State of the Buick Community: What to keep it from dying? Please check it out???

[Bent6]

As for BG. It's the best place in the country to hold a race. The stands, the layout, the town....it's pretty much perfect. People don't attend because of the GSCA. We all know most would rather someone else put it on but we all go anyway because it is "Bowling Green". I could see a competing event steal it's thunder.

BINGO - that's what I'm sayin' .......

 

[JayC]

People have tried to get dates at BG before and it hasnt happened. As long as the GS Nats are there, I dont think Dallas is going to give a date to a competing event and I cant say I blame him for that.

BG is a decent facility but what really makes that track stand out is its proximity to downtown. When the Park Inn was there, you could literally be at the track in less than 10 minutes. Even staying out on the highway, it didnt take longer than about 20. That's going to be a hard thing to find at other tracks because people complain so much, they get pushed out into the middle of nowhere.

 

[scot w.]

Not to mention the RV park is driving distance with a Golf Cart, Theme park for the wives & Children, Auto-X area held in the circle track (LSX fest does it) and Tons of room...

Here is what I think... With the dwindling attendance/car count/vendor attendance it only makes sence to combine events. it will make it Better for Everyone including the people putting on the events! The BPG should pair up with Norwalk and combine events & Another event should pair up with GS Nats and combine events OR what Will is trying to say, add another event to BG and see which one trumps the other....

I do think that no track or area is going to beat BG as far as what they and the town offer...


Has anyone called Dallas yet to even see if he is willing to do it Now?


Scot W.

 

[JayC]

Not to mention the RV park is driving distance with a Golf Cart, Theme park for the wives & Children, Auto-X area held in the circle track (LSX fest does it) and Tons of room...

Here is what I think... With the dwindling attendance/car count/vendor attendance it only makes sence to combine events. it will make it Better for Everyone including the people putting on the events! The BPG should pair up with Norwalk and combine events & Another event should pair up with GS Nats and combine events OR what Will is trying to say, add another event to BG and see which one trumps the other....

I do think that no track or area is going to beat BG as far as what they and the town offer...


Has anyone called Dallas yet to even see if he is willing to do it Now?


Scot W.

Sigh.. I know this is going to bring Jim Rodgers back into this thread but what the hell.. maybe I can get some more postcards to wipe my ass with.

Scot.. The GS Club and the Nats are Richard Lassiter's business. Its his job, its how he makes a living. He isnt going to be interested in combining events with anyone and given the shenanigans he's pulled when others have tried to compete with him (Hey Mike, Remember Bristol?!) I really dont see that happening. People have approached him about combining and been rebuked. Maybe since the car count is dwindling he might be more receptive to it but I really doubt it. He has done everything he could to keep a strangle hold on the Buick community but the Internet proved to be the great equalizer. Putting out a newsletter every 2 months cant compete with message boards and instant Buick gratification. He should have embraced the Internet sooner but thats a topic for another thread.

 

[Bent6]

I think anyone who's been around through the years can agree that BG is the best overall place as far as facilities, track, town, layout, location, etc. It's a park with everything you could ask for like Scot mentioned - this is the reason it's such a popular venue for car events.

I would think the logical thing to do first would be for someone to step out and contact Richard L. to see IF he/they would be willing to implement some of this stuff into the existing BG event which is already established. I think if it were presented to him as an effort to combine events and increase attendance at BG in an effort to preserve the overall community he might be more agreeable than some folks think. I know it's a long shot but I think that would be the place to start - you never know. It would have to be a COMPLETE OVERHAUL - opening it up to all Buick bodied and/or Buick powered cars, adding the activities we've discussed, revamping the race classes, and putting the race rules and payouts in the hands of the class sponsors and racers would be part of this revamp. Oh yeah, and fire that A-hole Bennett Jones that runs the event too! That would be the IDEAL scenario although I know it's not likely to happen.

I think people would come back IF they knew it was a completely new event. Like Dusty said, a lot of us go anyway because it's still THE event like it or not.

 

[Bent6]

Scot.. The GS Club and the Nats are Richard Lassiter's business. Its his job, its how he makes a living. He isnt going to be interested in combining events with anyone and given the shenanigans he's pulled when others have tried to compete with him (Hey Mike, Remember Bristol?!) I really dont see that happening. People have approached him about combining and been rebuked. Maybe since the car count is dwindling he might be more receptive to it but I really doubt it. He has done everything he could to keep a strangle hold on the Buick community but the Internet proved to be the great equalizer. Putting out a newsletter every 2 months cant compete with message boards and instant Buick gratification. He should have embraced the Internet sooner but thats a topic for another thread.

I agree 100%.

 

[JayC]

I think anyone who's been around through the years can agree that BG is the best overall place as far as facilities, track, town, layout, location, etc. It's a park with everything you could ask for like Scot mentioned - this is the reason it's such a popular venue for car events.

I would think the logical thing to do first would be for someone to step out and contact Richard L. to see IF he/they would be willing to implement some of this stuff into the existing BG event which is already established. I think if it were presented to him as an effort to combine events and increase attendance at BG in an effort to preserve the overall community he might be more agreeable than some folks think. I know it's a long shot but I think that would be the place to start - you never know. It would have to be a COMPLETE OVERHAUL - opening it up to all Buick bodied and/or Buick powered cars, adding the activities we've discussed, revamping the race classes, and putting the race rules and payouts in the hands of the class sponsors and racers would be part of this revamp. Oh yeah, and fire that A-hole Bennett Jones that runs the event too! That would be the IDEAL scenario although I know it's not likely to happen.

I think people would come back IF they knew it was a completely new event. Like Dusty said, a lot of us go anyway because it's still THE event like it or not.

And thats why this wont happen.

Bennett is Richard's face man at the events. He's there so Richard doesnt have to deal with it. He's never going to get rid of him. It probably helps I guess they have known each other for years and years.. Im pretty sure Bennett is a Valdosta boy too but I could be wrong about that. Maybe he work at the GSCA "compound" too.

Same goes with the rules. They have always played fast and loose with the rules to make sure who they want to win wins. They have disqualified people for not having cages, strips of metal in their wheel wheels.. you name it. But if its someone in the in crowd violating rules, its always overlooked. Didnt know they made driving suits with polyester pants but they must because Ive seen Richard's boy who will remain nameless driving a car in classes many years wearing pants out of the 70s running 9s.

Whatever.. its why I quit going to this race. That and you have to practically sell a kidney to get through the gate to spectate. Its a business.. everyone needs to realize that and stop thinking dude is doing it out of the goodness of his heart. SHANE is doing it out of the goodness of his heart. Thats where the support should be going.

 

[TurboDave]

Guys, Jay's points are all on point here. As much as it might be ideal to combine some events with the GS nats. or try to get an event into Bowling Green, it just aint going to happen. Period. Not as long as Lassiter and his kronies have a strangle hold on it. He absolutely will not relinquish one ounce of power, never happen. I'm not so sure I even want to go back there anylonger. At 20$ per head per day just to spectate??? Come on.

And for you guys that actually race there. Can you really justify what he charges you to get in, and race, etc.???

I'm with Jay on this one, I think we're on our own as long as Lassiter is around.

 

[S2V6RACER]

Don't support the G S C A period. In a couple years when they give up because they don't make money (like Reynolds) then Shane can step up and replace the G S C A with a better run event. Jay has been around a long time and he knows the BS they have slung for years. We quit going there years ago when they took the gate keys away and aside from seeing good friends there, there are better places to go, but I an not sure if you will see a guy running around with a pink hat and a fanny pack for a good laugh.

 

[Sydwyndr]

Has anyone called Dallas yet to even see if he is willing to do it Now?

Scot W.

..... Maybe....

I think people would come back IF they knew it was a completely new event.

..... possibly

Here is what I think... With the dwindling attendance/car count/vendor attendance it only makes sence to combine events.

.... Might not have to do that...

I could see a competing event steal it's thunder.

I wouldn't say "competing" Completely new ..... maybe....

As much as it might be ideal to combine some events with the GS nats. or try to get an event into Bowling Green, it just aint going to happen. Period.

Ye of so little faith.....

 

[Rayk]

Me Too!! I'm happy with my 12 sec street combo and would love to compete with others like mine. I'd like to see a 13.99 breakout class for bone stockers and a 12.99 class for lightly upgraded cars.

Speaking as someone who attended the GSCA nationals for about 23 years in a row and have missed the last two years, I just decided that my 185,000 mile WE4 that I had raced every year is now a bit old to be flogging at the track 450+ miles from home. We have a very active local GN/TType club here in Central Florida and the local shows and drag strip are enough to satisfy my Buick cravings these days. I do miss Bowling Green, though. Maybe I'll attend the Nats this year.

 

[Sydwyndr]

I'd like to see a 13.99 breakout class for bone stockers and a 12.99 class for lightly upgraded cars.

Ill keep that in mind

 

[TurboTGuy]

So what I'm reading here is, the more people want events and things to change, the more it seems they will remain the same, yes?

 

[Dusty Bradford]

Same goes with the rules. They have always played fast and loose with the rules to make sure who they want to win wins. They have disqualified people for not having cages, strips of metal in their wheel wheels.. you name it. But if its someone in the in crowd violating rules, its always overlooked.

Whatever.. its why I quit going to this race. That and you have to practically sell a kidney to get through the gate to spectate. Its a business.. everyone needs to realize that and stop thinking dude is doing it out of the goodness of his heart.

I've been on the recieving end of everything mentioned here back when I raced TSS. As a matter of fact it only motivated me to beat them at their own game and I have the trophies to show for it The last time I raced in a class I remember thinking I was robbed at the gate by the time all the "fees" were paid just to be able to race. My last experience there as a racer wasn't bad at all. Ron Joseph was a big help getting my V8 car into the event and making exibition passes but the treatment from the diehards was not expected. Maybe they didn't like a car that looked like it ran 11.50's going 8.30's and driving to dinner. It's this close minded thinking that has kept the event from progressing.

 

[JayC]

So what I'm reading here is, the more people want events and things to change, the more it seems they will remain the same, yes?

I dunno.. Ive heard some rumblings.. maybe things will change.

Race classes and all that isnt going to make one bit of difference. Less events and better events for the ones that do get put on is the key.

Ive tried to be involved in classes before. Ive written rules for classes.. I was actually asked by the GSCA to write rules for a class years ago and even tho I have/had no use for them, I said I would do it. I wrote up some nice rules for a competitive class and they decided to let Red write rules based around his wife's car instead. Guess who won that year?

 

[JayC]

I've been on the recieving end of everything mentioned here back when I raced TSS. As a matter of fact it only motivated me to beat them at their own game and I have the trophies to show for it The last time I raced in a class I remember thinking I was robbed at the gate by the time all the "fees" were paid just to be able to race. My last experience there as a racer wasn't bad at all. Ron Joseph was a big help getting my V8 car into the event and making exibition passes but the treatment from the diehards was not expected. Maybe they didn't like a car that looked like it ran 11.50's going 8.30's and driving to dinner. It's this close minded thinking that has kept the event from progressing.

Well, Im glad if nothing else some people agree with me. I know I come off like an ******* and thats fine. Ive been involved with these cars for more than half my life. Ive earned the right. I care about the community tho and will do what I can, I just have little tolerance for ignorance and people who just dont "get it." Its why I let Shane deal with the people and I just do the tech stuff. Anybody that knows me off the board knows that Im not much different in real life. Ill give you the shirt off my back but if I'll tell you what I think about it the whole time. LOL

It would be nice to do a mega event. It can be done.. there's enough cars left to do it, especially if it was promoted right. GSCA wasnt Internet savvy so they lost a lot of car count like that. Twitter page, Facebook page.. you could do a lot to promote an event online.

 

[Mike E]

If Beech Bend won't support a seperate buick event the next logical central location is Memphis. I drove by it yesterday on my way home and it's looking good again. It's a top notch facility with no major events planned yet. I'm sure they would love to sign a big event for cheap. The only real downside vs. Bowling green are hotels. There are only a couple hotels close by in Millington and the next closest hotels are in a questionable part of Memphis. It's closer for the guys out west, but a few hours further for the northern members.

 

[TurboDave]

Ye of so little faith.....

It's not so much that, I just have a good "read" on Lassiter. I guess I'm too biased, I hate the man with a passion.

 

[Ms. FastNasty]

Lucas Oil Raceway in Indy is a super nice track, and not far from local cruise in spots.

 

[JayC]

The end of the equation you guys are forgetting is renting the track. Every single event I know that has tried to have a mega event at a nice track has ended up losing their shirt because of track rental fees. The nice tracks charge a LOT. The first TB Nats, when I actually had some input, we looked at ZMax and they wanted something crazy like 40 thousand a day or something. I dont remember exactly what it was but it was so far outside the realm of reality for us it wasnt feasible. If you cant break even on 200 cars at $25 a head or so to race, you dont have any business renting that track.

When your car count goes way up, people dont get to make passes and get pissed. That was a problem in BG too in its heydey.

Nice tracks cost a lot.