Forum Activity for @bobby-williamson

Madhouse

General

I'd love to Ronda, we'll have to plan a trip to BGS this coming season. I really feel that there's much more to the story than was portrayed on "Mad House". I'm sure there's an intense rivalry, and that's understandable, but IMO, Hollywood has yet to capture the soul of stock car racing. "Mad House" was only the latest in a long string of missed opportunities for the sport and the media. Ronda McKnight said:

Bobby I am personally inviting you to come to Winston-Salem and go with Allen and me to see a race at BG. Yes there are plenty of "rednecks' and plenty of rough driving and rough drivers, but I think you will be amazed at the loality the fans have for this track. You know the history of Bobby Myers and I think you will get a better understanding of where he and other ledgends came from. I go to work and have people come up to me and ask about the races I run and when are we coming to BG. It is a way of life for many people in this area. Not everything is the way you seen it on TV. I ran there for a season a few years ago, and trust me I never acted the way you seen on TV and for the most part neither did the other drivers, of course you always have a few bad apples. The nights I am not racing I will more than likley be at the "Stadium" watching Burt and Jason. Randy is right, everyone get out and support you local "madhouse" even though it may not be as mad as BG.

Madhouse

General

If I'm a 'purist', then I've been one since 1962. My dad raced 1960's era dirt tracks too.......we never made it to as grand a stage as BGS and NASCAR and the annals of history and homage, but we've been surrounded, more than once, in the back of a pick-up truck......and held at bay, by an angry mob, resulting from some alledged 'racing deal'. And I hated it. I hated it all the other red-neck animalistic behavior that I've ever seen demonstrated at race tracks over the past 47 seasons.I was so close to Sam Sommers in his VICTORY LANE ceremony in 1971 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, I saw the 'flash' of chrome and feld the 'wizz' from the pull-handle unleashed by the crazed 'wild-indian' Roy Tyner (who was appropriately banned from NASCAR) as he attacked a defenseless and celebrating race winner. Total barbarian behavior, if that sells tickets, then why bother with the cars? Save time....... just cuss and fight.I've always held BGS in the highest of regards, although I've never attended a stadium event, I did go once in 1975, but rain forced its cancellation. Until this past Sunday, and 'Madhouse' I assumed BGS was all about racing and racers and race car developement, and technology, and history. I always regarded BGS as THE short track weekly STANDARD for all of U.S. Satruday night racing. Now, honestly, I'm not sure what I think.....other than I was really mislead. If 'madhouse' was "how it REALLY is at the 'stadium'" then why such sophisticated race cars? Why not just race u-cars and bash and crash and fight??I love Saturday night racing, and go to witness RACING and RACE CARS and DRIVERS. I absolutely HATE fighting at race tracks, and the list of weekly tracks that out-of-control rowdiness has CLOSED is long. If 'madhouse' is accruate, I'll keep my record intact of never attending a BGS event.

Madhouse

General

It was definitely Hollywood-on-steroids. I could relate to the Chris Flemming character, though.

The Future (2010) of Vintage Racing at the Rock

Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing

That's certainly unique Jeff,and does have potential. There needs to be multiple cars on the track, it should have a racing appearance, instead of looking like qualifying. At least 4 cars, maybe more. As another twist, the same group could 'race' a second time with the original starting line-up inverted, cancelling any advantage from starting orders, and the 'winner' would have the best average time over multiple sessions. Jeff Gilder said:

Yea Jim, I was thinking about your club when I mentioned to Andy that there needs to be an exhibition option...and a racing option. He came up with what I think is a grand idea. It's kind of like bracket racing that the drag cars do. Send out 4 cars at a time with transponders on them...the car that runs the closest to their set time wins...no mater how fast they run. Adds a new wrinkle to just exhibition...and gives a competitive opportunity without the risks of racing...tearing up cars...and getting someone in the stands..or on the track hurt.

Jim Wilmore said:

Jeff, I'm going to give it some thought before replying with too much but I will say that the CapeFear-CARS is a dirt track racing club. Not to say that any one of the members won't switch over to asphalt tires but it's unlikely the majority will to run races. However, we are always up for some exhibition laps and display.
Since our club neither races for money or trophies I will not form an opinion on this.
My advice is too contact every club to get your answers since many members may not be using the internet.

The Future (2010) of Vintage Racing at the Rock

Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing

I know this sounds crazy, but money may not be the best idea as a vintage prize. If one wants to race for money, there's a lot of opportunities already out there.

AINT SHE PURTY!!!

Local and Regional Short Track Racing

Yup, she'a a beaut! Rumors indicate a new dirt track will be under construction soon in Chocran, GA. Dirt's for racin'!

"Merry Christmas From the Fam-i-leeee"

General

Jay, ya'll do a pretty good rendition of "Hot Rod Lincoln"..........gonna do that one? Or, maybe "Danville Man"?

"Merry Christmas From the Fam-i-leeee"

General

For all of y'all un-familliar with Robert Ear Keen's classic holiday ballad...........here it is.......performed at Texas Motor Speedway, no less. Feliz-navi-dad, y'all

updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

MORE THAN THE SOUTH

General

Bill, you're right! Y'all are just like us............case in point:I have a friend, "Denny", who moved to North Carolina from Parkersburg, WVa. According to Denny, Parkersburg is separated from Ohio by the Ohio river, so, its residents really have roots/access to the two states........and placing this story close to your neck of the woods.Denny had a buckeyed friend, back in the day, that raced stock cars at the "Hill-Top Speedway" somewhere on the Ohio side. As race day arrives, Denny drives over to meet his stock car racing friend, and to begin the big racing adventure. Denny can't help but notice his new friend seems transfixed on Denny's street, car.......now parked in his yard. After staring long and deliberate, the racer suggestiviely declares ..........."you got a purty good looking tar (tire) right there............". Nope, didn't happen..........but could have been a Carolina story just as well!

of 'coon dogs and race cars

General

The thing is, auto racing's "business plan" is flawed, revolving around somebody else's money. Sure, one can realize a profit if expenses are off-set by another financial entity (sponsor). This paradigm has been around so long, it took the great recession to reveal its inherent short-comings. Why wasn't financial realism woven into the very framework of the sport? Or, if it was forever intended to be a "sport" then the harsh realities of negative cash-flow should be completely understood. Stay out the kitchen, if you can't stand the heat.........stay on the porch if you can't run with the big dogs, stay out the water until you learn how to swim..........These axioms are (of course) self defeating, and growth limiting, but they are true, nonetheless, and have kept countless potential participants "on the porch........"My point demands re-thinking everything. We've been on a wing and a prayer for way too long, just because it's "always been done that way.........." don't make it right, or sensible. Auto racing needs to make financial "sense". Rule makers, that REALLY understand the phenomena are desperately needed. For over 60 years, the tail has been wagging the dog. Time's up.