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| Moderated by: nettersc39, ChancesMom |
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| Saddened.......... | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wednesday Jul 18th, 2012 05:48 PM |
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1st Post |
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ChancesMom Member 
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I made my first Madras visit of the season last Saturday evening and I left with a heavy heart, confusion, dismay and just plain saddness. Madras is a special track in a league of it's own. I know of no better place for a racer to get a start in racing.........We are so thankful Madras was there when Chance started out in racing. Because of that, Madras has always held a special spot in our hearts. This side of the Mts. doesn't offer Kart racing for the younger crowd so unless you are willing to battle the snowy mt. passes during Kart season, Madras is the place to start. Madras has turned out some pretty fine racers through the years. Rob Mayea, Darren Coffell, Joey Tanner, Justin Simpson who now manages a Petty track and Billy Workman, who has his foot in the door of Nascar just to name a few. We have close and dear friends who race at Madras and a couple of rigs we sponsor(ed) make it a point to share their racing happenings with us. I used to chalk up their complaints as just racing and being newbies. (been there, done that). That is untill Saturday night. Same for the Rants&Raves on Craigs List. Only 2 classes had 5 cars, one class had 3 and the Jr. class had 2. The stands had a handfull of spectators including the 8 people we took with us. Sure, the economy plays a role as this area has been hit hard but after witnessing racers' complaints in person, I have to say it's not all the economy. Madras did put their best foot forward Saturday night..........they allowed spectators to take refuge in their personal rigs during the rain and return to the stands, the slime was scraped off the track surface, re-packed and the races continued. I was impressed with their effort. One thing that irritated not only our group but several fans was the announcer. Not only was it irritating it was literally painful. Please, Please could someone let the announcer know he doesn't need to YELL into the mic when cars are on the front stretch? It literally hurts the ears and you can't understand him anyways! He also was calling racing incidents, like sliding up the track on a greasy surface a drivers mistake and when drivers would loop out he would call them mistakes. Not good when everyone is needing sponsors! It was clear the announcer didn't do his homework by arriving a little early and visiting with the drivers and gathering information to share with the fans. He might pick up some racing lingo that would help him in keeping the fans entertained and make the racers feel special. The announcer also failed to announce the car sponsors to any length and if he did, he mispronounced the sponsor name on many. He also mispronounced drivers names.........of course he mispronounced Chance's last name and I tried politely to correct him only for him to cop an attitude and ask who I was. Does it really matter? I was not the only fan/Mom/relative to try and help this guy with pronunciations only to have him continue with his "mispronouncings". His comment on the mic after he was corrected by the 3rd Mom was "Ya gotta love a home town track." Matter of fact we do love that track. An announcer can make or break a track or any event for that matter. Not everyone is born with a golden mic in their mouth but this guy needs some help. Perhaps the promotor could give him some advice or someone with more pull than the fans because this guy is running people off. Madras, have you tried calling the racers who no longer race there that were regulars untill recently and asked them why they aren't racing? Please, listen with an open, non-defensive and willing mind if you do. Let them know you missed them and would love to have them back. Reassure them you will do your ever best to address their complaints and concerns and do it. Most everything I am hearing and have witnessed in the complaint department can be fixed in my opinion, even in this trying economy. I personally know a few local racers who would return with a simple caring phone call. I have tried my ever best in this post not to slam, trash or diss Madras so please, no one take it as such. I have only made this post because we truely and sincerely care what happens to the track as a whole. If the low fan and car counts continue, I cannot see where it is feasibly possible for the track to stay in existance and that would be more than a crying shame. The racers in Central Oregon NEED this track! /b]
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Thursday Jul 19th, 2012 03:19 AM |
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2nd Post |
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NWWT#14 Member 
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ChancesMom You hit the nail on the head, Madras Speedway has been an integral part of the N.W. Racing Community for a long time, and we can less afford to lose another track,no matter what . We have not run at Madras for a number of years, however, we always enjoyed the trip over the mountain and the track was always a kick to compete on and the Black Bear Dinner is great ! Think of it as a triangle, you have the Track Operator (track owner/promotor) on side one, you have the Racer (car owner/driver) on side two, and you have the Race Fan (paying customer) on side three, now if any one of these sides falters, it will all come down . It's the Track Operator's (track owner/promotor) obligation to provide a well run track facility for the Racer and Race Fan, it's the Racer's (car owner/driver) obligation to provide car count, car count, car count for the Track Operator and the Race Fan (paying customer) and if these two obligations are meant "they will come", it's the Race Fan (paying customer) that provides the funds to the Track Operator, so in theory the track can turn a profit to keep up the track facility and have a payout to the Racer's so they can return for the next show, and we all do it again and again and again, round and round we go . Having been involved in all sides of the triangle I can tell you with no hesitation, It can "ONLY" work if all the sides of the triangle work !!! GOOD LUCK over there and remember you need each other . R.B.
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| Posted: Thursday Jul 19th, 2012 05:22 PM |
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3rd Post |
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Stipe Engine Spec Member 
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I have said this before on another forum. It is correct there are three factions that all need to work together for a track to be successfull. Track management and its employees, the fans, and the racers themselves I agree. I disagree strongly on one point though. I dont believe it is up to the racers only for car count. The track also needs to give the racers some incentive to show up and race so it is a two way street for consistent car count. My opinion only of course ! Now the last race at Mardras is not totally indicative of the participation by racers and fans. Usually there are more cars and a lot more fans than what showed up for the last race. The threat of rain may have had some influence on spectator numbers. I will also comment the last race had no touring series showing up so it was a local racer show only. There were only 25 cars entered on the lineup board to start the night in 5 different classes which does not bode well for local racing. Not a good sign we need the local support for the track to survive. Last edited on Thursday Jul 19th, 2012 05:42 PM by Stipe Engine Spec |
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 12:30 AM |
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4th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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Very well stated, RB! I enjoyed your "triangle" analogy of racing! It's a known fact racers will go where they are appreciated, where the money is and where their buddies are. It's a known fact the fans will go where there's excitement and entertainment aka, good racing. Much like the old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg, which side of the triangle should be built first? The weather prolly did play a role in Saturday nights fan/car counts but if you go over the results, minus the tours and local Mods which don't run on a regular basis, count is indicative of this season. If memory serves me well, (and it usually does)....Jim, one of your biggest complaints even last season was the low car counts and not having enough cars in a class to get paid. I mean, isn't the reason you have Chance race your old 4 banger is so it will help with the car count and you guys can get paid? If tour groups do come in, they certainly aren't going to help the low local car count. It's a no brainer that it's a track's regulars that support a track, not a tour group that race a couple of times a year. IMO....A racers 1st incentive is a well run, up to date facility, and I would say the 2nd incentive is money/rewards at the end of the night. Does anyone know how the Contingency Connection National Program works at Madras? I read the Contingency web site, ended up confused, and then the instructions said to contact your track. I'm not finding the "how to's" on Madras web site. If I read the CCNational site correctly, there is a nice amount of monies/awards for the racers and the track. I mean REALLY nice!!
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 08:44 PM |
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5th Post |
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Stipe Engine Spec Member
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I want to respectfully post here publicly that Chances mom in no way speaks for myself or my business. Any quotes, perceptions, complaints, or suggestions posted about what I feel about anything racing related by her are her words only and do not reflect the way I see things. I can speak for myself. Thanks for listening---Jim Stipe owner operator of Stipe Engine Specialties in Redmond, Oregon.
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 10:34 PM |
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6th Post |
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Sprintcar9 Member
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My beleive in this matter is truly an economic problem. Madras is not as populated so it shows more dramaticaly. No money extra that is. They have done a good job so far riding it out. Hopefully things will start to come back and they will start coming out again. Our company now is very busy we support the stainless steel and aerospace world and that business is very very busy. So on the incentive thing it is hard to give right now when you are just scraping by. well i just hope they make it through this as i relly like Madras i am hoping for a trip up there soon as we to have been pinched a bit on our budget so we are racing here and there when we can and Joe is now a daddy he needs to be around for the kids. untill they get old enough to come with. Good luck Scott & Debbie we do miss you guys we have always enjoyed racing at your facility.
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 11:00 PM |
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7th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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Stipe Engine Spec wrote:I want to respectfully post here publicly that Chances mom in no way speaks for myself or my business. Any quotes, perceptions, complaints, or suggestions posted about what I feel about anything racing related by her are her words only and do not reflect the way I see things. I can speak for myself. Thanks for listening---Jim Stipe owner operator of Stipe Engine Specialties in Redmond, Oregon. Chancesmom in no way wishes to speak for you and she didn't. Chancesmom understood the reason you gave Chance a ride in your old 4 banger was to help keep the car count up so you could get paid which has been one of your biggest complaints and when Chance broke Sat. night the first thing you said was "Well, we won't get paid now." Maybe Chancesmom misunderstood your motive in letting her son run your car. Last edited on Friday Jul 20th, 2012 11:19 PM by ChancesMom ____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 11:24 PM |
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8th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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Joe~ The economy has definately played a role in the car/fan counts. However, most of the racers are/were not from Madras.
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 11:36 PM |
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9th Post |
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Kelly Hart Administrator 
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enough guys, move past the he said she said stuff. The post is really about how tough it is to attract a decent field of cars in the middle of freaking nowhere in a horrible, rotten, no-good economy. AND what problems in addition to that ChancesMom saw at the track on race day. While I am not big on this whole thread, let's use it to find some creative ways to help Madras boost their car count... Any ideas?
____________________ You can't fake fast. |
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 11:39 PM |
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10th Post |
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Stipe Engine Spec Member
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Yes send some of your racers from up north down to race Madras has sprints !!! - lol.
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| Posted: Friday Jul 20th, 2012 11:56 PM |
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11th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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Kelly Hart wrote:enough guys, move past the he said she said stuff. Thanks for the back up, Kelly. Maybe you could share some announcing ideas? Madras is the only track East of the Cascades and that is a very large area.......I wouldn't say Madras is in the middle of freaking nowhere, tho. It is on HWY 26/97, a main route (2nd to I-5)through Oregon and I know of no other track that has the majestic Cascades as a back drop.
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 12:12 AM |
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12th Post |
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Stipe Engine Spec Member
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You tired it again I can speak for myself you dont know my complaints if any so you should not post about it. We never spoke that night so there is no way you could know what I said whether it was first, second, or last.
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 01:20 AM |
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13th Post |
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Kelly Hart Administrator
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where can I find some decent photos of the facility and contact info for the track owner/promoter?
____________________ You can't fake fast. |
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 01:25 AM |
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14th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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http://www.madrasspeedway.com Phone number and photo album 
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 02:24 AM |
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15th Post |
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sclmfan Member
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Videos Of Madras look at my You tube site http://www.youtube.com/user/ScLmRaceFanPhotos?feature=mhee As far as a traigle Owner/Promotor, Driver/ Sponcer, Fan. I see it as a square . Promotor, Driver, Drivers Family that set in the Bleachers, and the fan that doesn't do anything but watch. Why the Family in the bleachers because most of the time they have the kids and most are female and like a good bathroom. I have heard more than once don't like the Bathroom so we won't race there. Also if it is not the WoO, ASCS National, Or USAC most of the time it is Just family of Drivers, Sponcer or friends in the stands. A lot of the times now, more people are in the pits than in the stands. Cost 12 to 15 to get in stands pit pass 20 to 25. I,'m in the PITS> You can bring all the food you want into the pits.
____________________ Stand on the load pedal, turning right, hoping it goes left http://www.youtube.com/ScLmRaceFanPhotos http://s689.photobucket.com/albums/vv251/ScLmRaceFanPhotos/ |
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 02:46 AM |
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16th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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Thanks Otto for chiming in. The rest rooms on the fan side are just like the ones in the pits......porta potties. Personally, I have no issues with using a porta potty as long as they are kept clean and the ones on the fan side are or at least they were Saturday night. Even when we raced there full time, the rest rooms on the fan side were always clean and well stocked. Adult admission for regular events is $10.00 and pit passes are $20.00. That is the cheapest we have paid for admission and pit passes anywhere we've been this season or the last 4 years for that matter. There were more people in the pits than the stands Saturday night too. I prefer the stands over the pits simply because there is no loud speaker in the pits.
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 08:24 AM |
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17th Post |
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sclmfan Member
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I do know at Lebanon they had Portys in the infield pits and had them maked Men and Women. I do know most of the tracks I have been to up and down the west coast has running water so you can wash your hands. The tracks that don't most has sanatiser in the portys. If not that is a cheap track and you'll have to bring your own.
____________________ Stand on the load pedal, turning right, hoping it goes left http://www.youtube.com/ScLmRaceFanPhotos http://s689.photobucket.com/albums/vv251/ScLmRaceFanPhotos/ |
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| Posted: Saturday Jul 21st, 2012 06:07 PM |
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18th Post |
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ChancesMom Member
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You're right Otto, running water is very important! Not only for hand washing but for race cars and drinking! The land the Speedway sits on is leased from the Feds by the City of Madras(last I knew). The City of Madras is aware of how many dollars the Speedway can bring into the community......I would think if approached, the City would help in putting in restrooms with running water. With team effort, volunteers, yard sales and some hard work the costs could be brought way down. There's racers at Madras that own dump trucks, backhoes, shovels and even gravel pits, if asked, would be happy to donate what it would take, I'm rather sure. Then there's the Oregon Lottery, who helps small business' stay in business with grants. They help breweries(sp) to saddle making shops to tattoo shops. To my knowledge, there hasn't been a grant awarded to a dirt track in Oregon yet but it's a business none the less so it surely couldn't hurt to try. Right? With the property owner being the Feds, I would like to think the Speedway would be entitled to some of this stimulous money that everyone else is getting to improve their business'. Note I said "like to think"...... Any other ideas or suggestions?
____________________ There is more fruit in a wealthy man's shampoo than on a poor man's plate. |
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