does PCMS need this web forum for the track?

[killerbee20]

In order for racers and those interested to get the word out and find organized information, we need those with the information to post it.

We need to find whoever has the information and get it posted. I Help do what I can. All I can do is post the silly things I find to help keep interest up. usually it's un-related, but it's all I have access to. There are a lot of people that log in here everyday looking for fresh content, so I make the effort to occasionally post something out of the blue.

The PCMS forums should be loaded with information on the timing system, where to get tickets, how the track is improving, pictures of the winners, information on the track meetings. What's going on. There is really none of this taking place.

I don't have that information. This isn't my forum, it's yours the racers, the PCMS track community. I'm just the gatekeeper, the grounds keeper. I mow the grass, paint the windows and keep out the vandals. It's up to the community and track heads to put out information the racers and fans need.

We have anywhere from 20-50 people log in every day here hoping to see what's going on, looking for new content.

Probably wouldn't hurt to get somebody that knows to discuss the next race dates, the timing system, meeting minutes, and ask for help on work days... and throw up some props for those that race and make the effort. Somebody won some races... No idea who they are though. I've not seen anything listed.

It can't just be me and Neiffer teasing Starkey all day (not that I haven't enjoyed that). Or me posting silly crap about import racing. It's a community, and ultimately, it's about PCMS using the avenue to promote itself and it's racers.

People come to a tracks web forum to learn about the facility. What's going on, who's doing what and where. How to get involved.

I'm happy to do my part, but after 2 years, somebody in an actual PCMS capacity needs to throw up some information the racers can use.

Anybody win on race day? No idea.

Anything special coming up? No idea.

Is there a fund raiser underway for a timing system? No idea.

Any plans for improvements? No idea.

Is there a work day? No idea.

Is there an important meeting? No idea.

Anybody come close to breaking a track record? no idea.


The next part sounds like I'm irritated, I truly am not. No good way to type some things.

If the PCMS track forum is not required, let me know, and we can just close it. I'm here every day, painting the window frames, keeping out vandals and mowing the grass, so to speak.

I'm not being facetious, or confrontational. I'm just noting that if it's outlived it's usefulness, let's close it and concentrate our promotion on the areas that are working better for the main staff and track heads.

Twitter, facebook, youtube, web forums, wherever it happens to be. Let's concentrate on what the heads want to do, and the directions they want to take. This isn't about my direction or what I want to see, it's not about me. It's about you and what the track wants to see. I'm just here the most as the grounds keeper.

Ultimately, All I'm interested in is making sure that we get as much information out as possible. There is always some other organization that wants our racers to go hunting, camping, water skiing, motocross racing, paintballing, stock car racing, derby's, mud bogs, etc..etc...etc... and I'm as busy as the next guy and getting pulled in all those directions too. So I don't get to make it as often as I'd like. But I'd still like to help the track in anyway I can, if possible.

The folks with the best public relations and informations systems in place have the best chance at success. And those other people want our racers too.

Whatever you guys want to do, let me know, I'll help in any way I can. i think all of us are more than happy to help out in any way we can.

What do you guys want to do? It's not about me. Well, normally it's all about me, but not right now.

[prariehawg]

Good post Bob, I agree to much info is far better than none.

[killerbee20]

Jun 16, 2010 21:29:00 GMT -5 prariehawg said:

Good post Bob, I agree to much info is far better than none.

Here's what I know... You're the only dude I've seen at the track on a sled. Balls of steel my friend. ;D I think that also entitles YOU to be known as owning the track record for a sled... That's actually pretty cool if you think about it. No mention...

I think there should be mention of that somewhere. How do you get more of something to happen? You put up a number, a challenge. maybe there are a few more dudes that have been thinking about it but thought, NAH, I could never do that. They see you making it look easy and bammo, next thing you know, they're at the track and you get to have more fun.

I feel similarly about front wheel drive. I'll never own THEE track record. But I have the fastest pass with a front wheel drive car. and I'm darn proud of it. Until that gal with the dodge neon and the cheater wheelie bar finally gets it ironed out... then I'm screwed... FOR NOW, I enjoy it even if only for myself. and she hangs out and lurks on the forums here, I have to watch how lippy I get... ...lol... (nosdneon) and we're lucky to have those dudes around. traveling around to the tracks supporting the sport, etc. It's good for attendance and good for the track when people travel. Spectators want to see different stuff now and then. It's important.

we have a host of others that have done great things, and are entitled to a bit of the limelight. From Junior dragster passes to diesels to fastest Harley, to fastest Flathead or whatever. A lot of guys have something to be proud of! I just like when the dudes in the trench's get some props. these achievements go unrecognized.

I'd like to see those records. Records and limelight encourage participation. Jerry Johnson now holds the record for the fastest pass with a Buick nail head engine... how cool is that?

all kinds of things out there going on that we just don't know about. I don't even know who won from race day to raceday, much less the other cool stuff. The real victories, like making passes on a sled and representing that culture and putting on a show for the crowd!

that dude with the Subaru Justy running 15 seconds and finally cracking a 14... that's cool. To persevere and finally put up a number. I'm just as proud of that dude as I will be of Terry Dockter when he finally gets Neiffers record. Sorry Steve. ;D

Bench racing is the majority of the sport, gotta enjoy that too!

[Buicknut Starkey]

Bob you are correct about info never have enough. Right now we have 3 different sites for info on the track, the original site, this site and lately face book.

Face book reaches more people easier than either of the other 2. My daughter Amanda maintains the face book, its possible that she can make a post here after she gets the info on FB. But she can only post what she knows or recieves from other sources. Let me visit with her and see if she can also post info over here.

This has been a great site, because it covers so many different angles. The FB seems more just for info. Not that I don't catch crap over there too.

You have done an excellent job at maintaining this site although your edging needs a lttle work.
Party on
Rick

[ratikal]

I agree that there needs to be more information available. The same problem(sort of) is occuring with the regular website. The information is dated from last year. I sent in the points and he got those up but no pictures or results are up yet. Not sure what the problem is exactly. Maybe if the people showing up at the track were given a sheet with all of the links for the website and maybe info on racing in general, this forum and the facebook page we would get more hits as well as more participation. Other forums have the same problem as well, lots of lurkers and only a few participants. But, if we had more overall people involved maybe we would have a few more people posting. As far as "thee" track record goes I am surprised that it has lasted as long as it has. I hope when someone resets it they do so in a way I won't be tempted to try for it again. I told Coolidge that last time when he ran, I said set it deep so I don't have to worry about it again. He didn't. By the way I saw some dandelions growing next to the broken down Buick of Rick's.Talk about bringing the class of the neighborhood down ;D Well I am off to Seattle boys and girls.

[Buicknut Starkey]

Anything that needs to sent to the main site should go through Greg K. thats the way Mark the webmaster wanted it. That way things are looked at and nothing abnormal would be posted. If he new that Joe Blow would be sending him something after every race that might be different.

If there are dandilions growing around my Buick's that means the cement is cracking in the shop. I will just spray a little methonal on them that should fix that problem.

Steve you are correct about people stepping up and helping out with that sort of thing. I know Tom wants to send him pics and already has but not sure what happened.

Going to Seattle? Shouldn't be any kind of aclimation problem.

See you all next weekend.

Rick "Buicks Rule Everybody Else Drools" Starkey

[killerbee20]

Jun 17, 2010 13:56:53 GMT -5 ratikal said:

Well I am off to Seattle boys and girls.

OH MAN, are you in LUCK! The IFO (import face off) race at Pacific Raceway is next weekend! You going down early to get a good seat? ;D

I'd have flipped you a few hundred to haul the white Civic over a week early for me Hell, probably fits in the glove box of a standard pickup. Plus, look at the possibilities for additional revenue delivering Pizza in the Civic as they were intended to be used. ;D

I'm gonna finally dip a 9 with that white car at the IFO... I CAN FEEEEEEEL it!!!! Just like Rick knows there's a puddle of some random fluid under the Buick (without even looking). He can just feel it, and know it's there... waiting.

[killerbee20]

Jun 17, 2010 10:11:42 GMT -5 Buicknut Starkey said:

Bob you are correct about info never have enough. Right now we have 3 different sites for info on the track, the original site, this site and lately face book.

Face book reaches more people easier than either of the other 2. My daughter Amanda maintains the face book, its possible that she can make a post here after she gets the info on FB. But she can only post what she knows or recieves from other sources. Let me visit with her and see if she can also post info over here.

Facebook, Twitter, websites, webforums, whatever it is, we need to get behind whatever the heads want to do. I don't have a lot of useful skills, I'm web handy, so this is how I feel I can help contribute to the cause. And I'm happy to do it.

I could just as well help on Twitter, the site, facebook, wearever the prez thinks we need direction. I have no opinion either way.

Most places do all 4 simultaneously. Once a post is written (the hard part), it's a simple copy and paste to get the others updated. 30 minutes to put a post together, 2 minutes to paste in 3 other locations.

[killerbee20]

The problem is our PCMS website. We've grown, it hasn't.

The site should be the HUB, the main starting point for everything that spins off, the forums, facebook, twitter.

We don't have a hub, we have 3 things going on independently. Only 2 of which are trying to pursue active content that isn't coming our way.

Here's what a hub looks like.
www.magiccityinternationaldragway.com/

Go to the main site above and then pick your direction. We have no direction, and we show outdated obsolete information, or worse yet... NO INFORMATION.

[Buicknut Starkey]

Bob
Last night at the meeting this was discussed. If the info was given to you, such as race results would create a place to post them and mow the grass there? Also any thing that comes across from FB could be also sent to you also. The picture thing was also discussed, that is being worked on. Get me an email address if you want to do this.
Thanks Rick
Oh ya that fluid ain't under mine its under yours!!

[Bob]

Jun 18, 2010 13:59:19 GMT -5 Buicknut Starkey said:

Bob
Last night at the meeting this was discussed. If the info was given to you, such as race results would create a place to post them and mow the grass there?

I could create a "sub board" in the PCMS track information section specifically for race results.

My gut says not to do it though and post it in the regular PCMS section, and here's why. There's only going to be perhaps 5 results days per year. By having a separate section for it, people will only look in it, see no action and leave. By looking for it in the PCMS Track information section, they will have to look one or two posts up or down to find it. And theres not much new information, so it will always be "right there". BUT, they might also read the spot about "new business", "track improvement", "VOLUNTEERS NEEDED", or whatever it happens to be.

The more involved people get... well, the more involved people get. Got keep them informed to keep them involved.

Jun 18, 2010 13:59:19 GMT -5 Buicknut Starkey said:

Also any thing that comes across from FB could be also sent to you also. The picture thing was also discussed, that is being worked on. Get me an email address if you want to do this.
Thanks Rick

I'm happy to post stuff if need be. But I would mention that if somebody is going to cut and paste some information and send it to me in an email, where I'll cut and paste it in a thread.... Maybe we could skip the middle man and just paste it here first. Be quicker, and add no manpower, and remove one step.

Jun 18, 2010 13:59:19 GMT -5 Buicknut Starkey said:

Oh ya that fluid ain't under mine its under yours!!

Well, crap... can't be much, what's a Civic hold for oil, a pint?