Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence......

Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence???
Race fans, drivers, car owners and interested parties, I pose this question to you.
Since, the Whitecaps took over the lease at Berlin Raceway(they did not "buy" the racetrack), the criticism, negativity and constant bitching has rained down on the recent management.
And yes, I too have been disappointed with some decisions.
However, I take that up with management.
Not behind a fictitious name on a message board.
When I post, I leave my name.
When I send an email, I leave my name.
But I also, have complimented them on some decisions and the improvements that have been made.
I am a passionate race fan, like so many of you.
I watch it.
I read about it.
I study it.
I talk about it.
I too care about it.
I am not here to take sides on any "issue" regarding Berlin Raceway, past or present.
I only ask, you ask your self................
Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence?
I relate my recent experience.
This past Tuesday, myself and another race fan traveled 5 hours to watch a mid week special late model race.
Exhibit A
Pit passes:
Non-team members $75
Late models $55
Limited late models $50
Sportsman $50
Berlin is $25, team member or not
The Boyne is $35, and a 3 day is $75
Exhibit B:
Posted at the pit gate, "Absolutely no carry-ins. If caught $500 fine"
Berlin allows coolers.
Exhibit C:
The 3 classes of cars that ran all looked alike.
Template body stock cars.
The difference?
late models have slicks.
limited lates have treaded tires and about 100 less horsepower
Midwest sportsman, treaded tires and shorter wheelbase.
I hear the same whining at Berlin.
But I can tell the difference, between a Berlin late model, super stock, pro stock and 4 cylinder.
Exhibit D:
Tickets were $26
A special at Berlin like the Boyne?
$18
A 2-day ticket is $28
Exhibit E:
5 races for my $26
And 1 of them, the last chance race was held 2 HOURS before the first race at 5pm in the afternoon.
The feature races started at 7pm
When has Berlin run a last chance race at 5pm?
Exhibit F:
Track safety
For the pictures see my blog:
http://schmoe84.blogspot.com/
It was during the last chance race, there was a wreck in turn 4 between 2 cars.
A car on it's side driver window down, pinned against the wall, by the another car, a leaking fuel cell, a fire breaks out.
The car right side up, the driver scrambles out.
The car on its side, the driver has to climb out through the passenger side window and is helped over the pit fence by his mother.
Track safety fight the flames with fire extinguishers.
As 3 city fire trucks sit in the pits, not manned, not ready and not moving.
The fire is thankfully put out, with no serious injuries.
The car with the lesser damage, does drive away.
As for the other car, it is flipped on its roof on the track.
Not wanting a flame up, when they tow the charred remains of the other car away, the track PA announcer pages the fireman to man their truck, so they can be on the scene of the accident, in case of a flare up.
Paged not once, but TWICE, to report to their vehicles.
After the 2nd page, they emerge from the hospitality tent where NASCAR drivers are holding an autograph session, dressed in shorts and t-shirts.
They put on their turnout gear and stand the ready in case they are needed.
Read about the driver in the fire here:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=773773
Exhibit G:
Concessions were comparable
12 oz can of beer was $4.50, only Miller
Exhibit H:
Purse
I asked a car owner of a limited late model,
"What does it pay to win?"
The answer "We don't know. Sometimes it's $300, other times it could be $800"
I said, "Is there a guaranteed purse?"
The answer "No. It depends on the crowd. The promoter pays on a percentage and no one knows what that is"
And he continued "We don't race here for the money"
I said, "Berlin pays $1600 to win for late models and $425 to start"
Reply, "That's a great payout"
By the way, the car count was:
Late models 42
Limited lates 20
Midwest 14
I don't bring these up, to pick on Slinger Speedway.
It is a neat little 1/4 mile highbanked track, just north od Milwaukee.
http://www.slingersuperspeedway.com/
We'll be back next year.
It was a great race as Matt Kenseth won his 4th Miller Light Nationals, Kyle Busch was 4th.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=773082
With hundreds of short tracks having been closed all over the country.
Rumors swirling about the Historic Milwaukee Mile being shut down.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=771750
Nascar truck driver Rick Crawford wants to reopen Montgomery Motor Speedway, and neighbors are fighting back
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/SPORTS/807160360/1002/sports
As I drove the 5 hours back home in the wee hours of the morning.
Two thoughts kept coming back to me.
"Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence"
and
"We don't race here for the money"
I'll see you at the track.
Joe Ruch