I am getting ready to finally make a decision on dates for the Rumble In Fort Wayne next time around. I will give you a bit of background on why I have the dates I have had the past 12 years.

The only dates that have ever been open ANYTIME during the winter have been the ones between Christmas and New Years. I made a decision in 1998 to start the Rumble In Fort Wayne on Saturday, December 26 and and Sunday, Dec. 27. Christmas day fell on Saturday in 1999, so that meant that my only option was during the week. We ran on Tuesday, Dec. 28 and Wednesday, Dec. 29. Attendance results have been good considering the "week" dates.

I am weary of promoting those dates, as it is much tougher than having weekend dates for attendance. I am leaning towards trying an event where we have a load in starting at noon on Thursday, Dec. 30. We always load in the day before the event, so this is not new.

Then we run a full event for the midgets and 600s on New Years Eve. We try to make our schedule up so the karts and QMs can get their stuff over early to leave and head back to the hotel if they want. We would then run the 600s and midgets full events after 4 pm. All midgets heats and features after 7 p.m. It would be good to have the entire event over by 10:00 PM that night. Race teams and fans can ring in the New Year at their racers rate hotels, at Hooters, or many of the fine restaurants/night spots near the Coliseum in Fort Wayne.

We then run a full show again on Jan 1, with the karts, qm's and cup cars, etc running first in the morning, with a full show for the midgets and 600s after them. One thought is to have a matinee that day...but since it is a Saturday...maybe we try to get the event over by 9:30 or so. The timing of the start/end of that days festivities are open for debate. Once again, the fans of the midgets and 600s could sleep in, because we will start their events with qualifying at 4 p.m to permit that. Full midget show after 7.

The key questions for fans, teams and other racing promoters/officials are:

Is the New Year holiday one you cannot miss because of football, family, and friends?

Would you rather attend on the New Year holiday instead of the mid week dates?

Let me know if you view this from a race team or fan standpoint.

I would have big screen TV's in our Indy DownForce Fanzone where we would have tables and chairs for people to catch up on the football games. We hold autograph sessions in this same area.

I would work on making the event more fun, with legends of racing invited to meet fans during the day. I want fans to be able able to see the divisions they want in a timely manner with an eye on early exit.

I already know that there will be plenty of hotel rooms available. Reservations just would need to be made earlier to get a room at the hotel you want. If your favorite hotel is booked, there are plenty of others available. I would still be able to get the racer's rate for Dec 30 and Jan 1. The New Years Eve rate would be $20 higher, but still way below regular rates.

I would appreciate race fans and teams to give me your input here or in a private e-mail to me at tbracefest@aol.com. I value all your opinions.

I myself would like to try the New Years dates, because it allows teams and fans to travel from farther away easier. The bowl game season lasts much longer than Dec 31 and Jan 1 now. The championship game is a week later.

Let me know your thoughts. No matter what the choice, this event will still be "Racings Holiday Season Party"

Best,
Tony Barhorst
www.rumbleseries.com

Follow us on Facebook-

http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?...s/177852124299

December 31-jan 1

I agree with Kaiser.

The weekend for me.Since I would be out of vacation days by that late in the year.Thanks Denny

I guess I'm in the minority here but no way I would attend on New Years Eve, the GOOD hotels will be packed and charging much more than normal, all the decent places to eat will be impossible to get into and then you'd be putting up with all the usual idiots that come out on new years.

I have checked into the hotel situation because I have been mulling this over since last New Years Day. The Mariott usually sells out for our event any time, so there will be no difference on New Years Eve if you get in there. We always have a full house there.

The regular racers rate hotels will have these racers rates for double rooms:

The Fort Wayne Marriott will be the same as last year $79 with taxes included for Dec. 30 and the night of Jan. 1. They will raise to $99 plus taxes for New Years Eve. They told me they were full on reservations as of Dec. 1. So if you book early, everyone can get in. Just book by Thanksgiving. The regular rate on this hotel is $129, so it is still a good deal. Indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant, and Rum Runners Dueling piano bar.

Halls Guesthouse will be the same as last year at $56 with taxes included for Dec. 30 and the night of Jan. 1. They will raise to $79 plus taxes for New Years Eve. They told me they were full on reservations as of Dec. 1. So if you book early, everyone can get in. Just book by Thanksgiving.

The Holiday Inn across the street from the Coliseum provides a shuttle service, and free breakfast. This 6 story hotel also has a restaurant and indoor pool. The rates there will be: $129 plus tax (regular rate) on December 31 and $79 plus tax ($9 less than last year) on Dec 30 andJanuary 1.

There are numerous other decent motels- One year Jason Therkelson had Red Roof Inn as a sponsor..the rate was $45...

Fort Wayne is really known for the amount of restaurants and nightclubs near the Coliseum. There are scores of great places to check out, and I will provide a listing of all the hotels within a 5 mile radius. I am sure there will be open rooms at the good hotels downtown too..Within 10 minutes of the Coliseum.

There is one precedent for running on these dates. The Tulsa Shootout runs on the same dates...and they have 1,000 entries. They have no problem getting rooms on the New Year Holiday. (Our event already conflicts with the Shootout no matter what dates I pick. They moved their event to those dates a few years ago.) Tulsa and Fort Wayne are pretty close hotel count wise.

One other idea I have is to ring in the New Year with a Party In The Midget Pits. Fans could mingle with the teams..we have big screen TVs..and music going till 12:30 am. I have a couple of special racing media guests in mind to play their favorite tunes.

I have Crazy Pinz as a sponsor..sports bars, restaurants, and rock and roll bowling...in a huge complex...5 miles away..This would be a great place to have fun. http://www.crazypinz.com/

No need to worry about the traffic around the Coliseum..it is always heavy..and slow with all the stoplights!..nothing new there!...Pleny of cabs, etc..

I want to hear from more promotion minded fans, officials, teams on what you think...take a minute to give me your input.

Best,
Tony Barhorst
www.rumbleseries.com

Photo.Billy Wease wins his fourth Rumble Series event, and third at Fort Wayne after sweeping both nights in 09. (Todd Ridgeway photo)

The New Years Eve would be very difficult for my team to attend, would much rather see the Mid Week Race, I think most race fans that come to the Rumble would come regardless if it's a weekend or weekday.

Eric Cottongim

#28

Quarter midget team...would rather do the weekend, just have to take one day off of work. News Year Eve/Day doesn't mean anything special to me personally.