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Canadian Oval / Road Racing => Canadian Racing Forums => JCAR Racing Series => Topic started by: RacingMom3553 on February 03, 2009, 03:55:42 PM
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I had heard that there was suppose to be a drivers meeting on the 8th of February, but haven't seen anything posted on the website...Anyone know if this is happening???
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Mom, I dont know what to tell you, I was under the same impression.
I was informed of the same date by the promoter himself.
Now, its hard to get a hold of him again.
I called and left messages, emailed.....no response.
I don't think they understand how frustrating it is for some of us to book time off with kids sports....hockey, gymnastics, indoor soccer, dance and so on to just be able to make it to these meetings at the drop of a dime. (some of us drive over 2.5 hours to get to these meetings).
Needless to say people who work shift work, or need to arrange sitters ahead of time.
PLEASE GET ORGANIZED
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We wouldn't mind talking to him also but have had no success as of late. Hope everyone is healthy and well ;D
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Now you know why we've gone to Chestermans with the sprints, everything is set and ready and we are registered, all by the end of January. I'm not spending a dime on the trucks other than repairing last years damage to make them at least worth something, until somebody takes that place over that is half assed organized and has a solid business plan and don't scream at my drivers every time they pull off the track!
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Chestermans....Never heard of it myself. ???
You never posted what team you are with. It would be nice to know your truck #'s so we can watch out for falling debris.. Lol!
Maybee you would be better at dealing with the 100 plus teams and all thier crews, drivers, and attitudes. :-\ " I know I ain't signing up for that job any time soon" EEEEch!
JIMMER Team Promoter for No Tears Racing :'(
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chestermans is an indoor facility in tillsonburg...indoor motocross int he winter and JRL racing in the summer
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www.chesterman.ca
looks pretty cool, and they race on tuesday i believe.
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Chestermans....Never heard of it myself. ???Â
You never posted what team you are with. It would be nice to know your truck #'s so we can watch out for falling debris.. Lol!
Maybee you would be better at dealing with the 100 plus teams and all thier crews, drivers, and attitudes. :-\ " I know I ain't signing up for that job any time soon"Â EEEEch!
JIMMER Team Promoter for No Tears Racing :'(
I have to agree with Jimmer - I have gotten to know Brad & Sue personally over the years and I understand their situation.They work really hard to give us a place to race. The differece is we do this for a hobby, they do it to make a living. And a hard living at that.
We race at Grand Bend and Chestermans, and we appreciate the opportunity at both places.
Thank you Mike March
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Thanks Mike, and I wish more people realized just how hard it is to make ends meet running a track.
Even as a competitor, with the way the economy is, it is impossible to land any sponsor cash at all in Windsor.
Even with 2 Championships and media coverage, we are still digging in our pockets to make it to the track every week.
Now my point is.. I could just imagine how difficult it would be to keep a track running with series sponsors, lease payments and all the other funding and work needed to do so.
JIMMER banksracingteam.piczo.com (http://banksracingteam.piczo.com)
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Now you know why we've gone to Chestermans with the sprints, everything is set and ready and we are registered, all by the end of January. I'm not spending a dime on the trucks other than repairing last years damage to make them at least worth something, until somebody takes that place over that is half assed organized and has a solid business plan and don't scream at my drivers every time they pull off the track!
Rebel, I don't disrespect your decision to race your cars at Chestermans or where ever you wish....we all agree with that.
I don't argue with your outlook at management issues and being yelled at at the speedway, I have seen it myself and have talked with the persons you speaking about first hand regarding that.
What I think you are completely wrong in doing is fixing your truck. It was found to be constructed with thin wall tubing (I saw it myself), you were lucky that you escaped without injury and I think you should consider that chassis "used up".
I would hope by now, based on your accident that the people in tech would now start checking for thin wall tubed chassis and get them off the track for that exact same reason.......so we can avoid the potential for injury to any of our junior drivers.
I recognize the fact that there are 4 or 5 people building chassis and my comment may not be received well.......regardless of the competitiveness of the racers, driver safety has to be the primary focus in the 1/2 scale racing program.
Rob James
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Thanks Mike, and I wish more people realized just how hard it is to make ends meet running a track.
Even as a competitor, with the way the economy is, it is impossible to land any sponsor cash at all in Windsor.
Even after winning back to back Championships and tons of media coverage, we are still digging in our pockets to make it to the track every week.
I could just imagine how difficult it would be to keep a track running with series sponsors, lease payments and all the other funding and work needed to do so.
JIMMER banksracingteam.piczo.com (http://banksracingteam.piczo.com)
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Jimmer & Mike please allow me to make some commentary on this if I may please.
Please remember where I come from to race @ GBS........Sunset Speedway is 15 minutes from my house......Barrie is 30......Mosport 75.......Peterborough and Kawartha 90.
In terms of running a speedway and being able to "make ends meet", all promoters face certain challenges in doing this......they all have to chase down sponsorship and cut deals with media, and so on.
The one thing that knowone has brought up in talking about this, is every promoter with the exception of 1 at the speedways I have listed above has other businesses or another job they rely on as their "primary" source of income (in a few examples their spouse would be working). They are not depending on the speedway as their only source of survival.
So yes while we all agree that we 110% appreciate Brad and Sue's dedication and commitment to what they have done and provided for us and our children, perhaps it could have been done a little bit differently? I don't want that to sound like a ridicule, because I do respect them.
Sponsorship for racers.......I will tell everyone now........you will all have a better chance pulling money from friends who have small businesses.......maybe your local tire guy...who can change tires for you....maybe buy you a set..because he could then write them off.
Jimmer, I respect the fact you guys are champions....so do everyone at the track.....however.....I am sure when your in Windsor and racing grandbend.....your potential sponsors don't see the value....do they? Its difficult......99% of everyone sees this as a hobby.....not a "sport" so they don't take it too seriously. I don't want to short sell the great racing we all see from week to week because its probably some of the best in Ontario.....but how do we show the rest of the province and get people excited?
I have been told there is someone who use to come video tape races? Anyone know who I am talking about?
I have found decent prices on lexan @ Home Depot.....for the car & truck racers.....(in the window section).
Lets keep supporting GBS......it IS coming along....and will get better.......I am sure of it!!!!
Rob James
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Hmmmm, we seem to have gotten off subject a little. My point about the sponsorship deal was an example of the level of effort it takes to run a track and racing series .... not a complaint ... Lol ! As a matter of fact we raced Sportsman, Late Models, and Cascar also outta of pockets of our friends and crew.. so if I don't know that by now... cheeeeze.
Now back to the point at hand, sure things ain't perfect at all times at the track, but I do appreciate thier commitment and dedication.
As to the comments made by Rebel, this kind of stuff ain't kool. I'm sure I'm not the only one who cringed when they read the post. Wow, talk about burning bridges.
As far as the thin wall tubing goes.... :-X now who the heck would build a truck outta that especially after we seen the driver of the 91 truck survive a horrific crash that coulda been much worse. He was about 6 inches shorter after that but still very lucky.
As to the guy who did the videos, I'm not sure of whom you are talking but would like to see him or her back.
Now about me being serious about my racing, I will admit that I am a little more competitive than the next guy... but have learned to relax at the track and enjoy the time away from Windsor.
In the old days at our home track, the fans used to scurry across the track to the pits after the races to see the fights, and for some reason they always gathered around our pit stall. Some would come to congratulate us on a good run, and others would come to return the tools that I had loaned to others on the way past my pit... Lol !!
Sure you can call our racing a hobby, but I call it job... and I enjoy most every minute of it.... He He
Your view points are good, but wow, did you ever open a can of worms with that tubing thing :o
JIMMER
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Let me try to answer/clarify all the worms that have come out of the can. Â First I know exactly what it takes to run a race track ..... My partner and I with a ton of help from our wives and friends kept Nilestown Speedway going for three years after it originally closed, and until Mrs. Zavits decided to sell the property, we had a business plan, and respect for the competitors that kept them coming out, even for the small purses that we could afford to pay, and we were honest and up front with them and didn't make promises we might not be in a position keep. Â I don't fault Brads dedication, but as I told him to his face, he should have someone else "up front" Â there is no reason to swear at kids coming off the track even if they do make mistakes, go to the pit and explain nicely what they did wrong and suggest how to correct it, don't tell them to get off the F%^$#@ track and F%&^$# learn to drive!
Secondly, that was me that crushed the truck, that was a "commercialy" built chassis that I assumed met spec. Yeah I was lucky, but all the rest of my safety equipment did it's job and I suffered no injury and I'm still 6 foot tall.  I had the chassis sonar tested and cut out all the thin tubing (it was only the very upper tubes that were light, I assume the builders idea of centre of gravity advantage) and replaced it with .095 wall, as well as putting an X in the rear hoop and using gussets.  I suppose I could have clued in when I weighed the truck and even with my 250 lb fat butt in the seat I came in 8 lb under.  We went out with no lead in the truck and a faulty spring rate provided by a former owner.  Yes thats an old truck and has been running for years under many different numbers, so how come it came this far without the tubing issue being discovered,  I don't know.  I would have scrapped the thing and gone with a new chassis, but I didn't have clue as to what season it would be completed for,and if I bought another used one I might end up with the same deal, at least by investing in a pipe bender I know it's done and now probably safer than many other trucks still out there. #35 had a lesser crash last year and crushed his cage, Murray ended up fixing that one himself too.  As for burning bridges, Brad lit the match, I've talked to a lot of competitors who will not be paying registration right away or at all, unless things change, I guess I'm the only one who cares enough to say it up front and back  it up with action, or in this case inaction.  We've raced at GBS for eight years and until last year enjoyed ourselves, I just hope someone can step up and save it.
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In summary, I think that this is a poor way of raising moral at our track.
If you were to think for a second.... each one of us teams have invested in J-Car and Grand Bend when we purchased Jr lates, Mini Trucks, and or Sprints, and we continue to invest on a weekly bassis keeping them going.
Our time and money is our investment, and the best way to protect it, is to support our racing series, and keep negative comments from reaching the net. Your not only hurting the track but your doing damage to our investments too.
There ain't no promtoter in the world that could keep everybody happy.
As far as you being the only one big enuf to speak your mind.... you don't know me too good at all ........ LOL
Try Working towards a solution and keep the comments constructive.... not destructive!!
JIMMER
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GIVE BRAD A BREAK ONE MAN DOING THE JOB OF MANY.......................
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I couldn't agree more with sentiment expressed on this forum about this topic. Those of us with JLMs, Mini Trucks and Sprints have a vested interest. We want racing to happen and we are interested in knowing what, where, how, and when the show will begin again, and who will be running. We want the adrenalin rush that comes with racing and the anticipation is driving us all stir crazy.
The original question was to address a void in the available information about the drivers meeting. This still exists. A simple statement addressing the date and time(proposed??) for the drivers meeting would have filled the vacuum.
A request for information is not public bashing - it is interest. A promoter should encourage and enable discussion as it develops and sustains interest in the venue. It is when people stop being interested and inquiring that a promoter should worry because people no longer care.(And no, I am not bashing - just stating a marketing reality)
We've raced at GBS for 7 years. Every year you hear complaining and criticism and people vowing to never come back: that's racing. The following year, surprise-surprise, who is there pumped and ready to run again - many of these very same people. All they needed was a chance to vent and re-energize: that's racing. Teams move on to different venues for many reasons and new teams arrive and fill the racing divisions: that is also racing.
Unlike previous years there is no discussion on who might be running what and where. Has interest waned or are people sitting on their hands afraid to say anything due to the fallout?
When I stop inquiring about, complaining about, and debating the weekly goings on at the track you know one thing for sure.... I am not interested enough to care anymore and I will have moved on. This is the first year since we started this that we are undecided about racing for the season.
GIVING PEOPLE A BREAK IS A TWO WAY STREET and more of this by everyone including the hard working management would go a long way towards making this the best damn short track racing in Ontario.
Looking for something to get me excited about racing again - Murray :(
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talked to brad the other day registration/meeting he just needs to take care of a few things he's also in the process of finding a partner it is just to much work for one person he'll run it by himself if he has to,but he really needs some help
we have alot of exciting plans for this season racing wise we will be running the jr. a micro sprints at grand bend and winged outlawed carts at chestermans we are presently looking into producing an affordable micro sprint for both tracks and also building a 440 micro sprint chassis for the hannah race team
heres a picture of cass's grand bend ride for the year
(http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu13/wheelsspin/th_micro034.jpg) (http://s629.photobucket.com/albums/uu13/wheelsspin/?action=view¤t=micro034.jpg)
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Mike, you say you have been talking to Brad and apparantly you talked to him at the car show, but yet no one else can get a hold of Brad or Sue to find out what is going on, if the track is going to be open or closed or what. The info that we have been hearing is that people are leaving to go race at other tracks. If the track is going to open and if Brad wants to have enough cars, I think everyone needs to know by the end of February or it will be too late to get enough cars ready to support the track. As always, we are interested in investing money at GBS to keep the track going for the kids (a large amount if necessary) as we did for the last 8-9 years we raced there including sponsoring nights with the previous owners. It seems that this has gotten out of hand and the kids have been forgotten. So anyone out there that has any info about what is happening with the track, speak up now and get this show on the road.
marches racing
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I know Brad has been working hard at getting things in line for 2009, heck he has made 5 new jcars and 2 trucks and all are sold. I know he is at the track daily from noon til at least 9 pm. Leave a message I know he will return it. :) :)
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Brad contacted us within 24 hours as he usually does when we leave a polite message.
I don't blame him for not taking all the calls during his work hours as he wouldn't get anything done.
He wen't over and above the call of duty for us and had a swing arm delivered to our shop to save us a trip down to the Bend.
Thanks once again to Brad for working with us. We appreciate your dedication and hard work. It's amazing what a little respect and appreciation will do.
Bottom line is... keep building and tuning and stop the bull. On my last few visits to see Brad, everything is a go.. we have a schedule.. and he needs a little more time to take care of odds and ends. As far as the registration meeting goes, relax... and give them the time needed to put it all together. cheeeeeeeeeeeez
If some peeps would put as much effort into racing as they do stirring the pot.......wow the competition level would be huge.......LOL!!
Nice looking paint job on Cass's Sprint Mike....and looking forward to another year at the Bend.
JIMMER
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Can't dispute your point Jimmer, I don't think there are many teams out there with any bigger investment than me. Two sprints, two trucks, four sprint chassis and a 440 at the shop and shopping for a spare truck chassis by the way (preferably with spec tubing). However, all the investment is worthless if the drivers don't want to race somewhere because of the atmosphere.
As for one man trying to do the job of many, theres a reason he's only one man.
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Thanks Rebel but 1 more point if i may..
Ok, so we have a few problems, as it appears by some posts.... so my question to those are.... What can we do to rectify some or all of the problems that exist?
I'll tell you straight up, that an "answer or solution" to them is what we need, so if you take the time to identify a problem, devote a little more to your suggestion on how to solve it.
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I agree, and I wouldn't bitch if I didn't have a suggestion on how to fix it. This is probably not the time or place to come up with that, I did go to Brad last year when a bunch of his staff walked on him and had a forth right discussion on the problems and how I thought he should "fix it" or at least mitigate the damage, I will say he kind of tried the next week, but it only lasted one week and we went right back to the original problem. I know others have helped out much more than I, both financially and with labour, but the root problem still exists. One person can't run a race track, as I said earlier been there, done that, but if the top guy insists on alienating anyone who tries to help, hey, what can you do but carry on and wait for better times.
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I spoke to Brad today. Meeting is March 15, 2 PM in Ailsa Craig.
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meeting is march 15 I spoke to brad today. I will post more about where and time. The website for Grand Bend is down because he is changing servers and will be up shortly.
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;D See, I knew it wouldn't be long before the meeting/registration date was posted.
Looking forward to the upcoming race season myself, and saying good bye to all this snow and cold weather. Lets put the past behind us, and work together, to make 2009 the best season of racing yet. We all have the power to make it happen, so let's getter done!
JIMMER
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well I have been helping Brad twice a week since last Oct. in the shop with no investment or return. Have had a great time and I tell ya one thing his heart is in the right place and that is for the kids...He may not have a big wallet but he hasn't give up.
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geese doesn't look like alot has changed with the whole JCAR Grand Bend thing since we left Junior racing.
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Has ownership changed. I see Paul Spriet is now a contact. Also where did the Travelling Series go. Heard there was possibility of numerous track series is that still out there?
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Was at the drivers meeting. Paul Spriet has stepped in to ensure that there is a place for junior racers to go. Brad is still involved but they were vague on the specifics. I suspect that the details are still being worked upon. Registration cheques are to be made payable to the motoplex.
The economy, being what it is, has led to the demise of the Travelling Series last year and for this year. There will be two races at Sauble on the off dates for the mini trucks at the Bend for those that want to go.
Varney's schedule doesn't list mini trucks this year and this was confirmed by e-mail from the race director there.
The Bends ownership group needs as much weekly racing at the Bend as possible on Saturdays to make operating the venue viable. Looks as if the Bend will be only place for the mini trucks to run this year.
Lots of hope for a great season in 2009.
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Probably right they need as much racing there Saturday nights. Hopefully Brad is acting in a different capacity because maybe they will get some drivers back. They cannot continue to have that management as the face of GBS. Have they paid out last years payouts yet???
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I wouldn't count on any payouts due from last year. Paul Spreit indicated that last year was a bad year for most tracks with most losing money. Seems clear to me that what happened in 2008 stays in 2008. The racing itself in 2008 was exciting and competitive with, I believe, all drivers in the top ten in the mini trucks earning at least one podium finish.
Paul did say that the goals for this year included there being a venue for junior racing, the opportunity for Brad to make a living from GBS, and for the new ownership to not lose money.
Brad said that he hated to tell us but payouts would be the first thing to go if the track isn't making enough money to cover expenses this year. They want all drivers to come back and our help to promote the track. There are going to have regular show "N" shines in Grand Bend and are looking into holding some in Exeter.
They are looking for sponsors for the weekly prize payouts, the division championships, and the track itself. It is my understanding that gate receipts would first go to cover operating expenses.
Is the glass half full or half empty? 2009 is a new season with a new management group. We are letting bygones be bygones and focusing on getting ready for another great season of competitive on track racing.
To quote DW, "reach up and give those belts another tug" and "lets go racin' boys".
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sorry the first quote should belong to larry mac, the second to dw and that stupid BBB line he uses thank god for the mute button
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In contrast to my earlier dissertations I will be the optimist here. With the "money man" being involved, with his name, number and email posted, and the administration off Brads back, I would like to think that whatever capacity he is involved in he will have learned from his mistakes, listen to constructive criticism and we will be having a better time. We are pulling the trucks out of the mothballs, the young guys first, and hopefully mine before the season gets too old and try to go back to having fun. If we have fun, we keep coming, if we don't we do something else on Saturday night. Kinda simple thinking Awhat.
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and then its "Digger" this and that the rest of the race...gets very annoying after awhile.
i think the bend is a great track and disappointed there are no mini stock specials on sundays because my daughter loved to race there..but i can totally understand with what is going on...they are trying to get back to what i think the true intentions of the track were and that was fun for the kids and family and if i was living closer i would be all over that trying to help myself.
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hmmmm...maybe the track needs to advertise more and then you may get people in the stands other than family and friends. Grand Bend and surrounding areas are a gold mine in the summer months! I'm sure that you can drop off flyers and schedules at many places. Beer store,grocery stores,gas stations and not to mention all the camp grounds in the Bend. good way to get people out to the track !!!
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Now that there is a defined link to the motoplex I am hopeful that the Grand Bend community will become aware of the 1/4 mile tri-oval. The show "n" shines that started last year and continuing this year should add to our profile in the community.
It would be great to build a larger walk in audience.
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hmmmm...maybe the track needs to advertise more and then you may get people in the stands other than family and friends. Grand Bend and surrounding areas are a gold mine in the summer months! I'm sure that you can drop off flyers and schedules at many places. Beer store,grocery stores,gas stations and not to mention all the camp grounds in the Bend. good way to get people out to the track !!!
I'm not from that area but ssfan has the right idea...