[Jeff Lee]

I believe it was I that told Mark the apathy in AZ to race tracks or it may have been somebody else. Doesn't matter who get's the credit as the bottom line here is it is true. Not only is the weather race perfect almost every weekend out of the year, the weather is also perfect for boating, jet-ski, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, you name it; if it's an out door activity anything can be put off for another day.

I was at opening day for the Union Grove, WI track probably in 1991. It was something I had not witnessed before; racers that had been coped up all winter finally taking their cars down the track. I couldn't believe there was a parade of participants and an intro to each car and crew (Joe is our returning champion and has a new 540" replacing last years 468", Bob has a new chassis, etc.). The stands were packed. I also had the opportunity to go to some lakes the 6 weeks I was in Illinois. Same story but this time it was all families and their street rods and muscle cars. Point is, anticipation and anxiety brings racers out.

I hear Al Corda's track is only open a few months (4-6???) out of the year and he get's 500+ cars on each event.

On the other hand, Speedworld is open 50 weeks out of the year and sometimes 3 nights a week. I suggested to management that if the emulated Union Grove or Corda, they may make more money. I got a look like I had three eyes and was told the only way they could stay ahead was to be open more. They just didn't get my point and that was the end of the subject.
Mark Yaccavone here has a Stock / Super Stock event and he get's what, 12 participants? That's pathetic! I sponsored one of his races, probably 2004? There was plenty of PR going out and I was paying $1500 cash to the winner no matter the car count. The entry was less than $100 ($50???) and I didn't get a dime of that. I think we had 12 or 15 cars entered and Ken Passerby got the whole enchilada and I was happy for him. But I sure would have liked to see the promoter making a lot more money off that event.
Even decent payouts can't bring out the cars.

I have high hopes that Speedworld can work through this. Firebird is slippery as snot unless it's a Super class race, divisional or National type event. Tuscon is a great track but 3+ hours one way and if it matters, is IHRA.
Speedworld has always been a good track in my opinion and they take care to prepare the surface most of the time. When I started racing there in '78 they gave out trophy's to the 1st round winners. That boosted the confidence levels like nothing I've seen for a young racer and I had an attic full of those trophy's. The owner back then, Mike Donnely, allowed myself and Brian Griffey ( a current S/ST racer) the use of the track one week day all to ourselves. We played with timing, dwell, jetting, RPM's, everything we could think of on our 340 & 383 Challengers and at the end of the day it was well worth it with significant ET reductions to both cars.

I fully intend to be there with my AMX in the Fall to test & tune before I go to an NHRA event. I hope the boy's from Texas will be there!