Lack of Sportsman Entries for Denver

[Jim Cimarolli]

Its a good idea to be sure your pit bike is running good before you go up there! Some of them just won't run up there.

[Cotten]

On our way. The weather looks great. We are staying in Hays, Ks tonite. Come see us, when we get there.

[Bill Bogues]

We went to race the mile high one year and I'll never go back. It wasn"t the heat or lack of performance that was rough, it was getting to the staging lanes from a mile away. Yes it's a slight downhill grade from the boondocks where we were pitted, but I never made it one time to the staging lanes that I didn't have to stop at least 3 or 4 times down that narrow road to get there.There was no way to keep your engine reasonably cool to get to the lanes.But the worst thing was when we went to leave out they wouldn't let us turn right on exit from track and go right up on the Interstate, we had to go left which I couldn't get on the Interstate and we got totally lost and ended up in some neighborhood and then on the other side of the mountain. It took two hours to finally get headed in the right direction. I swore then I'd never be back. On the plus side the scenery was beautiful, and I would go back to Colorado so sightsee , just not with a motorhome and racecartrailer.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by RacingRicki

Having been a long time racer at Bandimere as well as other tracks in the west/midwest, I'd like to set a few things straight without sounding too biased.

Yes, during the MileHighs things get cramped. Everybody tries to squeeze onto the limited asphalt. In years past, more sportsman racers could get on asphalt but with the size of the rigs and the pros requiring more space with hospitality etc., sportsman get pushed into the recycled asphalt. Which by the way is closer to the staging lanes than Topeka's expanded pit area. People don't seem to mind pitting far away. I think the difference is Topeka has asphalt and a pretty darn nice restroom facility close to the sportsman pits.

I for one HATE the recycled asphalt. Its dusty and rocky and that black dust gets everywhere. But the lack of asphalt is supposedly not Bandimere's fault. Something about too much pavement on the hill is bad for drainage. Believe me if they could, they would pave the whole thing to make it nicer. The Bandimeres are not shy about investing money in their facility.

Yes there is no running water and no restrooms/showers except for the tower (well water). But they have lots of port a johns that are serviced throughout the weekend. The women don't like them but at least they aren't crapping in their shoes. I go to lots of other tracks that don't have great restroom facilities.

On the plus side, the Bandimeres are great people and they care about the racer's/fan experience. Mopar offers lots of perks and hosts the block party in Golden which is always well attended with live music, car show, etc.

Some people may not like it but I for one, enjoy the race. Throngs of people attend this race and the security personnel have to "part the sea" of people to allow the cars to get to the staging lanes. After the races you can drive into the mountains to the many mountain towns that have gambling etc. or just enjoy the scenery.

The view from the pits is second to none. You can see the whole track from anywhere in the grandstands and the fence along the pits. Racers can watch the races in the spectator grand stands with your credential. Other tracks make you sit in the bleachers down track where you can't see anything.

All in all, like every track, there are pluses and minuses. I think Bandimere's pluses outweigh the minuses.

Ricki, I agree with you and Mike Coe about your positives about Bandimere Speedway. Other than the Bandimere family being such great people, and some of the most racer friendly track owners I've ever known, I stopped reading these threads after page 4 because one very important (but overlooked) thing Bandimere Speedway has that most tracks don't have, is a "COOL DOWN ISLAND", capable of cooling down 10-14 race cars at once! Ricki I'll be greatful that when ESPN did that interview of your car, I was able to see a bit of mine during the tale end of your interview, which was the first time any car I've owned/raced was ever captured on tv...thanks bud for being a pit neighbor!. Moreover, that was also the same year ('06), that I made the quarters, and at least had the best Stock Eliminator racing package of the event (.006)....I have to thank my buds Randy Hyman, and Lane (The Hawk) Weber, for their assistance in making that possible. I wanted to go up there to try and improve on my '06 finish, but my work didn't get busy quick enough for me to earn the needed funds to go there for a divisional last month. After that messed up crap here at the former Firebird "International" Raceway, I needed a divisional to qualify to go there this week, and I'd have gone if the funds allowed...my only regret was rushing back to the lanes and finding out I was the first car of the quarters participants (Ryan McClanahan benefitted from my poor judgement)...I won't make that mistake again.

I have a lot of people up there to root for this weekend in several classes, and I'll be looking forward to "Drag Race Central", and ESPN's coverage as well (since all of the Pro Stockers, and nearly all of the fuel racers will make the first round call). I just wish I could be there with those of you going! HAVE A GREAT/SAFE TIME UP THERE!!!

[GTX JOHN]

I did not see the fact mentioned (Maybe missed it)
that there is a Div 7 Points race the SAME weekend
again this year.

Quite a few Div 7 guys used to make the trip up prior
to that......In fact we went over 10 years in a row and
generallywith multiple Cars.

For us.....It is only a couple hundred miles or less further than
SF/ Bay Area and we would go again except for the race conflict.
Last time I went to Denver.....I towed my car from the back 40 to
my competitor's pits for class and very nearly got a years suspension
for my bright idea. My car runs better cold and thought that it
would be fair to drive my car the same distance as the guy I was
racing. NHRA did not appreciate my logic and I nearly got my B*tt
kicked out!

[Rat Raceway]

Things are looking alittle better...

I looked back at the entries for Stock at Bandimer .

In 2009 there were 41 entries.


In 2010 there were 39 entries.


In 2011 there were 35 entries.


In 2012 there were 28 entries.

As it sits now we have 34 in. Not 50 but better then 28...

[Floyd Staggs]

Looks like they are down about 150 cars from their quota. And, the first 66 don't pay entries.
Hmmm, somebody is going to be drinking cheaper beer.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

Don, I am with you all the way................I also started out as a Division 5 racer (from Omaha).

The perception is that Denver does not care about the Sportsman racer....(except Comp) for the National Event......whether that is right or wrong....that is the perception as evidenced by the responses here. The fact of the matter is that John Force brings in the fans and we don't.

Bandimeres' probably do care, but are not able or can't do anything about it. I would like to know.

I believe (know) that us racers are compassionate and would understand a reasonable explanation.

.

Randall Klein,

You're right, Bandimere Speedway was going to build a new track back in 2001 at what would've been known as "World Park" (the facility that is), and it was going to be another of Mr. Bruton Smiths great developments, but thanks to the son of former Governor Richard Lamb, and a New York Investor, with help from some people at the (defunct Pikes Peak International Raceway), Amendment 2F was voted down by a close margin. They got involved because a NASCAR track was going to be built out there as well that would've put their poorly located track to shame, because it would've been big enough to bring the heavy hitters from Nascar out there.

As for Bandimere caring for the sportsman racer, they definitely do, given they have their own sportsman racing series, and they field one of the toughest teams in divisional bracket finals each year. (I'm honored to say that I was part of their great teams from the '79, '81, & '82... which I won Street Eliminator in the second of those, and made the semi's as an alternate in the first one, and won the Gamblers Jackpot Race in '82), representing "Team Bandimere" each year.

I wish all tracks would show that they care for the racers like the Bandimere Family does, as racing would be more fun if they did. As long as tracks like No Problem Raceway, Southwestern International Raceway, Rocky Mountain Raceway, Douglas Motorsports Park, San Antonio International Raceway, and Pueblo Motorsports Park exist, I know there's hope....I'm sure their are countless others nationwide, but these are tracks I've heard lots of good things about, or had great experiences at myself.

[cudadoug]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

Here is a quick Excel spread sheet. This is a rough cost of racing in Denver. The first Column is the One Way miles...Second column is the "Start Location"....third column is the cost for fuel at 10 MPG (round trip)....then the entry cost of $310.....thus the final cost just to get to Denver and race.....without your pit crew...... So, I live in the Phoenix area....it will cost me nearly a thousand dollars to go to Denver and race.....Plus the cost of my wife, racing fuel, breakage, maintenance, and entertainment.
So, For those that have unlimited budgets.....go have at it. As for me...It would take at Least a runner up finish to break even....... Maybe this will help explain why the shortage of Super Stock Racers.....


Miles From>>>> Fuel @ Total for
One Way To Denver 10 MPG Entry Fee Car & Driver

480 Salt Lake City $384 $310 $694
600 Topeka $480 $310 $790
680 El Paso $544 $310 $854
680 Oklahoma City $544 $310 $854
820 St. Louis $656 $310 $966
850 Phoenix $680 $310 $990
880 Dallas $704 $310 $1,014
1000 Los Angeles $800 $310 $1,110
1100 Chicago $880 $310 $1,190
1180 San Francisco $944 $310 $1,254

Entertainment cost?? You're not entertained enough by racing at a National Event?...lol!

Regarding the runner up finish needed to break even: You'll never go to another National Event with 21 (TWENTY ONE??!!????) cars qualified is SS...

[KEN BUGAJ]

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

While I do understand the challenge of racing there, the Denver track is the best I have ever been to as far as watching a race. I like to sit on the top rows and that is just a few steps down from the pits.

Cafe Prague in Morrison is our favorite restaurant anywhere.

Bill

You need to go to Norwalk ! The Grandstands have a nose bleed section you'll love !! lol
Norwalk get's my vote for number One !!