166 replies to this topic

[Mike Walpole]

You know our schedule, you are always welcome at The Track Paul.

 

Likely, the Halloween race in TN will be bigger than the Nats.  I might go as I can race 3 classes there and have a blast.

[MSwiss]

 All slot car racing is going the way of the dinosaur. 

I disagree.

 

I'm amazed at the amount  of people coming in, even now in the summer,  with their old stuff, buying new tires to have some casual fun, and older guys, looking for something to do, while their wives do girl stuff.

 

I've sold 3-4 RTR cars in the last 3-4 days.

[John Streisguth]

Slo tcar racing has been going the way of the dinosaur for 40 years.  Up and down, but I think you will find the most popular classes over the years, and certainly now, are the slower classes. 

 

The same thing seems to be happening in HO racing, which I was heavily involved with in the '90s.  he slower, non-downforce cars are extremely popular

[Paul Kovich]

I keep after Roman to hold a big race sometime, I think i could manage getting down there for a weekend race, either a Winter Shootout or a Summer Shootout.

 

I don't travel much anymore but I would do it for a big race race at The Track. Not sure I can muster much motivation for a series race though. Between NEUSRA and Yankee I have two races a month to choose from.

[Paul Kovich]

Keep smoking that doobie, Mike, I hope it lasts long enough for you to retire but I would have a plan B if I were you.

[Dominator]

Hey Mike, the pony rides sound great LOL.

I never knew that Terry didn't meet the minimum room requirements. I thought overall it was a solider turn-out.

[MSwiss]

Hey Mike, the pony rides sound great LOL.

I never knew that Terry didn't meet the minimum room requirements. I thought overall it was a solider turn-out.

 

That's what she told Stu.

 

Compared to Lugnut and Chicago, the two years previous, Manchester was a fairly weak turn-out.

 

Guys complained airfare was on the high side.

 

Keep smoking that doobie Mike, I hope it lasts long enough for you to retire but I would have a plan B if I were you.

 

Wow, Paul.

 

I didn't realize you were so attuned to the Chicago slot car scene, both casual and serious,  and the demographics of neighboring Downers Grove, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, and Oak Brook, and the amount of traffic that passes, and gets stopped 60 ft. from my front door every day.

[Cheater]

Between NEUSRA and Yankee I have two races a month to choose from.

Paul, I beg you not to take this comment personally, as that is not my intent.

But the quote above is indicative of most slot racers' mindset:

"What do I care about the overall future of the model car racing hobby so long as I have a regular opportunity and place to race?"

Such a noticeable lack of altruistic feelings is not what is observed in the majority of other leisure-time activities, as best I can tell. And the sentiment you expressed probably presages the future of the slot car racing hobby in general.

As many have said, enjoy it while you can.

[old & gray]

I don't travel much anymore but I would do it for a big race race at The Track. Not sure I can muster much motivation for a series race though. Between NEUSRA and Yankee I have two races a month to choose from.

 

"What do I care about the overall future of the model car racing hobby so long as I have a regular opportunity and place to race?"

Such a noticeable lack of altruistic feelings is not what is observed in the majority of other leisure-time activities, as best I can tell. And the sentiment you expressed probably presages the future of the slot car racing hobby in general.

 
Paul's mention of the NEUSRA & Yankee series are both local. For him to visit The Track for a similar "series" race would be require about three times the travel time of either of those series.
 
I know Paul is trying to get a wing car racing program off the ground at a local track as the owner and Paul have mentioned it, and Paul has personally tried to recruit me to race.

[Paul Kovich]

I was going to draft a response but decided on a FU instead.

[MSwiss]

Paul,

Go back and read your post #130.

You feel you can make a rude comment about the viability of (me) keeping a commercial raceway in business.

But when Greg gives you a dose of your own medicine,conveying a similar sentiment, and in a much more civil manner, you go off with your FU comment.

Please don't confuse posting on Slotblog with Facebook "barstool style" posting.

[Cheater]

Bob,

The problem isn't local promotion, as Paul is doing, it's national. Almost no one seems to understand that a national level of promotion of the slot car hobby is needed. That was my point.

Racers invariably believe everything will be OK so long as they have some place to race and that's simply not true.

[Mike Walpole]

I think many people just race in their own little fiefdoms and as long as that is going OK, then who cares All it takes is to look at the age of most racers and see the hobby/sport declining.  I'll do wing cars as long as I can, but, eventually, when my eyesight and reflexes are shot, I'm done. That is unless I have no place to race first.
 
What's bad is when people want a place to race, but then they won't show up. Then they'll complain when there is no place to race.

[John Streisguth]

OK, here's a serious question: how many people in wing car racing actually build their own motors? And paint and "wing" their own bodies? Obviously they dont build their own chassis, although I guess maybe some solder the few pieces on the main part.

 

If you look at what's popular, a certain amount of building is involved.  Yes, I know not EVERYONE may build their own stuff in these classes, but the majority do. Maybe that means something?  

[CoastalAngler1]

Other sports have a professional element - that is promoted nationally.  The rest of the nation follows the pros.  This is what gets promoted.  Pros can lose a sponsorship for bad behavior.  Without a national 'league' of some kind, how does a sport lead?

 

What is a USRA?

[Mike Walpole]

Actually, chassis come in kits or assembled.  I prefer kits and I solder them together myself.  No, it's not as intensive as building a retro cahssis, but the same rules still apply as in it needs to be straight and have the right ride heights.

[Dennis David]

Many now buy retro chassis pre-built. I hope things pick up next year for Frank's sake.

[Half Fast]

I hope things pick up next year for Frank's sake.

 

 

 Considering that Rohnerts King is even more of a "drivers track" than Speedzone PTC it could be even worse, if that's possible.

 

Cheers

[Dennis David]

Oh I hope not, Frank was really excited to get the race. But yes if a King can be called a driver's track the one at SCR definitely is that.

[Mike Walpole]

I haven't decided if I am going to Frank's or not.  It will be a monetary decision and not based on the track.  I can build bodies at the track if needed.

[Arne Saknussem]

 Considering that Rohnerts King is even more of a "drivers track" than Speedzone PTC it could be even worse, if that's possible.

 

Cheers

 

 

That in itself is a sad commentary.

[Rick]

I hope Frank has a great turnout  and super Event also.  Slotcar Raceways is a great raceway and Frank is great host.

 

This same topic was hot on FB for a short while too. I did notice after I had made a few comments that every suggestion, change or move met opposition from someone or some group. They must be happy with what they have now and really didn't embrace "outsiders" opinions. I stopped posting or suggesting anything. I no longer am involved in their kind of racing was point blankingly, more or less, to butt out and leave it up the current players......

[Dennis David]

Slot Car Raceway is a terrific place and Frank will have it in tiptop condition. Rohnert Park is located in Sonoma County and there many places to see nearby. Anyone going should spend an extra day or two.

[CARSHouston]

The below comments were posted by P.A. here http://slotcars.net/....php?f=14&t=244

I know he doesn't post here, but since He was been to the Nats for 41 years in a row, I thought you might want to read it. If you want to post a comment and have him respond you may need to post to the address above.

His comments are about the Nats and don't address the problems with the USRA, which I think are great.

Thanks

George

 

Low turnout...why?
1) Hard Track? 1240 laps to win...not really.
2)Bad area? NO!!! Beautiful area w/ great summer weather compared to the 2 other Georgia Nats.
3)Crummy Facility? Nope...it was pristine w/ helpful folks & GREAT Lighting although some folks thought it had glare (I guess my fading vision was suited for it).
4)High airfares? Cheap oil = low airfares (mine was $250 roundtrip).
So, what's the problem?
1)Change of Nats dates.
2)It wasn't a SuperSpeedway-latest,greatest track.
3)Little promotion...few Warm-Up Races & no not much positive feedback.

So...what can be done?
1)Have the NATS @ the end of August when flights are 'on sale' many years. Let tracks set the dates as part of their NATS BID.
2)Have the Schedule posted w/entry fees & GUARANTEED PAYOUTS IN CASH RACES!!! How payout is determined if not a cash race.
3)Charge the Entry Fee you post. I paid $100 for Pro 7's but the Entry Fee is listed @ $95 on OWH in the bid.
4)Let Spec Tires be from the USRA & not the track as was once the case. They can be rolled over if not used. Use ONLY .500 hubs for SPEC Tires. I don't intend to sell a $13 'SPEC' tire at a short discount or w/a bigger than 1/2" hub.

Will these changes help things? it would have this year as the number one reason I heard that some folks didn't come was the change of Nats dates. Oh yeah, lower the USRA Fee as $15 is a poor value for what you get. Isn't $20 'pit fee' a little on the high side?

[jimht]

Seems to me that a big turnout in any Gp12/15 class hinges on serious local participation.

Each Region has different participation rates in the non-cobalt/limited classes.

 

So, this sort of arrangement...

A one week program, the core USRA classes like this:

Thursday 27Lite, Friday 2MO, Saturday Geezer and/or Semi-Pro, Sunday Pro.

 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday would be classes selected by the bidding Raceways that they feel will get participation.

The Bidding Raceways present the proposed classes, explain why and  detail the Schedule, Entry Fees, Hotels, etc.

 

If the Raceway feels it's justified they could schedule 6 race classes in "their" 3 days, but that's their thing.

Those "lower" classes may be part of the USRA but turnouts of traveling racers have been pretty thin.

 

Thin the herd, shorten the program, cater to those that travel.