I think a few of you people must have sore legs from jumping on and off the Band wagon so much.  Its great that Sunset has made a lot of great changes to their facility this year and I wish that I had the opportunity to get up there to see the changes more often but no race track is the centre of the universe and it isn't necessary to run down another race track in order to support the track of your choice.  All race tracks in Southern Ontario need to be supported as much as possible in order to keep them open. Once they are gone, they're gone forever.

I think a few of you people must have sore legs from jumping on and off the Band wagon so much.  Its great that Sunset has made a lot of great changes to their facility this year and I wish that I had the opportunity to get up there to see the changes more often but no race track is the centre of the universe and it isn't necessary to run down another race track in order to support the track of your choice.  All race tracks in Southern Ontario need to be supported as much as possible in order to keep them open. Once they are gone, they're gone forever.

+1

I think a few of you people must have sore legs from jumping on and off the Band wagon so much.  Its great that Sunset has made a lot of great changes to their facility this year and I wish that I had the opportunity to get up there to see the changes more often but no race track is the centre of the universe and it isn't necessary to run down another race track in order to support the track of your choice.  All race tracks in Southern Ontario need to be supported as much as possible in order to keep them open. Once they are gone, they're gone forever.

Fair enough, but look at it from my perspective, as a consumer.  I am a fan.  I am not a driver, crew member or track employee.  I work hard for my money, and expect that I get solid value when I spend it.  If Sunset or any other track happens to provide the best value for my money, then that is where I spend it.  To me, the notion that I would support a business that doesn't provide me with a good product just makes no sence.  So if I go to a track and they provide a weak product (low car counts, boring racing, expensive food, etc.), I won't go back until given a good reason to.  For example, I was driving to other tracks in the area when the previous ownership had Sunset due to the poor product that was being delivered (even though I live 5 minutes from Sunset). These tracks are not charities that you should support just to keep them going.

So if Barrie or any other track can't survive based upon poor business decisions or anything else, then so be it.  1000's of businesses a year close down.  Is it sad if it is a racetrack?  Sure it is, but the bottom line is like any other business, give people a reason to come spend their money, you will survive and thrive.  Don't, and you will go under.

but no race track is the centre of the universe and it isn't necessary to run down another race track in order to support the track of your choice. 

Kman, you need to understand that most of the bashing, and I'll reiterate MOST has come from its own drivers.  This started up at the end of last season when Barrie guys were pissed about payments, cancellation...well, just read the threads.  Infact, it started much earlier in the year than that but that doesn't change my point.  So when fans like myself read this it makes us think "wow, that track is falling apart."  However, if the drivers are telling the truth then they're not bashing the speedway, just being disgruntled.  Freedom of speech, meet the internet, internet meet freedom of speech.

There were many years when Sunset was the only track running nearby and those years produced some of the best years ever.  This notion though that we must support a died product because we "grow up there" is horse!@#$.  Change is life!  I still have shirts in a bag somewhere that are green and yellow that say Barrie Speedway 1978 (wish I could find them it'd be funny to see everyone wearing them!) I have roots there to.  But I also have roots at SUnset because it was the only track running for years!  Infact, my dad died in the parking lot at that track.  So it's always had a place in my heart, especially since it will be 10 yrs this Juine 10th.  But two years ago, I was pissed with wasting money at SUnset and made the decision to move to Barrie.  It wasn't sentinmental, I just did it!  Its a physical building not a 10 yr marriage!

I wish the best to Barrie, but I sure as hell will not support an inferior product for the sake of tradition.  Maybe Barrie locking the gates for a couple years until they get someone to run the place may not be a bad thing!

Remeber Neil Young...it's better to burn out, then to fade away!

Jim, thats exactly why fans have a problem with Barrie right now.  If they can't keep you guys happy, then you won't go and if you guys don't go why would we?

Again, I'd like to see both tracks succeed but there just isn't the driver pool for it. Before Barrie drivers get up in arms it by no means is a reflection on your talent, but the sheer quantity, or lack of more precisely of cars attending. Thats why I still think the best thing Barrie could do is approach Sunset and try to bang off some kind of deal with rules, race nights etc. Baring Barrie investing some money in upgrades etc. they will not become number 1 again any time soon and by the time they have a shot at it again it could be too late.

Or and its just my opinion only open one Sunday a month and run invitationals only.  Take the extra cost of operating every Sat. transfer that to an invitational fund and bring in as many cars and fans as possible.  Any decent salesman could bring on a rather large sponsor for each event.

Just my humble opinion though.