Hello to all. I just wanted to make a few points about PRP. I do *not* work for the track. I do, however, write the e-newsletter, so I have some information that not everyone does. I respect everyone's opinions, and all I'm asking is that you respect mine. I love to race and am there every weekend, where a bad day racing is better than a good day at work. I've met good people (Balaska347 is like a brother to me, and Ares/Ed is good people), and it's a community I like being a part of.
Test n tunes on Wednesday nights will not have a gambler's race in '07. The weekend test n tunes that start and finish the season will. I understand what people say about only getting a few runs... I'm in the same boat if I'm up there on a Weds night. In my opinion, I don't think separate nights for street cars would work.... you're splitting the car count, and wouldn't get enough on both to make it economically feasible for the track. Remember, they have to pay employees, insurance, utilities, ambulance crew, etc. Gates will open at 5:30, runs will go from 6:30-10:30. Rainouts on Wednesdays will be made up on Thursdays, schedule permitting. With no gambler's race, and with the plan to keep the program running smooth and quick, I think the number of runs should go up. Of course, the track has no control over the number of cars, and if those cars oil down, break, etc.
I'm not a fan of the stones either. I'm a big guy who doesn't go down easily. I once got hit by one in the upper staging lanes in the neck that put me down and left a very ugly angry welt. I was pretty ticked off, and also thankful it didn't hit me in the eyes, or hit a kid. All racers can make this better by checking and cleaning their tires and wheelwells. I would like to see pits like QCR or the left lane side of NRP/SEMRP, but it's not my call, or money. And, if it means the track stays open, I'll live with the stones. None of us like the unnecessarily long delays for clean ups, and have voiced that opinion to the race director and track manager. I believe this will get better.
I don't believe they play favorites, particularly in eliminations. Odd numbered lanes get the left lane, even numbered lanes get the right lane. If the lane is being pulled out back to back, first car goes left, second car goes right. The racer pulled out for the bye run always has lane choice.
I can't speak to the issue of returned phone calls or emails, as I haven't had that experience. What I can say if there's anything I can do to help, I'd be glad to try. Again, just my opinion, but I think management realizes that the racers are the customers, and they want happy customers, even though it's impossible to please 100% of the people 100% of the time. There is a lot happening for 2007, and it should be a lot of fun. I hope you all have fun too.
ChuckT
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