Keep the show on the road part II

So, I put out some ideas for on the track in terms of keeping the show going. I'd like to focus what the promoter can do without focusing solely on the on-track action.

Getting the show started on time.

I've railed on this before and I don't think it's any less true.

1. Get the track ready when it's supposed to be. If you need to water it, then start on it before anyone else shows up. Worry about it drying out too soon? Need to let it air out? Then build that into your schedule. It isn't an exact science, but experience will be a good guide. You shouldn't be hotlapping 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the show.

2. Hotlaps - short and sweet. Is there really a need to run more than green-white-checkered on a normal night? Three laps tops, especially toward the end of the season. This is warm-up and shake-down time. Maybe a little track fine tuning if needed. But it's not a race, and it's not a testing or training session. If you want drivers to put down some laps, schedule a practice night or let them run after the show.


Oh, and hotlaps during intermission? Hell naw. Let them tag another class B or heat if at all.


3. Lineups. No reason they shouldn't be ready by the driver's meeting if you have that after hotlaps. They should be ready 15 minutes before the start of the race. And get accuracy. If the lineup system is too complex, or requires too much technology, look to see if some ways can't be simplified, or some tasks delegated.


4. Staging. The next TWO races should be staged, especially heats. Get a staging official whose sole duty is to line them up as they would be on track in a clear area. Any class with starters should be able to roll out, and if they come out of turn two, they should be green by four. If you feel the need, then one lap at the most. Anyone not staged starts at the back if they go at all.


5. Buzz laps before the heat. Why? This is just a waste (although I like it for photos). Why another set of hotlaps? Get rid of them.

6. Lone Ranger rule. Spin and bring out the yellow by yourself in a heat or B - you're done. 


7. Intermission. 15-20 minutes. If you have specials, contests, etc. then get things organized beforehand. The event starts when the last car leaves the track. If you need more time to sell beer and hotdogs - then get hawkers in the stands to get it to them or set up single-item stands. Need more time to get everyone a pee break? Get some porta-potties. This is how the big boys do it. They don't delay the show, they bring what they need to satisfy the crowd. Gotta tear up the track? Get the equipment rolling ASAP and look at how well you're prepping the track - and what classes you have running when.

If you aren't selling enough hot dogs, beer and souvenirs, then look at how you sell, what you sell, and other ideas for before and after the show. 

8. A good tow crew. This may be the most important part. A crew that is well equipped to move cars from all parts of the track, who is trained, understands the cars and adequately staffed to move race car wrecks quickly is key. Make sure that cars requiring tow chains have them. Make sure that there's space for the crew to get the car out, and if needed one or two more trucks so there's no delay. I know this takes expense.

9. Roll cars onto the track to push start them. I was skeptical of this at first, but having seen it in action, it does make a difference. There are enough four wheelers to get the cars out on the track, and the push trucks can simply bop from one car to the next.

By the way - get enough push vehicles. If you're a non-sprint track running a sprint show, find good qualified drivers (and pay them) to help out. 1-2 vehicles with a big bumper at your stock car track ain't gonna cut it when the open wheelers come to town.


10. Pit stops. End them once and for all. The whole "2 minutes in the work area" is awful. IF IF IF you must have pit stops I would say this: Only for the first half of the race. At the halfway mark (and the flagman should put out the crossed flags), no more pit stops. You come to a stop and cause a yellow - better get it ready to go or get out. If you just have to have them still - then A features only and anyone has to come back when the field is ready. No 2 minutes garbage. I grew up around sprints when a flat tire produced drama, and there was no such thing as pit stops. Formula 1 cars invest enough money to keep a dirt track running our lifetimes and they are done if they stop. These are short distance races. In my 30 years of being around racing, I can count the number of times a pit stop produced a winner on one hand.


11. Incentives. Reward drivers who run through a race. Eagle gives all drivers who ran flag-to-flag free admission the next week. Granted, it's tougher to do in some classes than others, so consider incentives to drivers when the show is finished on time. Instill a culture of urgency and pride.

So those are my ideas. I realize some of it is pretty draconian, but as I said in my first piece, we live in a different world. 





 -Jason