Did the efforts to clean the place up eventually make it boring? Is there just nothing to talk about? Is it fear of being censored if you say the wrong thing, at the wrong time, to the wrong person?
It seems like the only info on here is essentially a bunch of press releases. No gossip, no heated arguements, no finger pointing, not even John S. reaming out yours truly. No more trivia questions, no Boneman -vs- Demo Ray sparring, no plans to meet at the track to have a beer and a cookout… in short, this all sucks. I wish it were different.
Most of all, I miss the people that used to come here, and haven’t been back in a long time. Like them or not, it was always fun to see what some real characters had to say (and some, you needed a translator to figure it out)RSB, Doodewamp, Carol N, Cranky, Ocalaisback3, Ford6, Nodos3, Ron Abney, Owen, Beeve44… at one time or another, I wound up meeting a LOT of people from Karnac, and some damn fine people they are too. ALL of them GONE.
WHY?
I don’t know the answers, just trying to find opinions.
Agreed. Part of my problem is that I made the mistake of noticing how many posts I put up. When I saw I was “almost” the biggest of the big mouths, I made a point to slow down. I know, it shouldn’t matter…
Everything goes in cycles. This board will come roaring back one day.
Tell DonH that the TBARA should take the wings off and run street tires, then stand back.
I know how to get nodos03 back in your face: imply that her husband can’t drive or build a car! Oh yeah, that will fire her up!
Tell Ford6 that some speedway is looking for a flagman that can’t spell. He’ll return for sure.
As for Demo Ray, I know for a fact that he just got a new “demo motor” from Smokin’ Joe, so I’d be interested to hear the plan for that.
I contend that truely one of the most colorful, authentic characters that I have met here is none other than Smokin’ Joe 111. He rebuilds demo cars, believe it or not, from the bottom up. Go say hi to Joe sometime. He is a throw-back to the early days of racing, and I mean that as a compliment.
Personally I think the racing has just gone downhill around the state, at least from the touring series aspect of it so nobody is really coming on to say anything.
I used to be very passionate about the Sunbelt series, but now I think it’s on it’s way to becoming irrelevant, if it’s not there already.
The TBARA series is also in a state of flux, another series near and dear to my heart. Hard to get excited when some are getting away with not playing by the rules that the members all agreed to.
I wish the Extreme Modifieds would take off so I could have a new series to get more excited about.
That’s just my take on it, not sure if that’s why others aren’t hanging about too much.
We have all gone to the store and found that one of our favorite products is now “new and improved”… However, because it isn’t what we’re used to, we quit buying it… That’s what has happened here. I have personally talked to two OSW drivers who used to post on KARNAC pretty regularly who just don’t like this board… they tell me it’s difficult to use… It isn’t, really, but you have to realize that a good percentage of people out there aren’t as computer savvy as some of us are… There are guys out there that can take an engine apart and put it back together again blindfolded who don’t have a clue how to get on the internet… The old board was like Wal-Mart, everything was under one roof… This one is like a mall with lots of stores all catering to one thing… Now, I’m not a huge fan of Wal-Mart, but I HATE Malls… There are areas on here that haven’t had a post in over a month… some have never seen a post… A lot of us have fun here, or at least try to, but many of our old compadres just don’t like it and we’ve lost them…
Yeah, I agree with what everyone above has said. I have gotten use to this board but I still liked the old one better. I agree it’s like a mall and I hate malls. I occasionally visit some of the other “stores” but I pretty much stay here and on the comedy boards. And one other thing. so much has been said before with no changes that I just don’t comment on it anymore. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I see some tracks/series are starting to invert and that will improve the racing. That may bring a few back. One very bright spot is the resurgence of dirt. Ocala going dirt is a boon and the NLMCS races have been good so far. I’ve noticed over the years that dirt fans don’t seem to post on this board so that may not help. Anyway, I agree with you Jerry. This site has become dead recently.
I think it’s the whole No Flames thing, whatever that means. The best part about the old board was the constant fighting, nothing out of hand, but just a good argument. Where the hell is MStaggs to tell me how great his son is?
One of the more interesting and controversial posters was Orlando Graphix, who is now known as “the voice of NSS”. I suspect that his new job as announcer may have come with instructions to “stay off that damn board”, but I don’t know this for sure.
Mark, you know what that means…make up another identity!
F118, you are right. This board is dead. I tried to get some responses about the sprint races this weekend, and all I got was one repeat reply from Ocala Speedway. No hype, rumors or lies, and most of all, NO other responses. The old board would have been going wild. Also, why does my puter chirp when I’m on this site. Come on KARNAC, get rid of the birds. No, I’m not on here near as much as I was on the other board, mainly because I really don’t care for this one. Guess I’m not for change. billy
hehe, sorry Denise. I was generalizing. I’m dirt track people too. Just an observation that the majority of posters on this board have been asphalt racers/fans while I believe the majority of short track race fans across the country are dirt fans.
I know I was just messin with ya :),Your right… a majority of short track race fans across the country are dirt fans and growing more everyday …we used to race asphalt then decided to try the dirt track one time and basically been there ever since, hubby says as a driver its alot more challenging and fun,We do have a few friends that race asphalt tracks and we go and watch them every now & then when we get the chance.
I have to admit, I kinda like the old board a little better. This one has some good features, but sometimes simpler is better.
As far as the racing scene, asphalt just does’nt seem to have any established stars anymore. The late model ranks are heavily populated by teenagers, some (or most) never came up through the ranks. So, they are here today and in 2 years when either they figure they won’t be going to Cup racing, or their family is broke, they’re gone from the scene. The veteran asphalt drivers are hired by the kid’s well heeled dads to coach them. It does’nt take Einstein to figure out there is a lot more money in helping rich people chase their dreams than staying poor chasing your own dream.
As far as dirt, tons of cars, common rules and pretty good racing, but the shows are usually horrendous (at least here in Georgia). If the show starts an hour late, hot laps and time trials are next, by 2a.m. the late model feature is lining up and no one is still in the grandstands to witness it.
I do have to respectfully disagree with Frasson 118 on one thing. Simply by turning an asphalt track into a dirt track is not the ultimate answer to solving short track racing’s problems. A badly run asphalt track that turns to dirt just becomes a badly run dirt track.
Jerry, I haven’t been to a race in quite awhile. I did go to opening night at Ocala and looked for you. Lost my cell phone and your number with it. I took some time off because I don’t have a decent shop to work in plus I’m gettin’ old… golf game has improved although I only get to play about four times a week! Call me sometime if you still have my number. JMitch
Part of the problem could be with the people who run this board. Every time I post, mine has to go thru a moderator. I’m lucky if it pops up within 12 hours. I even sent them a PM asking why and got a response back in 3 days asking for more information. As soon as I got it, I sent them another PM back. This Saturday will mark 2 weeks since and still no reply from anyone. I would just like to know what I did to have to be moderated. I don’t have this problem with any other site I visit.
To get back to my point, If this board treats other posters like I’ve been treated, I can understand why this place has been turned into a cemetary!
For the record, It is Thurs. night 4/10/08 at 9:38 PM. I’m curious to see when this one shows up.
You crazy as hell…14% are asphalt fans, 16% are dirt fans, 12.75% are drag racing fans, 22% are drifting fans, and 35.25% are freak show crash o mega bomber rama drag billy goats backward while juggling…get my drift. Ha Ha (drift) i made a funny.
OK, Benny. Now the administrator is going to have to move this post to the comedy board. Your statistics may be right but they’re misleading. Nearly 99% of short track fans are white trailer trash. But we’re going to work on that. I believe in equal opportunity so we will start allowing ghetto trash to partake in the fun soon. Just need to work on sponsorship for these folks.
I can understand what your saying. When i first tuned in 2 years ago, i was just an observationist. I threw a few bones out there with pix. The only person i have met face to face was Ric and Jack at USA for the ARCA race. I wanted to attend the CMS get together last year and i had all the intentions of attending the reunion at NSS. As my crappy luck would have it, the thought is there but the ability is not. I tragically lost a true friend/employee of mine over the February highlights and that took my mind and soul out of the game. I have also been pretty wrapped up with the birth of my daughter back in September. She is my joy. I still owe ya a few brews myself. I hope to make good on that some day. I work most weekends and trying to travel is tough (can't leave the woman stranded without a vehicle). I too miss some of the rhetoric from those that you listed, especially RSB and Doode. I like the old board better but progress means we have to change. This board has enlightened my scope on local, national and worldwide racing. It is neat to see through both fans and drivers point of view. I can only stay on my side of the wall though until i can fufill my fading dream of strapping in and going fast (Oh, yeah....turning left helps also). I try to pop in when i can but life has me by the knads right now.
If you or anyone happens to be in the pits at Citrus on 04/12/08. Come greet me. I’ll wear my Steve Park hat. I love to talk racing and i am taking advantage of my vacation time to support my local track and drivers. I’ve grown up around this s#&* all my life and i absolutely LOVE IT:huepfen024:
The old software we used, a product called Anyboard, was always a security nightmare. In recent years with the evolution of ever increasing numbers of “bad guys” around the world using the Internet, it became impossible to continue to use Anyboard. The company that produced the software never was interested in furthering the product and addressing the concerns of the very small number of webmasters world wide who used their product. KARNAC.com and Real Racin’ USA runs on our own dedicated servers backed by a tremendous support team based in Michigan. We were advised repeatedly to abandon Anyboard due to security breaches inherent in the product.
For over two years we continued to use the software, (we still use a modified version on one small site for testing purposes) in response to the Florida racing fans who wanted us not to change.
Change at last became absolutely necessary, for the reasons above, and we changes to V-Bulletin, which is the most widely used forum software on the market. It is costly, but asa result is s secure product, and is backed up by a company that constantly ensures security for site administrators as well as you, the end user. Many (if not most) of the most heavily used messaged boards for racing sites and other sports fan sites use this same software. If you want to know all about message boards use this site: www.big-boards.com
Earlier this year we decided to expand upon some things we did years ago, 10 to be exact, and create awards for drivers. Real Racin’ USA began to award a driver of the month beginning in January of this year. The award has been presented to a Florida driver each month and will continue to do so each month throughout the year. The small group of fans who make Real Racin USA happen, decided we should have something big the for the end of the year for the driver of the year. So we got with our national sales rep and he brought Pandora Jewelers aboard with a $4000 Driver of the Year ring to present.
Here is the good part: Real Racin USA has had over a dozen e-mails in the last week from people from OUT OF STATE, with congratulatory and applauding statements and questions about what does it take to win etc. ALL FROM OUT OF STATE.
On this message board, the cemetery as it were, there hasn’t been a bit of a buzz. I hardly think that is the result of a forum setup that is over the heads of the thousand plus visitors to the forum daily. No one even said the photo sucked, or I suck or Carol Wicks is a stupid bitch. Nothing!
A $4000 award that a mini stock driver or bomber driver could win and no one seems to give a crap.
That seems to be more of a statement on the state of racing that on the complexity of a message board or the quirks of the moderators.
Racing is Florida in some respects (and in some areas) is quite healthy. Many tracks are doing quite well with overall fan counts. There are a few that are really hurting for fans, and a few have less than stellar car counts. Several are doing wonders with local PR and increasing solid sponsorship.
There are still several Florida tracks who haven’t grasped the importance of getting media reports out about their track, using the very inexpensive resources of the Internet.
Tracks that are not promoting their drivers by having a media writer who sends out good reports about the drivers can hardly be surprised when the drivers don’t in turn promote their local track. Community doesn’t happen by accident, it has to be worked at. Tracks that have more community spirit amongst the racers and staffs etc and fans seem to do be doing a little better in the battle to be a viable entertainment alternative in their communities.
As I talk to people around the state, the promoters, the key staff at race tracks, the drivers and the fans we meet at the tracks, one element that continually surfaces is tracks working together (as in not working together).
We are not so sure it is important for tracks to “work together”, but after 12 years of studying race tracks around the country, I am convinced they need to QUIT WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER here in Florida. And that goes for touring series promoters as well. It is true, although hurtful to many to hear it said, that in many quarters outside the Sunshine State racing is Florida is considered humorous or downright laughable with all the soap opera nonsense that pervades the playing field. I guess they just don’t understand, Florida is still the real “wild west”. I spent several hours one day trying to explain the Florida mentality to John Berti, a dyed in the wool New Englander. I doubt John got much of it, not his fault of course.
Jerry said alot of people left because of censoring and that the fun of arguing etc is gone… I have talked to more people than most and alot of people left because they were tired of being insulted and ridiculed for giving their opinions. You can argue with me til the cows come home but that is what I hear from alot of people. If I was sensitive I would have given up a long time ago.
It’s ok to disagree but it is NOT ok to intentionally hurt people. If it continues, those people will not return. I agree that some disagreeing is fun and stimulating. It is also a learning tool. (we all don’t know it all!) I also feel if you want to debate, you can expect some criticism…Jerry and I hardly ever agree but we don’t attack each other and we have managed to remain friends for many years! (even if my name wasn’t on your friend list Jerry!) snicker…
I want to see nodos, cranky, doodewampus, billy badd, OSF,and all the veteran Karnacians come back…
i HATE this board! However, Jack has convinced me it is staying so learn to live with it. If your best friend moved out of your neigborhood would they stop being your best friend? Would you stop visiting them? ADJUST!!!
COME BACK KARNACIANS!!! WE MISS YOU!!! Fight on page 2, snakes in the firesuits, binner running nude thru NSS pits, Jack got a crew cut, Kyle Bush quits racing to take up needlepoint… READ IT ALL HERE!
Love you guys… even if i am a bitch!
Carolwicks aka OZ! :ernaehrung004:
…we used to race asphalt then decided to try the dirt track one time and basically been there ever since, hubby says as a driver its alot more challenging and fun,We do have a few friends that race asphalt tracks and we go and watch them every now & then when we get the chance.