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Canadian Oval / Road Racing => Canadian Racing Forums => Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup => Topic started by: CanadianRacingOnline on December 17, 2007, 06:18:39 PM
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FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY SIGNS WITH OSS
Ancaster Ontario, Canada
Dec. 17, 2007
It may only be December, but Racing is very much on the minds of Racer's and Race Tracks, and regardless of the weather outside, it's a sunny day in the OSS office.
What has made it so sunny is the daylight that has been shed on the 2008 OSS Schedule, and over the next 2 weeks the OSS will be releasing more information on what is to be expected in 08.
New to the OSS is the signing of the famed Flamboro Speedway, one of Ontario's best 1/3 mile ovals which is surrounded by history and names. Many race car drivers have run at Flamboro Speedway and found it to be very challenging, but a great race track with a perfect racing surface that has always been well kept and the entire facility is well maintained and fan friendly. It has been a long time since cars like the OSS have taken to the Speedway, even when the series was under the title of the Cascar Sportsman Series, but in 2008 that is all going to change.
Track Owner, John Casale has signed a deal with the OSS to run a Twin 50 Special, which will be added to the OSS schedule and the date has been secured, but will not be released until the OSS finishes up on business maters that relate to other tracks and available dates.
Casale has been very successful over the years by booking great shows and providing a Saturday Night format that is always a guarantee of full fields and plenty of racing action. For John to sign the OSS for a special event is a great stepping stone for both the series and the track, and hopefully will remain on the OSS schedule for years to come.
Flamboro Speedway is located just minutes from Hamilton Ontario, and for the fans that take in the great racing every Saturday night there will hopefully be impressed by the OSS, and its Teams.
Although Flamboro likes to keep the starting line up to a number of around 26, the OSS could be a first to start more then that as over 30 teams are very eager to run on the 1/3 mile oval, so Race Fans can expect to get their moneys worth when the OSS takes to the Track.
The OSS wants to thank John Casale for being the first to sign a deal for 2008 and plans are well on their way to make this one event that everyone will remember. For Ticket information you will find the information available on the Flamboro Speedway web site, www.flamborospeedway.itgo.com as well at www.ontariosportsmanseries.com
once the dates have been made public.
For all of the Fans of the OSS... we look forward to seeing you at Flamboro Speedway in 2008.
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Ok not to start what happened with the last post but just thought a few corrections are in order,
You will be visiting Flamboro August 23rd
Flamboro isn't the first to sign for 2008, as Peterborough, Mosport, Kawartha, and Sauble already have dates.
Sorry don't mean to be a jerk and rain on your parade, I just thought I would do you some good and help yahs out.
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I find it interesting that Casale never went for the Sportsman tour, or many other travelling series outside of the regional 'big 3' from around here (OSCAAR/CVM/Can-Ams), but now he's changed his mind on the OSS cars...
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Dohetry, Thanks for the input and it's great that you are following along so close. We need more people like you giving comments that hold merit.
Just for the record though, Flamboro was the first to sign and John deserves a big pat on the back for stepping out of his normal way's of doing business. I look at Casale as being one of the most successful Track Promoters in this country and regardless of announcements, I can tell you it was John who was the first to sign a deal and date.
The other tracks you mentioned will be announced in the order they signed with us, as that is the fare thing to do.
We have many yes deals...but signed contracts are my way of judging who gets the press time first, and that is only fare to everyone.
Again, thanks for your positive input... it is nice to have backers for once that have an idea on what goes on in the racing world, and more importantly, allows other creditable readers the opportunity to read formats that have constructive sense instead of idiot remarks. Thanks
Mobil1fan.... John looks at what he thinks will be good for his audience, and what will pay the bills. Yes he is stepping outside his norm, but he is successful by taking those chances when it makes sense for all. I will say he was not the easiest sell, but I truly enjoyed his input and business smarts. He has made it this long because he doesn't like to take risk's, and that is a lesson that everyone should follow. For years I have heard people talk about John as the guy who takes all the money at the back gate and gives nothing back which is totally wrong.
In the same amount of time I have seen several race tracks close, be sold, be bought, and be torn down.
How many race tracks can say they have had the success of Flamboro Speedway with its long existence and continuations of full fields years after years.
I know Flamboro Speedway better then most because my Uncle built the place, but no one has ever made it last and grow better then John Casale. A big tip of the hat to Casale !!!
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you realize posting on a forum isnt press time, right?
you do know what a press release is, right?
"A news release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, it is mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors at newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations, and/or television networks"
^^ that is not what you are doing on this website
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Then should we also discuss that most press releases contain actual facts?. Not overblown predictions and lies.
Predictions like 30 cars starting an OSS feature or out and out lies like the OSS saying they're coming back to Sunset when the two sides hadn't even spoke since the OSS' last "show" at Sunset in August.
i could go on but dont want to be banned for not loving the official series of this website....
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Seeing as this thread was started by the moderator and midamerica replied to a post ,injecting his OPINION ,your criticism is misplaced Spencerlewis. Man, no wonder lawyers are so ill thought of... ;)
i was under the impression that didero was in some way connected to all OSS press releases. And even if this specific press release, the one claiming the OSS was returning to sunset certainly was.
I'm simply offering up a healthy discussion, if the OSS didnt want criticism, they shouldn't utilize a forum to distribute their news. If they post their press releases on their website, people wouldn't be able to respond and flaws would not be pointed out.
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Spencer- There are no lies here - we are looking at 30 cars to run as we have more then that signed.
As for Sunset- Your right there has been no contact with Sunset because we have taken Sunset off of our schedule as most teams did not want to go there last year and we went anyways, only to have a bad showing of cars.
Could Sunset be put back on the schedule is another question but at this time we are pretty much full on race dates and tracks. Several of you made the comment that the Sunset race was a bad deal- We listened and agreed to everyone's input. There is nothing wrong with Sunset, it just does not fit our format this year.
Sorry but I sent this before I could read your next message... so I will attach this.
Yes, your right I do most of the press work, and we do it on CRO so fans and racers can follow up on what is going on in the OSS.
We do not want to be a series that is hands off to fans like so many others.
When was the last time you read something from NASCAR CTS, OSSCAR, LLM and so on...
If that is what you want we can stop feeding you the information, but unfortunately we have several fans that like the fact that we keep them up to speed on the business of the OSS.
You do realize that you don't have to read our stuff, or comment on whats right or wrong in your eye's.
CRO and the OSS have bent over backwards to give race fans something to read that holds merit instead of reading about some guy who thinks he is better then some other guy in a four cylinder mini stock...
I can except any type of criticism as long as it is solid and is coming from an educated fan or other racers, so for those that want to bash what we are trying to do- go ahead, and for those that only want to argue every thing I write just be careful what you say because I believe in the OSS and feel it's the series of the futire here in Canada which will offer allot more to Racers that want to race in a travelling series that don't have the big bucks, but can still benefit by being a part of something that offers great competition and a variety of race tracks to educate both Teams and Drivers.
I hope this answers your questions and concerns.
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thats right dave, your not coming back is solely the OSS' doing, it has nothing to do with the fact that not one person made any attempt to bring you back or showed any interest in another OSS show whatsoever. ;)
But, if you are the ones taking us off your schedule, why put out a "press release" (note the quotations) two weeks ago, advertising your return?
and claiming how many cars you're crossing your fingers will attend the Flamboro race is poor form, as you promised a drivers list on the 14th which resulted in a whole lot of 'nothing.
I'm sure I'll come out looking like the bad guy here, but someone has to let you know what you're doing wrong.
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SpenceLewis get your facts straight OSS is not the official site of OSS. We have partnered up as a websponsor. Other series get just as much coverage. I will pm to talk to you as this is not the place for it.
Then should we also discuss that most press releases contain actual facts?. Not overblown predictions and lies.
Predictions like 30 cars starting an OSS feature or out and out lies like the OSS saying they're coming back to Sunset when the two sides hadn't even spoke since the OSS' last "show" at Sunset in August.
i could go on but dont want to be banned for not loving the official series of this website....
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SpenceLewis get your facts straight OSS is not the official site of OSS. We have partnered up as a websponsor. Other series get just as much coverage. I will pm to talk to you as this is not the place for it.
Then should we also discuss that most press releases contain actual facts?. Not overblown predictions and lies.
Predictions like 30 cars starting an OSS feature or out and out lies like the OSS saying they're coming back to Sunset when the two sides hadn't even spoke since the OSS' last "show" at Sunset in August.
i could go on but dont want to be banned for not loving the official series of this website....
ive seen others banned for "bashing" the OSS. When really all they were doing was discussing the flaws of it, like I'm doing right now.
I apologize that I missed the press release on what we were calling the OSS and CRO relationship.
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I am not detracting from OSS as any series is good for racing and i am certainly not a huge supporter of Sunset , but wasnt Sunset and its owner the first ones to help get this series up and running? and no attempt to go back is a slap in the face in my opinion.
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People got banned for using foul language, Bashing another member or ignoring rules we have put in place or having multiple accounts.
ive seen others banned for "bashing" the OSS. When really all they were doing was discussing the flaws of it, like I'm doing right now.
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I am not detracting from OSS as any series is good for racing and i am certainly not a huge supporter of Sunset , but wasnt Sunset and its owner the first ones to help get this series up and running? and no attempt to go back is a slap in the face in my opinion.
i suppose one could argue that we "served our purpose"
bite the hand that feeds and see how fast you go hungry....
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Yaya... We did not throw Sunset off of our Schedule, we contacted them just like we did every other track and they did not respond in time for them to be a consideration. Business wise the Sunset Race last year was not good for the OSS or Sunset Speedway, and like all business adventures, what doest sell in a market place just doe s not sell.
Again as I said earlier, there is nothing wrong with Sunset, it comes down to car count, tracks support of the series and the fact they took to long to reply.
There was no harm done here, just an agreement of terms and conditions that we must follow as a series in order to race at venues that make better business sense.
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30 of those OSS cars at Flamboro will be quite the show. What else will be running that night does anyone know that yet. It could prove to be a long night for all classes involved. Flammy is famous for some caution filled nights.... I would expect this to be one as well. I hope I can make it out that night should be interesting.
One quick queston for Mid. Have you guys purchased some type of scoring device yet? The time trial system last year left a bit to be desired IMO.
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I did not say we would start 30 cars, but we will have to come up with some type of format that will allow everyone a chance to run, beyond qualifying times. We do not want to send a car home because he could not make the show, so I am in favor of coming up with a new format, even if comes down to running a 15 lap qualifying race for a spot in the show.
As far as timing and scoring goes, I did meet with some suppliers at PRI and we are looking to purchase a system for 08.
It's kind of funny though...years ago people could use stop watches and scorer's, but we have come so far in time that modern technology has even taken over the Saturday night short tracks.
And people wonder why the ticket prices have gone up !!!
Soon Fans are going to want Lobster instead of Hotdogs, Racers are going to want Air Conditioning, and Tracks are going to pay the price for the upgrades as demanded.
"For every dollar spent it means a dollar more to be earned"..... Quote from every Race Track in the World !!
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I thought your press release said something about the starting field, but whatever. Too much nitpicking with regards to the OSS lately. I for one support what you are doing and think its great to utilize all of those cars that r out there.
You right about the lobster analogy though. The pit side washrooms at Oshweken are airconditioned and could rival some big hotel facilities. I have seen cappichino be served at a dirt track in Washington. However the scoring system is important in these times when the technology is available. Good to here you have plans to improve that.
Again best of luck
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hey racer 43 - just fyi that a transponder system that Tony used to use cost him around 75,000 which covered the software, car transponders, and all the loops that had to be imbedded into the race tracks to make it all work.......they work great - but expensive little buggers.
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Yes I know the transponders are up there in price. An electric eye or whatever there called is what I was referring to. The race tracks usually score the event dont they. I've been apart of some scoring nightmares just this past year due to human error. Stuff happens right.
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I would say that the transponder systems are critical, but to purchase them will only drive our race costs up to the tracks and I think our focus should be filling seats in order to ask more money from tracks for our program.
Tracks are not making money right now, and as a series we need to try and help them out for a while with costs.
We could get NASA to launch a satellite from space to do scoring but by the time we finished charging tracks for our series, the only ones that would be watching us would be those on the planet Mars !!
We need to focus on our race program for the fans at this stage, and that is prioritty #1 right now.
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While I was at PRI, I did check into the transponder socring system and the price tag to the speedway to buy the complete system, installed, is under $20,000 including 45 transponders. That includes a laptop with the software and the training to run it properly. It's a pretty hefty price tag for any local speedway, and you know the drivers will end-up paying for it.
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I believe barrie charged there drivers $200 for transponders.
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Just a couple of things I noticed while reading this thread:
Spencer has some good points regarding press releases and I don't necessarily agree with Dave's suggestion of "holding off" until the date is confirmed - getting the information distributed as soon as you have confirmation from the track, this is free advertising!
Dave - you really should check your spelling and grammar before posting - especially as a representative for the series. It doesn't matter that it's only on a message board - it still has a reflection on the organization.
As far as the transponders and qualifying - it's very simple really - as you indicated earlier, it is going to boil down to the show and what the fans want to see. They don't want to sit through 15 plus minutes of single car qualifying, they want to see qualifying heats or the 50 lap feature (they really don't care how the cars are lined up if this is the case) and to consider spending the kind of dollars (quoted) on transponders is completely out of the question.
Finally, be careful with John Casale - you are correct in what you said about him being around longer than most other promoters and yes, they usually have decent car counts as a rule. I don't know if you have negotiated the contract based on a certain number of cars to make a "full field" (and it's none of my business either), but be warned - as soon as you are 1 car shy of the negotiated number, be prepared for some serious negotiations with him again before the end of the night.
Hopefully nobody takes anything out of context here - just some observations.
Cheers,
Randy
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Two years ago, GBS started running the Fall Classic, which involved qualifying. We had some sort of electronic eye set up, and it required some tinkering as different divisions ran. In fact, several of the Junior Late Models had to run twice, because they were not picked up the first time. This year, the timer guy backed out due to an emergency of some sort (or a wedding, I can't remember which), and so everyone was told there would be no qualifying. We all got together, and decided to qualify with three people in the scoring tower with stopwatches. Whatever the middle time was, that was your qualifying time. As far as the trucks went, the qualifying rundown seemed to be fairly accurate, as the fast guys in qualifying raced pretty close to where they qualified. To summarize, if you have a few people who are willing to give a little time (maybe some eager fans), you can qualify without a system that costs thousands of dollars.
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I believe barrie charged there drivers $200 for transponders.
Actually they were 175 american so by sept it was about 150 canadian
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Randy you said it right that transponders even thou they would be a great working tool for this series or any series you need the money to buy it and what about the tracks involved in this series this year how many are actually equiped to use them.From what I know I think Delaware is the only one set up to use this type of system and then it is still not perfect as problems will arise with any system.I say go with what you have or go with heat races,As Randy said most fans do not really care what the starting line up is as long as it is a well run race both by drivers and officals.
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Regardless of the scoring tools used it does come down to dollars and cents.
You can pay $25,000 for a low end transponder unit...or you can spend $50.00 for a top shelf stop watch.
I am leaning towards the stop watch !!
Randy, thanks for the concerns but I have no problem with dealing with John Casale. We have known each other for over 30 years and I trust the man to his word. As for the short car count, the OSS has a format based on 24 cars and a discount for less, as well as a surcharge for more. It is the only fare thing to do with Race Tracks and Promoters as they have allot on their plates without taking risks on booking racing series that do not deliver. I would bet if you heard John had short paid a series it was more then likely the series fault and not his doing.
Everyone should remember, Race Tracks are a very tough business to operate and the profits are not huge, more so in Canada when you only have 6 months to make your money. Folks like Casale last because they are smart and have racing savvy that keeps them in business so racers can go there to race for another year...after year...after year.
Thanks for the input, and I am glad we have people like you out there supporting the OSS
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Dave I hope it doesn't rain on your Flammy race or your rain check will be good for next year's turtle races in the infield.I've seen John screw teams series and the FANS all more than once.I don't care if he's your brother ya got to be carefull.Just remember it was flam track champ that told you to be carefull in a previous post.As a crew member I'd rather have time trials because no fixxing beat up cars after heats,but 90% of fans want to see heats.If you have the car counts you say you will have no problem with the OSS if you don't I would say it's over.Good luck we'll see what the year brings for the OSS and Ontario racing!
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Regardless of the scoring tools used it does come down to dollars and cents.
You can pay $25,000 for a low end transponder unit...or you can spend $50.00 for a top shelf stop watch.
I am leaning towards the stop watch !!
You're not implying that you are going to allow someone to run a stopwatch and whatever they come up with will be the lineup - please tell me I'm missing something here? Even with 2 or 3 people running stopwatches - Sorry Dave, but that sounds very unprofessional a.k.a. Mickey Mouse.
A simple draw for position would be the easiest way in my view.
Don't you run 50 lap features? That's plenty of time to gain positions at any track if you have a good car and can stay out of trouble - the only drawback is if one of your fast cars draws the pole and has slower cars around them, but there's usually cautions to close the gap and the rest of the fast cars should be working their way to the front when they fall.
As for my comments regarding John, I said you had better be prepared to negotiate if things don't go exactly as planned. It doesn't matter how long you have known him and most of us have been going to his track for decades - it's the way he is and you had better be ready to deal with it. John has treated us very well over the last couple of years and I think he is getting a bit easier to deal with as time passes, but I still have my 2 day pass from the 2006 Oktoberfest Classic - just to remind myself every once in a while.
Yeah, promoters do have a pretty tough job but think about it from a racer's point of view (which John never seems to be able to understand):
Spend countless hours and dollars building a racecar, talk your friends and family into helping you and come to the track with you, pay an average of $25.00/person to go out and see if you beat the 19 other teams that also paid the same per person - and you end up getting a flat tire ($145), but were able to stay on the lead lap and get back out to run the last 5 laps of the feature ($55.00 worth of fuel) and finish 10th which pays $190.00 - your right, the promoters have it really tough.
You still need to check your spelling before posting Dave - it would be the "fair" thing to do for the OSS - damn I'm anal aren't I!
Happy Holidays Folks
Randy
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no more negativity
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you're not being anal, you're being completely reasonable
what kind of press release has horrible grammar and spelling
Step 1: Open MS Word
Step 2: TELL THE INTERNET!
(avoid Step 3, which would be proof reading and consulting a dictionary)
Finally, Step 4: Claim it's a press release, then issue 32 more just like it
VOILA, the easy to follow, OSS how-to guide to making annoying and mundane press releases
Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...
I believe you are an employee at Sunset Speedway?
Call it "guilty by association", or whatever you will, but may I suggest that each time you come on here and post disparaging remarks such as this, it not only reflects poorly on you, but also on Sunset Speedway.
You've made your point: you don't agree with midamerica's style of press release. Can we please give it a rest now?
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Message Edited by CRO.
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hey VOICE use your inside voice for awhile pls,the horse is dead Elvis has left the building your point has been noted again and again and again.
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Fourbarrelcarb what are you talkin about the OSS announcer for?
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you're not being anal, you're being completely reasonable
what kind of press release has horrible grammar and spelling
Step 1: Open MS Word
Step 2: TELL THE INTERNET!
(avoid Step 3, which would be proof reading and consulting a dictionary)
Finally, Step 4: Claim it's a press release, then issue 32 more just like it
VOILA, the easy to follow, OSS how-to guide to making annoying and mundane press releases
Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...
I believe you are an employee at Sunset Speedway?
Call it "guilty by association", or whatever you will, but may I suggest that each time you come on here and post disparaging remarks such as this, it not only reflects poorly on you, but also on Sunset Speedway.
You've made your point: you don't agree with midamerica's style of press release. Can we please give it a rest now?
i forgot that when i took that job i forfeited my right to state an opinion
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positive thoughts :)
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.......you know i figured as someone who is that involved with motorsports as an announcer that it would not only be in his or her best interests to support all of motorsports it would be a fundamental principal as well.........i guess not.
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Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...
I believe you are an employee at Sunset Speedway?
Call it "guilty by association", or whatever you will, but may I suggest that each time you come on here and post disparaging remarks such as this, it not only reflects poorly on you, but also on Sunset Speedway.
You've made your point: you don't agree with midamerica's style of press release. Can we please give it a rest now?
i forgot that when i took that job i forfeited my right to state an opinion
You have not forfeited the right to state an opinion, but when one proclaims themself "The Voice of Sunset Speedway", they might be well advised to choose their words very carefully...
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So if he put a student of Humber University should that reflect upon his school of choice as well?
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So if he put a student of Humber University should that reflect upon his school of choice as well?
Not really the same thing. If he were a professor there, and made controversial statements related to something in the academic world, then yes.
If he said he was a patron of Sunset Speedway, that would be different. But right or wrong, when one is an employee, they are perceived to be a representative of that company. And if they call themself "The Voice", then doesn't it seem reasonable to believe that they are presenting the views or opinions of that company?
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So Spencer giving his opinion an OSS press release should be considered the tracks view on things.
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So Spencer giving his opinion an OSS press release should be considered the tracks view on things.
I am merely suggesting that it could very easily be perceived that way.
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So anything negative said by MidAmerica should then be considered official word of the OSS.
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So anything negative said by MidAmerica should then be considered official word of the OSS.
A matter of semantics here, perhaps; I said "could", not "should". In any event, I suppose that if MidAmerica is a paid employee, then yes, his views may be perceived to be those of the OSS.
I did not respond here initially to attack Spencer - merely to suggest that he perhaps be more tactful and thoughtful in composing his responses.
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Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...
I believe you are an employee at Sunset Speedway?
Call it "guilty by association", or whatever you will, but may I suggest that each time you come on here and post disparaging remarks such as this, it not only reflects poorly on you, but also on Sunset Speedway.
You've made your point: you don't agree with midamerica's style of press release. Can we please give it a rest now?
i forgot that when i took that job i forfeited my right to state an opinion
You have not forfeited the right to state an opinion, but when one proclaims themself "The Voice of Sunset Speedway", they might be well advised to choose their words very carefully...
i completely see your poiint
im ending all this negativity and bickering on my part
what started out as me arguing with Dave over his threatening of fisticuffs to those who criticize him and false claims of the OSS returning to sunset has no lead me to argue over pettyness, thats not getting anyone anywhere.
Im reverting back to two weeks ago and forgetting all of this
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Their is a fine line and I used to have to put a disclaimer at the bottom of posted to let them know that my comments are not the views of the company I worked for.
Funny this was way back in 91.
Topic locked as all the Grinches are out just be for Xmas. Haha
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Might be a good time to review the Code of Conduct. Apparently "Keep it respectful" is a much harder concept to grasp than I had initially thought. >:(
Here...just in case anyone happens to feel the need to...you know...actually follow it. (http://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=6876.0)