Visiting the pits after a race

1bigracingfan · Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

I have been a racing fan for quite some time now and bring my children to the track at least 3 times a month. In the past seasons it was announced that the pits were open for fans to visit after the last checkered flag flew. It was announced several times during that nights show. Why is it that it isn't announced anymore? I think I've heard it announced maybe once this season. I am amazed at the number of fans that don't know that they can visit the pits after the races that evening. I have told many many people that they can go visit their favorite drivers after the last race. They all say the same thing, "why don't they announce it, I didn't know that we could do that!" I know that my children LOVE getting their favorite drivers autographs. Several of the drivers allow children to sit in their cars so that the family can take a picture. I love that about the pits. It would seem to me that if that were announced, more people would stay until the races are over, in turn buying more food, etc. from the concession stand, etc.... Are you trying to rush the drivers and the fans out of the track too soon? I know there is a time limit, but seems to me that Spartan is not being very family friendly.
Just an observation.....

Jim Leasure · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 872

Inviting people into the pit area after the race is a practice that we will continue. The idea is to connect people, especially young people with their favorite drivers, a face with a name type of thing. This year we have also gone as far as setting up an autograph location under the tower. We do shut the pit lights off about an hour after the last feature as we are in an area with nieghbors and we are always trying to be viewed as a good nieghbor. Thank you for your input.

Lack o Diesel · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 230 Location: Charlotte

1bigracingfan,

It so welcome to see young faces light up when they meet us (drivers). Not to mention it makes our day as well. It's tough some nights due to curfews and what not to leave the car out for kids to sit in them. But I will guarantee that the number 17 mod of Dusty Carl would welcome the young ones. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I can offer the same seat in my mod.

Thanks again
Perry

61SSracer · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 147 Location: Holt, Michigan

1bigracingfan,

You,you little ones, and ANYONE else for that fact are ALWAYS Welcome to come into the pits after the races and visit with the Ammerman-Johnson Racing Team ! Bring the kids to the pits to meet our Drivers,sit in the race cars, and get pictures of/with the drivers and cars !

As Perry stated above - - - Most All the drivers at Spartan are very Happy to see kids and parents alike after the races are over ! It's nice to see the smiles on the fans faces and talk about the nights events !

Mike - Chuck - Jimmy

AMMERMAN-JOHNSON RACING

#16 - - #61 - - #48 - - Sportsman Class

Big Ed · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 199

1bigracingfan,

It IS announced, EVERY SINGLE NIGHT that Spartan races, Springport too. I know it is, because I'm the announcer, and it is part of MY routine. Once, after introducing all the employees of the track, I mention the Family section, the yellow painted areas at the end of the grandstands, 50-50 tickets, lucky number programs, "the pits are open after the races", and then my mailbox. Every single night. Then again, I'll briefly mention the pits opening afterwards during the first or second feature.

I appreciate any input, but I don't appreciate a statement being made that isn't true. You have evidently failed to hear what I am saying, and in turn, made some pretty drastic statements because of your failure to listen. I do not take any offense when receiving constructive critisism, but accusing us of trying to run you out of there quickly, and NOT being family friendly I feel is pretty vicious, and uncalled for, especially considering the fact that what you are complaining about, is NOT true.

I know you cannot hang on my every word, nor should you. But, before you make accusatory statements, you should be very positive you are correct. You may have chosen a better way to make a point here, then to cast such accusations.

As you can see by the drivers that have posted before me, this practice has been going on for years, and will always continue at Spartan. I will always say it, every week, just like I have been the last FIVE years!!!

Big Ed Inloes

chasinracin · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 12

look out, somebody close Big Ed's soap box
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Full Inverts the only way to watch a race!

Big Ed · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 199

No soap box needed Todd, I'm just speaking the truth, and setting the record straight. That's all.

Should I not be???

sorrowtim · Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 180 Location: Haslett

As a loyal spartan and springport fan, I can testify that it is mentioned EVERY race night that the pits will be open to the public after the racing program has concluded.
Ed,
Ive been to alot of tracks in alot of different places, and you are the best in the buisness. Keep doin what you do brutha!
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nastyboi

1bigracingfan · Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

If you do announce that the pits are open every race, I do apologize. I do know that alot of the time I can not hear what is being said. From where I sit, (I sit next to the last stand so my children can play if they wish to) I can not hear what is being said. Most of the time during the time that the 50/50 and the lucky number programs are announced, alot of people around me are asking each other what numbers were announced because we can not hear what is being said. No, it's not because we have a hearing problem. Very Happy

I did not intend to offend anyone, my only point was that a big portion of the fans don't know that they can go meet the drivers after the races.

Mrs. T2 · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 179 Location: Lansing, MI

Five years...has it really been five years!?! Man time flies when you're having fun Laughing

That's awesome Big Ed!!! Ditto what sorrowtim said! You have to be impressed with an announcer (props to Hollywood too) that doesn't need a piece of paper every single night to name drivers, cars, and sponsors Wink

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Don't Sing It, Just Bring It!

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Jim Leasure · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 872

The speaker system is not the best and at times it can be hard to understand what Ed is saying. Believe it or not we try to use small speakers but several of them in an attempt to: You guessed it, be a good nieghbor. If we have a bad speaker it will usually crackle and we try to fix it right away. Our commo people(Landfairs)are often called out to look at something on race night as the system is far from state of the art.

Lack o Diesel · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 230 Location: Charlotte

No one was offended just making sure all the butts were covered so to speak.

We'll see you at the races, don't forget to bring the little ones by.

Perry

Big Ed · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 199

No offense taken. And because you have brought this to my attention, I will make a concentrated effort to say it more, and during quiet times also. I apologize if I came off a little rough there, I get a little protective of my track, and what I do, and what everyone there does.

I believe we do all kinds of things to make Spartan a family environment and I'll try harder to get the word out about the pits being open after the last race!!!!

Yep, Cindy, this is the 5th year. It doesn't seem possible to me either. I am one very lucky man to have fallen into such a great place. I love Spartan and everyone I work with, we are just like family. And all you drivers and fans that look out for me, help me, and have made me part of this big family, I thank every one of you. But I must be honest, I still have cheat sheets, I get brain fade every now and then. But for the most part, I can rattle off most of everyone's info at a moments notice, but at my age, cheat sheets do help!!! And I can make a mistake, just ask Sarah Ammerman!!!! Or was that Diane??? LOL

But this is as good as time as any to thank everyone involved for allowing me to call Spartan Speedway, HOME!!! Thanks everyone!!!

Big Ed Inloes

Dennis ONeil · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 426 Location: Eaton Rapids

Fans have been coming in the pit after the races for as long as I can remember. It seems like less people lately. SO TO THE FANS: Please come in the pit after the races, but hurry because the track management has requested that we only spend one hour after the last race is over to let kids sit in the cars, sign autographs, load our cars, stand in line to collect our pay, return our transponders, and drink a beer or two. Oh, and also kiss the wife and visit with our families and friends.
Keep in mind that even with the one hour restriction we will NEVER chase a fan away even if the lights are turned off before we get done.
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Thanks
Dennis ONeil
www.oneilsauto.com

"A MIND IS LIKE A PARACHUTE.............WORKS BETTER WHEN OPEN"

goinincircles22 · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 191 Location: lansing

I can remember "back in the day" before there were curfews we would have bon fires and cook hot dogs and have a good time bench racing after all the races were done for the night. Its too bad that we cant do that anymore, it was a great time. We got to meet alot of fans that would hang out after the races. I always enjoyed talking to people and especially the kids, I would have them sign my car and you could see the excitement in their faces. Great time I'll never forget.

John Razz