FAQ: Wild West Shootout live production details
Frequently asked questions about DirtonDirt.com's live production pay-per-view on Jan. 18 and 20-22 of USA Raceway's sixth annual Wild West Shootout in Tucson, Ariz.:
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE VIDEO (12:30 p.m. MST Saturday)
I've purchased a pay-per-view package. Where do I click to find the live video or live archives? Click on this link.
What will I get if purchase the pay-per-view? Every lap of on-track action Wednesday night, Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon with pre-race shows, driver interviews and other features. We expect to provide more than 20 hours of live coverage. You'll also have the opportunity to chat with other viewers online.
Who will be racing? The Wild West Shootout features Super Late Model racing but also includes open-wheel modifieds and other support divisions. Among top Super Late Model drivers expected are Billy Moyer, Jimmy Mars, Don O'Neal, Tim McCreadie along with dozens of other drivers from across the country. Last year's car count averaged nearly 50 entries per race. You can get a better idea of who's racing by checking who competes in the opening events of the miniseries Jan. 14-15.
How much does it cost? For DirtonDirt.com subscribers, all four events are $28. It's $38 for a four-race package for non-subscribers (who also receive a free one-month subscription to all content on the website). Single-day packages are $15 apiece. You'll need a credit card at our ordering page to select your package. If you're already a subscriber, the process takes just a moment.
What if my video stream is freezing or stuttering? The best bet is to refresh your browser, quit/relaunch your browser and/or restart your computer. We also recommend using Firefox or Google Chrome browsers (Internet Explorer isn't recommended). It's also best if you run as few programs as possible on your computer. If you're concerned your Internet isn't fast enough, check it at speedtest.net. If you have at least 2 megabits for seconds download you should be in good shape.
Is my computer capable of watching pay-per-view? If you have a high-speed Internet connection and you're typically able to view videos at DirtonDirt.com, you're all set. Most computers five years old or newer with recent software shouldn't have any problems.
Is it just like watching TV? For the most part, although your computer screen is likely a bit smaller and the picture isn't quite as a sharp as some television broadcasts. As long as you have a steady high-speed Internet connection, you should be able to watch smooth video throughout each night's program.
What's the racing schedule? Jan. 18 and 20 events are evening races starting about 7 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22 events (with the finale Bill Cheesbourg Memorial paying $10,000 to the winner) begin at 1 p.m. Each event includes hot laps, heat races, consolation races and features for Late Models and modifieds.
In what time zone is Tucson? Mountain Standard Time, which is two hours behind Eastern and one hour behind Central Time. It's one hour ahead of Pacific.
What time does each production begin? Jan. 18 and 20 events will go live about 6 p.m. MST. The Jan. 21 and 22 events will begin about noon MST.
Can I watch from work? Maybe not. Many places of business use security firewalls on their networks that block live video. If you receive a server message (something like rtmp://dirtondirt.streamguys.com:80/live) it's likely a firewall issue. Home networks don't have such firewall issues in most cases.
Who hosts the show? Ben Shelton, who brings an array of Dirt Late Model and modified announcing experience, along with DirtonDirt.com's Michael Rigsby. Shelton, who operates a racing publicity firm, announces at dozens of tracks and worked DirtonDirt.com's live productions from Cedar Lake Speedway.
Who will do play-by-play of the races? Chris Stepan, Cedar Lake's veteran announcer and long-time announcer of the Wild West Shootout, will be behind the mic throughout the miniseries. We'll pick up his track feed.
Who is doing the production? DirtonDirt.com co-founder Michael Rigsby will oversee a specially assembled production team that brings extensive broadcast experience. Jay Williams of Parker Street Productions is directing while and Steve and Will Gigeous of Sports Plus Video are among camera operators. Todd Turner will provide graphics and monitor the chat room.
Can I watch a replay of the production? Yes, complete replays of each production will be available about 24 hours following each event. The links will be available at the bottom of the live video page.
Is the live production available on mobile devices? A computer and full web browser will provide the best experience, but perhaps some Flash-enabled phones or tablets will allow viewing. We recommend using a computer. Those with iPhones and iPads are out of luck.
Who are some of the businesses helping DirtonDirt.com provide the coverage? Integra Shocks and Springs, Rocket Chassis, MasterSbilt Race Cars, FK Rod Ends, U.S. Steel, Comp Cams, Quarter Master, Performance Auto, Screven Motor Speedway, Jackson Motor Speedway, ArkLaTex Speedway, Pro Power, R2C Filters and Mesilla Valley Transport.
