I've noticed that things are pretty slow on the old message boards lately. So I'd like to start a discussion on something that I noticed, and have been hearing about a lot lately.
First things first, this is NOT in anyway to bash the track, the people who run the show, and the people who race. This is purely to hear some feedback and hear some suggestions.
This was the first Enduro that I have watched from the stands in 6 years. I've either been in the pits or in the race since then. Let me just throw some numbers out there
29 cars started the Enduro Feature
26 Bonestock cars started their Feature.
I would like to know what has happened to the Enduro series, and I would like to hear it from the drivers and teams as to what they think is the issue. It seems to me that the Bonestocks will surpass Enduro car counts by as early as the next race, June 1st (myself included participating in Bonestocks).
From a fans point of view, the Bonestock race was by far the more entertaining race, with spins, crashes and tight racing for the lead. With the Bonestock race only being 35 laps long, you could tell there was a sense of urgency to 'Take' and not 'Give'.
Then there was the Enduro race. By lap 15, Steve Book had taken the lead and had set sail, lapping the field by lap 65. He encountered engine troubles, which knocked him out of the race, but it was hardly a race. I'm not knocking Book. He's earned everything he's accomplished, and him having the fastest car is proof of that. Plus him and his crew are some of the nicest guys at the track. But the race was not at all fun to watch. Cars got separated, and with so few cars, that meant no action. There were a couple spins that triggered red flags (Yes, Reds for spins now), but I understand the track doesn't want to lose any more cars.
As a driver, I liked clean races with few reds. But I was a fan first, and the fan in me wants to see action. If you've seen my in-car videos from years past, you'll see me pumping my first after dodging a spin or wreck. It's exciting for both fans and drivers. And this issue all goes back to car counts. No cars means less action which results in one long, boring-ass race. I don't see car counts improving for Enduro anytime soon, but I do see counts exploding in Bonestocks. That's one of the reasons why I have switched series. The other reasons are its cheaper, and I have a legitimate shot at winning.
So what can we do. I think the track has the right idea by encouraging more Friday night Enduro races. With 25-30 car fields, Friday night is a better fit. Shorten up the race and it has the makings of an exciting race. The B Heat on Saturday was proof of that. There were 5 cars, all together battling for the lead as the heat concluded. It was exciting!
Another option is shortening the race on Saturday, as well as increasing the length of the Bonestocks. Maybe 75 laps each? And Bonestocks stick to Bonestocks and stay out of the Enduro ranks.
As a True, Diehard Enduro fan who has admired the division since I could walk, yesterday was difficult to watch. Bonestocks had the better show guys, and unfortunately that's what sells tickets and gives us a place to race. You could hear it from The Rumbles in victory lane. They know the series is in jeopardy, and almost pleaded their case on the mic to keep the division alive.
I wanna hear what you have to think. Racers, Crews, Fans, you all have a say. Try to keep it constructive and not make it a blame game.
I don't want to see Enduro disappear, but I'm afraid the division is already dead.
-Tyssen Toll
Snotrod #27
Enduro's used to be rolling piles of shit, that was the point. Delaware style was to make a racing division out of something that was supposed to be piles of shit bashing into eachother for good clean fun. With the crate engines the division got carried away...This is my opinion so take it for what it is just an opinion. Bonestocks are what enduros started out as CHEAP fun.
The one Bonestock event we were involved in was off the hook. Talk about a blast? no pressure for points no worries about nothing other than how much fun could be had. Our total investment was $425, we had fun wrecked out and sold the car for $325...FUN pure and simple.
Maybe lower ticket prces for saturdays to bring in more fans and then advertise to other tracks that run enduro programs, and bring in fans and drivers from those tracks. Maybe put the enduro in the bone stocks spot, run a 35-50 lap feature before a Bone Stock feature.
In a way, you have answered your own question, when it comes to Enduro. It HAS become a serious race format, and no longer the cheap bump and grind it used to be. Bone Stocks are the new Enduro class, and that is the truth. Many other tracks have one or two four cylinder classes that are packed every Friday night, so it will take some time for it to catch on at Delaware. I do feel however, in time more people will make a four banger. And eventually it may make a jump to Friday nights. People think these races are boring to watch, but they are the opposite. S/Buxton, Big O, Flammy all run mini's or bomber classes on Friday nights. And have killer car counts. 20-45 cars average for Oshweken.
Let's not get into semantics on how little people make anymore, nor the family budget. 15-20 years ago, we could buy a Metric, or and a used up S/S and throw it in Enduro. Those cars are no longer cheap to build, so many go down a class. Racing has changed, and that is nostalgic for most of us. But if we do not move forward with real-time thinking.. It will die.
Agreed on all counts. As much as the old guard may not like it, 4 and 6 cyl cheap-o cars are the way of the future for affordable racing. The current Enduro cars are not. Just call them Street Stocks already and give the Bone Stocks the Enduro format.