Forum Activity for @jim-wilmore

Bicycle Race

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So what does Bicycle races have to do with auto racing? Nothing, just thought I would use that analogy of the rock group Queen's song "Fat Bottom Girls" with the flip side of the single "Bicycle Race" to bring me to my point.

With so many seats unoccupied in NASCAR stands why don't they widen the amount of real estate that we can place our fat bottoms on? I mean, the cost of a ticket to sit 4 hours on a 12"x12" slab of concrete compared to sitting on a leather recliner with a remote to replay the wreck, or fast forward through the commercials, all the while have comfort and freedom to shift my weight around without rubbing butts with my neighbor. Really, why would I subject my fat bottom to four hours on cold concrete, it creates Piles disease I hear. NASCAR...GIVE US MORE ROOM!

The last time I went to a race as Darlington in 2006, I think? We bought 4 tickets but one person opt out so we had plenty of space, so I thought, not until this rather large group of brothers sat down in the adjoining seats and literally edged my wife out of our extra "space". Besides all the JR. fans hoopin' and hollerin' for JR. (which was a lap down), the guy behind us spitting in a beer can but missing the hole, and the drunkeness all around us...I mean really, can't you just give another 3 inches of comfort?

updated by @jim-wilmore: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Wanna Build a Race Track?

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Bobby, I do remember all we discussed, the possibilities of running a track for the sole purpose of vintage events and even then, four years ago or so, I could visualize it and had that gut instinct that it would be a success beyond our expectations; All day events, car shows, concession stand, camping, picnic area, and who knows what else could grow from it. Every time I pass Tarheel Speedway kart track I think of what could have been. As recent as this past Saturday night I was going to Tarheel to watch the kart races (they were closed) and wished I would have followed through and purchased the place. I've talked to the owner in past and he expressed how they will sell it someday, at a profit no doubt.

You and I also discussed the possibility of getting enough investors to purchase a ghost track or kart track, that would be something I would consider today, and like you mention, in order to pay the light bill there would have to be an admission price. With the growing enthusiasm of vintage racing there stands a good chance that some day that door may open, maybe sooner than later.

Pete Corey would be a good source for how they operate in NY.

Wanna Build a Race Track?

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It seems a good healthy discussion gets knocked off the page before it gets started, would like to see this one hang around awhile.

Wanna Build a Race Track?

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Of course your dream is reality in states like Florida and Georgia with NVRA http://www.nvraracing.org/ and states like Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, with VARC http://www.vintageamericanracecars.com/ and states like New Jersey, New York, Conneticuit, New Hampshire with the GSVSCC http://www.gsvscc.org/ For some reason the vintage racing scene is alive and well and there's plenty of tracks to choose from with enough cars to have static displays, old-timers autograph events, and plenty of racing.

My Dad was a dreamer and would get us kids all excited with his dreams of a better life....never happened and, I was always a little disappointed and later gave up believing which, I then adopted the motto to never dream rather, form a plan and set a goal and GO FOR IT or, leave it on the pillow, all or nothing. Oh, I know, some of you are questioning my lack of taste for dreams but, dreams to me are better left from 2am-6am, in your sleep.

Now what I would call Bobby's "Dream" is not a dream, it's a goal, what's missing is a plan however, for a plan of that magnitude to work would take more than one person, it would take a joint effort with like-minded people with the same "goal" to form a plan and go for it. Case in point: The Cape Fear Classic Auto Racing Show was not a dream, it was an idea that Bobby and I thought about, formed a rough sketch of a plan and went for it hence the Bell & Bell Vintage Modified Racing Series. No dreaming there....reality.

So, if what you want to do is run a race track I would suggest getting some like-minded people together lay out your plan, goal, and vision of what the end result will look like. But in your own words Bobby, like in fishing, deer hunting, etc. etc. there's no money to be made, only pure-T fun and enjoyment and what I like to call ...doing something that makes you feel good before I die.

We've been racing for what, 3 years now, and look how far it's come. I was once told by a wise-man "Surround yourself with good people and there's nothing you can't accomplish." We can't do it all by ourselves but, we can when we combine resources. ie. Columbia Speedway, Orange County Speedway, RACERSREUNIOIN!!!!

Question on dirt track open wheel modified racing in south and when did it become popular again

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Dave, I am pleased to read your response since it lines up with the question I posed. As not to get too particular in what defines a modified I am more or less just stating that the open-wheel modifieds, whether a modified, sportsman, or jalopy seemed to disappear around 1970 and reemerge around the mid-1990's. There is an underlying story behind the when and why and that is what is so intriguing to me.

Question on dirt track open wheel modified racing in south and when did it become popular again

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Question: When did the "dirt" modifieds reappear in the south? I was talking to guy today about how the modifieds remained popular in the northeast all through the decades, more popular than full-bodied stock cars but, in the south they seemed to disappear in the late sixties and replaced with all full-bodied dirt stock cars and the OWM not reappear until the 1990's. I'm talking about dirt modifieds, not asphalt which I know were popular at Bowman Gray, South Boston, and others but, the dirt mods were either left off the news headlines or just quit racing all together.

I know I seemed to attempt to answer my own question but it is more of an assumption than based on fact. Another assumption is that NASCAR was so influential in the south that the full-bodied car was more popular and that drivers raced them due in part from the influence of NASCAR.

The real question now is, am I close on any of this and does anyone know the truth behind the demise and return of dirt modifieds in the south if in fact they ever did disappear at all?
updated by @jim-wilmore: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Impressed by Ricky Craven in the ESPN Booth

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Dave, it's good to read someone recognize Ricky for more than just a driver. I couldn't agree with you more, I've always liked Ricky Craven. I had a chance encounter with Ricky when I was returning from Bosnia on my way back to Fort Bragg in the spring of 1996, Ricky's rookie year. Ricky was leading in the Winston Cup points at the time and he was in Chicago on business, something to do with the new Chicagoland Speedway I assumed. I was waiting to board the flight back to Charlotte when I noticed a fella with a flashy black and white leather jacket with a big #41 on the back who looked very much like Ricky Craven. I finally got the nerve to ask him if in fact he was Ricky Craven and he of course he replied "Yes I am" and so I asked him if I could visit with him before boarding the plane and he was more than happy to accept. So there I was, sitting with the Winston Cup points leader, at the time, and we talked about racing and about Bosnia (this was during the conflict between Bosnians and Serbians) and he seemed to be more interested about talking about my experience than he was racing and, of course, I was more interested in talking about racing. Anyway, we sat there for a good 20 minutes and told "war" stories to each other until it was time to board the plane. Ricky was such a cool guy, a regular Joe, he was just as honored to talked to me as I was him and when we boarded the jet Ricky dropped down in his seat in "First Class" and I shuffled along back to my tail-end seat in coach but I will never forget our brief encounter, what a class act Ricky is.

What Did He Say?

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'No where in the rule book says that I can't pimp slap you right now!"

Low Life Taking Advantage of Sam Ard

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Here is the link to the auction. I see he is doing this to a lot of past drivers. I see nothing wrong with selling items from a collection but to purposely send items to get signed only to resell them is downright wrong. Sam Ard MoR Autographed Card

Holla 4 Racers Reunion

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That Durt Turd Dog Racing has made a rapid charge to the top...oh, wait a minute! That's ME!

Like Tony Stewart said "Second place sucks!"