There is really not much racers can do to stop the loss of racetracks

The only tracks that survive are either in areas where there is very little else happening....and a small venue can survive with decent car counts and events

Or tracks owned by owners that have other sources of income and love the sport. They can afford to operate at a break even or lower overall profit

Land values, taxes, insurance, electric, manpower, equipment, glue......rainouts !!

We live in a time of "investment groups" People looking to make $$ off anything and everything.....

They'd look at the books at a Dragstrip and make a face that said WHY would anyone do this in todays times....

I could sit here and rattle off names of tracks that have disappeared in the last 10 years and would be missing some I'm sure...it would be long...

Racers have a big turnout at some race and than say things like "who says drag racing is dying"

They are lying to themselves basically.....

In NHRA racing they are mostly older and aging out

In big money bracket racing....it's the same people traveling many miles to whatever big bucks race there is...over and over again

Local tracks can barely survive....if at all and any offer that comes their way....they are taking it and who could blame them...

Losing Atco is almost as big as when Etown shutdown in an area with millions of potential racers, spectators ....

I hate seeing it all that's for sure....

The late Dallas Jones told me this several years ago when he quit having stock car races at Beech Bend:

"I can get cussed and lose money, or I can get cussed and not lose money. I choose to not lose money."

SCDIV1...KNOWS!

What we do is OVER, the last grains of sand are falling from the hour glass. It's not if but when your local track will close.

Can you say "Maple Grove"?

This should bring more business/Racers/Folks who love drag racing to Maple Grove so it may not be a total loss.

Bob

Bob, I suspect Maple Grove will be gone before the decade is over

Maple Grove, Numidia and Cecil County, all tracks owned by people with other business interests and a love for the sport

Atco once had the same type owners and even the current owner from what I know had other business interests but was not successful like the others in this group. Maybe I’m wrong on that one but it’s a moot point now.

Land values have become high and it's much easier to sell and walk away. NC has more tracks than any other state, it's also the state that many are relocating to. Watch and see what happens to the number of tracks with the land value going up.

Again, It's not if but when your local track will close.

The biggest problem right now is finding help to run the tracks. MG is way understaffed. They are getting about 275-300 cars a week for a regular bracket race.

they got bigger problems, the tree is fuced up even after Brockmeyer spend several days there before the JH Bracket Nationals back May

Well I stil have a couple motors to wear out so I’ll got a few more years before I quit . Every time I read about tracks closing I wonder about all the support industry’s that will affected. The world keeps changing and so does most of us, but I’m here doing what I love.

“Race to live , Live to race,”

I was there the day when the tree went nuts. Since the tree got fixed races that i attended so far have been running smoothly. As far as the lack of help, this is what i am observing.

If anyone that has been following the Heartland Park Topeka saga, it may be the next one to close. The current owner has not paid any property taxes to the county since 2017, owes like 2.5 million in back taxes. The whole mess is in the courts and the owner has started publicly if he loses the track will close.

the tree was still fuced at the LODRS Divisional

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1320racer,

good time to get back into boating, no fears the lakes, rivers, bays and ocean will dry up any time soon and the scenery is so much better and it's never too hot to be on a boat surrounded by water, half naked women and beer!!

Only time will tell what happens with Rt 66 and the NASCAR track directly next door. both owned by NASCAR. RT 66 even had "Help Wanted" listings for the last National there this year. I would hate to see the property tax on the 2 facilities here.NASCAR must be bleeding billions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TD3550,

quote:

Originally posted by TD3550:
Only time will tell what happens with Rt 66 and the NASCAR track directly next door. both owned by NASCAR

Well NASCAR shut down the dragstrip at Fontana Calif and now the circle track. Sold a majority of the property surrounding the oval and claim to have plans make it a 1/2 mile track or some BS in the future. From what I have read, they have not even submitted any plans to the city or county for the changes.

That may give you an idea of NASCARS plans for RT66

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
good time to get back into boating, no fears the lakes, rivers, bays and ocean will dry up any time soon and the scenery is so much better and it's never too hot to be on a boat surrounded by water, half naked women and beer!!

After selling my car I am at that cross road right now. I have had a few boats in my life and were always a good time

Me too and agree

Good thing I took flying lessons.