The PINKS ALL-OUT event was an opportunity for local racers to get their chance to be a part of a TV production. The entire schedule was run by the SPEED TV production company, and not by the staff or management of NPR. Our facility was contracted out to SPEED TV and they dictated who and when contestants and exhibitions ran down the track.

I personally delivered copies of the daily race schedule to several of the exhibition drivers so that they could be prepared for their run times. That schedule called for 2 time trials on Friday and 3 runs on Saturday. Everything on the schedule was dependent upon the clock.

The breakdowns and cleanups on Friday put the schedule completely out of whack. The production company made the decision not to run any exhibitions in an attempt to give the racer entries an opportunity to get their 2 times trials in before the 8:00 p.m. posted cut-off time. They concluded the 2 time trials at 7:55.

Saturday saw a dramatic change in the weather, and more oil-downs. After the rain ended, the production company decided to reduce the 3 exhibition sessions down to 1, and due to the high crosswinds, they made the decision to run it on eighth-mile.

We went out of our way to accommodate our exhibition racers. One got the best parking spot on the concrete behind the tower, and took up two parking spaces so that they could display 6 cars in front of their trailer. Thousands of spectators had to pass right in front of their trailer in route to the pit-side of the track. Others got to pit at the front of the staging lanes, and others were pitted on the grassy area behind the tower.

I tired to make it clear to all of our exhibition racers that PINKS is about making a TV show. The producers ran the track, and they made all of the calls about who, what, and when anything went down the track. Two factors that we could not control kicked out butts, oil-downs and weather. Without those two elements, everyone would have had the opportunity to make numerous exhibition runs. I have an immediate opening for any person who can stop the rain, keep the temperature at 70 degrees, make the wind blow soft and straight down the track, and can stop any race car from blowing up on the track. Until that person is found, we will continue to do the best we can with whatever hand we are dealt.

Thanks to all who helped make this event happen. It should be aired sometime in July.

Pat,
I can only speak for myself as we were only a small part of the exhibtion racers. I can certainly understand that the track was contracted out to the Pinks folks and that you and your crew did your best and didn't make the calls as to what happens when. But I guess the frustrating part for me was the wasted time. Not knowing all the ends and outs to what was going on. It seemed to me(at least) that we had opportunities to get a pass in earlier than what transpired. I would be lieing if I told you it wasn't very frustrating....But on a positive note it was good seeing the stands packed. And I know my son enjoyed the tow back after his pass in front of the cheering crowd,LOL....Maybe next time mother nature will be more kind.....

I would like to say Thanks to SPEED TV for coming to NPR and letting me make my four exhibitions passes in front of thousands of spectators. I paid my money in advance, I was in the gates before 6pm Thursday evening like I was told, I made four passes and had a great weekend and went home Sunday.

Again Thanks NPR & SPEED TV for allowing me to race with 450 plus cars and to meet lots of people that follow this PINKS deal allover the country, it seems to me that PINKS is for the everyday racers and not the high and mighty.

I also enjoy the bus ride with "Thriller" that was so much fun, we drag the back bumper with the short bus, that was so funny!! The spectators went crazy when they seen that.

TOT, we too, had a blast, and enjoyed the event, although we did it only on 7!

We had a Blast also TOT. The Thriller knows how to get the crowd going, that was cool.

Mike

TOT, that was funny with the short bus. And I agree with yall that overall I think the weekend was a big success. I think Pat's original intent with this thread was directed towards the exhibition racers that he knew were frustrated because of the lack of passes and delays that we incurred. Some of the exhibition racers were there since Thursday also so I can understand their point of view also. Personally I am a glass half full kind of guy,LOL I think a lot was learned this weekend about this event and it will be that much better in the future.

The Exhibitions was only to run on Saturday, so if they came Thursday that was on them. I'm sure if it didn't rain ya'll would have made those passes.

But anyway next year NPR can get a Top Fuel Team to come test and the spectators can really go wild.

J.M.O I'm waiting to see if I'm a star or not on SPEED TV, I already sign a few t-shirts this pass weekend.

I was with the bike exhibitions and had a great time. The way I understood it worked was we would get a free pass in and if everything went right we would get some passes down the track during the Pink's show. Well the way it went we only got a 1/8 mile pass. So I still got a free weekend for Pinks and had a fun time. I didn't waste my time at all. If the track got any more deals like that, COUNT ME IN! Peter Pollet

Hey Peter, had a blast myself especially when they called my number for the 32 car field. Thanks Pat and Pinks all out!! Skipper