Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 6, 1995                   TAG: 9508070117
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: E-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VIEWERS HURL BRICKS AT ABC'S DECISION

``I couldn't even count,`` said John Organ, WSET's weekend sports anchor. ``I took at least 30 or so myself, and there were 10 more on voice mail.

``From 5:30 on, it was Katie bar the door.``

When Organ went on the air during the 6 o'clock news for his report, he explained the situation and stressed that it was ABC's decision and out of WSET's hands. That didn't soothe enraged viewers, however. ``They still went off,`` Organ said.

Even before rain from the remnants of Hurricane Erin postponed the race's start for four hours, ABC had not committed itself to coverage beyond 7 p.m. Televised coverage of the race was slated to begin at 1:15 p.m.

Organ's night didn't get any better when his station's satellite feed went out at 7 p.m.

``I wanted to record it and at least show highlights,`` Organ said.

ABC affiliates in North Carolina received similar calls from viewers.

``I just had a guy tell me to shove it,'' said Darrell Waller, a weekend producer at WLOS-TV in Asheville.

Asked how many telephone calls he had taken from people disappointed the race was not being aired, Waller said, ``I stopped counting at 50. They're still ringing.''

Race fans who tuned into ABC watched a series of interviews then had to sit through other events including track and field and a recent IROC race held at Talladega, Ala.

Finally, word came that because of contractual obligations, ABC would be unable to show the race as planned. Instead, the race would be shown today at noon on ESPN.

Frank Ryder, a weekend staffer at WSOC-TV in Charlotte, estimated that the station had received 500 phone calls in protest. Charlotte Motor Speedway plays host to two races a year, and the city and its immediate environs are home to many Winston Cup racing teams.

``They've been calling nonstop,'' Ryder said. ``Everybody's mad.''

At WGHP-TV in High Point, weekend anchor Kent Bates had received so many calls that he opened the station's 6 p.m. newscast with an explanation that the decision not to show the race was made by ABC and not by the station.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING