Compare it to Norwalk, Joliet, or any Smith track and calling it a dump might be giving it an upgrade.
Nitromater
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Madison still a shi.... hole!
- Thread starter nitrosaint
- Start date
Compare it to Norwalk, Joliet, or any Smith track and calling it a dump might be giving it an upgrade.
DragFan2
Nitro Member
When were you last at Gainesville? NHRA has upgraded everything except the bathrooms in the last 5 years, and I suspect that is next on the list. It's a great track and lots of history to boot.
They paved the swamp?
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
I do. But I still go anyway. And ask half the nitro and all of the alcohol racers about needing a boat in their pits a few weeks ago. They had to pump out the water so teams could get to their trailers ... NHRA obviously can't control the weather, but it happens every time it rains!!! Fix it.
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Dave
Nitro Member
I agree that was a shame. They really should park the pros on the other side of the track instead and pave that area over. It's such a large beautiful facility to have so many issues. I remember when they used to pack the place even for Super Chevy events. The east side was full of racecars, the west side south was manufacturers and the car show, and everything on the west side north from about the end of the grandstands to the sand trap was all a huge swap meet. Perhaps a drainage upgrade to the place and another repave of the pits. I guess the problem is if you build the pits higher or pitch the run off it's going to the road, the racetrack, or the spectator parking lot. I think they are hurting for cash since NASCAR pulled its races at the oval.
How would you guys grade a racetrack anyhow? What constitutes a "sh!t hole?" I have been to IRP, Las Vegas, Joliet, Gateway, Osceola Dragway, U.S. 41 Raceway, Great Lakes Dragway, U.S. 131 in Martin, Michigan, and Thompson Raceway Park.
Gainesville gets the Biggest crowds I have ever seen at any race! Dallas, Pomona, Houston, Indy got nothing on that place!
Madison is not too bad, seating on the pit side is aluminum bleachers and not too high. Space is limited so parking is tight and sometimes a distance away. This is one of the tracks we do not park the motorhome at the track, we stay offiste but only a few miles away. Didn't go this time, had a family conflict but will go back next year.
I have never been to Madison, I have heard that Parking is a cab ride from the track! I also heard they get a lot of Gang bangers from East. St. Louis though...
mick
Nitro Member
yes joe, but they're successful gang bangers.....from the upper east side.
Crew Chief Pro
Nitro Member
Not sure what you mean. Everyone parks on the nascar track which surrounds the sportsman pits. Not a long walk compared to Indy, Joliet, or other places. They just go to the wall and take the steps to the other side.
This was the first year they did that, before that you had to park way behind the truck stop for free parking and walk a good way.
I pre-pay for my parking all three days and park on the West side of the drag strip.
tb
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
I am sure what I consider to be a sh!thole will vary from what a racer thinks of the track. Also, until recently I lived in Vegas, so I am completely spoiled in every way by that facility. On to the list of what makes a track a sh!thole in this spectator's humble opinion:
- Parking. Is it free? Is it close? If I have to pay, do I still have to walk a mile? (looking at you Pomona)
- How easy is it to move around the facility? Do you dread leaving your seat to get a dog and a beer? Is it a pain to move from the spectator side to the pit side? Can I get around the pits easily? (that bridge at Indy is ridiculous and should be easy to fix)
- Facilities. This is the 21st Century, I should not have to p!ss in a trough with 5 other dudes. It should also not smell like a rhinocerous ate bad Indian food. It should also not be 120 degrees in there.
- Seats. There should be an attempt at a modicum of comfort. Kudos to Bruton Smith for seat backs in the grandstands.
- Sightlines from the seats. I am paying to watch racing, I should be able to easily see it. (not really an issue at most National Event facilities)
- Is the racing good? One lane track? Smokefest? Do we get a night session during qualifying (abnormally important to me)?
- Food. If you are going to charge me $6 for a hot dog, it at least better be edible. Variety never hurts either. Sometimes I just NEED tacos, or pulled pork, or chicken fingers.
- Beer. It had better be ice cold at those prices.
- Camping. Is it on-site (huge plus)? How easy is it to get from the RV to the track? (Vegas wins this one hands down too, no oil down is too short for an RV run there).
- Paving. Am I walking around in mud all weekend? Whether it is parking or the pits, mud is no bueno, dirt is almost as bad.
In summation, if you paid to park a mile away in the dirt, dread leaving your seats to p!ss in a dirty porta potty, are not in the same zip code as the pits, eat cold hot dogs and drink warm beer and your camper is 2 miles away ... the track is a sh!thole. (unfortunately ... Indy meets most of these criteria. But I still go.)
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clwill
Nitro Member
Haven't been to any of those (yet).
StockersRock
Nitro Member
You can't normally pin these on the facility, though, especially at a National.
Hey when you guys are finished with these so called shi.... hole dump tracks, pack them up and send them down here. There are countries that would dream of having your so called dump tracks.
Sure we love and appreciate the drag strips we have here in New Zealand but we can only dream of having the tracks you guys have.
Sure we love and appreciate the drag strips we have here in New Zealand but we can only dream of having the tracks you guys have.
NitroRichFire
Nitro Member
I'd have to say, BRISTOL, is the best track on the tour over all! Seats are angled to the track, seats are close to the track and the track is sandwiched between two mountains, making the sound incredible.
DragFan2
Nitro Member
Sportsmen pits still aren't paved but the Pro pits are completely paved. The roads are paved and good getting around the Sportsmen pits though. It has been awhile since bad rain has messed with the Gators. The spectator parking is still free, and it can be a problem if it rains since it is grass and dirt parking but drainage is pretty good. I've seen improvements at Gainesville every year for the past 4-5 years.
William, have you ever been to a meet here in the States?
I went to Bristol for the first time a couple of years ago and was completely surprised to see the seats along the track full, but the angled seat that are angled to the the tower were wide open.....awesome! Totally *****in seats and the best facility on the tour by far!
