Technically, that is before they put the push trucks to it, so it isn't quite that wet and muddy when the cars start, but I definitely agree with you.
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- Thread starter SoapyCy
- Start date
Technically, that is before they put the push trucks to it, so it isn't quite that wet and muddy when the cars start, but I definitely agree with you.
Just my opinion, but Newton is just a long ways from anywhere. It's too far from DSM for anyone but true racing fans to make the trip. The other thing is that the parking is a freaking disaster. Not enough on-ramps to I80 and it takes forever to get out of there. It's almost impossible to uber out of there if you've been drinking.
They could charge crazy $$$ for that race, at least the secondary market would be.
too far from des moines? 36 miles reallly? Newton and Ames are within 2 miles of each other for distance from Des Moines.
well you don't have to actually go into town if you are going to the race track
Yeah, too far. At least for the non-diehard fan. Let's say you live in DM. If you go to Hilton or JTS, you might have to wait to get out in the lots a while, but there are a bunch of different ways to get on 30 and then I35 is easy. In Newton, you not only have to get out of the lots (which are not set up as well), there's pretty much one way to get on I80 and it's backed up. And it's not like there's anything to do in town like go out to eat. You are sitting there. So if you compare the two, you are likely sitting at home 1 hour after the game in Ames vs still sitting in parking lot in Newton. Add to that racing just isn't as popular of a sport and you get people who may be interested in seeing a race decide it's just not worth the hassle. Just my opinion.
The classism against racing has always annoyed me.
(1.) Racing isn't cheap. It isn't cheap to attend compared to most other entertainment options, and goodness knows actually paying for a racing team requires some good modicum of capital.
(2.) Your average plumber makes much more money than your average English professor, but we all know which is the "prestige" or "upper-class" occupation. Just because Joe the plumber likes watching racing on the weekend or even going racing himself doesn't mean he is poor -- quite the opposite.
(3.) What the drivers do -- no matter the format, from dirt short tracks through F1 -- is incredible. To have that level of concentration, anticipation, and reaction time at those speeds and distances from each other with the forces being put on your body... for hours at a time. It's incredibly difficult.
(4.) Race teams are dealing with machines that are, frankly, space-age technology. So many innovations in safety, efficiency, and performance have started with race teams before finding their way to the ordinary production vehicles we all drive every day. Phil Jackson is a genius basketball coach, but knowing how to run the triangle offense effectively is pretty useless once you're away from the basketball court.
Knowing how to build, maintain, and repair high-performance cars, though... pretty useful.
Racing is built around practical skills and advanced technology. Can't say that about most sports.
1. If I told you how much I spend on my racing operation each year you all would think I am a idiot (hint: it's probably more than a lot of people on this board make working their job).
Then add in the time I put in to it. Usually work on the car 4-5 hours per day except Weds (that is my night off from it) to get it ready for the upcoming races. This Saturday I am going to a race in Deshler, NE about 5.5 hours away one way. So leave at 8 AM Saturday, race, leave track around 11ish (hopefully not later) and get home 4 - 5 am. Sleep for a bit. Start working on the car because I have a 3 day race swing beginning Thursday (Columbus Junction on Thursday, West Liberty on Friday and Maquoketa on Saturday) which makes for a short week to get everything ready.
4. True. The stuff we are doing to set up these cars has advanced 1000x just in the last 10 years. You better know how to build shocks and shock/spring combinations and you better have the equipment to do it in your trailer.
Southpark did a hilarious send up of NASCAR a while back.
I'm gonna drive and I'm gonna go fast and I'm gonna turn to the left sometimes. - Cartman
I'm gonna drive and I'm gonna go fast and I'm gonna turn to the left sometimes. - Cartman
Useful for what? Is there a local rec league one can join to race? Hit up the racing gym in the winter to play?
I'm being sarcastic obviously, but I think it gets the stigma from the fact you need a lot of space to race and for most "city folks" (suburban people) they don't have the space or access to space to mess around with cars. It's not an accessible sport.
The PGI Firework convention is going to be in Newton at the Iowa Speedway next year. I would highly recommend going to a show or multiple shows. Some of the best firework displays are put on every year at the conventions. This years just concluded in Fargo.
You can also get killer deals on consumer fireworks during the days.
You can also get killer deals on consumer fireworks during the days.
My nephews and many of his friends had race cars and they lived in Ankeny and fort dodge for that time. Know a couple very successful former races that lived in a town of 10,000 and did everything in town. Those big spaces for many or 2-3 car garages and pull equipment/tools from their trailers if needed.
Have you ever done one of their build your own fireworks classes? Do you need to be a member to participate in those?
It also doesnt stop all the people that come to nationals. Knoxville isn't that great of a town.
Do they usually bring in a good assortment of snakes and sparklers?
