Wrong way isn’t right at Speedway 95

I have been a huge race fan of Speedway 95’s Wacky Wednesday and Saturday night races, and also have done some racing there myself in the past. I find the article about Del Merritt and Speedway 95 (BDN, Aug. 4) very upsetting.

Making the Enduro classes race clockwise is not only dangerous for the drivers and crew, but it is ridiculous. It is very easy for Mr. Merritt to say this is fun, or this is what the crowd wants, but there are many of us who disagree. I am in the grandstand every Wednesday night at least an hour before the race begins and I have never been polled or seen the grandstand I sit in be polled.

A few weeks ago when you had the small Enduros start in the wrong direction there wasn’t even a half lap completed before there was a big pileup because no one could see the caution lights. When you decided to turn them in the correct direction you obviously weren’t sitting in the grandstand to hear the cheers and comments that it was about time they put the drivers in the right direction. The Enduros put on just as exciting a show in the correct direction.

I am sure there are still a few who enjoy it in the wrong direction, but I wonder if they realize the down side of this. The drivers cannot see the caution lights, and it is also much harder on the vehicles. Yes, even on the vehicles who are legal.

In my opinion, Mr. Merritt, you need to put more faith in your tech crew. I have read of many being disqualified this year, so obviously they know what they are doing. Racing cars in the wrong direction isn’t the answer and saying it is to find the ones who are cheating is just a poor reason.

You also indicated that there are many who work in a garage or are mechanics so they know how to bend the rules. Well, there are many Saturday night racers who are mechanics or work in a garage and I don’t see you making them race backward to find the cheaters. Plus, if I recall correctly many of the drivers who have been disqualified this year have not been mechanics. My boyfriend, who is a mechanic, has won many races there over the years and never been disqualified.

I feel it is unfair for you to say these are the ones to look out for and who are likely to cheat. I have seen many of the drivers going in the wrong direction win and the same ones win in the right direction, so tell us please how this is proving anything? All it is doing is putting the drivers in more danger and your crew on the track.

Mr. Merritt also refers to the vehicles being inexpensive. Yes, they are certainly much less than the Saturday night cars and it also costs much less to maintain and run them, but I don’t consider it inexpensive. There are many on Wednesday night who travel a great distance to get to the track at $3 per gallon for gas, pay for gas to race, buy tires at approximately $60 each (if you buff them which is optional), and $10 a person to get into the pits. All of this does not include the cost of the vehicle and repairs.

The first-place winner receives $50.

The bottom line is let your tech crew do their job, stop putting the drivers and track crew at more of a risk than they already are. These guys and girls coming to your track every week do an exceptional job, put on a wonderful show and make your business profitable. Please start giving them some respect and put them in the right direction.

Heidi Shorey

Bucksport

Note to readers: The BDN reserves the right to edit submissions for libel, taste, clarity, and to fit available space. Letters should include a signature, full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402, or e-mailed: bdnsports@bangordailynews.net