WTF? Loudspeakers???

[mem916]

The announcers irritate me too, but then when I get to the flightline where I can't hear them I miss hearing the lap times! Maybe we need separate commentary for the hard-core race fans in the pits. Short, sweet, and just the important stuff.

[JCP]

Now THAT is an excellent suggestion. It really is annoying and distracting at times to the teams having them blaring their banter all day. If they sounded more professional and knowledgable that would be one thing.

A seperate sound board in the pits with just the facts and no banter would be a real positive improvement for the teams and fans in the Pit area.

[Leo]

Would be nice but I doubt practical. Plus they have to please the "masses" I guess. I just figure it is what it is, try to find a source of amusement in it and tune out the rest. A skill I have built up in life over the years!

[Suds]

Thanks for bringing this up -- this year seems worse than most. The editorializing I think was really out of control yesterday. What was more frustrating is they didn't seem to be watching the race 3/4 of the time. We had some great 2nd - 3rd - 4th and even "last" place racing that they didn't know what going on because they were blathering about something else distantly associated with racing -- while the heat was still going on. I don't necessarily mind almost-constant updates, but as long as it has something to do with the planes, pilots and the racing that is going on in front of them...

[AAFO_WSagar]

Lighten up guys... Some folks like the speakers, and from memory, they have had them in year's past as well... With what RARA people have been through this last year, I find it hard to believe you guys would complain about ANYTHING... We're here, we're safe and we're racing... Thank you RARA for everything you did over the last year!

[Race 29]

Well said Wayne!! Nothing to complain about!!

Race 29

[JetsareforKids]

I wasn't there this year, but I understand the complaint about the loudspeakers. It happens at most aviation events I attend. They are speaking to the non-aviation folks in the crowd. How often have you heard "The P-51D was the first Mustang with the bubble canopy etc." I want to hear about the problems finding the best 3350 nose case gear ratios, or Merlin transport head issues. Unfortunately they often keep talking for the sake of talking, i.e. no dead air time. Though I must say the most painful was the guy who used to yodel every morning at Oshkosh to wake everyone up. If I'm on vacation with my aviation minded friends and enjoy spending most of the night talking around the campfire with an endless supply of beer and Scotch, I don't want some old guy wake me up at the crack of dawn because he went to sleep at 6:00.

[Hans Oberev]

The commentary on Sunday was pretty darn good! I thought the balance between idol chatter and real informative, real time announcing was perfect. Good job guys! The balloon release honoring the victims of last years accident was very well done as well! Watching those white balloons gain altitude, fly far and eventually disappear seemed as if they were being piloted by the spirits themselves. Hearing the names read off as they were released at proper intervals allowing each balloon time for individual reflection was emotional for many...was not difficult to hear! The pilot introductions before the Gold Unlimited race was extremely well done too. Overall I personally think this National Championship deserves an A Plus!

[Apteryx]

Would be nice but I doubt practical. Plus they have to please the "masses" I guess. I just figure it is what it is, try to find a source of amusement in it and tune out the rest. A skill I have built up in life over the years!

A lot of sports broadcasts have a play-by-play announcer, and a "color" commentator....all they'd have to do is limit what mic goes where...

[Sky Critter]

I'll put up with it as long as we keep having air races. It's a small price to pay for this annual privilege.

Did anyone hear Mike Mangold in the jet pace plane on Sunday's gold? He would make a great announcer but I'm sure he's got better things to do.