many of you over our favorite week of the year!!

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Trimmed my nose and ear hair,clothes packed,pill pack loaded,gassed up,leaving the house in 1hr:31:

Re: Isw 2016
 

That's funny!

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What is it in the Midwest with "adult beverages" anyway? Is "beer" a dirty word like %&$#?
Hell, I'll even type out "ganja".....

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I can't go, so I have to satisfy myself with wisecracks.....
Not as good....

Re: Isw 2016
 

I am now the founding member of the "ISW Peanut Gallery".... for those of us old enough to remember that...

Re: Isw 2016
 

Re: Isw 2016
 

Really wish I could be there. First time in 11 years not to attend at least one race. I will be glued to IOW and twitter for results.:13: