i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
#2462139
03/06/18 06:56 PM
03/06/18 06:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,136 my own world
theraif
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,136
my own world
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There is no shortage of good news of packed dragstrips based on recent events varying from NHRA national events, to this past weekend’s March Meet, to any number of heads-up outlaw events.
But one recent example of success gone awry is the recent Discovery Channel No Prep event held at the brand new South Carolina Motorplex (SCM), formerly Orangeburg Dragstrip. Kudos are due to SCM for the hard work invested into the track including new guardrails, timing system, refurbished race tower, PA/sound system, and approximately 15 acres of expanded parking.
But even the shiniest of towers does not keep the current state of rampant social media buffs from placing any track on the highest pedestal or blasting the harshest criticisms. Agent 1320 received numerous calls from racers who reported the debacle of hosting the reported 10,000+ spectators who came for this grand opening event.
The first ingredient for failure reported to the Agent was the unprepared entry gate causing long backups on the county roads leading to the track. One specific report spoke about the single entry gate utilizing ONE cell phone to attempt to process charge cards and handle event phone calls at the same time.
South Carolina Motorplex had sold a considerable amount of VIP passes that included reserved parking and seating. That should have been the first indicator to track operators of the need to prepare for success. Many of those holding VIP passes arrived to find no remaining VIP parking, no provided grandstand seating, or were even refused entry to the strip by law enforcement that shut down the gate.
An example of the plethora of negative day-after Facebook reviews to SCM came from Tim Rahl who stated, “We bought five tickets over a month in advance. Drove almost 4 hours and waited in line for an hour to get up and have the police tell us we can't go in because it's full. Now we try and battle to get a refund. Glad you guys let us disappoint our kids.”
The moral of the story is that with the success of these drag racing events comes the two-edged sword of today’s social media. If you read the number of scathing reviews following the Orangeburg event, you can't help but consider who will risk attending the next large-scale race the track will host. That is a black eye for drag racing overall. [03/05/18]
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: theraif]
#2462153
03/06/18 07:32 PM
03/06/18 07:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 258 Cochise Co, Az, From Detroit
moetown
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 258
Cochise Co, Az, From Detroit
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There is no shortage of good news of packed dragstrips based on recent events varying from NHRA national events, to this past weekend’s March Meet, to any number of heads-up outlaw events. But one recent example of success gone awry is the recent Discovery Channel No Prep event held at the brand new South Carolina Motorplex (SCM), formerly Orangeburg Dragstrip. Kudos are due to SCM for the hard work invested into the track including new guardrails, timing system, refurbished race tower, PA/sound system, and approximately 15 acres of expanded parking. But even the shiniest of towers does not keep the current state of rampant social media buffs from placing any track on the highest pedestal or blasting the harshest criticisms. Agent 1320 received numerous calls from racers who reported the debacle of hosting the reported 10,000+ spectators who came for this grand opening event. The first ingredient for failure reported to the Agent was the unprepared entry gate causing long backups on the county roads leading to the track. One specific report spoke about the single entry gate utilizing ONE cell phone to attempt to process charge cards and handle event phone calls at the same time. South Carolina Motorplex had sold a considerable amount of VIP passes that included reserved parking and seating. That should have been the first indicator to track operators of the need to prepare for success. Many of those holding VIP passes arrived to find no remaining VIP parking, no provided grandstand seating, or were even refused entry to the strip by law enforcement that shut down the gate. An example of the plethora of negative day-after Facebook reviews to SCM came from Tim Rahl who stated, “We bought five tickets over a month in advance. Drove almost 4 hours and waited in line for an hour to get up and have the police tell us we can't go in because it's full. Now we try and battle to get a refund. Glad you guys let us disappoint our kids.” The moral of the story is that with the success of these drag racing events comes the two-edged sword of today’s social media. If you read the number of scathing reviews following the Orangeburg event, you can't help but consider who will risk attending the next large-scale race the track will host. That is a black eye for drag racing overall. [03/05/18] That's how Tucson dragway was for the outlaws event minus the vip parking issues. Tucson even ran out of food and water.
Last edited by moetown; 03/06/18 07:32 PM.
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: theraif]
#2462204
03/06/18 08:55 PM
03/06/18 08:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,526 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,526
Fulton County, PA
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Well...SGMP should be as prepared as any, and it still sounds like it's always chaos down there. Seems like it comes with the territory.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: theraif]
#2462206
03/06/18 08:58 PM
03/06/18 08:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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Bring cash to the gate. A debit card for that is stupid.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: madscientist]
#2462270
03/06/18 10:19 PM
03/06/18 10:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,526 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,526
Fulton County, PA
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Bring cash to the gate. A debit card for that is stupid. What I thought. National event maybe, but I've never seen it at a local track.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: theraif]
#2462311
03/06/18 11:11 PM
03/06/18 11:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448 Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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Uh, apparently whomever wrote that the March Meet was a shining example of success...hasn't attended one. Compared to Nationals and Divisionals I've raced at (and they have issues) The March Meet was a mess. I enjoyed it, but still a mess.
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: moetown]
#2462416
03/07/18 03:02 AM
03/07/18 03:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,710 KY
65pacecar
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,710
KY
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There is no shortage of good news of packed dragstrips based on recent events varying from NHRA national events, to this past weekend’s March Meet, to any number of heads-up outlaw events. But one recent example of success gone awry is the recent Discovery Channel No Prep event held at the brand new South Carolina Motorplex (SCM), formerly Orangeburg Dragstrip. Kudos are due to SCM for the hard work invested into the track including new guardrails, timing system, refurbished race tower, PA/sound system, and approximately 15 acres of expanded parking. But even the shiniest of towers does not keep the current state of rampant social media buffs from placing any track on the highest pedestal or blasting the harshest criticisms. Agent 1320 received numerous calls from racers who reported the debacle of hosting the reported 10,000+ spectators who came for this grand opening event. The first ingredient for failure reported to the Agent was the unprepared entry gate causing long backups on the county roads leading to the track. One specific report spoke about the single entry gate utilizing ONE cell phone to attempt to process charge cards and handle event phone calls at the same time. South Carolina Motorplex had sold a considerable amount of VIP passes that included reserved parking and seating. That should have been the first indicator to track operators of the need to prepare for success. Many of those holding VIP passes arrived to find no remaining VIP parking, no provided grandstand seating, or were even refused entry to the strip by law enforcement that shut down the gate. An example of the plethora of negative day-after Facebook reviews to SCM came from Tim Rahl who stated, “We bought five tickets over a month in advance. Drove almost 4 hours and waited in line for an hour to get up and have the police tell us we can't go in because it's full. Now we try and battle to get a refund. Glad you guys let us disappoint our kids.” The moral of the story is that with the success of these drag racing events comes the two-edged sword of today’s social media. If you read the number of scathing reviews following the Orangeburg event, you can't help but consider who will risk attending the next large-scale race the track will host. That is a black eye for drag racing overall. [03/05/18] That's how Tucson dragway was for the outlaws event minus the vip parking issues. Tucson even ran out of food and water. Who needs water in the desert anyway?
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Re: i guess South Carolina Motorplex was a cluster f***
[Re: theraif]
#2463075
03/08/18 01:37 PM
03/08/18 01:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,354 Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,354
Marion, South Carolina [><]
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Was their own dumba$$ fault for having such a big draw event at a little track like that. The name sounds fancy, but it's still just Orangeburg dragstrip. It is a nice track, but it is a small venue.
Should have had it at Darlington.
CHIP '70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60 '69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60 '71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75 '73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75 '90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt '06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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