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Msg ID: 2796780 Not pot stirring, just a thought +37/-6     
Author:raceasaurus
10/23/2023 6:08:06 PM

I talk regularly with a few hardcore lifelong race fans and I have brought up many times that the announcers should include making mention of asking the fans for help  bringing in new fans or any fans for that matter. to shows a few times a nite.  The writing is on the wall for the sport at this point.  The attendance in the pits and grandstands could be alot better and keep it alive alot longer.  Ok now something all the fans, competitors and promoters have talked about but no one seems to want to consider..  One of the 2 NJ dirt tracks running Fri nites. I, know I know.................. its gonna ruffle some feathers but hear me out before I get bombarded with hate responses and dislikes on here.  The one track that can't do it is Bridgeport.  295 is messy enough on the weekends and on the midweek shows would be a literal nitemare and it would not work there for that reason alone.  When B-port has midweek shows I take the turn pike ( probably 10 miles longer)  but far less stressful and more time savings. That only leaves the other dirt track left.  I don't need to mention East Windsor did it very successfully for decades.  They ran 3 divisions  Mods Spts and SS.  Shows ran fairly quick there and the fields of cars were better than we see now.   One of the better reasons for considering Friday is a Saturday makeup date couold be built in as well.  When you get a season like this one where almost half the schedule was weathered out, you will increase the chances of that not happening by 50%.  Its gotta be a nitemare for track owners to send back race nite sponsor money, wristband refunds and paying employees for shows that weathered on nites the gates get opened.  3 tracks remain in NJ  all run on Saturday. The majority of us race fans attend at least 2 and some of us all 3 at one time or more during a season.  There is a finite number of race fan teams and sponsors available.  The pie is the same size............3 slices. 2/3 being dirt.  You can share 2/3 which has been the status quo since Windsor closed or you can utilize the entire 2/3 by moving it a day and have the insurance policy for the extra day should Friday weather out. I for one would attend both nites at both tracks numerous times a season. I know I'm gonna hear comments about fans and teams work weeks and thats legitimate for sure.  Windsor did it  and Big Diamond is doing with better crowds than both the NJ tracks are getting every Friday and they also pay the most for a regular show.  Please don't shoot the messenger.  I made my case I won't argue with anybody.  Race fans, teams and owners  wanna  watch and attend  and put on shows.  No one can do this for too many more years if there is no profit or breaking even.  Off the soapbox now. I am interested in the how the thumbs up and thumbs down turns out though



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Msg ID: 2796809 Not pot stirring, just a thought +16/-0     
Author:Sgt. Joe Friday
10/24/2023 8:39:35 AM

Reply to: 2796780

You make good points here. The two dirt tracks in Jersey, especially New Egypt, are almost spot on in their show. Wall needs to go back a couple of years and rid itself of it's dragged out officiating in making calls and scoring. Move the race along. If the tracks all run a tight, consistent show, it's no problem bringing new fans to the track. If you leave the track and they say "why did you bring me here?", then that's the tracks fault.

Fridays are great for fans, but I don't know any drivers in Jersey who are doing it for a living. Living in Jersey, we all know, is expensive. You need a good five day job to survive. Racing Friday means working maybe a half day Friday. The guys with money, no problem, the support division guys are another story and they pay most of the purse. Most fans do not understand, and not in a bad way, the amount of time it takes just to load the trailer alone. It's the last thing you do and it could take hours. Tires, fuel, food, drinks, clothing, and so on. Plus cleaning it.

 Also, a raindate for a Friday track of a Saturday, does not make much sense. Racing Friday and Saturday allows drivers to race two nights. More cars for each, even if there is only a half dozen that do it. 



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Msg ID: 2797059 Not pot stirring, just a thought +15/-2     
Author:david walter
10/26/2023 5:16:38 PM

Reply to: 2796780
I agree both tracks should not be racing against each other. Bridgeport has its successful quarter mile on Friday nites for years so that leaves New Egypt? Also coming from Pennsylvania Friday nights going to Bridgeport is a nightmare New Egypt is a lot easier. I know neither triack will change but we can all HOPE.


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