terrible race at fontana

Steve Keetch · 10-06-2008, 05:52 PM

..

stage1scott · 10-06-2008, 10:07 PM

as a small time bracket racer, I feel your pain. been there twice, bad experiences with event running both times. it's a shame the last southern california place to race is not doing so well..........

Julie Jordan · 10-06-2008, 10:40 PM

Last year I was harrassed by a security guy telling me dogs weren't allowed there and I had to leave my dog in my motorhome. (I have a cocker spaniel and he'll kill you with kisses, that's how tough he is. I always pick up after him, never leave a mess!) I would either walk him (leashed) to the end of the track, to a grassy area to play/relive himself, or I would take him in the golf cart. Every trip resulted in me being chastised. Finally I told the guy that no where was it posted we couldn't have dogs, there were other dogs on the premises and to leave me the !@#$ alone! I guess he figured I was hormonal or something because he never bothered me again. ;-)

We stayed in our RV, which backed up to the railroad tracks (the tracks run parallel to the racetrack). Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep.

There were absolutely no loudspeakers in the Stock/SS pits. Unless we were on the starting line we had no clue what was going on.

Then, on race day, it was windier than this years' Presidential candidates. Do you think they'd stop the race? No, not until numerous cars got out of shape. In my case, and a few other stockers, we had to rerun our race because of debris flying across the track. Eventually, they delayed the racing action to wait for the wind to subside.

I told my Dad & husband I wouldn't go back and I kept the promise. We have so few tracks out here on the west coast but I race to have fun. And Fontana is not fun.

Mark Kirby · 10-07-2008, 02:14 PM

Julie

I suggest you copy Mike Rice at NHRA on your issues with the facility in Fontana. Many SoCal racers have expressed similar frustration with the management at this facility for this and several other issues. I would be very interested to see if any of your issues were addressed by the division director. Several local racers have shifted their participation to other tracks.....Famoso, Irwindale, Barona, etc., simply because of the attitude of the track manager toward racers.

But that's just one opinion....and you know what they say about opinions.

SSDiv6 · 10-07-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Kirby

Julie

I suggest you copy Mike Rice at NHRA on your issues with the facility in Fontana. Many SoCal racers have expressed similar frustration with the management at this facility for this and several other issues. I would be very interested to see if any of your issues were addressed by the division director. Several local racers have shifted their participation to other tracks.....Famoso, Irwindale, Barona, etc., simply because of the attitude of the track manager toward racers.

But that's just one opinion....and you know what they say about opinions.

As I understand, the Fontana Track is managed by Mike Rice's wife.

Mark Kirby · 10-07-2008, 02:32 PM

That's why I would be interested if anything was ACTUALLY done to address anyone's concerns.
My calls to the division office have gone unanswered.

Jim Wahl · 10-07-2008, 02:36 PM

Are you guys sure you're not talking about Div.2? Sounds real familiar.Jim

Ron Ortiz · 10-07-2008, 02:53 PM

I remember several years ago when I attended the first Sportsnationals at Belle Rose LA. It truly was for sportsman racers, everything was great, from the hospitality to the track staff. After that race months later, I began hearing such comments as there should be more Sportsnationals around the country, one for each division. In my head I knew that this would eventually lead to the possible elimination of the sportsman categories at "national events" Well so far that has not happened, but the result that I have heard is that the other 'sportsnationals" are not met very favorable by the racers.

At Belle Rose, Pat Joffrion is in charge and runs the show very well, as he is a racer. NHRA is there to do the teching and rule enforcement. It seems that the races in Ohio and California are run by NHRA and do not have a Pat Joffrion running it. There might be the problem.

At Belle Rose we even got cold bottles of water given to us after time trials and eliminations, we even got goodie bags from the local merchants. Does this happen in OH or CA. Do these tracks really look out for the sportsman? I do not know as I have not been to either of them, but from what I have heard, I do not want to go.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA racing is supposed to be fun, right?

Mark Kirby · 10-07-2008, 04:44 PM

The truth is....at Fontana it doesn't really matter what class you are running or the series in which you participate. The management attitude toward racers seems to be applied equally across all groups. It is one of arrogance and disdain for the interests of racers. I have heard the excuse that the dragstrip is treated as a stepchild of the NASCAR track which somehow contributes to this unfortunate attitude....however my personal experience is that the problem stems from one person...the track manager.

Those that long for the days of Dave Danish are the ones who complain the loudest because they recall a time when the racers were treated with respect. It's a shame because SoCal is the birthplace of our sport and should be considered a home for racers from all parts of the country when they travel out west. As a rule however, as evidenced by the messages posted here and elsewhere, they are treated with disregard for their concerns such as parking, track prep, consistent information, rules application, and other issues that have been described at great length.

The consistent response from the manager to racers who have voiced their concern is "If you don't like it go race somewhere else". How's that for a good business manager???

I wouldn't expect any major changes to this situation until and unless the issue is addressed at the divisional level. Good luck with that!

Mike Gray · 10-07-2008, 06:34 PM

Having been going there since it opened I have expirenced the problems that are being talked about.
What it boils down to is it appears to be operating on a shoe string budget.
The track is stuck in the back corner of the NASCAR facility parking lot with very little in the way of buildings (a portable unit) and equipment. The loud speakers can only be heard in the stands but it is broadcast over the AM radio for those in the pits. The staff is small and only a few seem to have any experience.
The outside security company may be the only ones available due to California Speedway rules.
(The drag strip may have no choice in using them.)
If they don't have a long term lease I can see the reluctance to invest much money in the facility.
It's the closest race track (besides Pomona) to a lot of us and It beats the heck out of LACR.

10-06-2008, 05:52 PM	#1
Steve Keetch Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	.. Last edited by Steve Keetch; 10-10-2008 at 05:31 PM.

10-06-2008, 10:07 PM	#2
stage1scott Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cornville Posts: 406 Likes: 1,870 Liked 109 Times in 44 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana as a small time bracket racer, I feel your pain. been there twice, bad experiences with event running both times. it's a shame the last southern california place to race is not doing so well..........

10-06-2008, 10:40 PM	#3
Julie Jordan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 639 Likes: 90 Liked 549 Times in 94 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana Last year I was harrassed by a security guy telling me dogs weren't allowed there and I had to leave my dog in my motorhome. (I have a cocker spaniel and he'll kill you with kisses, that's how tough he is. I always pick up after him, never leave a mess!) I would either walk him (leashed) to the end of the track, to a grassy area to play/relive himself, or I would take him in the golf cart. Every trip resulted in me being chastised. Finally I told the guy that no where was it posted we couldn't have dogs, there were other dogs on the premises and to leave me the !@#$ alone! I guess he figured I was hormonal or something because he never bothered me again. ;-) We stayed in our RV, which backed up to the railroad tracks (the tracks run parallel to the racetrack). Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep. There were absolutely no loudspeakers in the Stock/SS pits. Unless we were on the starting line we had no clue what was going on. Then, on race day, it was windier than this years' Presidential candidates. Do you think they'd stop the race? No, not until numerous cars got out of shape. In my case, and a few other stockers, we had to rerun our race because of debris flying across the track. Eventually, they delayed the racing action to wait for the wind to subside. I told my Dad & husband I wouldn't go back and I kept the promise. We have so few tracks out here on the west coast but I race to have fun. And Fontana is not fun. __________________ Julie Jordan 7549 STK

10-07-2008, 02:14 PM	#4
Mark Kirby Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana Julie I suggest you copy Mike Rice at NHRA on your issues with the facility in Fontana. Many SoCal racers have expressed similar frustration with the management at this facility for this and several other issues. I would be very interested to see if any of your issues were addressed by the division director. Several local racers have shifted their participation to other tracks.....Famoso, Irwindale, Barona, etc., simply because of the attitude of the track manager toward racers. But that's just one opinion....and you know what they say about opinions.

10-07-2008, 02:32 PM	#6
Mark Kirby Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana That's why I would be interested if anything was ACTUALLY done to address anyone's concerns. My calls to the division office have gone unanswered.

10-07-2008, 02:36 PM	#7
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 667 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana Are you guys sure you're not talking about Div.2? Sounds real familiar.Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

10-07-2008, 02:53 PM	#8
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 317 Times in 103 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana I remember several years ago when I attended the first Sportsnationals at Belle Rose LA. It truly was for sportsman racers, everything was great, from the hospitality to the track staff. After that race months later, I began hearing such comments as there should be more Sportsnationals around the country, one for each division. In my head I knew that this would eventually lead to the possible elimination of the sportsman categories at "national events" Well so far that has not happened, but the result that I have heard is that the other 'sportsnationals" are not met very favorable by the racers. At Belle Rose, Pat Joffrion is in charge and runs the show very well, as he is a racer. NHRA is there to do the teching and rule enforcement. It seems that the races in Ohio and California are run by NHRA and do not have a Pat Joffrion running it. There might be the problem. At Belle Rose we even got cold bottles of water given to us after time trials and eliminations, we even got goodie bags from the local merchants. Does this happen in OH or CA. Do these tracks really look out for the sportsman? I do not know as I have not been to either of them, but from what I have heard, I do not want to go. Ron Ortiz U/SA racing is supposed to be fun, right? __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

10-07-2008, 04:44 PM	#9
Mark Kirby Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana The truth is....at Fontana it doesn't really matter what class you are running or the series in which you participate. The management attitude toward racers seems to be applied equally across all groups. It is one of arrogance and disdain for the interests of racers. I have heard the excuse that the dragstrip is treated as a stepchild of the NASCAR track which somehow contributes to this unfortunate attitude....however my personal experience is that the problem stems from one person...the track manager. Those that long for the days of Dave Danish are the ones who complain the loudest because they recall a time when the racers were treated with respect. It's a shame because SoCal is the birthplace of our sport and should be considered a home for racers from all parts of the country when they travel out west. As a rule however, as evidenced by the messages posted here and elsewhere, they are treated with disregard for their concerns such as parking, track prep, consistent information, rules application, and other issues that have been described at great length. The consistent response from the manager to racers who have voiced their concern is "If you don't like it go race somewhere else". How's that for a good business manager??? I wouldn't expect any major changes to this situation until and unless the issue is addressed at the divisional level. Good luck with that!

10-07-2008, 06:34 PM	#10
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 618 Likes: 312 Liked 689 Times in 198 Posts	Re: terrible race at fontana Having been going there since it opened I have expirenced the problems that are being talked about. What it boils down to is it appears to be operating on a shoe string budget. The track is stuck in the back corner of the NASCAR facility parking lot with very little in the way of buildings (a portable unit) and equipment. The loud speakers can only be heard in the stands but it is broadcast over the AM radio for those in the pits. The staff is small and only a few seem to have any experience. The outside security company may be the only ones available due to California Speedway rules. (The drag strip may have no choice in using them.) If they don't have a long term lease I can see the reluctance to invest much money in the facility. It's the closest race track (besides Pomona) to a lot of us and It beats the heck out of LACR.

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