NC Stock SS racers Read

[Mike McCandless]

Sorry to come off as bashing your race because I'm not, I'm bashing the environment at a big dog race that I have been told about (which could be an exageration, what do I know). I happen to feel like my "excuse" is a legitimate one though. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, I was just bringing it up in case I wasn't the only one, you guys might then consider keeping our races seperate. I was actually looking forward to coming over there this weekend - it'd be nice to race closer to home on Saturday - take it easy before the next hectic weeks.

You're still letting a bias come into play without personal experience. You've never been to a BigDog. I'm not saying in the past things might not have been a certain way, however it's under new ownership now. The events you compare us to are at carolina dragway and mooresville. You should come and watch the race on Saturday. See what it is like, then cast judgement on what my enviornment is like.

And on an end note - where did I mention a "safety" issue? I don't recall typing that

If you feel your stuff is going to be stolen, that's a safety issue. You don't feel it is a safe place to bring your truck and trailer.

it was something that factors into my opinion as there was someone who go shot there many years ago.

Do you know the facts of that case? The man that was shot that night was totally premeditated. He came there with the sole purpose of shooting that man. When he did, he walked straight up to the cops and turned himself in. Like you said, that was MANY years ago. I'm sure you've been to places in the past 10 years where someone was shot, yet it didn't keep you from going into the place. I was held at gun point during a robbery at hams back in 2002. I had a shotgun pushed into my chest so hard it bruised my sternam. I still go to that hams. It was a random event took place that night and wasn't a reflection of the establisment itself.

Why not tell me more about the environment rather than jumping on me for expressing my opinion

I'm sorry if you felt like I jumped you. I'm running a business, much like Scott is. Imagine if I said: "Scott Macy builds crappy transmissions that blow up 200 miles after you buy them. I don't know this, I haven't bought a Scott Macy transmission, but someone told me that. I will never buy a Scott Macy transmission because of that". I'm sure Scott would want to defend his reputation. The internet is a powerful tool. If someone says something that is an unwarranted negative comment about my business, I will defend it. All I have done is express my opinion as to why my track is a safe enviornment, from my own experience. I have no problem with your opinion, as long as opinions are based on facts.

how many spectators are typically there? You mentioned you haven't had an issues since you guys took over - what extra steps have you taken to have created no issues? Do you hire additional security? How much more security? Do you keep the spectators parked away from the racers pits? If you'd give me a better sense of security then I'd consider coming over there and forming my own opinion. Is that fair?

We took over in June. So I can only go by attendance from those months. Since this is a 2 day event, I imagine we'll have 1200-1500 people on saturday, depending on weather. If we're really lucky, 2000. I honestly don't want to talk publically about the things we've done. I will discuss these things in person with you, but I'd rather not cast them on the internet. We have taken steps, that very few people see, but are very effective. If I broadcast them, maybe they won't be as effective. We have more than adaquate security staff for events like these. Hypothetically speaking, if there were a potential issue, it is more likely it would happen on a nighttime based event vs a day time event like thursday. Spectator cars will be parked within the pit area, that's just the logistics of having that many people. We always tell racers to take steps with protecting their things, because nothing is 100% fool proof. If a theif really want to steal things within a trailer, a bracket race is perfect for it simply because people are so trusting.

I can't prevent everything from happening. We take a lot of precautions to prevent any problems from happening. We've been lucky that we've had no issues to date. Our only "security" issue we've had was actually during a normal race with two redneck families. Nothing outside of a personal experience is going to change your mind. I suggest just coming and spectating. See what happens, you got nothing to lose at that point. If you still don't feel it's a safe place to race, then I'll respect your decision. All I ask is that you at least come to one before judging how it is.

[Angela Macy]

Ok Mikey, I'll send you a message though myspace and tell you whats really on my mind. Then you can give me more details on this security you speak of, because you're not making a sale with the vague details.

[Angela Macy]

Well - give me a little while Mikey - it's 5pm and I got to get - I'll email you after dinner- I want to know more about the security.

But I would like to say, your comparision of peoples opinion of Scott Macy's transmissions and your big dog race isn't exactly comparing apples to apples in this situation. Because your comparing an environment to a product. A better comparision would be if people were saying not to come to our shop on certain days because there are a lot of people there and you hear tell they get rowdy. Remember Mikey, I don't have an issue with you, your track, or most of your races - I just simply don't think the environment at this type of race - which draws 2000 potential spectators is for me. We'll definately support your other Stock/Super Stock races, weekly bracket races and the two big money footbrake races you have coming up though.

If you hear something bad from one person, you shouldn't put much stock in it, but when you hear it from numerous people and those are people who you know well enough to respect their opinion, you pretty much will take their word for it. Take the number of good things you hear versus the number of bad and then decide if you want to give it a chance, that's all I've done in this situation.