| PLENTY OF CHANGES UNDER WAY AT ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD AS WINTER HEAT RESUMES SATURDAY AFTERNOON | By Dave Westerman
Fans, drivers and crews will notice a lot of changes that have either been completed or are under way as they return for round three of Winter Heat Saturday afternoon at Orlando Speedworld.
The pit entrance area has been re-worked and now includes a gate at the pit ticket booth that will remain closed until the time posted when the pits will open. "We will open the pit gate at 10AM Saturday morning and no one will be allowed in until then," says Speedworld General Manager Rusty Marcus.
Marcus is hoping this will be just one of several "steps in the right direction" that will make it easier for the track to operate. "It's been such a hassle to clear the pits at a particular time. This way everybody starts coming in at a specified time, then we can get practice sessions under way on time without having to have our track personnel check the pits and then re-check for arm bands," he says.
Several old trailers have also been cleared from the main pit area which have added another six to seven parking spaces for race teams. The biggest changes going on heading into the 2008 season are on the grandstand side of the race track, particularly in the concession area. The entire area has literally been gutted over the past two weeks and will give Speedworld's midway area a totally new look and feel by the time the regular season opens in March.
The biggest change will be the new Front Stretch Bar and Grill presented by Budweiser. When completed, this new track lounge will have central air and heat, a bar and a sit-down table area where fans can relax with both food and drink assisted by their hostesses, the Budweiser Girls.
Eventually everyone will be able to sit down, order food and drink and enjoy some "bench racing" at any time before, during, and after the races. Additionally the main concession area is being completely re-done, plus an outdoor beer garden will also be installed just behind the main grandstand in the turn one area. Picnic tables are also going to be placed throughout the midway area as well.
"I've been told time and again that this race track lacks atmosphere but that is all changing for 2008," explained Marcus. "We have a lot of areas roped off right now for the construction but it should not affect the fans at all during Winter Heat," he says.
This Saturday, the new concessionaire has opted not to open at a reduced level, but will instead bring in a couple of trailers to accommodate fans as well as those in the pit area. "Don't worry," says Marcus, "Nobody will go hungry." Another big change is really not a "change" but more like "bringing back the old times," as Marcus puts it.
The pay out window for the drivers will return to the grandstand side of the track beginning with the start of the regular season much like it used to be when late Track Owner Clyde Hart enjoyed paying the drivers from the window just outside the old track office. "The reason for this is very simple," says Marcus. "We want the fans to get a chance to interact with the drivers after the races. Plus with the new Front Stretch Bar and Grill, the drivers and crews will have a place to chill out after the show, get something to eat and maybe a Bud or two to calm their nerves," he says.
Other things going on are a full renovation of the track tower along with a portion of the main grandstand just below the tower area being designated as a "family section." No alcohol, smoking or profanity will be allowed in this section and it "will be enforced," says Marcus. Pit gates will open this Saturday morning at 10AM with racing beginning at 1PM. Grandstand gates will open at noon, but fans can come out earlier to watch practice which begins at 10:30AM. Any class of race car is invited to compete with RaceCeiver Legends, Bandoleros, Strictly Stock/Hurricanes, Super Stocks, Pro Challenge, Mini Stocks and much more expected to be on hand.
Track GM Marcus says the next three Saturdays can be looked upon as a chance to prepare for the upcoming season. "With everything going on, we'll probably only be able to schedule one, maybe two, open practices before the regular season kicks in March," says Marcus. "During Winter Heat, you not only get to practice, but get to race as well and there's no better way to see how you're doing than by actually racing... plus you might end up with a nice trophy too," he says.
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