Clearly, Riverside Speedway is struggling to legitimize its upcoming PASS IWK 250 on July 21, at least to its fans.On the heels of the announcment that former Cup Series champ Bill Elliott is passing on this race, came a press release from the track in Antigonish, N.S., telling fans that just because Elliott wasn't coming didn't mean the ticket prices for the event would drop.
In fact, in justifying its $50 reserved ticket price, the track claimed that there would still be 3 divisions of racing on that Saturday — including the PASS main event which would feature "30 Pro Stocks."
Stop me in my shoes.
Isn't that, like, a $20 ticket most anywhere else -- $30 tops, for a 250-lap show, if you really want to squeeze it out of the fans?
But Riverside hasn't stopped there. In fact, later today it posted on its Web site that it had conducted a "phone poll" of teams, reporting 14 Maritime race teams were planning on attending, as were 14-16 PASS North teams. With that it said there were still a couple of other teams on the fence, and a plea to other teams interested to call the speedway.
All this from the race that was supposed to rival the TD Banknorth 250 when it was announced that something was in the works last summer...
No matter what the final number of Late Models to make the trip to Oxford in less than 2 weeks will be, I'll guarantee it will be more than 30. Terry Labonte and Kevin Lepage will still be there, and the ticket price won't have to be justified to the fans who've already paid the admission price.
8 comments:
"But Riverside hasn't stopped there. In fact, later today it posted on its Web site that it had conducted a "phone poll" of teams, reporting 14 Maritime race teams were planning on attending, as were 14-16 PASS North teams. With that it said there were still a couple of other teams on the fence, and a plea to other teams interested to call the speedway.
All this from the race that was supposed to rival the TD Banknorth 250 when it was announced that something was in the works last summer..."
And OPS is getting flak for touting their 175 entries. People say they won't all show up, blah, blah, blah. Well, what if those 30 entries don't all show up in Canada? Talk about touting the horn about this big race that will "replace" something that is missing...HA!
I honestly don't think that all 175 will go to OPS, but I believe the number will be between 90 and 110 or so.
If PASS would run Outlaw rules with template bodies they'd probably have 60 cars on hand to qualify.
And if Nextel Cup racing was open to cars with Super Street specs, there would be 550 of them showing up to qualify for the Daytona 500, too.
TB
I think that Outlaw Pro Stocks are VERY close to speed and appearance of the SLM's. Super Streets are in no way similar to Nextel Cup cars.
In fact, I believe we've seen Outlaw Pro Stocks run very competitively with SLM's...try that with your Street Stock in a Cup Race.
Travis Barrett
I realize you likely have to post something to justify your existence and I am equally sure that a large percentage of your posts are reasonably researched and thought out but why are you posting smack about the Riverside and Bill Elliot issue?
Your original post on the subject leads me to believe that in your opinion the folks at Riverside are a bunch of high school fools and liars and Bill is a hero and is being wrongly accused.
I suggest you have no more idea of what transpired between the 2 parties than I do so where is the logic in printing opinionated remarks about either side other than to perhaps fill a post quota?
Obviously that post was not good enough, your latest is attacking Riverside on their ticket price. I wouldn't think that as the auto racing writer for Central Maine Newspapers, your job would include intentionally attempting to trash a track or it's operators.
This all smacks of bias and poor reporting. Similar to your first post, I somehow doubt that you would have much experience in determining the true $ value of sporting events held in Canada in Canadian dollars.
I really doubt that putting up a post attempting to convince readers that a track is price gouging is condusive to positive promotion of the sport and is un-called for.
Shame on you. What are you thinking?
...............fully expecting that you will either delete this post or post a well thought out rebuttal soundly putting me in my place.....
Go for it.
Mitch Bonnar
Hi Mitch, and thanks for your thought out comments. Obviously, I have a few points I'd like to make in response.
First of all, I'd go back and read the post I made about racing media in the post titled "More Than Blind Faith For Fans." I'm at a loss as to why whenever race fans see an article they don't agree with, it's because the author must want the sport to fail on some level. It always leaves me shaking my head.
As for the Elliott story in general, I'm sure you'll notice that it got attention nationwide, enough so that Elliott himself had to release a statement in response. That to me says it's a lot more than one local reporter in Maine talking about something he doesn't have "much experience" with. I posted what the track said through a release -- how is that poor reporting? THEY released it, I ran it. Typically, that's how it works.
As for the ticket prices, I don't expect anyone to change their prices at this point -- but telling fans that that race program is still worth 50 bucks, to me, sounds defensive. After all, most PASS races are for $20 at the gate. What? Add 100 laps and charge 150% more?
It doesn't add up.
They flew off the handle after Bill Ryan's announcement and touted this gigantic race a week later without so much as a track to run it on, at the time. They wanted to 'replace' the TD Banknorth 250. They aren't worthy to carry the TD Banknorth 250's jockstrap. Um, I mean shoulder strap.
Cup drivers don't make a race big. Real tradition and genuine driver and fan interest from an entire region and beyond make a race big.
Travis, thanks for replying and sharing your viewpoint on the issue.
I would like to point out that it was not a case of disagreement with your article nor did I say or imply that the author must want the sport to fail on some level.
I simply said "I really doubt that putting up a post attempting to convince readers that a track is price gouging is condusive to positive promotion of the sport and is un-called for."
I agree with your comment that "THEY released it, I ran it.". I have no issue there, that is good reporting. Where the problem lies with me is the added negative spin that usually causes people to get in line to post more similar posts when most have not enough information to even form a meaningful opinion to post. I call it the "Yeah Me Too" posts. As you said "Typically, that's how it works."
After reading what proports to be Bill's response, it certainly puts a different spin on the issue. Since the stories are so different I would wager a 6 pack it ain't over yet.
I regards to ticket pricing, whether you may consider it value for money or not, based on what I paid last season, I am pretty confident in saying that the days of a $ 20 ticket to any PASS race in Eastern Canada are long gone.
Thanks
Mitch
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