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| Brandon Igdalsky |
Pocono Raceway CEO Brandon
Igdalsky issued a written statement today to further explain the track’s new
policy restricting the ability of fans to exit and re-enter the speedway.
Pocono’s Fan Fair – an area
that includes merchandise vendors, hospitality chalets, special events and driver
appearances throughout race weekend – has been designated a ticketed area for 2015.
Fans will be required to hold race tickets, camping
or RV guest passes to enter the Fan Fair on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday
admission restricted to Sprint Cup Series ticket holders. In addition, fans’
ability to exit and re-enter the facility will now be restricted for the
first time.
In his statement today,
Igdalsky cited the speedway’s updated policy, which reads in part, “For the
safety and security of our fans, re-entry back into Pocono Raceway is
restricted.
“The key word to understand
here is restricted,” said Igdalsky. “This is not a zero-tolerance policy.
“There will be situations and
circumstances which will arise which will be handled on a case-by-case basis by
the Gate Supervisors. If you have a situation during race weekend where you
need to exit the ticketed areas, our friendly Gate Supervisors will be there to
discuss it with you.
“We know many questions and
circumstance will arise and, again, this is why the language of the updated
re-entry policy says “restricted” and not “prohibited.” We will be handling every situation on a case-by-case basis.”
Igdalsky said the new policy
comes after a series of meetings with the United States Department of Homeland
Security and other local and national agencies.
“Their insight and suggestions
lead to us instituting an update to our existing re-entry policy,” he said. “Although
there is no imminent threat to Pocono Raceway, given the times we live in and
the fact so many individuals attend our outdoor sporting events, this policy
has been updated to ensure all fans will be safe.”
Virtually all major
professional sports -- NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA – restrict fans’ ability to exit
and re-enter their facilities. Most major college sports conferences exercise
similar policies. Pocono Raceway is believed to be the first NASCAR venue to
implement such a policy.
“This
policy is not meant to penalize you, our fan,” Igdalsky said. “Rather, it is
meant to provide you a safe environment to enjoy the great racing action and
the whole Pocono Experience. We firmly believe this policy update will
not hurt your experience at our venue. It is in place to ensure fans can come
to Pocono Raceway, enjoy all the activities and return home safely.”
So this is about fans safety? Here is my opinion. Its about gouging another dollar or two out of race fans who now cant go out to their vehicle and refill the cooler or bag of snacks. A prediction, A lot of ticked off people wont renew a lot of those pricey race tickets next time.
ReplyDelete"For the safety and security of our fans"
ReplyDeleteI think Americans have learned that most times a corporation or the government use this phrase, it is most definitely not going to make us safer or more secure. I especially like the "times we live in" and "everyone else is doing it" arguments. Its not even logical that the return could cause a danger that the first time didn't. I also notice they did not say why it is safer for the fans.
Its about money (and money savings) not terrorists.
If they made the restrictions only on Sunday and without including the souvenir area it would be accepted by most people. Realistically how many people make use of re-entry on Sunday? Certainly some do but the overwhelming majority would not be affected by this policy.
ReplyDeleteYou can't compare a Friday or Saturday at a NASCAR track to the regular sporting events because the total on-track activity is greater or far greater (depending on the race) than the average length of other sporting events. Many NASCAR events occur during the summer, sometimes in sweltering conditions, where no one wants to be stuck in or underneath the grandstands all day.
The ISC tracks have already restricted cooler acces "due to security concerns" requring them to be soft-sided. Many NASCAR fans that visit non-ISC tracks still tend to bring those coolers along and many variations leak water all over the seating area. Who wants to buy a $30 t-shirt only to leave it sitting under their seat potentially getting wet or stained by leaking cooler water or a spilled drink. What about those with children that want this souvenir and that souvenir or one of the larger-sized diecast cars. Not being able to purchase souvenirs and return them to their vehicle may garner the largest negative repsonse.
I wondered if this policy change was in response to a specific threat that the speedway did not want to be made known publicly for fear of fans staying home but that concern seems to have been addressed with today's comments. With declining attendance tracks should be bending over backwards to accomodate fans not coming up with new ways to restrict them. I can't say how many fans will not return to Poccono next year because of the policy chance but there will be fans, especially the fans that were unaware of the chnage, that will never return.
I've been a long time season ticket holder at Pocono (8 tickets). This track is convenient (3 hr drive), it's not crowded (meaning because it's a long track, everyone isn't congested in one area at one time - compare/contrast Dover), and we like the variety of access (pit/paddock passes available). We typically arrive at the track Friday and don't leave until late Sunday. We bring our full tailgating setup including tent and bbq. We eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the track. In between, we wander through the fan zone, back and forth to the haulers to buy merchandise (I'm still not over the fact that they're eliminating the haulers - I get the business, but am sad), go into the track for practice/qualifying Friday and Saturday, but return to the car to drop things off that we purchase in between "events" and pack up sandwiches to bring in for the next "event".
ReplyDeleteThe comparison to other sporting events is not proper. Other sporting events don't have, for example, an hour practice, then a break or other event practice, then practice again from about 9/10 am until 5. Some of our group don't stay in the track for the Xfinity events. She's just not interested, so she goes to the car for some R&R. Additionally, specifically at Pocono, we're in autograph alley as soon as the garages are open so the kids can get the drivers autographs every year. So from the time the gates open, until the last event is over, we're trapped inside the track carrying around our coolers; backpacks with scanners and headsets, seat cushions, light jackets, ponchos, suntan lotion, wallets, cameras, and cell phones; as well as the merchandise we purchase?
I understand their security concern and it is a valid one. Instead why can't a scan in/scan out policy as they have in place at, for example, Dover, be implemented? We were at Dover this past weekend (first visit there) and it was very efficient. Yes, some of the lines to get back in were long, but you were able to make the decision for yourself - was it worth exiting the area versus waiting on line to get back in?
I can assure the CEO and management at Pocono Raceway that if the policy is not modified, we will not be renewing our 8 season tickets and will instead make Dover (4 hr drive) or NH Motor Speedway (5 hr drive) our "home" track and will obtain season tickets there instead. That is not our preference - we love going to Pocono - but we won't be subjected to the 8+ hours of "captivity" for 3 straight days. I've emailed Pocono the same sentiment in my 255 allowed characters. I hope they revisit this issue.
(And bathrooms - let's not forget the bathrooms.... why would anyone use the porta-pottys in the parking lot when the Long John - the worlds biggest toiling facility - is available?!?!?)
ReplyDeleteBernadette that is one of our favorite parts of Pocono is the Long John!!!
DeleteThey are the best attendants I have ever experienced!! Wonder if they are planning to add more port-a-pottys to the parking area??
After being a long time ticket holder at Pocono I will not be renewing my tickets either.. Its just about making a buck by not letting people go back to their cars and such.I used to think Pocono Was one of the few tracks that cared about the fans but see its just another part of the NEW Nascar and their rules.
ReplyDeleteThe Dr. wouldn't have stooped to making the fans inconvenienced like this. Since when wasn't a NASCAR race a "safe environment"? I can see LOTS of circumstances where let's say a Mom takes her child to the car to rest and change their shirt after they got sick from the heat/food/excitement/fumes/whatever. And then good old Igdalsky decides they have to pay AGAIN to enter the track.
ReplyDeleteHorsehockey. NASCAR isn't a football game or baseball game. It's an all day/weekend event. This is a money grab, just like NASCAR eliminating the Officials from pit road and the souvenir trailers from the tracks. Profit pinching at it's worst. I live about 2:15 away, I think I'm sitting it out this weekend.
This defeats our purpose of getting to the track super early in the morning so we can go into the facilities and go back to our vehicles for lunch before driver introductions...Also, I guess we wont be visiting the merchandise area on Saturday as we don't have tickets?? Merchandise area should not be a ticketed area!! Its all part of the experience....bad move Pocono!!
ReplyDeleteNascar wants us to bring in the younger generation, well the only way to get them interested is to slowly introduce it to them. Putting them in lockdown at a track for 6+ hours is NOT enjoyable to either the kid or the parents!
ReplyDeleteHow many other 'major sports' have camping grounds? This not not other 'major sports'. I have a feeling the attendance figures will be the canary in the coal mine. NASCAR is synonymous with freedom, and it's fans cherish their freedom. This is a huge misstep.
ReplyDeleteThe seats there are WAY to uncomfortable to sit there for that long. This is going to hurt the souvenir vendors as well because no one will want to carry around the stuff in the heat of the day. Pocono has enough trouble getting vendors, for example where has Sprint been? Other tracks don't do this and may be worth the longer drive to other tracks.
ReplyDeleteThis was not the case for me on Friday. Not knowing the new policy I bought a bunch of souvenirs from the vendors as presents for my children and wife. I have enjoyed coming to Pocono for over 25 years and was surprise when told I could not leave. I pleaded because I have a bad back and had coolers to carry on my way out and I was told emphatically that I could not leave and come back! I even asked for an escort if it was for fan security reasons and they refused even though there were many workers standing around as Friday was not crowded. I went to questions stand and had even worse response. The workers at the gates were sympathetic but stated it was zero tolerance. The workers at question stand were not very fan friendly. I was very disappointed.
ReplyDeleteThe re entry rule ruined the day for a number of people and had to hurt the sales of driver items. We tailgated next to the main entrance and watched people just turn around and head back to their cars. BAD Policy for fans who shop and as a fan who goes to several tracks I hope they do not adopt this policy. Restricted meant only if the security person felt like letting you go back to your car or letting you back in. The people making the decision on whether or not you could leave and re -enter weren't qualified to determine who or what could even be a threat. Let the fans shop and return to their cars to eat or get refreshments, We usually go in to fan fair in the morning spend 60 to 100 dollars each time and return to our car for some food and drop off the items we just purchased. I look at it like this i'm here for the race and this week Pocono Raceway just saved me about 100 bucks.
ReplyDeleteWe two have been season ticket holders to the Pocono's for over 8 years as we combine our weekend with the rest of our summer vacation. We also get there early , have breakfast, then usually went into to the haulers to shop, back to our vehicle to have some lunch & then get into the track for our seats. NOW HERE IS MY ISSUE. I'M HANDICAPPED & USE A WHEELCHAIR TO GET AROUND. I CAN WALK BUT ONLY VERY SHORT DISTANCE. SO AFTER LUNCH WE WOULD GET A CART RIDE THAT WOULD TAKE US UP TO THE ELEVATOR. SO NOW TELL ME IF I WERE ALREADY IN THE VENDOR AREA WITH MY WHEELCHAIR WHAT WOULD I DO WITH IT??? NOT TO MENTION WANTING TO HAVE MY LUNCH BEFORE THE RACE STARTS. POCONO'S NASCAR IS LOSING FANS & LOTS OF EMPTY SEATS NOW YOU COME UP WITH THIS DUMB ISSUE. SORRY WE THINK THE WHOLE THING WAS WRONG & IT DIDN'T MAKE US VERY HAPPY. SO WE HAD TO JUST SIT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR HOURS DOING NOTHING WAITING TO GO TO OUR SEATS .
ReplyDelete