First Memphis, then St. Louis, Seattle and Brainerd next???

[Kris]

Not sure where this person is getting their info, Joe, but I can tell you they probably aren't having any better luck getting direct information from the folks at Pacific Raceways than I have and it's only 15 minutes away from me. I've made numerous calls in the past month to set up a meeting with Jason Fiorito to no avail. Granted that was in the weeks leading up the NHRA national event.
I can tell you that the Seattle event has been well attended since I've been going for the past seven years... even in a down economy.
If I ever get a meeting set up with the fine Fioritos who own Pacific Raceways and I actually do a story about the track's 50th anniversary as well as the planned renovations, I can see if I can confirm this rumor...
I won't promise, though, given how difficult it's been thus far.

 

[Toejam]

Not sure where this person is getting their info, Joe, but I can tell you they probably aren't having any better luck getting direct information from the folks at Pacific Raceways than I have and it's only 15 minutes away from me. I've made numerous calls in the past month to set up a meeting with Jason Fiorito to no avail. Granted that was in the weeks leading up the NHRA national event.
I can tell you that the Seattle event has been well attended since I've been going for the past seven years... even in a down economy.
If I ever get a meeting set up with the fine Fioritos who own Pacific Raceways and I actually do a story about the track's 50th anniversary as well as the planned renovations, I can see if I can confirm this rumor...
I won't promise, though, given how difficult it's been thus far.

On the Contrary Kris, I had always thought that the Seattle race was poorly attended when you consider it's the ONLY Major Motorsport that has an event within 400 miles of that place! And considering that Sea-Tac is a Top 20 Market! Compared to what other Metro tracks draw anyway.

 

[clwill]

On the Contrary Kris, I had always thought that the Seattle race was poorly attended when you consider it's the ONLY Major Motorsport that has an event within 400 miles of that place! And considering that Sea-Tac is a Top 20 Market! Compared to what other Metro tracks draw anyway.

I agree, the attendance has never been "stellar". And BTW, it's more like 800 miles to the nearest events, in Sonoma.

 

[Super Mod]

Gloom and doom from you know who

::rag Racing Online::: Burk's Blast - Clearing out my cluttered notebook - 08/04/10

 

[Toejam]

I agree, the attendance has never been "stellar". And BTW, it's more like 800 miles to the nearest events, in Sonoma.

There you have it...

 

[vegasnitro]

Jeff...the "Fence" Chris was talking about is "THE PIT"..where the bar is at. It's been a hang out for us lowly fans for years....

Maybe they can sell "Pit Passes" for the pit....like $5.00 per day on top of the GA ticket??? That'd be cool...

Yeah, perhaps I wasn't explaining myself correctly. I am talking about the fence at ground level by the return road in front of the main grandstand. That was GA until very recently, either spring or fall '09. Now to stand or sit anywhere on the main grandstand side requires a reserved ticket, and since I am a cheap sonofagun and it used to not be that way, I am bummed I have to pay $30 more per weekend to stand where I have always stood ...

 

[DrRocket]

Yeah, perhaps I wasn't explaining myself correctly. I am talking about the fence at ground level by the return road in front of the main grandstand. That was GA until very recently, either spring or fall '09. Now to stand or sit anywhere on the main grandstand side requires a reserved ticket, and since I am a cheap sonofagun and it used to not be that way, I am bummed I have to pay $30 more per weekend to stand where I have always stood ...

That's what happens in times like this. Race tracks (And any profit making enterprise, for that matter.) are looking for anything that will generate new revenue. Don't expect them to go back to the way things were if the economy improves though.

 

[Kris]

On the Contrary Kris, I had always thought that the Seattle race was poorly attended when you consider it's the ONLY Major Motorsport that has an event within 400 miles of that place! And considering that Sea-Tac is a Top 20 Market! Compared to what other Metro tracks draw anyway.

Well, it seems like a lot of people to me... I have only be to Vegas twice so I don't have that point of reference but I wouldn't say it's poorly attended. I'd say this year had more crowds than I've seen in a while, even on Friday, which is usually a light day at the Seattle event.
I guess I'd have to do some research on this, though, to make a definitive conclusion.
Surely better than Sonics attendance the last two or three years of them being in Seattle.

 

[none]

I'd say this year had more crowds than I've seen in a while, even on Friday, which is usually a light day at the Seattle event.
I guess I'd have to do some research on this, though, to make a definitive conclusion.
Surely better than Sonics attendance the last two or three years of them being in Seattle.

Kris, I`ve been going all three days to the Seattle race since 1997 and this years crowd on Sunday was easily the smallest I have ever seen there. Not sure what the Fri and Sat crowds were but I doubt they outdrew Sun. We stayed downtown all weekend cause of the Yankees/M`s series and left the hotel around 9:30, I was worried about missing first round because I know how the traffic can get backed up on the 18 coming in, didn`t matter tho because we drove right into the place. No line whatsoever. The stands were maybe halfull during first round of the fuel cars and you used to never see that there. Pitiful crowd!

As for the Sonics....don`t get me started on them leaving town. Cryin` shame! There`s been exactly 1 World Championship in 30 plus years for Seattle professional sports teams and that team bolts for Oklahoma City. I did buy a cool $3 RIP Seattle Supersonics refrigerator magnet at Pike Place Market that weekend tho.

 

[rocketman]

I think the fairplex has a 99 year contract signed 20 years ago so it will be there for years to come.

 

[Kris]

Kris, I`ve been going all three days to the Seattle race since 1997 and this years crowd on Sunday was easily the smallest I have ever seen there. Not sure what the Fri and Sat crowds were but I doubt they outdrew Sun. We stayed downtown all weekend cause of the Yankees/M`s series and left the hotel around 9:30, I was worried about missing first round because I know how the traffic can get backed up on the 18 coming in, didn`t matter tho because we drove right into the place. No line whatsoever. The stands were maybe halfull during first round of the fuel cars and you used to never see that there. Pitiful crowd!

As for the Sonics....don`t get me started on them leaving town. Cryin` shame! There`s been exactly 1 World Championship in 30 plus years for Seattle professional sports teams and that team bolts for Oklahoma City. I did buy a cool $3 RIP Seattle Supersonics refrigerator magnet at Pike Place Market that weekend tho.

Ah, see, I wasn't there on Sunday (long story, don't ask) but I was expecting virtually nobody on Friday but there were many more people there than I expected and I'd say more than than the past two years. I thought there was a good size crowd on Saturday, as well.
Traffic was not as bad getting in on Saturday morning but I was there an hour earlier than the past two years so I really can't judge based on that.
What would be interesting to know is the attendance numbers for the events the past few years.
Not sure if that's something one could get from the NHRA.
Here's the problem I have with the column... guessing a track is in financial trouble based solely on one's perception of attendance at one event is such a fallacy of logic, such poor reasoning, that the fact we're even discussing it or speculating on it without any evidence to support the assertion is really sad.
But, it's the 'Mater right? I guess that's what we do best around here.

 

[clwill]

Getting into Pacific Raceways the last two years has been a dream because they decided to stop charging for parking, so instead of lines of people waiting to pay, you just cruised right in.

 

[Kris]

Getting into Pacific Raceways the last two years has been a dream because they decided to stop charging for parking, so instead of lines of people waiting to pay, you just cruised right in.

They charged for parking? I have had a media parking pass the past four years so I didn't realize.

 

[Toejam]

They charged for parking? I have had a media parking pass the past four years so I didn't realize.

hey Kris!!!!

 

[Kris]

hey Kris!!!!

Whaaaa?

Glad I took pics because I had to have my windshield replaced today ... you'll see why in the top photo.

I really just hope, anyway, that everyone takes the source of this information with a grain of salt since it's based purely on speculation based on perception. One thing I've learned as a journalist is that perception and reality rarely have much in common.

 

[Wayne]

Kris: Me thinks you don't spend enough time in the stands. This year's attendance was down from even last year. And Sunday was absolutely terrible even with the best weather of the 3 days.

Chris: you missed 1: The Storm!!!

 

[clwill]

They charged for parking? I have had a media parking pass the past four years so I didn't realize.

Well we had competitor passes the last couple years, so I only know because the lines on the freeway were non-existent and friends marveled at how fast they got in.

 

[Super Mod]

A number of options are being looked at including running Gateway as a drag strip with a road course. There’s an option to possibly sell the track. Then there’s the option to close. All of those options are being looked at equally,” confirmed Brandon Mudd, Director of Media Relations for Gateway International Raceway.

I saw so many KH cars there I thought it might already be sold

 

[none]

Chris: you missed 1: The Storm!!!

That`s the same thing my brother said to me at FX McCrorys that weekend. I was like, "you can`t be serious!"

 

[Wayne]

That`s the same thing my brother said to me at FX McCrorys that weekend. I was like, "you can`t be serious!"

LMAO!!!
Well they do get paid to play!
I kinda feel the same about soccer(grew up in the mid-west: no soccer as a kid).


*No offense to any Storm fans here*