Don't Be Such A Yahoo

I was in Talladega April 2004 when the race ended in caution, Jeff Gordon declared the winner. No matter what my brother says, I did NOT start the throwing of stuff onto the track! My comment to him was "Let's get the H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks outta here before they riot!" I got beaned in the back of the head with a half-empty can of beer. Personally, if it was my beverage, I would have wanted to drink it not throw it! They were even throwing their coolers and seat cushions over the catch fence!





































Sure I was disappointed when Jeff Gordon won. But I was more disappointed we spent over $3000 CDN on a 10-year dream trip to THEE track, only to have the race end in Caution... I won’t deny I wanted to throw something, but I learned how to deal with disappointment and anger as a child!

My brother and I were amazed fans were allowed to bring in their own refreshments, or purchase from the concession four tall beer on ice in a bucket for $20 (my cat liked to sleep in the bucket I acquired post-race). Sporting events here at home (NHL, CFL-Canadian Football League), no way! In our experience, you will likely have water bottles or any other refreshment carried on your person taken from you by security on entry. And getting in with steaks or octopi to throw on the ice requires some covert operations (so I’ve heard). All refreshments have to be purchased on site. Beer is sold in a 12 oz CUP at around $7 each, bottled water around $3.50. In many venues, plastic bottled beverages are opened for you, and you get everything except the cap.

I don’t know if not allowing coolers in would solve the problem but if race fans keep it up, they might just get the chance to find out. Fans will be forced to BUY everything on site - at concession prices! This hurts all fans, especially families and those who just bring their Cokes and water and choose not to drink alcohol. On the other hand, I believe it would cut down the number of overly intoxicated individuals. This would make such racing events more enjoyable for those fans with kids and those of us who don't drink, or choose to drink responsibly enough to still behave in public. I know everyone who threw something after the race Sunday was probably not totally liquored, but then the mob-mentality takes over.

What about the cost of bad fan behaviour? Additional police, security and housekeeping staff don’t come for free. If such post-race expressions continue, the cost of security and cleanup at tracks will be added to the ticket prices, or at the very least used as an excuse to up the prices.

Post NHL game street celebrations turned-riot like those on Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue or Calgary’s Electric Avenue/Red Mile only cost taxpayers. “Cops have estimated the price tag of policing meatheads on [Whyte] avenue could reach $1 million. Barry Belcourt, the [Edmonton’s] director of roadway maintenance, said the city spends about $2,000 each time cleaning up after fans on Whyte Avenue.”* This during the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Edmonton’s Mayor Stephen Mandel said it best last year. “Try not to be such a yahoo… Try to realize this is a wonderful event and let’s not ruin it. Try to keep control of yourself.”*

Like NHL arenas, CFL stadiums, movie theatres and even Nascar itself, the tracks are pretty much privately owned, therefore owners can set the rules to entering their establishments as they see fit. And if you don’t like their rules, don’t bother coming out. If enough people stay home and ticket sales start lagging, the rules may be relaxed. Like any business, venue owners are in business to make money. They have no problem establishing rules to ensure that end, protecting the bottom line. However I do think most of the rules are there to help the majority of attendees get the safest, most enjoyable experience possible. After all, it is the experience they are selling.

Forrest Gump's Momma had it right. Stupid is as stupid does. Unfortunately it’s hard to regulate stupidity.

Fans, find other ways to voice your displeasure.

Don’t be such a yahoo. Grow up. Get over it.


*From: Stern warning for Whyte Avenue troublemakers By Frank Landry
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/05/15/1581446.html