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Tri-State Outlook
by Duane Hancock
As I sit here, wondering if the snow will ever stop
in Ohio, I am looking forward to March 21st when
Attica Raceway Park is set to host the season opener.
So far, the race is still on. Mother Nature will need
to change her ways very soon for that to become a
reality though. With the biggest snow storms in years
in the state, things look a little bleak for the
racing season to start any time soon.
For the second year in a row, the racing season
will open with some big questions. The biggest
questions will be who, what, and where will survive
the slow economy and the high fuel prices. Each year
it seems like you see more and more tracks going to
special events only, or worse. Thankfully in our
region, this has not been a problem. The racing dollar
still seems to be out there. It just seems to be
spent, by teams and fans, a little different than in
recent years. Fans and race teams alike, seem to be
picking and choosing more where they can get the best
bang for their buck, so to speak. Every day there is
more and more competition for the entertainment
dollars spent as well. Our local racing scene seems to
be fairly strong, if not stronger than in the recent
years. Plus, when the traveling tours cross into Ohio
or Indiana, the crowds are still pretty strong. We
just need to make sure this keeps happening in what
could be a very economically challenged year. It is
kind of like the bring your friends, bring your
neighbors, see the wild flame throwing, mud slingin
sprint cars tonight thing. We all know that sprint car
racing is the greatest sport out there but, does your
neighbors or your co-workers? With the economy looking
so gloomy this year, I personally think we are not
using some of the main advantages sprint car racing
has to offer that other sports don't seem to offer.
First off the friendliness of the sport, fans and
drivers alike. What other sport can you interact with
the stars of the sport as much as you can in sprint
car racing? Or sit around a camp and drink your favor
beverages and burn up some food with complete
strangers that become your friends for life before you
leave that night? Plus, getting the younger generation
involved. Each year there are more and more younger
drivers but still the same people in the stands. How
about more pre-race autograph sessions? Or some on
track autograph sessions, aka like ARCA, Hooters Pro
Cup, and Arena Cross does? Heck, I remember when I was
younger, which wasn't that long ago, the local tracks
I attended would bring the cars and drivers to the
front stretch a few times a years and let the kids go
at the drivers for 30 minutes before the show began. I
don't care how many X-Box 360 games they play, or
ipods they have, or chat rooms they belong to, letting
a kid shake the hand of a local racing hero, or just
having a brief chat with them, would make them beg
their parent to come back to the track. I know things
are different now-a-days than 15 years ago but, it
seemed to work for me and the friends I brought to the
track. I am not saying we need to be a daycare center
or start one in the pits. I am just saying we could
use some stuff that wouldn't cost the track owner or
promoters a dime that could help create more fans,
more concession stand sales, and more t-shirt sales.
We all know due to the travel demands and maintenance
demanded on the cars each night, it is harder and
harder to catch the drivers after the show. So why not
bring them to the fans every once in a while before
the show? Don't get me wrong, I am not going off on a
rage here, just thinking of some ways to keep our
region a going strong, that wouldn't cost any one a
dime, so we can enjoy racing in our area for many
years to come.
The Northern Ohio Sprint Car Show takes place March
14th to the 16th at the Tiffin Mall in Tiffin Ohio.
This is the biggest racing mall show in our region.
Due to an early Easter, the Bowling Green mall show is
the same weekend. One good thing is, they are close
enough in distance that you can catch both in the same
day. The NOSCS in Tiffin is just more than a mall
show. There is plenty of extra entertainment. Tim's
Sprint Car Simulators are going strong all weekend
long. Many racing vendors are present with merchandise
on sale. The Buckeye Speed Zone and Racing World radio
shows are both on site doing live broadcast. Finally,
the annual HoserVille Ohio drivers benefit auction is
once again on tap during the Northern Ohio Sprint Car
Show. This year's auction list is growing every day
and is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Each year
there are many one of a kind items or very rare items.
Plus, it doesn't matter if you have $3 or $3000, you
can find something that will sell in your price range
to help the cause. HoserVille Ohio is a registered
non-profit organization that helps aid injured sprint
car drivers and their family in their time of
recovery. In their 1st 4 years, HoserVille Ohio has
passed out over $8000 helping sprint car drivers. The
auction will take place Saturday the 15th from 2 PM to
4 PM. Anyone with questions, anyone wishing to donate
an item, or for a list of items on the auction block
to date, visit www.myspace.com/hoservilleohio,
www.hoservilleohio.com or e-mail
hoservilleohio@yahoo.com, 1duane@bright.net, or
info@hoservilleohio.com
Speaking of helping the local racing scene, the
South Side Restaurant in Findlay Ohio has been hosting
a Saturday afternoon race gathering. Each gathering
features a few area drivers and some interaction with
fans and the Racing World radio show. Oh yeah, plus a
full menu is available to order as well. The action at
South Side will switch to Thursday nights after taking
this coming week off for the mall shows.
Don't forget to check out the mall shows coming up
this weekend. Always a good time and a chance to
catch-up with the drivers before the season begins.
Plus, a great chance for someone not so familiar with
the area racers to learn something about our local
racing scene. I personally would like to invite ALL of
you to attend the HoserVille Ohio auction or just stop
by and say hi at least. C U at the Tiffin Mall this
Friday and Saturday and the Attica opener the next
weekend. Until then, have a safe one, peace out...Duane
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