To bring such a vision into reality will require a dedicated group of people who will work to make it happen without widespread support and a tenacious will to continue even in the face of defeat. Alex's race was a success in most aspects but I can easily understand why he chose to give it up. You are talking about a huge undertaking with countless hours of work, little help, little appreciation and lots of bitching, then lost money on the race. Alex has a life, a business, and would rather race than run a race that cost him money and time. But there was general widespread support, lots of cars that showed up and most of those who attended would readily attend another. And there have been and continue to be successful local race series directed toward the Stock/SS racers. In fact, Jim Schaecter mentioned the Heartland series that Bob Gipson has helped promote in a recent email to me. These two facts should be encouragement to someone. Even Wally Parks started NHRA drag racing and had to fight the same battles.
SEB and Bill Dedman have emphasized the point that the players would need to be people who do not race in order to keep down the suspicion of favoritism. I agree and also note that for the most part, successful track operators and race promoters do not race themselves. That's not to say it cannot be done, but running a race or a race organization and racing a car are both full time jobs. I do not see how some one who wants to race could handle both. I believe the people are out there who can and would handle the organization and technical definition of the races. What is needed in the promoters and lead men and the visionary leaders.
MHO
Dwight Southerland
__________________
|