[QUOTE=cecil98;143431]All the racers and crews can do is show up prepared and support the various tracks and events as much as their wallets will allow. On the other hand, when I was growing up, fathers used to make race fans out of their sons (children). This isn't happening anymore, especially in the sport of sprint car racing. I've noticed since going to the non-wing events at East Bay a few years ago that the fan demographic for sprinters is getting very old. You just don't see many young people, and especially kids, at sprint car races anymore. Where are all of today's Dads? QUOTE]

My son is hooked and has been since he was two years old. He just turned 7 so he is now a 5 year sprint and midget spectator veteran. My dad took me to my first race. When we took Sam to his first race he looked at me during the first hot laps session and simply smiled and that said it all. He has been addicted ever since. I just wish more moms and dads would introduce their kids to this wonderful sport.

I am only a fan but for 75-80 nights a year I plan on having my butt in a seat watching racing. I also buy 50/50 tickets and bring along a nice young lady to keep me company. I have to watch out though, Swordman is trying to steal her away from me.

as a fan i can just go to the race track and hope to see the racing teams and fans have a great safe night of racing.and i hope that the big dogs do not pull out and load up when the going gets tough. always remember when the going gets tough the tough gets going!!!!!!!!!!!

to the fans THANK YOU !! but the sport is hurting I was looking for some answers to help the sport as a crew member,an owner, or driver

Go to as many races as I can and, while many are watching TV etc., write about what I saw and maybe even learned about racing people and the lessons we can all teach each other.

Eat a cheeseburger or 2.

See old friends and meet new ones.

Enjoy the whole thing, including the drive to and from.

Tell others about where I've been. You never know; a new race fan may be in the making or in earshot.

Thank racers every chance I get for everything from doing their best to humoring my grandson.

*** NO owner,driver,or crew guy or gal has any idea of something that we can do to help the state of racing.every one can b#@!^ch and complain about things but no one has idea.or wants to work towards making the sport bigger and better! I do not under stand:15

There you go. Bi#$Cing and complaining.
Probably no body responded because they didn't to listen to the bellyaching and complaining about their ideas.

I do have one question. What is the status of the USAC Gold Crown car?

Jim Morrison

Hey V8 -

Something to think about -- A business mentor once told me two nuggets of invaluable advice:

"You can do a lot of things with both TIME and MONEY."
"It's always better to do the right thing than always to be right."

If the powers that be want to make open wheel racing bigger & better, WE must:

-- Get more MONEY from more people in the stands so that promoters will give more back.
-- Market OUR racing product better through multiple avenues to earn more MONEY from sponsorships.
-- Insist on racing leadership that do not have conflicts of interest or their own racing teams so that more TIME can be spent promoting racing than their own interests or pocketbooks.
-- Create more interaction rules & incentives within racing organizations to encourage MORE fan involvement. This means more TIME to show your car, sign autographs, etc., etc.

Again, this is in NO way to slam anyone or any racing group.
Thoughts? Opinions? Make sense? Have a good night, all!

Jimmy Baumgartner

So what are YOU doing?

I am trying to put some foward thinking in to what is needed.I do not have the answers.So I am looking to my collegues for some guidance and thoughts in these issues.I want to put a list list to gether and approach all sanctioning bodys,to discuss the issues that face the Sport of Open Wheel Racing.I work in the entertanment businss.I have 20 years of experience in show productions.PLUS I have sound,stagging,lighting, and pyro. This is entertanment show we should treat it as such.