Post by jeffhefler on Jan 19, 2012 15:04:34 GMT -5
Ok i am sure most of you know by now that i will be leasing the track this year..I told myself a couple of years ago that i would never be involved with another race track, well i guess i lied! Although i have been around race tracks for 30 something years ( actually racing for 34 years) i learned a lot about the race track business years ago as i drove a couple of race cars for Robert Hutchison ( he owned Texas Raceway then) and i got to see the business side.
As we all know things have changed over the years, i spent almost 3 years employed at Texas Raceway and learned a lot. We were open 5 days a week and it required a incredible amount of work. But either way operating a race track is a 24/7 job. If you look at the succesfull tracks most likely that is there only business and not a sideline.
Most ( not all ) people do not realize the work,time,effort, and money it takes to operate a race track these days. I think i bet Bee would testify on the work and time it takes. From my experience racing at Wichita the few times i did in the last couple of years Bee and Sharon were doing a great job as i know the commitment that it takes.
I have a good feeling about Wichita Raceway Park ( or i have completley lost my mind)!..The racers have always appeared very loyal to the track. There are already enough tracks across the country failing and shutting down due to low car counts, low spectator counts, track operators getting burned out, or cities shutting them down so the thought of another track shutting down ( no matter where its located) really irritates me.
For those of you that do not know me please do not hesitate to introduce your self and talk with me, i will be attending the banquet next weekend but by no means do not expect me to do any public speaking as i am way to shy for that although i have no problem talking and listening to you on a one on one basis.
I am a bracket racer to the bone, always have been and always will be, i have won some big and small races (IHRA and NHRA) and i have lost a whole lot more, i have had some real fancy high dollar cars, and i have had ( still have) some not so fancy ( piece of crap) cars..Either way there is nothing better then a Saturday night bracket race ( in my opinion).
Bracket racing has kept me out of trouble as a kid ( and up to now) as there is a lot worse stuff kids ( and grown ups) could be doing as well all know.
Over the years i have been treated very well by NHRA and very well by IHRA and also on the other hand i have been treated not so well by each of the organizations as well..So trust me i know what it feels like to get the short end of the stick..You can never go wrong by being FAIR no matter what the situation is and that is what i try to do, because trust me i have been on both sides..Right is right and wrong is wrong.
I realize what cars cost, what the it takes to maintain one, the cost of going to the races( gas,entrys,food and etc) so anything less then getting treated fairly is totally unacceptable.
We all know that most racers are not going to make any money bracket racing, but it sure helps to get some back every now and then. Wether most want to admit it or not its a hobby to most. That does not mean you are not serious about it and want to win but it does mean you enjoy everything bracket racing offers and the things that go with it.
Sorry this post is so long and it kinda jumps around, and yeah well i am sure there are things mispelled as well but you get the idea..
Looking forward to keeping WRP what it is and hopefully even making it better, if we all work together i think its a no brainer..
Thanks for taking the time to read,
Jeff Hefler
( 817 ) 521-5333
email raceandwin1@yahoo.com
As we all know things have changed over the years, i spent almost 3 years employed at Texas Raceway and learned a lot. We were open 5 days a week and it required a incredible amount of work. But either way operating a race track is a 24/7 job. If you look at the succesfull tracks most likely that is there only business and not a sideline.
Most ( not all ) people do not realize the work,time,effort, and money it takes to operate a race track these days. I think i bet Bee would testify on the work and time it takes. From my experience racing at Wichita the few times i did in the last couple of years Bee and Sharon were doing a great job as i know the commitment that it takes.
I have a good feeling about Wichita Raceway Park ( or i have completley lost my mind)!..The racers have always appeared very loyal to the track. There are already enough tracks across the country failing and shutting down due to low car counts, low spectator counts, track operators getting burned out, or cities shutting them down so the thought of another track shutting down ( no matter where its located) really irritates me.
For those of you that do not know me please do not hesitate to introduce your self and talk with me, i will be attending the banquet next weekend but by no means do not expect me to do any public speaking as i am way to shy for that although i have no problem talking and listening to you on a one on one basis.
I am a bracket racer to the bone, always have been and always will be, i have won some big and small races (IHRA and NHRA) and i have lost a whole lot more, i have had some real fancy high dollar cars, and i have had ( still have) some not so fancy ( piece of crap) cars..Either way there is nothing better then a Saturday night bracket race ( in my opinion).
Bracket racing has kept me out of trouble as a kid ( and up to now) as there is a lot worse stuff kids ( and grown ups) could be doing as well all know.
Over the years i have been treated very well by NHRA and very well by IHRA and also on the other hand i have been treated not so well by each of the organizations as well..So trust me i know what it feels like to get the short end of the stick..You can never go wrong by being FAIR no matter what the situation is and that is what i try to do, because trust me i have been on both sides..Right is right and wrong is wrong.
I realize what cars cost, what the it takes to maintain one, the cost of going to the races( gas,entrys,food and etc) so anything less then getting treated fairly is totally unacceptable.
We all know that most racers are not going to make any money bracket racing, but it sure helps to get some back every now and then. Wether most want to admit it or not its a hobby to most. That does not mean you are not serious about it and want to win but it does mean you enjoy everything bracket racing offers and the things that go with it.
Sorry this post is so long and it kinda jumps around, and yeah well i am sure there are things mispelled as well but you get the idea..
Looking forward to keeping WRP what it is and hopefully even making it better, if we all work together i think its a no brainer..
Thanks for taking the time to read,
Jeff Hefler
( 817 ) 521-5333
email raceandwin1@yahoo.com
