My wife and I love to go the the games at “The Jack”. I think the management at the local short tracks should go to a couple as well. The Tortugas do a great job of entertaining the fans before, between and after play, with some really simple and relatively inexpensive things. Things like bringing kids on the field to play different games, race each other, other challenges. The throw t-shirts and other swag to fans in the stands, play music, and have fireworks after some of the games. They also do food and drink promotions like all you can eat hotdogs & hamburgers, and beer promotions, too. It makes it an entertainment option, not just a sporting event.
So, having a one track mind when it comes to sports (like no wheels, no knowledge), I didn’t know what “The Jack” was, er…Jack.
For others similarly challenged when it comes to such things…
http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t450&ymd=20100907&content_id=14398794&vkey=team1
Jacko, you are so right. Racing competes for the public’s entertainment dollars against lots of well-run organizations like minor league baseball. I took my kids to a Tortuga’s game in April, and we had a great time even though we are not baseball fans.
Rodeos, for example, do it right and entertain their customers. “Monster Jam” is huge and professional, but every dazzled kid that walks out of that show wants to become a monster truck driver. As a sport, we can learn from what others do well.
On a related note; the Tortuga’s play in a downtown stadium furnished by the city (meaning taxpayers). Its such a shame that racing does not benefit in the same way.
Good points, gentlemen.
But I have come to believe that short tracks are in their own separate dimension, or parallel universe, or something.
Proof? Does the following sound familiar?
“The rules are different here, boy!”
ps–However, like “chimichanga”, “tortuga” is fun to pronounce…
OS, by the way, I am running a 6 hour race at Sebring this coming weekend if you are interested.
As mentioned, can’t make this one, sir, but go get 'em!
After 6 hours in an event that included a very wet track after a thunderstorm, we finished 2nd in class and 8th overall out of 27 cars.
As per your usual, great job, Joe!
What is that yer wheelin’, there?
Thanks! Porsche 944, we had a 2 car team, I was in the one on the left. Our team car finished 3rd in class, 12th overall.
Bosco, who posts on here, had his newly finished beautiful tube frame C3 Corvette at Sebring.
Thanks for the kind words Joe, we got a class win and second overall in the big bore group in the Sunday feature race. It was shortened by rain but we will take it. It was only the second time out for the car.
Congrats, Bosco!