And if you look at Bad Dad's post, there are defiantly times where the promoter isn't necessarily doing a stellar job and this too needs to be addressed. My post spoke in generalities of the vast majority (in my opinion) of promoters and with any average some end up above the "acceptable" range and some below. You will always end up with a few bad eggs too. The one part of it I don't agree with is the "screw you, why should I come back" attitude. I tend to be more of a "lets address these issues and see if we can resolve them" kind of guy, but that is just my approach, it doesn't work for everyone.. I think in these cases we need to try and effect changes at the tracks, if you get nowhere move up the food chain. Only after the channels are exhausted do you say "screw you guys, I'm going home". After all, the sad truth is that there is just no reaching some people. Part of my "race track utopia" view is that we all work together which includes promoters listening to legitimate concerns on the part of fans, drivers and crews which are presented in a rational way. Not to say that I don't loose my temper and have my go to h3LL attitude moments, but in the end that gets us nowhere. Calm down, take a deep breath and try to work it out. In no way trying to slam you Bad Dad, just presenting another viewpoint to keep some dialog going.

As I type this, "MORGAN" has a total of 3 posts as a member of our not-always-so-happy family. And they are negative (or agreeing with someone who agreed with his first negative post). Whew!
If you noticed that I failed to welcome "MORGAN" to IOW, please be aware that it was not an oversight on my part.

Do I think there is a thin line between promotors getting KA-CHING Or KA-CHUNK.

WELL HELL YES!

If the movie was good, Do you pay to see it again or buy it when it comes out on DVD? If it was bad, Do you tell your friends it sux?

I feel the same about racing. It its good, I tell people, I go back.

If its bad, I give em another chance but mention why in hopes that something can be done to improve it.

Find me the Cecil B. Demile of racing, Oh wait, Earl Retired

FWIW the low post count arguement on any message board is weak... I've posted all sorts of nonsense and im still a kook!
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I completely disagree.

Message boards and social media just make it easier to expose the piss poor ones. Which I'm A-ok with. Personally I've stopped supporting most of the tracks in my state because none of them like to run a honest to goodness show. They are constantly undercutting the drivers and the fans and I'm not going to spend the money I bust my keyster working for on these clowns. I'd rather travel a couple times a month and hit the Kokomo, Fairbury, Putnamville, Lawrenceburg, Brush Creek, and other I'm sure I've left out.

Folks say well, if you don't support your local tracks you won't have any. Personally I'm okay with that. What am I going to miss out on? A dustbowl racing surface, 5-7 classes of racing, a cut payout? Good riddance.

I leave with this message to promoters and track owners: Do your job and the rest will take care of yourself.

If you're not sure what your lacking go sit in your grand stand. There are going to be a thousand other "promoters" sitting around you. They are your best friends and your worst nightmare. Bring some thick skin, objectivity, and a note pad.

The primary purpose of every successful entertainment venue is to make people gather on the property and buy food. This rule of thumb may not be true in such things as theatrical plays or concerts in government subsidized buildings but is 100% true in almost every privately-owned facility.

That being said, all our racing activities are a means to attract participants and spectators into the gates where they will buy the hot dogs and Cokes. The contest between the racers is secondary to attracting the most number of people at the least cost.

This is why the "support show" is so vital to many tracks running the open wheel events. The "support show" increases the number of people through the gate and provides the race organizer with some flexibility in the program shhould their be a low turn-out, inclement weather, driver's strike, etc.

If a promoter could make a living off of just bombers and street stockers he would do so and avoid the griping, sanction fees, martinets and wanna-be superstars that seem to follow many of the "headliner" classes. The promoter, however, needs to provide his fans with a show that has some variety. This is especially true in tracks that are not close to a large population base where travel distance is minimal.

A promoter does not NEED a sprint car show, or a late model class, or the national travelling series. He NEEDS something that will bring people in the gates... pit gate and ticket gate.

He needs a track surface adequate for the classes he chooses to run. NOT to satisfy the whims or sensibilities of someone who once almost sorta came close to getting a chance to be considered for an IRL seat in New Hampshire or his car owner who sits in the air-conditioned RV and is upset about the dust obscuring his view.

He needs sufficient seating to satisfy his base customers. Suites are nice but if the track's in farm country a lot of folks can handle the sun and weather.

He needs sufficient restroom facilities to handle his crowd's needs for a 2-4 hour show and still remain in local code compliance.

The low count means nothing . How many post did you start with? he may be like me I just looked at this site for a couple years before I joined ( am sure theres some who hate that I did) but everybody starts somewhere. not looking for a argument just saying. :2:

Or, a track promoter can take a lesson from the guy who built the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and gave birth to the Indy 500, Carl Fisher. Carl Fisher was a master of promotions, not just racing, but all kinds. He's the same guy who built Miami Beach and attracted the wealthiest people to live there. He had no need to attract people to buy food, that's not what racing was about for him. It was more of a 'field of dreams' because he truly loved racing and automobiles. He put his heart into what he did, and the Indianapolis 500 was born. He was born poor, became very wealthy and charitable, and he died poor, because life was about the journey, not the destination. I suggest any promoter who needs a litte inspiration check out his wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_G._Fisher

If you have time, read a copy of his biography, 'Fabulous Hoosier'.

His passion for racing was unquestionable, and he never worried about how many hot dogs would be sold at his race.

this is realy not about promotors winning or losing but more about the internet,before this became popular even if in i was not racing we would go and watch,no matter how hot or how farit was now since we have the internet facebook,twitter, if im not going to race just sit by computer and check for updates and im not they only one im sure so thats what promotors are really up against, also rain checks if the local track gets rained out, im not going to take a chance comming to your track to race or watch when you have a two week rain check policy the only reason we came was because our normal track rained out,so you should honor rain checks all year if you realy want more buts in the stands or cars in the pits . jmo