I always see this negative stuff about Delaware. I travel to several tracks around Ontario as a driver, and a crew member. Delaware continues to be the best OVERALL place to race. Some tracks have better things here and there. Some don't even have a scoreboard. Fans don't even know what lap the race is at. Delaware needs upgrades, no doubt. On track lighting is poor, track is bumpy. That being said... Mosport Oval is in far worse repair. Peterborough, the lights shine in your eyes coming off 4, no pit road at small tracks. Those are just some examples. The biggest thing that I see, is Delaware staff and officials are the most professional, and the best for working with competitors. At Mosport, we almost got rained out due to the track running a King of the Hill in the middle of the event. At Delaware, that would be a no-brainer. Run the touring series, then KotH at the end of the night. Not to mention the fans!! Delaware regularly has the best fan count of anywhere Ive raced. People need to be happy with what we have. Be happy there is a place to race, and a place to watch racing that is so close to home.
improve the numbers!! start a real 4 cylinder class
So if there's worse we should be happy, then if that's the case by the same logic the fact that there is better should leave us unhappy right?
So if there's worse we should be happy, then if that's the case by the same logic the fact that there is better should leave us unhappy right?
Not at all. Being better than other tracks is great. Having other places better gives Delaware something to work towards. It is the best track in Ontario, overall. Some of these other tracks have 3 officials, one tow truck, and a two man safety/clean up crew. Its brutal. Delaware has all the good points combined. Good tech shack, good pit road, decent pits, good concessions (although pricey), great Officials and staff, a well run program, the BEST prepared cars of any track, and the best safety crew. I will agree that the back gate price is too high. I do think that the LM car counts are down possibly due to guys having other racing interests. Whether it be LOSC, ACT, OSCAAR, whatever. Guys are tying different things. Not because they dont like it here, but a change is just needed sometimes.
Yeah, I'm gonna have to disagree on the "Delaware sucks" argument here... I've raced at several tracks around Ontario, and spectated at many, many more, and with the possible exception of Ohsweken, Delaware most definitely puts on the best SHOW, and has the best general facilities, seating, amenities, staff, tech garage, and all that other good stuff. And admission fees up TOP are perfectly acceptable.
My only gripe is the cost of pit entry, it's bordering on ridiculous at this point. A crew of four has to pay $120 to get in, or they can save a few bucks but have to pony up for a NASCAR membership. That's $360 a month. Last year it was only $10 for me to get in with my NASCAR license, and $20 for the crew. Every bit helps, especially for the struggling teams. One of my crew members has already said he can't make every race now because he can't afford the trip out there, food, and entry fee.
As for the classes well, I can't really comment on the rules because I haven't been around here long enough. The Truck rules seem just fine to me. So do the Super Stocks, I suppose. Can't speak for the Mods or LMs. I will heartily agree though that Delaware needs a good entry-level 4/6cyl class. Yes, I know technically the Chaos Cars are, but while they're entertaining and they might get someone's foot in the door, generally speaking it's not a "racing class."
One only has to look at the 4 cylinder classes at places like Barrie to see that they really make up the "heart" of the track and frequently put on really amazing shows. The only reason I'm racing a Truck (and struggling to do it) is because there's no 4-cylinder class! And these days, the real manufacturer rivalries are found in the 4 cylinders... Damn near everything is Chevy in Street Stocks now, but in 4 cylinders you have Volkswagen vs Nissan vs Honda vs Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge, and this brings the younger generation out to the track. I know of one guy I went to school with who became a die-hard Barrie Speedway fan once he found out the two quickest cars (a few seasons ago anyway) were a Jetta and a 240sx!
These are small gripes, I think. And maybe having raced up North at North Bay Speedway, TRULY makes me appreciate just how awesome Delaware is. I think if a few of you had to race at a track like North Bay, you might have a different opinion about this place. 😀
EDIT: I will say though, and I don't have all the facts, but it seems a no-brainer to me that Late Model rules should be the same at LEAST for the region. Was there even any good reason given for the rule changes?