Mr. Ronald

[WWhittle]

Mr. Ronald,

There is a reason why you have so many wrecks at the end of your track. I would like to hear your opinion on why that is......???

Also- have you noticed that cars flip fairly easy at your track.....know why? The highway barriers are not first choice at most tracks for that very reason. The angled bottom allows the cars to climb the wall and over they go.

I'm not really trying to knock the track because it is a nice facility, well run, priced right and has a good crowd. But every single time I have come to that track, there has been a wreck at the end of the track.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the grooved concrete after the finish line. I could see where the grooves could possibly grab a car that was a LITTLE out of shape and make it A LOT out of shape......just food for thought.

What's your thought?


Respectfully,
Wes Whittle

[WWhittle]

Or is it possible that the groove is so extremely narrow there that anything outside of it is asking for trouble?

[minytrker]

I will just give my opinion from what I saw from when I went to Bowman before I moved. I had been going to Bowman from the very day they opened and went until I moved in the end of 2008. I took many cars and trucks there all running from in the 5s to the 9s and never once had a problem going down the track. We actually did a few money races in the same lane right after someone else wrecked. I dont think its the track.
Now what I have seen 100% of the time is driver error and people doing very dumb shit causing them to wreck on all the wrecks I personally seen. I personally saw 4 or 5 people wreck into the wall under 50mph at the 1/8 because the were coasting then shot/and or just floored the car for some unknown reason. 99.99% of the wrecks I saw were all because of very poor driving and they would have wrecked at any track. Of course things could have changed but it was the best track around IMO.

[1998ta__1991rs]

Since Donnie's wreck, last saturday was the first time ive seen a wreck out there. IMO the track shouldn't have let that last race happen. No one had made a pass in over 20 min, and with the amount of moisture in the air, they were asking for trouble. I do have one question. After the thunderstorm Saturday evening, did they dry/blow/drag pass the finish line? Is it possible with so much moisture in the air that pass the finish line never did completely dry? I've never had any kind of problem out there, but i'm also not nearly as fast as the cars were that were wrecking, and i'm on radials.

[WWhittle]

I agree that most of the time it is dumbass drivers. But for some reason, Bowman doesn't seem to be very forgiving.

I think it has something to do with the grooved concrete even though some of the wrecks happen before the transition, i think the grooved concrete is grabbing the tires and exagerating the problem.

Also- the highway barracades.....

[slowgreen99]

I agree that most of the time it is dumbass drivers. But for some reason, Bowman doesn't seem to be very forgiving.

I think it has something to do with the grooved concrete even though some of the wrecks happen before the transition, i think the grooved concrete is grabbing the tires and exagerating the problem.

Also- the highway barracades.....

x2 there.

[Carlrx7]

It's those skinny race tires on the front. Lol

[98nbmz]

I left when they said they were closing the track, and figured they were closing it due to dew on the track. When i shut zac's tailgate it was SOAKED. Im surprised they even let people run after that.

[Ronald]

Thanks for the info Wes I will have some one to come out and check on the groove at the end of the track .The shut down area we dried and clean Sat.Most wreck happen before the grooved area, Like Minytrker said most were driver fault . We will do every thing we can to keep every one safe.

[Derek]

I normally wont post this car. but, Since he was getting out of the throttle so much I think it will be OK. I believe this is the big one y'all were talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULrkEngdWoU

You can see the back fire when he let off. Said the car was going into his lane at that point. I have no opinion on the matter just thought it might help with this discussion.

[Darryl Buckner]

I am not running that fast either, but was talking to the older white man on the starting line at Bowman. I expressed the concern on the concrete barriers, because there is no doubt a car will climb them but also the thing that bothers me is the lanes are really narrow, and there is really no room to move, and maybe what is happening is people that would typically try to drive a car that is hazing the tires a little, just cant get away with that at Bowman due to the lanes being a little narrow. I still think Bowman does a better track prep/maint, then alot of the other 1/8 mile tracks around which I will leave nameless..:bigthumb:

[Pesce Nero]

I am not running that fast either, but was talking to the older white man on the starting line at Bowman. I expressed the concern on the concrete barriers, because there is no doubt a car will climb them but also the thing that bothers me is the lanes are really narrow, and there is really no room to move, and maybe what is happening is people that would typically try to drive a car that is hazing the tires a little, just cant get away with that at Bowman due to the lanes being a little narrow. I still think Bowman does a better track prep/maint, then alot of the other 1/8 mile tracks around which I will leave nameless..:bigthumb:

some straight concrete barriers a foot off the surface like carolina would make the track feel much wider.

[WWhittle]

Thanks for the info Wes I will have some one to come out and check on the groove at the end of the track .The shut down area we dried and clean Sat.Most wreck happen before the grooved area, Like Minytrker said most were driver fault . We will do every thing we can to keep every one safe.

Thanks for the response Ronald- keep up the good work.

[BigHemi]

Had a bad experience at Bowman in the shutdown area a couple years ago w/ a grudge car. Definitely wasn't driver error. Might have been moisture on the track, but can't be sure.

[Harry]

I agree, that place is way too narrow. No room for error.

[WWhittle]

The 2 people that called it narrow race at Dorchester every Sunday-:hide:
I bet Bowman is the same width, or wider.

[1998ta__1991rs]

The 2 people that called it narrow race at Dorchester every Sunday-:hide:
I bet Bowman is the same width, or wider.

i agree, it just appears more narrow b/c the walls are taller and more distinct. Bowman doesnt seem narrow to me, granted it isnt as wide as carolina, but not any more narrow than dorchester

[Derek]

by the way! to all the people involved with bowman track. was hooking really good saturday.

[Ballaholic29414]

Seems wide enough for me doesnt seem narrow at all. Dorchester is narrower than em all and track prep isnt consistent. Carolina is wide as hell but its also a 1/4mile track and 1/4 mile tracks has to be wider than a 1/8th mile track.

I did notice at Candymanns first race @ bowman that red regal (T5) cought hell trying to slow down in the shut down area. Few other cars also.

http://bowmandragway.com/about.htm (Picture)

[bowmantarheel23]

The weather was a factor... The Dew was heavy... Plus the driver seem to be looking back to see if Peanut was gaining..... then he over corrected.... Glad to know he was okay.

[slowgreen99]

The weather was a factor... The Dew was heavy... Plus the driver seem to be looking back to see if Peanut was gaining..... then he over corrected.... Glad to know he was okay.

There was 3 wrecks though. Just sayin.

[Harry]

Seems wide enough for me doesnt seem narrow at all. Dorchester is narrower than em all and track prep isnt consistent. Carolina is wide as hell but its also a 1/4mile track and 1/4 mile tracks has to be wider than a 1/8th mile track.

I did notice at Candymanns first race @ bowman that red regal (T5) cought hell trying to slow down in the shut down area. Few other cars also.

http://bowmandragway.com/about.htm (Picture)

Dorchester is now where near as narrow as Bowman. Period. I will agree about track prep though.

[BigdaddyDupree]

i spun around and never hit shit, ima lucky shit. all i have to say, when im together again ill go back

[Ballaholic29414]

That car got 10 cars plus the break so its hard for me to believe that car wrecked due to track prep. How fast could he had been going through the traps after starting at half track. I agree he prob was looking behind him to see where the other car was.

[minytrker]

That car got 10 cars plus the break so its hard for me to believe that car wrecked due to track prep. How fast could he had been going through the traps after starting at half track. I agree he prob was looking behind him to see where the other car was.

There were some other factors from what I heard not track related that could have easily contributed to the driver wrecking also.

[minytrker]

Dorchester is now where near as narrow as Bowman. Period. I will agree about track prep though.

Bowman is 40ft wide, how wide is Dorchester? I bet you will be surprised its not as wide as you think.

[1iron]

On slicks my car will wiggle in the shut down at bowman if i get out of the throttle quickly. The car doesn't do that any where else. If I ease out of the gas I have no problem and on Radials it is always fine. Fast cars don't have enough shut down room to ease out of the gas.

[Ballaholic29414]

I have a vid that shows a car wrecking @ bowman striking the wall twice and both tires rode on the top of the barriers so I truly believe that the cars are climbing the barrier during a wreck. Wish I knew how to rip a dvd onto a computer. The cause of the wreck was 100 percent driver error though.

[bigboy7742]

That car that race pnut was a guy name k9. In the past month in race a TA and a Box Chevy every race he race the driver had to get out of gas to keep from wrecking his car so this time they used a diffent driver which was the owner and he never let out of it. I seen that car ran 3 grudge runs and it all ways get out of shape right before the finish line

[WWhittle]

That car that race pnut was a guy name k9. In the past month in race a TA and a Box Chevy every race he race the driver had to get out of gas to keep from wrecking his car so this time they used a diffent driver which was the owner and he never let out of it. I seen that car ran 3 grudge runs and it all ways get out of shape right before the finish line


Where were the other grudge runs at?

[3stgstocker]

all the races k9 did was @ bowman and yall rite everytime it was outa shape except when guy drove it 1 time n beat randall n silver ta! it doesnt help either when ive heard 3 people say they saw him doin some illegal stuff b4 the race u got 2 have a good head when u racing. and btw he did cross b4 the lites bc he took out the cones but the guy holdn money paid off b4 the guy in the tower had a chance to tell him o well that racing! overall i think bowman is the BEST TRACK AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ballaholic29414]

Yea a lot of people will blame the tracks for their accidents instead of their cars or them selves. If you have to fight your car on the top end all the time your days are numbered....

[bowmantarheel23]

He did not cross the center lane. He hit brushed the wall close to the Win light and knocked the scoring off in Peanut lane. Then he got out of shape. It looks like he was looking back then he jerk the wheel because he thought he was gonna rub the wall. Thats when the car go out of shape. If he would have cross the center before that Peanut would have got the W. He was out on Peanut a lot when he took the W light. The tower was speaking on the error he got when he saw Peanuts time. This was because K9 knock the lights off line when he got so close to the wall and the time frooze where Peanut was at that time.

[slowgreen99]

He did not cross the center lane. He hit brushed the wall close to the Win light and knocked the scoring off in Peanut lane. Then he got out of shape. It looks like he was looking back then he jerk the wheel because he thought he was gonna rub the wall. Thats when the car go out of shape. If he would have cross the center before that Peanut would have got the W. He was out on Peanut a lot when he took the W light. The tower was speaking on the error he got when he saw Peanuts time. This was because K9 knock the lights off line when he got so close to the wall and the time frooze where Peanut was at that time.

What race were you watching? The only reason he even beat Peanut was because he locked the brakes down.

[Chillerman]

Ronald,

An easy solution and Darryl may have mentioned this, would be to move the barriers off of the track surface all together. This will widen the track and give the 90* right angle you would desire for the wall keeping the tires from riding up the side of them. Yea the cars may take on some body damage, but it just may reduce someone's chances from rolling their car over. About the grooving in the track surface, I'm not sure would you could do other than shaving the surface back down.

If you make any other changes, I would like to see some more shut down room & smoother return road.

I still like your track though, and will continue to run there. It's a nice facility and kept in good condition.

[1998ta__1991rs]

Ronald,

An easy solution and Darryl may have mentioned this, would be to move the barriers off of the track surface all together. This will widen the track and give the 90* right angle you would desire for the wall keeping the tires from riding up the side of them. Yea the cars may take on some body damage, but it just may reduce someone's chances from rolling their car over. About the grooving in the track surface, I'm not sure would you could do other than shaving the surface back down.

If you make any other changes, I would like to see some more shut down room & smoother return road.

I still like your track though, and will continue to run there. It's a nice facility and kept in good condition.

i agree, a paved return road would make bowman even that much better

[Luckie]

What race were you watching? The only reason he even beat Peanut was because he locked the brakes down.

exactly... pnut locked the brakes down (backfire in video) only to prevent from getting his car wrecked. he was way faster locked up and got back in it to and never lost traction. the slow car (k9) caused the problem...
If it was track prep then then the way faster car would have had issues too in general but especially when the brakes were locked down and then back into it at the end of the track but yet... he had no issues other then the opponent being incompetent...

[bwelch]

$10 to watch and $15 to race is the going rate at other tracks. I personally wouldn't have a problem paying that because yall have a better setup minus the return road and wall. That would help pay for the return road paving and make the wall safer.

[Darryl Buckner]

The walls being higher might be the reason the track appears to be more narrow, might be that I am use to NHRA 1/4 mile tracks where you can turn a tractor trailer around on the racing surface, who knows. Ronald and the guys at Bowman do a good job on track prep, and I am actually blown away that they even ask about opinions, and as a racer I appreciate it. I was actually talking to a few other bracket racers at Dorchester who are considering other tracks next season, due to their hour long track clean up, and inconsistant right lane issue, that they seem uninterested in repairing. Who knows, Bowman might of come along at a good time..

[WWhittle]

$10 to watch and $15 to race is the going rate at other tracks. I personally wouldn't have a problem paying that because yall have a better setup minus the return road and wall. That would help pay for the return road paving and make the wall safer.

I agree. Bowman is priced awesome but may be handcuffing themselves a littlebit for improvements. It might piss off some people if they raise the price, but they will only bitch about it for a week or so and they will be right back. I know money is money, but we are only talking 5 more bucks.

The walls being higher might be the reason the track appears to be more narrow, might be that I am use to NHRA 1/4 mile tracks where you can turn a tractor trailer around on the racing surface, who knows. Ronald and the guys at Bowman do a good job on track prep, and I am actually blown away that they even ask about opinions, and as a racer I appreciate it. I was actually talking to a few other bracket racers at Dorchester who are considering other tracks next season, due to their hour long track clean up, and inconsistant right lane issue, that they seem uninterested in repairing. Who knows, Bowman might of come along at a good time..

You are right. Dorchester better get their shit together or everyone is just going to move to Bowman on Sunday's. Bowman would probably be closer for everyone except the people coming from Charleston, and we are use to having to drive a good distance anyway.

And Ronald- we know improvements/changes aren't free- we just appreciate you listening!

[slowgreen99]

$10 to watch and $15 to race is the going rate at other tracks. I personally wouldn't have a problem paying that because yall have a better setup minus the return road and wall. That would help pay for the return road paving and make the wall safer.

x3! $10 to watch and $5 more to run is cheap as hell for what yal have going on out there. Dorchester is that much and over the last few years, IMO it has fallen apart almost completely.

[98nbmz]

x3! $10 to watch and $5 more to run is cheap as hell for what yal have going on out there. Dorchester is that much and over the last few years, IMO it has fallen apart almost completely.

Honestly if Dorchester would prep the track RIGHT then i dont think it would be a half bad track. Everybody knows they have enough money to do it. Wont be too much longer before people just stop going out there because of it and just go to Bowman.

[Derek]

I was actually talking to a few other bracket racers at Dorchester who are considering other tracks next season, due to their hour long track clean up, and inconsistant right lane issue, that they seem uninterested in repairing. Who knows, Bowman might of come along at a good time..

:bigthumb: After they got running because of the rain. longest clean up after the wrecks was about 20min. I really appreciate that kind of hustle. :yourock:

[Darryl Buckner]

Don't get me wrong, most people on here know I am pro Dorchester, but it is getting worse. Lights always broke, clean up, family working computer in the tower while texting on their cell phone, and mean while cars on the converter getting hot because the tower is paying no attention, right lane issues, and its just getting old. I have spoke to the family which I have known for atleast 20 years, they have been going to fix the issues all season long, and nothing happens. Anymore the cars running down the track is just another form of intertainment like the people selling water melons, or the rap music playing on the flatbed trailer, or the guy selling knock off tennis shoes, or what ever, that has nothing to do with racing. I even spoke to them about their toilets, that don't get me started there, and they said they cannot keep them clean but they were open for suggestions. I told them to do like Bowman and get 6 or so portalets, and let the company handle the cleaning when they come to dump them. Good idea but nothing. These are but a few reasons I will be looking at another tracks bracket / Summit super series program next year..

[Darryl Buckner]

Ronald, keep up the good work with gradual improvements, and you may end up with a large influx of business..:bigthumb:

[Ballaholic29414]

Don't get me wrong, most people on here know I am pro Dorchester, but it is getting worse. Lights always broke, clean up, family working computer in the tower while texting on their cell phone, and mean while cars on the converter getting hot because the tower is paying no attention, right lane issues, and its just getting old. I have spoke to the family which I have known for atleast 20 years, they have been going to fix the issues all season long, and nothing happens. Anymore the cars running down the track is just another form of intertainment like the people selling water melons, or the rap music playing on the flatbed trailer, or the guy selling knock off tennis shoes, or what ever, that has nothing to do with racing. I even spoke to them about their toilets, that don't get me started there, and they said they cannot keep them clean but they were open for suggestions. I told them to do like Bowman and get 6 or so portalets, and let the company handle the cleaning when they come to dump them. Good idea but nothing. These are but a few reasons I will be looking at another tracks bracket / Summit super series program next year..

x2. I talked to 1 of the guys that works the line @ dorchester in the barbershop and he told me the track is dangerous on the top end and even the owners admit it all the time. He said they were gonna redo the track last year but by the time they got approved for the loan it was too close to Easter Sunday and they didnt want to lose the revenue that easter sunday brings in so they just cancelled that plan all together. He said maybe they will redo the track this winter.

[1998ta__1991rs]

I would gladly pay $5 more at bowman to get a paved return road and not beat my car to death

[chrisheltra]

I miss Low country! Haha

[Derek]

Ronald, keep up the good work with gradual improvements, and you may end up with a large influx of business..:bigthumb:

+1 only little bit extra down the road. Word of mouth goes far and you have a very good staff there at bowman.

P.S. Mr. Ronald :cheers thankyou for letting me film your track.

[Red99T/A]

I would gladly pay $5 more at bowman to get a paved return road and not beat my car to death

x2

[BigdaddyDupree]

x2

yeah when you sell that car to the smithsonian as a collector item they may ask if the return road was paved after your 10 second pass?

[RobertHolton1]

all horsepower class!

[04ctd]

if the return road was paved ?

i have an aluminum bushing in the front of the leaf spring (have to with CalTracs), and it sounds like it is going to destroy it. i try to hang one side off into the grass, that helps some.

[Carlrx7]

i have an aluminum bushing in the front of the leaf spring (have to with CalTracs), and it sounds like it is going to destroy it. i try to hang one side off into the grass, that helps some.

+1 only little bit extra down the road. Word of mouth goes far and you have a very good staff there at bowman.

P.S. Mr. Ronald :cheers thankyou for letting me film your track.

I would gladly pay $5 more at bowman to get a paved return road and not beat my car to death

TIMES 10!!!

I cringe going down that road every time. the vette hates it!

[Ronald]

Thanks guys for your input we are a new track so we listen to every one .I will let the owner see what the racer are saying .I know if the fans and racer keep coming we can up grade things at the track also i would like to thanks all the CHP guys and girls for come out and racing with us.

[Bradleyrj]

Having never been to Bowman, Dorchester or ANY other tracks in the "LowCountry" area. I dont expect you guys to allow my comments to hold much water. I have however been to A LOT of other tracks all over the south east. Mostly concentrated in KY, TN, Northern Al, and NC. Also worked at the track for 5 years. Starting pushing a broom in the burnout box, to completely running the program on Friday night grudge, TNT, and Street bracket classes.

The road side barriers are not the best but are an effective means of keeping the cars shiny side up if they are placed correctly. Sitting the barriers JUST OFF the race surface call drop the walls 4-6 inches. Could be enough to move the angled part low enough. (To save yourself some labor, rent a SOD cutter to cut a path beside the track surface that is level and a consistent width)

Clean up...Unless one lane has been "soiled" the entire length of the track, it shouldnt take an hour to do a clean up. I ask the question. Do racers assist with cleanup and if not, WHY? My home town track had an unspoken moto. "You pop, you mop". Not to penalize people, but just to help get the clean up done faster and get the action going again.

What is used for liquid spills? Oil dri? or Rice hulls? Rice hulls in my experience seemed to work better for fluids.

Tires dragged after clean up to even the surface and put some new rubber down?

I hope you guys dont take my post the wrong way, but I want to help keep everyone safe at the track (I am a safety consultant after all) and I have many many weekends pushing the brooms at the track, so I feel I have some valid information and questions.

[Ronald]

Thanks for the information i would like to talk with you personally.

[04ctd]

I do like Bowman, and we had a BLAST friday night in the Nova

(the Guy at the Gate owes me a Diet Coke, by the way...on the way out, he had got a sandwich from concessions, and i guess they forgot to get him a soda, so I gave him mine, that i had for the ride home)

FWIW, I would like for the Concessions Trailer to be moved to the other side of the staging lanes (closer to the parking lot)

we park against the fence, and it's just too far to walk to get a soda, so we bring a cooler. that's money lost to you guys, but it's too far to walk back & forth for a soda. esp in the summer heat

and if we bring kids, we like to let them run get sodas & food for us (love me some baloney sammiches & the fries are fabulous....)
But i hate to have the kids cross the staging lanes.

But, where it is, is closer to the stands, and to people hanging on the fence.
so it is probably more closer to the majority of folks, where it is.

either way is fine, maybe i am just too lazy :)


another vote for return road, even if it's a cheapo paving job.

did you have a good turnout saturday for the big event?

[Ronald]

Thanks for the info .We have two concession stand on the other side ,in the process of open them up. Saturday was not good.

[1998ta__1991rs]

Thanks for the info .We have two concession stand on the other side ,in the process of open them up. Saturday was not good.

i think too many people at trying this "promoting" thing. if you have the same basic event every weekend then eventually there wont be a turnout

[Matts94Z28]

The promoting BS gets old. It was fun back in 2007-2008ish when Rock was doing his thing. Now it's played out and not about the racing. Promote the race, not the event.

I will say my car has never run as good as it did at bowman. The track worked great and I would love to make it back out once I get some time.

[04ctd]

what if he got with corvette club and had one of their annual shows up there on the grass?

block off the far rear corner, put the show cars in there.




but i know the feeling of doing something, and NO ONE comes.

we did a concert at our church, we spent almost $3000 on this concert, i took ~3 months getting 2 bands and give away stuff together.

one other church came. no joke.
$3000 and 12 other kids besides our kid attended.

it's HARD to get people to do anything nowadays.

[BOWMAN BOYZ INC.]

Every now and again you got to mix it up:Group Hug:

I am not a promoter but I will try to have a good show for you.:bigthumb:

October seems to be a busy month but the show must go on.

No big name (ladder) cars just normal folk show casing their horsepower.

[Ronald]

Bowman boyz please e-mail me your flyer for 10/16/2010. r555444@aol.com thanks ronald ps working on your rain date.

[toybreaker]

what if he got with corvette club and had one of their annual shows up there on the grass?

block off the far rear corner, put the show cars in there.




but i know the feeling of doing something, and NO ONE comes.

we did a concert at our church, we spent almost $3000 on this concert, i took ~3 months getting 2 bands and give away stuff together.

one other church came. no joke.
$3000 and 12 other kids besides our kid attended.

it's HARD to get people to do anything nowadays.

Give me a heads up and I can probably get the "little Miata's" to show up again. that would be another 15-20 cars in the gate. With most of them wanting to race......
I'll be bringing 2 cars if the Miata's are invited.:bigthumb:

[Ronald]

From my understanding the Bowman Boyz said every one is welcome.Come on out and have some fun .

[toybreaker]

Send me the flyer too. I need a little lead time to get the miata club on board.

[BOWMAN BOYZ INC.]

this dial up is sooo slow so work with me.
we are definatedly looking for anyone that is ready to race
i got some people coming from out of state
definatately don't won't them to go home with out a race

[BOWMAN BOYZ INC.]

toybreaker i need to get your email address
you can pm me

[BOWMAN BOYZ INC.]

http://www.thestate.com/classified-ads/ad/1142490

[chrisheltra]

http://www.thestate.com/classified-ads/ad/1142490

Might as well put one here too.
http://www.postandcourier.com/

[BOWMAN BOYZ INC.]

thanks
it's under review
got to get approval first