What if you had a race and no one saw it!

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The drivers pretty much outnumbered the spectators.

At what point do you just call it a track day?

[Baz]

I wonder if these were running if there would be a better turnout....

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

You're right, F1 did race backwards there too. Guess they didn't show as much of the straightaway racing as they did yesterday. I never really watched an F1 race there as I'm not a big F1 fan any more. Too many computers/wings not enough driver input. Oh for the old days of Hill, Moss, Clark etc. with skinny tires and cigar shaped cars.

Is Friday free again at LB?
I used to go when it was free too. Then they found they could charge money that day too so I quit going altogether.

There are always coupons. You fill in your name and address and give it to them. I've given them my real name and never received a thing. Most of the time I give someone else's name anyway.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Flieger

Ha! I am just the opposite. I only go on Saturday. I couldn't care less about Indycar. You have to pay to get in their paddock and not see much. I don't waste any photos on them during quali on Saturday. I get into the ALMS paddock for free and meet drivers and mechanics. The race always provides some thrills and spills in the GT class. And there is a concert afterwards.

The only reason I'd like to go on Sunday is for World Challenge. I usually don't even watch the Indycar race on TV on Sunday.

Well, the ALMS is no longer, so I guess you won't be going at all. If you go for free on Friday, you can spend your 20 bucks on an Indy paddock pass.

Or not.

[Flieger]

I'm gonna go to the first United SportsCar race there (assuming it is still on the schedule) and see how it goes.

[Aragorn]

I find the DP's and the drivers to be boring. I know that Scott Pruett is a family guy and what not but I find his interviews grating. Ganassi racing seems to take the sport out of any racing series. Once Rocketsports shows up (AKA Kara Thrace, the harbinger of death) I foresee the end of endurance racing in the U.S.A.

DP's are bland bland bland. Spec racing at the top of the food chain makes for a dull series. You have no manufacturer loyality. "There is so and so in his whatsamathing with maybe a Toyota or Chevy block in the back leading the race. Here comes whatshisname in his (what car is that?) ooh a Riley chassis for the lead. This should be good because we say it is..."

DO AWAY WITH DP's.... NO ONE LIKES THEM...LOOK AT THE STANDS...

ALMS brings a good GT series to the mix. Hopefully Grand Am performance equalizers won't come in to spoil the racing too much...

[VaSteve]

I liked watching that team that was an off shoot of Brumos....the cars looked similar, but they used the cayenne V8. I think they won something. Then they changed to corvettes and different motors. Hard to follow with no consistency.

[scottmandue]

Topless beer vending stands?

[sammyg2]

Difference between stock car racing and sports car racing?

In stock car racing, the fans know all the driver's names.
In sports car racing, the drivers know all the fan's names.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I went to Grand Am at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, it was a fantastic experience. Probably the best motorsports experience that I have had. Very good entertaining racing, excellent access to the pits and cars. My son and his friend had a great time, we will definitely go back next year. I got lucky with the picture below, I just happened to be snapping a photo with my phone when an Aston Martin spun out in front of us. The reaction on my son's friend's face pretty much says it all.

[cstreit]

I bet if they ran just the oval more people would come.

[onewhippedpuppy]

They used about 80% of the oval with their track layout. Coming around the oval into turn #1 those cars were hauling some serious ass.

[RonDent]

OK "Race Fans" here's a question for you. When was the last time you were at the track? I know a number of you race and that's great. But what about the rest of you? How much have you supported the cause?

[Flieger]

I assume you mean pro races, so in that case it was the Laguna Seca ALMS race in May 2013. I've been to the Long Beach ALMS race every year since 2007 when it started. Been to the Laguna Seca race three times. Wish I'd gone to Laguna more. Those are the only pro races I've been to except for the time I went to a Grand Am race in Fontana many years ago because a friend gave my dad and I free tickets I think. I was rather unimpressed. Every darn car sounded the same! V8 after V8 after V8. The fastest class was ugly as sin and the lower classes had such gaudy sponsorship livery that it made Nascars look tasteful.

[RonDent]

Flieger,
Thanks for your support! Have you gone to any SCCA, NASA, PCA or POC events?

[Flieger]

Been to many POC events but they have been branching out more and more to tracks further away. Plus college took most of my time. But I usually would go to the February Willow Springs event, Tribute, and the December Willow Springs season finale.

I've been to a few PCA autocrosses and a couple Parades years ago but never a club race. No SCCA or NASA either. I want to get to a NASA race to see Plavan's car. They run Willow and so does another vintage club - HSCRC or something like that.

[RonDent]

Flieger,
Again, thanks for your support. A true race fan.

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by RonDent

OK "Race Fans" here's a question for you. When was the last time you were at the track? I know a number of you race and that's great. But what about the rest of you? How much have you supported the cause?

I try to attend both Petit Le Mans and Sebring ALMS races every year (that's roughly 22 hours of racing.) The Rolex 24 is on my radar for the near future also. I have gone to Mid Ohio (both CART and ALMS) which is closer but not really a good spectator track from my POV.

You don't get the sweet smell of the exhaust or the thump of the corvettes V-8's on your chest sitting at home on the couch.

[Flieger]

The best race I ever attended was Rennsport Reunion 4. I guess that shows that to me it is about the cars and seeing them lapping fast more than the wheel-to-wheel racing, which is why I like the ALMS so much.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by RonDent

OK "Race Fans" here's a question for you. When was the last time you were at the track? I know a number of you race and that's great. But what about the rest of you? How much have you supported the cause?

I'm pumped because the Kansas Speedway road course might be the inroads to getting some real professional road racing around here. We have Heartland Park and Hallett nearby but they don't host much more than club racing. I take my kids to quite a few dirt track races including the World of Outlaws sprint cars, but that's not exactly sports cars.