First and foremost, a terrific week of racing in all classes, conducted safely. Some bent metal here and there (the “mid-ground” with the Hellcat and Jetman vehicle was a little troubling) but everyone goes home healthy. Just what the doctor ordered for RARA and sets up really well for 2014.
Congrats to all the class winners and those who pushed them hard throughout the week. It’s important to remember that without all the participants who spend their time, money, and energy each and every year to challenge themselves and their equipment (most knowing full well they’re not likely to finish near the top)…well, they call that an Air Show, not an Air Race.
Attendance seemed strong…much stronger that last year which we all know was down for obvious reasons. The view I have from Home Pylon showed GA pretty well packed, and Reserved had a nice crowd on Saturday and much stronger than that on Sunday. I can’t gauge the pit area or the box seats too well from my perspective but trust they were at or above average. Hopefully concessions reflected that as well.
Was impressed with LiveAirShow’s work online and postings to RARA’s site was very timely. Well done to all! Certainly added much to the event and hope it’s bigger and better next year!
Now…about some of the nay-saying here. I know I may piss-off some folks but we all wear big boy pants. After all this sport has been through in the last two years, we have folks here bitchin’ and moanin’ about jumbtron advertisements, greedy owners, a modified UNL racecourse, feeling good about not attending this year, and on…and on…and on? Really? To quote ESPN, ”Come ‘On Man!” Do you really have to throw stones, cold water, and find fault around every corner?
To those who chose to enjoy the races from one vantage point or another without contributing to RARA’s coffer’s (e.g. buying GA tickets, pit passes, concessions, on line purchases, etc.) spare me the rant. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion but unless you put some serious $$$ behind it, it’s like bitchin’ about elected officials and not bothering to vote. It seems some folks just can’t seem to enjoy themselves without finding a way to suffer through it. The old puritanical ethos that anything worth having must be accompanied by a certain measure of pain is alive and well apparently. And while I’m at it…if you’re a Valley of Speed fence-liner and have issues with getting dusted by Judges, Contest, and Security vehicle traffic that must travel along the inside of the west fence…got a suggestion for you. Buy a ticket, see the show. Not much dust in the grandstands/pits. Otherwise, go pound sand…you’ll have plenty.
Virtually every race team, vendor, supplier, volunteer group, and other supporters at Reno expends extraordinary amounts of blood, sweat, tears, and dollars to put on the fastest motorsport in the world for us to enjoy and/or participate in. We owe each and every one of them our appreciation and support. Sitting at a monitor cranking out complaints about owners, RARA, how it’s the last year for the races (had an original thought lately?), et al, adds no value to the process and only serves to distract from the mission. Ask yourself…what have I done to make Reno even better year after year? If you’re honest and the answer is not a helluva lot, then the problem is looking back at you every morning in the bathroom mirror.
Lead, follow…or get the hell out of the way.
Target acquired…got good tone? Go ahead, fire away.
Congrats to all the class winners and those who pushed them hard throughout the week. It’s important to remember that without all the participants who spend their time, money, and energy each and every year to challenge themselves and their equipment (most knowing full well they’re not likely to finish near the top)…well, they call that an Air Show, not an Air Race.
Attendance seemed strong…much stronger that last year which we all know was down for obvious reasons. The view I have from Home Pylon showed GA pretty well packed, and Reserved had a nice crowd on Saturday and much stronger than that on Sunday. I can’t gauge the pit area or the box seats too well from my perspective but trust they were at or above average. Hopefully concessions reflected that as well.
Was impressed with LiveAirShow’s work online and postings to RARA’s site was very timely. Well done to all! Certainly added much to the event and hope it’s bigger and better next year!
Now…about some of the nay-saying here. I know I may piss-off some folks but we all wear big boy pants. After all this sport has been through in the last two years, we have folks here bitchin’ and moanin’ about jumbtron advertisements, greedy owners, a modified UNL racecourse, feeling good about not attending this year, and on…and on…and on? Really? To quote ESPN, ”Come ‘On Man!” Do you really have to throw stones, cold water, and find fault around every corner?
To those who chose to enjoy the races from one vantage point or another without contributing to RARA’s coffer’s (e.g. buying GA tickets, pit passes, concessions, on line purchases, etc.) spare me the rant. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion but unless you put some serious $$$ behind it, it’s like bitchin’ about elected officials and not bothering to vote. It seems some folks just can’t seem to enjoy themselves without finding a way to suffer through it. The old puritanical ethos that anything worth having must be accompanied by a certain measure of pain is alive and well apparently. And while I’m at it…if you’re a Valley of Speed fence-liner and have issues with getting dusted by Judges, Contest, and Security vehicle traffic that must travel along the inside of the west fence…got a suggestion for you. Buy a ticket, see the show. Not much dust in the grandstands/pits. Otherwise, go pound sand…you’ll have plenty.
Virtually every race team, vendor, supplier, volunteer group, and other supporters at Reno expends extraordinary amounts of blood, sweat, tears, and dollars to put on the fastest motorsport in the world for us to enjoy and/or participate in. We owe each and every one of them our appreciation and support. Sitting at a monitor cranking out complaints about owners, RARA, how it’s the last year for the races (had an original thought lately?), et al, adds no value to the process and only serves to distract from the mission. Ask yourself…what have I done to make Reno even better year after year? If you’re honest and the answer is not a helluva lot, then the problem is looking back at you every morning in the bathroom mirror.
Lead, follow…or get the hell out of the way.
Target acquired…got good tone? Go ahead, fire away.
Comment