G2 Radios presents The Waterford Speedbowl Message Board

Just thinking out loud, maybe a solution to the National Anthem issue of having racecars lined up with their drivers sitting inside would be to have the first feature of the night be the one with outside introductions? That way the drivers could stand and show proper respect for the National Anthem and Matt could go into his announcing thing as soon as the National Anthem had concluded.

Scott, I like it!

Great idea Scott. It is very easy to have the National Anthem played throughout the pits. All you need is a radio that picks up the broadcast and a microphone. You could even do away with the mic as long as the radio can get plugged into the amp in the respective pit area.

I was thinking a way for the speedbowl's Finally could work for a Friday and Saturday Package. Friday would be an open Practice for all divisions. But this is the big surprise that would save time on Saturday and would get all the races done in one day. Scrap all Heat races. That's right, with all the heats out of the way every race could get in. Also to make sure that it does not go into midnight have some of the races be time limited. 20, 25 or even 30 minutes. How would people start the race with out heat's well. From Friday take the drivers fastest times on the speed chart and that's how they will start. But to make it kind of far have a drawing to invert the field. Also The "Wild and Wacky" guys have there own starting rules every Wednesday so It's no problem for them.

But the thing to keep is Qualifying for the SK's. That would be the first thing to start off Saturday after the Pit Party. Then later on the day the consi race for the last starting spots for the SK race, in less the qualifying spots have been taken up. How will the Speedbowl get the big name drivers to race? Well like I said before. Once a week go around asking people for any change or have the donation box in front of the front gate when people walk in, That way they can donate without someone going around and asking to donate. The money would help make a big purse and or bonus money.

This way everything could be done in one day and would make the card full. And it could get the eyes of everyone and skip work early on Saturday and come see a full card of Racing.

Also if there are to many cars in the MS and or SS and so on. But I don't think would happen, the top 20 in points would start the race. The rest of the cars that did not get top 20 in points will have to make it into the consi race to make the feature. But I don't think it would happen.

(Friday)
Practice for all divisions.

(Saturday)
Pit Party
12:00PM SK Qualifying
Consi-10 (Timed and for ANY division that has reached the car limit)
SX-20 (Timed)
XC-20 (Timed)
BL-20 (Timed)
LC-25 (Timed)
Outlaw-25 (Timed)
SK Consi-15
ALNRS-25
MS-50
LM&Nets-100
SKL/XM-25
SK-100 or 125
SS-50

This is only an idea to help the bowl with it's lack luster Finally. To me this looks like the big brother of the "Thunder on the Sound" And that makes it look fantastic, But with some tweaking this could work. If you have any ideas then speak them. I Also like Scott's idea it's a grate one. Keep them coming people!

I don't think the Finale is lackluster at all. As far as the no qual idea....that would pretty much keep any "visitors" away.
Also, practice becomes Qualifying? So, go out and run one or two really fast laps(no tech, so put your cheater offset rims, soaked tires and 100 lbs. of added leftside weight on, and go set a blistering practice lap to start up front on Saturday? nah, I don't think so. tech. during practice.... no way, never happen... too many cars to police while trying to give all divisions more than one practice session.
If you add up your aprox. time limits and features you listed, we are talking 8-10 hours minimum. Winner interviews, lining up the next features, and oh, I dunno, maybe some cautions, and you have pushed the day right up to midnight easy. Nobody wants to sit in the stands that long. If they are hardline on the time limits, you may see a few laps, a few cautions and a race called with only 5 laps run. Explain that to the fans of RACING.
I'd rather see that many divisions spread over 2 days, and the pit party on Sunday morning. Sorry, the only other way to make it a 1 day event is cut back on the # of divisions. At that point, I don't think it would be as good as it can be.

Scott's idea is a good one. It was done several times this past year. My only time back in the car after my knee surgery was an outside intro night and there was no way I was going to sit in the car during the National Anthem. My son had to help me into the car. I really like doing it that way.

I also like the idea of the last feature of the night...the winner's photo's and Victory lane celebration with fans is to be done on the track at the finish line. That will be a nice change this year.

This is the difference between a Race Driver and a Race Fan. How does a track make both happy? I understand what you are saying Steve but if you walk up to someone on the street and say. "Sir what would you rather pay for. A 50 Lap Mod race for 30$ Or a 100 Lap Mod race for 25$" your not going to be surprised what they will say. Race drivers will look at the bowl finally as an event that they will like, but for your race fan they will see the event and price not just.

That's why I'm trying to think of a way to change the event. Make it look more appealing for both Driver and Fan. My idea to push everything back one day. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Has been met with negativity. My idea for just a Friday and Saturday has also been met with negativity. I encourage ANYONE to come up with a idea to make the finally look exciting and fantastic, like the "300", "Thunder on the Sound" and "The Opener".

But to quote LuvtheMods

As much as I'm a Speedbowl fan, I'm going to hate to say this but I'm with LuvTheMods, and might join him.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions so keep them coming people.

I'll save ya a seat Paul....

Seriosly though the shcedule looks fine as a whole,with just few things that dont float my boat. Thats not sayin it wont float others boats. My choice of seekonk's final is not a slap to the bowl but is really just the fact that i would rather watch the MRS boys get it onalong with the midgets and that pro-stock race looks appealing,rather than what to me appears like nuthing more than extra distance sat and waccky wednesday combo event. Plus seekonk is 5 bucks less for a ticket. Granted i will pay more with my gas factor but im a Modified fan so thats pretty much it. If not for the head to head issues i would attend both,but Oct is a hard month to schedule cause thompson pretty much owns the month with world series and rain dates for world series and that is 1 event they just can not even think about goin head to head with. Very few fans that have no affilation with drivers or teams attend every single week. Its alot better than last year,its posted on time and peeps know whats up. Now that all 3 of our local tracks are even at 15 bucks a ticket it should be fun to compare the ticket value threwout the year.

The FINALE is fine as it is, there's no need for a change, aside from bringing points back into it.

I Guess Time will only tell right Matt?

They also have a senior citizen discount!!