Ironman National - VIP sections gone wild

Warpig
Posts
8
Joined
8/23/2015
Location
Flint, MI, USA
Edited Date/Time 8/25/2015 5:39pm
Sorry, criticism ahead.

The Ironman track is great. It has lots of good obstacles, lots of lines, looks great on TV. Its got lots of upside. Nobody in his right mind is going to call it a great spectator track though. No matter where you are 75% of the track is out of view, its one of the worst National tracks for seeing lots of the race in person.

It is what it is, its a great track for racing so you accept it and look for the best spot. I Had a good spot last year on top of the cliff near the uphill triple. This year its got a semi parked there with t shirts sales, bike displays and vip seating tent. Last year 500 people were watching the race from a spot where this year they were selling T shirts.. this is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in a long time.

Add that insult to the "holeshot club" that had about 12 people in it. The "private booth" at the top of Godzilla. The gigantic Lucas Oil VIP tent and the whole bottom infield the Red Bull had roped off for about 20 people I saw in there. It is out of control.

You guys have gone from taking a few good areas to taking *all* the best viewing areas. Regular fans were left with the crap. Red Bud isn't like this, Unadilla isnt like this. They have VIP areas but not monopolizing every good spot.

|
500guy
Posts
12469
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
8/23/2015 11:23am
Sounds like you need to buy a VIP ticket if it bothers you so bad. Always love it when people sign up just to bitch.

Like the clown complaining about Dungey not liking his stalking him.
Landshark
Posts
450
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
8/23/2015 11:26am
I understand your frustration in attending the event and not being able to see much of the racing; however, I have come to expect this in attending races. It is what it is. I would venture to guess that every national on the schedule has similar complaints.

Watching this race on tv was phenomenal. Cut the Ironman National promoters and track owners some slack. It will take some time to refine this event. In my opinion, they have done an outstanding job thus far.

Keep on Brraaappiinnn' On!!!!
Warpig
Posts
8
Joined
8/23/2015
Location
Flint, MI, USA
8/23/2015 11:35am
500guy wrote:
Sounds like you need to buy a VIP ticket if it bothers you so bad. Always love it when people sign up just to bitch. Like...
Sounds like you need to buy a VIP ticket if it bothers you so bad. Always love it when people sign up just to bitch.

Like the clown complaining about Dungey not liking his stalking him.
It wont work that way though. I attend 2 to 6 Nationals a year, every year for over 20 years (3 this year). If it doesn't improve I'll just cross Indy off the list and go places that take regular fans under a little more consideration when they make these decisions.
Sandberm
Posts
5845
Joined
3/27/2009
Location
Pasco, WA, USA
8/23/2015 11:38am
Valid complaint I think whether its his first post or 5050th.

Hell, when they put the banner wall up at the begining of the whoops years ago at Washougal I had a fit...I assume it hasnt gotten any better.

The Shop

Hut
Posts
10281
Joined
4/27/2010
Location
USA
8/23/2015 11:42am
500guy wrote:
Sounds like you need to buy a VIP ticket if it bothers you so bad. Always love it when people sign up just to bitch. Like...
Sounds like you need to buy a VIP ticket if it bothers you so bad. Always love it when people sign up just to bitch.

Like the clown complaining about Dungey not liking his stalking him.
Warpig wrote:
It wont work that way though. I attend 2 to 6 Nationals a year, every year for over 20 years (3 this year). If it doesn't...
It wont work that way though. I attend 2 to 6 Nationals a year, every year for over 20 years (3 this year). If it doesn't improve I'll just cross Indy off the list and go places that take regular fans under a little more consideration when they make these decisions.
Boom!
McSpeed
Posts
2
Joined
8/23/2015
Location
Willoughby, OH, USA
8/23/2015 11:56am
Warpig is right on, prime viewing spots sold to corporations while we were delegated to second class spots. Another problem was there were only 3 food vendors for 20,000 people or so. Don't get it. The track itself is great, the facility was top notch, lots of ports potties and lots of great fans. So close to being a great event. I hope they make some changes or I'm a no show.
8/23/2015 12:08pm
Hangtown was the same way. They take up large areas in prime spots and then have very few people in the area. Also, at Hangtown they did not have enough food vendors and ran out of food EVERYWHERE before the last moto. It was a joke. Glen Helen is way better and I'll never go back to Hangtown to watch. To the idiot that said just buy VIP. Be reasonable, families can't afford to buy everyone a VIP ticket, that is just foolish.
JoJmoto
Posts
1783
Joined
11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
8/23/2015 12:11pm
Not going to get any better..IMHO.

I feel the "Average" fan is looked down on these days. Just like the "Average racer".. the puppet masters who control this sport, on track and off, are pricing the "Average" riders out and I see recently, with all the "Add ons" in ticket pricing, they are heading that direction with the "Average" fans. Better come off that money if you want any real enjoyment in this sport boys! If not, find a new sport suckers!
8/23/2015 12:20pm Edited Date/Time 8/23/2015 12:22pm
Sounds a bit like the world gps charge extortionate prices on absolutely everything the british gp worked out at around $100 for saturday and sunday then another $40 if you wanted to camp not forgetting the $11.50 for a double cheeseburger. Saying that you got to view the whole track but other gps arent so lucky and i watch it on tv you will see that put 8ft high banners everywhere and all round corners so it can be hard to see.hope the us doesnt go down that route
kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
8/23/2015 12:25pm
The powers in moto don't do what they do for money,,,,,
wwoberg
Posts
749
Joined
11/19/2010
Location
Soddy Daisy, TN, USA
8/23/2015 12:28pm
Muddy Creek is the same way. One entire side of the track is for VIP/Club tickets. This past year there was about 20 people in there.
TeamGreen
Posts
37308
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
8/23/2015 12:29pm
I walked back & forth from the front start-hill to the backside of the track/hill and was able to see 80% of the track. Seeing 100% of the track took a little more walking; but, the point is...

I thought the viewing was Awesome.

The Rock
Posts
8758
Joined
3/21/2007
Location
HAIKU, HI, USA
8/23/2015 12:48pm
Flatter the track the more attention needs to be given to banner placement. TV is key but we can't forget the true fans that come out.
jj welks
Posts
712
Joined
5/14/2015
Location
USA
8/23/2015 12:50pm
I'm disappoint I came here expecting naughtys
yak651
Posts
8861
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI, USA
Fantasy
8/23/2015 12:53pm
kkawboy14 wrote:
The powers in moto don't do what they do for money,,,,,
Tongue
500guy
Posts
12469
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
8/23/2015 12:58pm
jj welks wrote:
I'm disappoint I came here expecting naughtys
I was thinking the same thing, Gone Wild implies some breasts came out or something of the sort.

I don't blame the OP for being a little upset but when the folks that put big money into the show pay to have these areas there isn't much can be done.
Excaliburbmx
Posts
1868
Joined
6/21/2014
Location
Indianapolis, IN, USA
8/23/2015 1:04pm
How much are vip tickets and where can I get them.
TeamGreen
Posts
37308
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
8/23/2015 1:04pm Edited Date/Time 8/24/2015 8:53am
Thread Title should be: Spectators Gone Whinning

Edit: Thought I was being funny...and I came across as a dick.

Edit: My joke wasn't that funny...while there is it a bit of what I call "whining", the OP owns it and pointed it out from the on-set. My bad.
motomike137
Posts
8180
Joined
4/22/2010
Location
Fenton, MI, USA
8/23/2015 1:32pm
500 and TG you can make fun of the Op all you want but I totally agree with Warpig on this. The average fan pays the bills for all of this to be possible and I think sometimes that gets lost in translation. Red Bud put the THOR vip right where we watched from for many years and they also erected those grandstands at the top of the Monza turn that very few sit in unless they have the top row (another great viewing spot taken away from Joe six pack fan). It is getting easier and easier to justify staying home and watching it on TV Smile
wideroad
Posts
21
Joined
8/23/2015
Location
Indianapolis, IN, USA
8/23/2015 1:45pm
TeamGreen wrote:
I walked back & forth from the front start-hill to the backside of the track/hill and was able to see 80% of the track. Seeing 100%...
I walked back & forth from the front start-hill to the backside of the track/hill and was able to see 80% of the track. Seeing 100% of the track took a little more walking; but, the point is...

I thought the viewing was Awesome.

That's exactly what I was doing and thought the views were great.
JM485
Posts
5815
Joined
10/1/2013
Location
Davis, CA, USA
8/23/2015 1:54pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Thread Title should be: Spectators Gone Whinning Edit: Thought I was being funny...and I came across as a dick. Edit: My joke wasn't that funny...while there...
Thread Title should be: Spectators Gone Whinning

Edit: Thought I was being funny...and I came across as a dick.

Edit: My joke wasn't that funny...while there is it a bit of what I call "whining", the OP owns it and pointed it out from the on-set. My bad.
TG I know you have more insite than most of us and usually your posts are spot on, but I have to disagree and say that the OP has a legitament complaint. It seems like complains like this are often met if a lot of opposition, but I don't see why discussing these things is a bad thing.

The only national I go to each year is Hangtown, and more than once I've thought to myself that the VIP areas are in pretty damn good spots, which takes away those spots from the average fan that goes out to enjoy it every year. Luckily, for the last couple years Dwayne has been nice enough to let myself and a few of my friends invade his prime viewing area, but I still like to walk around a bit during one or two motos just to experience the entire event. There are definately a few spots where the trackside banners get in the way, and while 90% of the time they are not an issue, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't discuss possible ways to make the events better. I think DC does a heck of a job every year and we always have a great time, but bringing possible complains from other fans to his attention seems like a constructive way to improve things a bit. I'm not saying everyone and their mom should be screaming in his ear, but a suggestion here and there can't hurt.
BSmooth13
Posts
796
Joined
1/31/2015
Location
Knoxville, TN, USA
8/23/2015 1:55pm
wwoberg wrote:
Muddy Creek is the same way. One entire side of the track is for VIP/Club tickets. This past year there was about 20 people in there.
I was in there, definitely more than 20 people.
kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
8/23/2015 1:59pm
Needs to be more like supercross.....
Sandberm
Posts
5845
Joined
3/27/2009
Location
Pasco, WA, USA
8/23/2015 2:57pm
wwoberg wrote:
Muddy Creek is the same way. One entire side of the track is for VIP/Club tickets. This past year there was about 20 people in there.
BSmooth13 wrote:
I was in there, definitely more than 20 people.
So what did it cost you to be in there?
ryandiezic757
Posts
331
Joined
6/2/2015
Location
Streetsboro, OH, USA
8/23/2015 3:58pm
I was also there and I walked around and saw 90% of track. I personally think nationals you can either be up close and really focus on how fast they are going in one section and really see the action OR walk around and see the entire track, I know this going in so I'm fine with it
mxjef
Posts
909
Joined
8/19/2006
Location
Fountain Valley, CA, USA
8/23/2015 4:06pm
kkawboy14 wrote:
The powers in moto don't do what they do for money,,,,,
yak651 wrote:
Tongue
The Coombs Family Mafia has to make money somehow.
kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
8/23/2015 4:14pm
kkawboy14 wrote:
The powers in moto don't do what they do for money,,,,,
yak651 wrote:
Tongue
mxjef wrote:
The Coombs Family Mafia has to make money somehow.
DC says he doesn't make any money off of moto on the weekends. But what he does during the weeks supports his moto charities
davis224
Posts
7514
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Cornland, IL, USA
Fantasy
8/23/2015 4:21pm
I managed to find what I believed to be the primo spot for non VIP viewing. I'd say I could see 75% of the track, some was fairly obstructed, but I could at least make out who the rider was, if a pass had been made. I spent most of my time leaning against the barrier for the Lucas oil VIP area on top of a hill. Could see the start, godzilla, the uphill triple, a few corners of the back section, and vaguely see the action the few corners before the finish. I peed on the spot to mark it mine though, you bastards can't have it!
kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
8/23/2015 4:23pm
davis224 wrote:
I managed to find what I believed to be the primo spot for non VIP viewing. I'd say I could see 75% of the track, some...
I managed to find what I believed to be the primo spot for non VIP viewing. I'd say I could see 75% of the track, some was fairly obstructed, but I could at least make out who the rider was, if a pass had been made. I spent most of my time leaning against the barrier for the Lucas oil VIP area on top of a hill. Could see the start, godzilla, the uphill triple, a few corners of the back section, and vaguely see the action the few corners before the finish. I peed on the spot to mark it mine though, you bastards can't have it!
Well la tea da....
8/23/2015 5:00pm
Unadilla did a great job of putting thought in giving spectators a great view from numerous vantage points....Broome was like that too. Southwick went in a different direction and finally put a VIP tent up that prevented spectators from walking around the track. I know industry people and those willing to spend freely for the VIP experience see nothing wrong in blocking track views or taking away the ability to see the gate drop from the average spectators...That's why I love it that Unadilla is surviving and attendance is up while the loss of Southwick really isn't that tragic. A beautiful track but even banner revenue didn't save it.

Post a reply to: Ironman National - VIP sections gone wild

The Latest