I am not a complainer, but really think the gate policy has been ubsurd at a few facilities this year regarding the time they open and close. For the level of committment and expense that we go to to race and the fees that are charged to get in the track and for the races, I think it should be standard that the gates are open at every facility at least until midnight and open no later than 6am.
A couple times this year now we have had gates close at 8pm (Topeka) and 10pm (Gingerman). For those that are at the track, but leave for dinner or something, or those that are driving during the day to get to the track late in the evening, this is really difficult. Why such a difference between tracks? At Blackhawk there is a 24hr gate open for the many racers that drive all night to get to the track and arrive late. At least at Road America, the track security would let you in if you left your drivers license at the hut until you came back and paid in the morning.
Tracks are in the business of facility rental and I was told by a Gingerman track official that the gates closed at 10pm because that is the way CCS wanted it (the same was said at Topeka)......
It usually takes many voices to effect change, so lets hear it...who feels that we need better gate admission policies?
ps. my girlfriend's parents came to watch the Unlimited GTO race on Saturday....price to get in at 4pm for one race and leave=$25/person. Again told by the track staff that that is what CCS makes it. Do you want any spectators to come watch? I can imagine that there were many turned off by this too.
Preacher, meet Choir
Yeah, exactly.
Gingerman has strict guidelines. I don't think CCS has anything to do with that. They may be claiming CCS wants it that way, but I don't think that is the case.
I know Heartland Park Topeka had a night that was an early closing...8PM...on their practice day. Seems like there was an issue with CCS gate passes or something.
Cost...yes, I think it's ridiculous. Then again, I think having so many classes and only one purse race is ridiculous.
While we're at it, we can talk about the fact that Blackhawk Farms is the base for the Midwest CCS series, but it goes completely unrecognized in press reports. No one writes about what happens and no one knows we race there, really. CCE restricted this at one time, but now...well...
Quote from: ccsracer26 on July 31, 2006, 10:56:27 AM
ps. my girlfriend's parents came to watch the Unlimited GTO race on Saturday....price to get in at 4pm for one race and leave=$25/person. Again told by the track staff that that is what CCS makes it. Do you want any spectators to come watch? I can imagine that there were many turned off by this too.
That's one that we're not going to get around.
CCS racing is club racing. Sportsman racing. It's racing for racers, not really for spectators other than a few friends and family.
And it's continuing down that path the more and more classes and fewer and fewer purse paying races.
It will take racer promoting what they do to bring in spectators, and racers remaining part of the sport for a longer period.
I was impacted by the early gate closing at Heartland. To be straight, the gate wasn't closed as it was staffed by Heartland Park personnel 24 hours. But they would not take my money for a gate pass (yes, thats right, they wouldn't take my money), that was a first. I believe it was pretty much a big miscommunication between the track and CCS. Silly and very frustrating, also costly as I had to find a hotel for the evening. But I do not believe it was a new practise or anything. They just did not have a cash box and passes provided to the gate employee.
Although it amazes me how many races are run every year weekend after weekend and every one of them seems to be a different process.
As a Great Plains participant (and intermittent MW), I have to put a plug out for TrackAddix's. Dean has repeatedly expressed that he is trying to drive marketing, press, heck even some TV coverage in some areas. Over time with everyone's help and attention I could see the stands filling up person by person.
Well thats a penny for my 2 cents worth.