Forum Activity for @bobby-williamson

Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/28/09 03:26:12PM
907 posts

of 'coon dogs and race cars


General

There's probably the grand-national championship 'coon hunt, paying the winner handsomely, and there's the outside chance that owning the grand pooh-bah of dogs may ultimately command impressive stud fees, But, I don't think neither of these is high on the list of reasons for owning a prize black and tan. Nope, not even close. See, there's many-a night spent down at the river swamp listening at 'ol 'High Ball' leading the pack and reigning supreme in the local 'coon hunters' world. On those night's, down at the swamp, nobody's paying nothing. On the contrary, it costs to participate. 'Coon hunting, for example, IS just an example..........there are an infinite number of pastimes with exactly the same format.However, this truth does NOT extend to auto racing. The very same hunter, who hunts for nothing, will not even start his Saturday night street stocker........unless the purse is "right".Worse, he'll get all huffy at the hapless, shameful promoter to even hint at such an injustice. Afterall,...........he can't run his car "for nothing!!!!" It's a damaging self-inflicted mental dis-connect, that has torpedoed countless local race tracks, if not a pastime.The very notion of racing for "profit" is totally flawed, Racing for profit is a mirage, a fallacy, and an abborition that has been handed to this generation. Local racing desparately needs to take a lesson from the 'coon hunters.........race for fun........if you can't afford the rates, change the format. Change the philosophy. Create a venue that is sustainable, affordabale, and NOT profit driven. Easier said than done, of course, and we've all got to learn to think differently. It's our future, let's fix it.
updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/20/09 12:56:18AM
907 posts

Ronnie Hall


General

Jim Croce's "Rapid Roy the Stock Car Boy" is a song loosely based on the life and times of Roy Hall.
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/17/09 04:15:17PM
907 posts

Ronnie Hall


General

Jay, there's another song in here somewhere.......the Ballad of Ronnie Hall!
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/17/09 12:21:38PM
907 posts

Ronnie Hall


General

That's all that I know.........I'm trying to find out, too! I'm hoping some of the Georgia Racing History experts can fill in the blanks. I recently came accross this tid-bit of info, but it could result in a very interesting story/interview/radio show. Know whadda mean?
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/14/09 08:36:03AM
907 posts

Ronnie Hall


General

Roy Hall, along with Lloyd Seay and Red Vogt, formed the legendary and original Raymond Park's stock car team..................... had a son, .Ronnie, born in 1946. Anyone know the rest of this story?
updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/12/09 05:30:14PM
907 posts

NASCAR vs Country Music


Uncategorized

That's a good point, Jeff, NASCAR seemingly spent many years not realizing it was in the entertainment business. The CMA, on the other hand, always saw itself as such, and seemed to have a greater understanding/appreciation of the personalities and the role of the fan. Richard Petty is generally credited with the concept of fan appreciation...........making himself available with his legendary autograph lines. Early NASCAR spent virtually no effort making "stars" of its drivers, on the contrary, life-expulsion was handed down more than once. It's hard to imagine Hank Sr.or Roy Acuff being barred from Nashville........but Tim Flock, Curtis Turner, Marshall Teague, and even Fireball Roberts experienced the infamy of expulsion from early NASCAR.As time passed, NASCAR completely failed to realize the significance of their OWN history and traditions......eliminating the quentissential, THE defining title event THE SOUTHERN 500. Incredibly this was "modern" NASCAR boon-doggle. I can't imagine the "Grand Ol' Opry" ceasing to exist. When the new auditorium was constructed, a portion of the Rhyman Auditorium's very stage was included.Even today, I'm not sure NASCAR realizes they are purely entertainment.......and NOT pure capitalism. Entertainment depends on many nuances, that don't necessarily "make money" but can't be discounted, nonetheless. The country music folks developed new stars and new fans and new markets......eventually becoming a national, if not, global entity. And none of this transformation was done at the expense of the older fans and performers, it was an excellent example of combining the past present and future to sustain and even elevate the growth curve. Perhaps NASCAR could spend a little more time studying Nashville, seems they have already accomplishedall that Daytona dreams about.
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
11/12/09 11:36:25AM
907 posts

NASCAR vs Country Music


Uncategorized

NASCAR and Country Music industry have much in common, among them, both were:Southern BornSorthern Stars (at least early on)Southern base of operation (Nashville/Memphis/Daytona/Charlotte/Spartanburg)Southern/middle class fan base (at least early on)Some activity prior to WWII, but mainly a post-war phenomInitially,NASCAR and the CMA had talented stars dealy loved and supported by the early fans. With the passage of time, star and fan-replacment became a necessary challenge. Which industry has best accomplished the mission? What techniques were "right", and which ones missed the mark? What are the lessons to be learned?
updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/03/16 05:48:12PM
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
01/06/09 05:44:49PM
907 posts

The passing of Tom Lupo


Uncategorized

Tom was from my part of the world, and us kids knew he had raced in the 1956 Southern 500, and were impressed! My dad an Tom exchanged mutual flips in 1967. On July 4th at Tom's home track, Twin City Raceway (Loris, SC) dad's car broke the steering-idler arm....just as he and Tom (on his outside) were entering the 3rd turn. Both cars went over the embankment, with Tom rolling over a time or two........A month or so later, at our home track, Little River Raceway (Little River, SC) dad and Tom were battling down the frontstretch. Their cars touched, and dad's car managed to get on top of the guard rail and do some pretty impressive acrobatics.....right in front of the crowd.I got to meet Tom again, this past Labor Day at the Darlington Historic festival and have a photo taken with him and the newly-christened Tom Lupo tribute '55 Chevy late model.....special memories...REAL special. God Speed Tom #83.
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