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Post by dave on May 15, 2010 19:20:00 GMT -8
Bill it's foolish to think that all the tracks at LVMS don't benefit from the economies of scale of the facility as a whole. While it's common to account separately for the different parts of the business, in the end it all comes from the same pot. Again you avoid the point is that LVMS does not live and die on Bullring revenue whereas TSI is a standalone short track/local drag strip that very much depends on that revenue.
I'm not debating if the CT525 is a good engine or offers value for the package although there seems to be nearly a couple grand "tax" on the track required package compared to adding those parts to the CT525 yourself. My math says right around 9k complete as a DIY. You left out the cost of reworking the close ratio trans and new gearing which is another couple of grand. I don't have a dog in this fight but again you redirect the argument and avoid addressing the point directly. The point is that rule likely caused the counts to drop. Riddle me this, if it's such a great rule, why are there only 12-15 cars a race now? The other guys didn't stop racing, they went to other tracks. Perhaps it's the allure of cachet of going to the fairgrounds in San Berdo.
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Post by teammtrsprts on May 15, 2010 20:53:10 GMT -8
Dave,
I understand the points you are trying to make but you need to read all my post again. I have never avoided your question!
I never stated that LVMS OR SMI would close if they shut down the Bullring or Strip. The point I am making is SMI will never shut down the weekly business at the Bullring or Strip because it pay most of their overhead. "Utilities, Management, Security and Maintenance".
Don't kid your self if the Bullring doesn't make a profit SMI will make management changes or shut it down. They have stock holders to report to!
When you compare this to Irwindale all the overhead is not an asset. There are a lot of additional expenses that Irwindale will never have to pay! Sometimes small business is better! Have you looked at SMI's public stock lately?
As for the Supers leaving Irwindale, I do not think it has anything to do with the CT525 spec engine. If you review the race results the cars with the spec engines have not been competitive. "This is why the current weight reduction". I could see your point if we had an unfair advantage. I don't see it!
As for additional cost of close ratio gear boxes, read your rules. This is illegal with the spec engine! As for your 2k gear most guys rent gears, so there is no additional cost to the teams. If they own their 3rd member it cost maybe $350 for the ring and pinion.
Oh I forgot to mention that the CT525 spec engine runs on 92 octane unleaded! "No more $9 a gallon for race fuel"
I am sure Irwindale is getting some kind of kick back. Promoters at all tracks get kick backs!
I say who cares? The CT525 package is still half the cost of the Ford package! I am sure Peters and Kroyer are making a nice profit from their engine packages. "This is called American capitalism"
If Supers are boycotting Irwindale, because of the spec engine, they are fools. Irwindale also offers 8 double main events with double payouts. "The Bullring does NOT, does Orange show"?
Everyone I spoke to says its the operating cost and economy that has them parked. Irwindale would also bring back cars if they lowered their entry fees and went to a tire that last longer than one event. The current tire cost (4) is $620 for 1 event" I think the spec engine is a big step in reducing operating costs".
How many Supers is Orange show getting? What tire do they use? What is their payout?
Anyways we can always agree to disagree!
I riddle you this; why would the Bullring double the operating cost of running a Super late model without another option for the less financed? Bad business management! Did anyone tell them the state of the world's economy?
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Post by heatmizer on May 17, 2010 8:52:58 GMT -8
Name calling? Well I guess you got me there. But lets look at the names I used. I called you Billy (your name), Dumbazz (which you consistantly prove to be true), and Cup Car Chad (an attempt at reletive humor but you probably missed the joke). I also called the Vision Air guys, Knuckleheads and goofs but that's clearly what they are. As for saying something intelligent, I'm sure that nothing I say on here makes anyone say, "Nope, that's wrong." As for your intelligence, I could give you 100 IQ points and you'd still be functionally retarded.
Billy, if you really are that good at this racing game (and since you clearly know everything about running a business), why don't you enlighten us with some more of your useless knowledge? Hey, Riddle me this (I like how you used someone else's final retort to sound clever, neat trick), why did you make such a sales pitch for the spec engine then turn around and point out that it's a big loser of an engine? I guess saving money and finishing 7th in a field of 12 is better than losing money and finishing 12th in a field of 15.......ooops, I just did some math there. Sorry about that. It may take you 3 or 4 hours to figure that problem out. Go sit down for an hour and regroup. Just remember, Excedrin for headaches, Motrin for cramps.
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Post by topfive on May 23, 2010 5:50:01 GMT -8
Well, the racers clawed back some territory last night by getting 15 cars out for the event. 40 year veteran and former modified champ Fabian Bray shocked the " training pants" crowd posting the fast time in qualifying. The invert and then contact with the 96 car left him with a 10th place finish. Scott Gafforini returned to victory lane for the first time in a long time. Sadly, the event was a real letdown after such a good modified show just before. Dustin Ash was relegated to the rear of the field under a new rule that puts 3 in a row winners to the back. Everyone expected a charge to the front, but he seemed to either be sandbagging or having some mechanical issues. Its hard to get excited about the premier division struggling along on 1/2 a field.
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Post by DemonC on May 23, 2010 15:28:58 GMT -8
40 year veteran and former modified champ Fabian Bray shocked the " training pants" crowd posting the fast time in qualifying. That was a freaking awesome, by the way! Last year Fabian's best qualifying effort was 13th, with an average qualifying position of 16th. This season he started fairly strong, qualifying 9th but dropped to 12th and then 14th in the race before last night. Then he comes out and posts quick time. I fully admit I didn't see that one coming, but I'm stoked that it did. I hope it's the start of a new trend for him because he's a class act. On that note, I think that's the first time I've seen Gafforini in victory lane since I've started at the Bullring. He's always right there, so he was definitely over due for that win as well. Congrats to both!!
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Post by crewman on May 23, 2010 19:47:48 GMT -8
old man still has it...great to see him put down that lap time and be so good again miss the old lm days when he won ton of races him and chris are doing a great job with the 29 good job guys...and good to see scotty win again been a long time
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Post by wayfast01 on May 25, 2010 8:52:20 GMT -8
I feel like an idiot......Here I have been advocating a logical and professional approach to discussing our concerns about the direction/rules at the track and I have been all wrong. I have been addressing my concerns in this manner this year almost weekly when I question decisions made on the track and it has gotten me no where. I am just hoping that at some point this year a decision correctly and in our favor. We have been turned 4 times this year when running in the top 3, and not once has the person sho turned us been sent to the back or were we awarded our position back. Each time I get the standard "that is not what my spotters saw". What are the spotters looking at??? The people who have turned us each time have apoligized for doing it, and agreed we should have gotten our spot. I am tired of spending the money, spending the time and because our last name is not on the list of ass-kissers we dont get a timely yellow flag or a just call.
I am sorry to all who I may have rebuked for not handling things properly, I think I am starting to understand your point of view.
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Post by goat roper on May 25, 2010 9:31:41 GMT -8
Some folks have a higher tolerance level than others, but most everybody comes to the same conclusion you did after a while.
Verne
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Post by topfive on Jun 6, 2010 6:03:24 GMT -8
It was a hot June night and an amazing 27 Super Late drivers showed up for the event. Unfortunately only 13 brought their cars, while the other 14 leaned against the fence and discussed the reasons why their jackstands are getting worn out this year. The usual suspects qualified up front, but the invert wheel came up #8 giving some of the mid packers hope of leading laps. However, the well worn path to the tower was once again trod by the track favorites and when the cars came to line up it was a straight up start. Ash and Gafforini, benefitting from the about face, put up a spirited battle for a few laps until they made contact. Gafforini continued on while Ash attempted a spin and go move which resulted in him collecting himself and David Anderson. Fabian Bray tried to avoid the mess but ended up against the inside wall. With the 11 and 38 at the rear, Casey Kingsland led Bear until they had contact and Bear sustained damage. Gafforini eventually worked his way past Kingsland to take his second win of the season. You gotta hand it to the track with that invert reversal. Just when some of the marginally financed guys had a chance to start up front the track doused them with some ice water. The drivers had better devise some new strategy before the Father's day double or the track will reduce the field down to 8 cars.
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Post by goat roper on Jun 6, 2010 11:53:24 GMT -8
That's a good description of the race last night. It differs somewhat from what John Bisci wrote. Verne
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Post by topfive on Jun 20, 2010 5:47:11 GMT -8
It was a beautiful Father's day night at the old Bullring with a good crowd on hand. It was good to see charger driver Jerry Gentry and Superlate veteran Ray Hooper Jr. in attendance, as both have been struggling with health issues. The drivers rallied to show their respect for the fans by bringing out 17 cars. 1 car couldn't make the green, so 16 took the flag for the first main. Almost immediately there was an altercation among the backmarkers and 4 cars ended up in a pile on the front stretch. It looked like it was going to be another Ash-Gafforini battle, but Ash seems off balance this year, ending up involved in incident after incident. The Ewing cars showed strength and aggressiveness with the 16 car taking home the win. The second main saw the Father-Son team of Fabian and Chris Bray on the front row. With Fabian on the outside, some in the stands wondered if Chris would hand his Dad a father's day gift and let him go, but it was not to be. After a good battle side by side, the one groove racetrack left the Dad in about 6th place by the time he got to the bottom. The 96 car showed off his new cast iron front bumper several times, but he must have a guardian angel somewhere in the tower, as he continued to get his spot back after every caution. Gafforini managed to work his way to the rear with some contact. Chris Bray led a number of laps, but a flat tire put an end to his night. Fabian also suffered some body damage in one of the Burke induce cautions, but continued on with a really bad aero package. Casey Kingsland inherited the lead and looked like he was going to take home a win until Ash took him out. The elder Bray struggled with straight line speed due to his body work damage, but used 3 decades of experience to work his way to second. A series of re-starts allowed the 17 car to make an inside pass to move him back to 3rd at the finish. Burke took home the win and then moved into tech with well deserved trepidation.
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