THIS IS WORTH RE READING
NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINION OF RACINGWEST
Source — Janet Peery
Date Posted — August 21, 2008
THOUSAND OAKS, California — Years ago I made a post about the Internet. Which you may read here.
Today, 7 years later, we still find writers and bloggers blaming the Internet for the demise of their track.
While no one wants to read that they are the driver most likely to
crash or the track that is most corrupt and often times there is some
truth behind what is said. Of course there are times there are mean
spirited people out to hurt another, but for the most part when you read
about a lot of the stuff…it’s true. Some cars do get through tech, some
racers do make stupid moves, and some website owners are old ladies.
But the chatter is mostly no different than what you would hear in
the pits, or discussing at a dinner at Chile’s after the race.
What I am most impressed about is how most racers have their limits.
There is a silent self monitoring policy of things that can be talked
about and things that go unsaid.
But what is missed in the big picture is all the good that is done on the Internet for the racers, the tracks.
At RacingWest we don’t sell our photos, but we have shared them for
years with Newspapers that wanted a special shot we have had. Unknown
drivers become heroes and recognized…in a large part because of the
Internet.
For yeas NASCAR could care less about putting information out there.
We were the supplier, including telling many racers wanting to move up
to NASCAR how to go about getting a license.
When a fried of the racing community is hurt or loses a life, we can
say our prayers and reach out to the family and friends of that person.
We can say a good bye. That is thanks to the Internet.
Some recent writers against the Internet credit the Internet with a new negativity to racing.
But fail to credit the Internet for all the good it does.
I remember one day I got an email from someone that said, “Wow,
NASCAR bought a site to shut up one person.” But was he fired for
negativity or honesty? NASCAR, in my opinion always has issues with
honesty. They want control…of everything…even the words we speak about
them. I mention this to show how fearful of and who is afraid of the
Internet.
It is organizations like NASCAR that fear it, but most little tracks
are glad to have the Internet…they can share information with those that
might otherwise be in the dark.
But did the Internet shut down your local track? I can think of a
few tracks by me that are now gone. Mesa Marin sold out because
development sprang up around them, the city was forcing them to do
expensive upgrades and as much as I loved Mesa Marin…the track was
tired, the seats were old, and Irwindale…not the Internet had taken many
fans. The owners of the track sold when the real estate value was still
up and with a dream of building a new track…not walking away because of
the Internet.
Cajon Speedway was closed because the city did not renew the contract. Not because of the Internet.
How about Saugus? What was the reason…crooked stands or some such nonsense?
How about Stockton 99? Owned by the very man that is in like Flynn
with NASCAR, Ken Clapp. Did he shut it down because of the Internet?
No. Supposedly he had a buyer for it. Look at all the tracks he
closed…none can be blamed on the Internet.
It is not the Internet that made land valuable. It is not the
Internet that put a city code on the barbeques we used to have, or
placed curfews on the racing we used to watch till Midnight.
The Internet is a balance of good and bad, like life. I have spent
many a night crying about cruel things I have read…things that weren’t
true, yet I also learned a lot of things I never knew…things that made
racing even more interesting. I also have spent nights crying about the
loss of those I loved….and I am glad I had the Internet to reach out to
them with.
I am glad when I want to go to Irwindale I can look on the Internet
and see the schedule. I am glad when I need directions to Colorado
National I can look on the Internet and view a map and hotels near by,
including recommendations on the Speedway’s site. I am glad when I want
to know where the SRL Southwest Tour Series is racing next I can look on
the Internet for the next races. I am glad when I want to read about
the finish of Tom Sweatman or Shane Harding…
I can look on the Internet to see where they placed, especially because
I don’t get a newspaper from Washington and without the Internet I
would not know.
I think it is cool I can print tickets for the races on the Internet.
There are a lot of things wrong with the Internet, but the message
boards are a very small part of what the Internet is and when you search
the Internet, most of what you find is good, helpful, informative
information.
My advice? The next time someone blames the Internet…remember what
it was like without it. Because it is not the Internet that shuts down
your racing, it is a city…like Cajon…progress like Mesa
Marin….NASCAR….like the Southwest and Northwest Tours… the economy…like
the little tracks that no longer could make it and a lot of other
And think about this if you really wanted to make a stand for your
track...where is the best place to do it...where do you go to reach the
most people?
reasons…the Internet may in fact be saving some tracks…because it
gives fans of little known tracks an opportunity to write stories and
get new fans in the stands.
The Internet is good and evil. But it is given way too much blame when it is credited with closing down the local track.
***********
And from a person on the Internet comes this well-said post:
Stockton, Mesa, Cajon, Carson City & Saugus all closed and had nothing to do with computer message boards. It's just another excuse for Nascar and bad promoters to blame drivers, teams, & fans.
Although, I'll agree a more positive attitude on message boards would be better for all and something we should do now.
Here's what I've noticed that's changed in 10 years,
1. Sat night cup races (Why leave the house)
2. Nascar on TV Friday, Sat & Sun (Plenty of racing on TV to get your fix)
3. The short tracks aren’t attracting new fans. Kids today are into gaming, tuner cars & myspace. They don't race tuner cars and most tracks don't use myspace as a tool. Pinto's and Camaros aren't what my kid is into.
4. The cost to race. It's getting harder and harder to pay the tire, fuel & testing bills. 10 years ago nobody tested every Friday night, now 1/2 the field does. How many people have a $1,000 every race to throw away? It's a rich man's game now and has lost the blue collar charm.
5. The economy is taking its toll as well.
6. Promoters are scared to change and spend money on purses and advertizing. The big races are gone now and I never see an ad in the sports page like I used too. It's all about the back gate now @ $45 buck a pop.
7. Tracks selling tires have become a track business unlike it used to be. 4 practice & 4 race tires a race isn't solving anything. Conflict of interest if you ask me.
8. Yes... the internet and our world have changed in the last 10 years. So many options to spend our time on. 20 years ago I would go to a drive-in movie... Where did they go?
That's how I see it and I could be wrong.
