Is it important to have “non-race events” scheduled during these races? This question deals with “going the extra mile in customer service.” Palm Beach Int’l Raceway had a “Welcome Party”, a “Mid-Race Party” and a “Victory Party” after the last race on Saturday. These were professionally catered events at no charge to racers and, although not too many attended, it shows the “class act” that PBIR presents to their customers. It was their way to say thank you to racers who supported the event. None of the other tracks had anything close to that.

Return to one Big Race per day. This Winter Series should be something to celebrate racing at. We have all raced a complete season, now the Winter Series needs to be something special. For lack of a better term, it needs to become FUN again. Open the gates at 2 p.m. with eliminations at 6. One time trial per car, period. If you are late, you race with no time run. Make time for people to go to the beach, have a nice breakfast or plan something outside of racing at these events.

Now that I have asked the most obvious questions, how about some of my ideas on how to deal with them? You will all have an opinion and if you have the time to write me about these ideas, please do.

How to get more cars to attend these races. This is the actual bottom line to making these events more successful. I think if you could answer this question you open the gates to 300-400 cars again.

My ideas are actually tied to all the questions above. I talked to a lot of racers who have been racing in this series for 20 years and more. I also talked to guys who were attending this series for the first or second time. I talked to winners and guys who never won a round. My conclusions are this:

1. Lower entry fees substantially. This will open up the series to more racers.

1. Lower the winner money to $7500 per day. Start payout at second round winner.

3. Eighth-mile events only. Without question this will bring more door-cars back to the events. I also like keeping door-cars and center-drive cars separated as long as it can be done. Eighth-mile racing is probably more common down South so why not run a format that everyone can deal with.

1. Allow buybacks ONLY if less than 150 entries. If you buy back and win second round, you have just earned your buy-back money back. If buy-backs are $50 then second round winner pays $50.

1. One driver/one car. Beat that driver and you won’t see him until the next event. Exception could be: Two drivers can enter one car but neither driver can drive another car. This would allow two guys to enter one car and if the car is up to the task, it might bring more entries. I debated on this idea but I think it is one option so two guys could split travel costs to be able to attend the events.
2. Add a Second Chance Race that is open for first and second round losers only. This will be a good opportunity for racers who lost the first two rounds to get some more track time and equalize familiarity with the track for the next big event. Keep entry fee and payout for Second Chance Race around $50 to enter and $1,000 to win with decent round money.

1. Add Foot-brake or No-Box to the event. Adding a Footbrake side of the event or a No-Box side will add cars and the winner of each side will make up the Big Money Finals. Box vs. No-Box for example. It adds cars, adds a new twist and will make for some “interesting” final rounds that will determine who takes home the big bucks. One thing to monitor would be if a car is in Foot-brake or No-Box then it could only be in the Box side with a different driver.

I know there are a million right ways to fix the health of bracket racing. Overall I would give Bracket Racing a “Good sound medical rating.” I think it is time to start tweaking it a bit if big money races and the fun of traveling is to continue.