Minnesota Speedway Park

[Titan5]

Thought l would share this everyone, l just got it today so check it out?

www.minnesotaspeedwaypark.com

What's the most famous command in sports?

"Drivers - start your engines!"


Well fans – "start your engines", because a new race is about to begin, the race to build the showplace for motorsports in Minnesota:

Minnesota Speedway Park

And your help is critical. After months of working behind the scenes to get everything set, we're ready to take on the biggest challenge this important project will face; getting it approved and permitted and past all the regulatory hurdles. This is where a lot of great race track proposals die, and we can't let that happen this time. That's why your support is so crucial. We've got to show that Minnesota wants this; that people all over this state support it; that the thousands of jobs it will create, the millions of dollars in salaries and taxes it will produce and the excitement and energy it will generate -- are needed now! We can't let this incredible private sector (not taxpayer) financed opportunity slip away.

Please:
- Go to the website
- Sign the petition
- "Like" us on Facebook
- Forward this email and encourage your friends to do the same
- Tell your elected officials to support it
- Set up presentations at your clubs and organizations

And most important of all, imagine what it will be like on some sunny afternoon in the future when the green flag drops on a thrilling new day in racing for Minnesota.

Together - we can make it happen!


www.minnesotaspeedwaypark.com

[Eric N.]

I signed it,and I wished them luck. They are going to need it.

[Z28SSMAN]

I signed it too.

I also asked what informationtion was. lol

[MR.hp]

You know if the tribes are willing to put a casino downtown why the hell can't we get them to do something like this with a casino on Indian land. That would be great as far as I am concerned and no crappy political bozos to deal with either. Just my 2¢ worth

[TwinTownTerror]

NASCAR doesn't want another race. They're booked. No one cares about Indy Car (seriously name ten current Indy Car drivers without the use of the internet). NHRA has a contract with BIR and it's one of the more successful races money wise, for the NHRA anyway, so I don't see that event moving. (Unless it's not working out for the Cophams and they don't want to deal with it anymore.) IMO I don't think the event should move either just based on tradition, but I'm old school like that. F1 is hurting and tightening up the reigns a bit. So what huge events are going to be at this 'super' track to sustain it?

IMO We don't need another 'Bruton Smith' type track that doesn't make any money. The 'Big O' Ontario Motor Speedway was supposed to revolutionize racing and barely lasted a decade. Charlotte (the 4 lane dragstrip) has never seemed to take off. Vegas last weekend was a bust and has been slowly dying since built. Probably why the investment of putting in the other two planned lanes has not been done. I heard Gainsville had a rough one this year. Fontana is scrapping their dragstrip and just concentrating on NASCAR. And the NASCAR part isn't doing too hot... Pomona from what I have noticed since going every year since '06 has been a little weak the last couple years. St. Louis has been opened and closed and opened etc... Indianapolis Raceway Park closed their oval last year and is now just a dragstrip only.

We just need A track. I appreciate the heck out of the Farnum's (sp?) and what they're trying to do but they might be more succesful just trying to get an Eddyville (quality wise not 1/8th mile wise), Palm Beach, Bakersfield, or Beech Bend type track with a small dirt oval built. Sometimes bigger isn't always better. All I need / want is a newer slightly better version of Rockfalls or Cedar Falls that's closer than Rockfalls or Cedar Falls. Something that can handle a Car Show, Small Outdoor Concert, Small Fair, Swap Meet, Cruise Night, Night Under Fire, IHRA, ADRL, Muscle Car Shootout, or National Hot Rod Reunion type event occasionally while giving people like us a place to go on the cheap weekly. Something to get the 'kids' off the streets because they can afford to race at a track. (Super tracks can't be cheap because they need to understandably cover the huge overhead.) Tracks such as these are the ones that make it over the course of time and do the most good for the common man.

Anyway enough ranting. Am I making any sense???

Ultimately I do support the Farnum's (sp?) and hope they can get it done this time.

[Z28SSMAN]

I agree with everything you said. All logical...and nothing bothers me more than anything when logic isn't used.

You are obviously knowlegable about how various tracks are fairing. Looks like most are struggling. I had raced at Memphis for a few years at the Super Chevy events and was saddened to see that it had closed, but then buyers were able to buy it for pennies on the dollar. The economic mess helped caused it to close but that same mess allowed buyers to get it at a deal. Otherwise, I had heard it was going to be used for developing housing.

I just think it's silly and actually embarrasing to live in a larger metropolitan area and not have a basic dragstrip.

[TwinTownTerror]

I agree with everything you said. All logical...and nothing bothers me more than anything when logic isn't used.

You are obviously knowlegable about how various tracks are fairing. Looks like most are struggling. I had raced at Memphis for a few years at the Super Chevy events and was saddened to see that it had closed, but then buyers were able to buy it for pennies on the dollar. The economic mess helped caused it to close but that same mess allowed buyers to get it at a deal. Otherwise, I had heard it was going to be used for developing housing.

I just think it's silly and actually embarrasing to live in a larger metropolitan area and not have a basic dragstrip.

I agree with you as well. Do I think this big track would be awesome? Yes! Do I want it? Yes. Do I think the Farnums and their group have been doing an amazing job trying to get it done? Heck Yeah!!! Their tireless drive is amazing. I want any kind of track big or small is my point. You're right we should have at least something. Personally I think that the size of the project might be the thing that is holding it back. I think it might be easier to try and get a smaller project past the paper pushers is all. I also think that these new tracks are so big and so nice that they are SO expensive that they sometimes end up pricing themselves right out of the market. Lets build something that fits the actual demand of the market, with room to grow, not build something gigantic for a market that we hope will come to it.

Grove Creek is a nice place now, just wish it was a 1/4 mile.

[Z28SSMAN]

I don't think many realize the costs of running a track or a business for that matter. That's quite obvious from most indicators today. It puzzles me to hear complaints about a $65 entry fee at RF when the owner has expenses to pay....staff, taxes, maintenance, track equipment, utilities, insurance and I doubt the ambulance/paramedics and police officers sit there for free.

It sounds like it's a mortal sin for a business to make anything for a profit. Maybe the track shouldn't charge an entry fee of anykind and that would make people happy?

Some people piss away more than $65 on Starbucks or McDonalds in a month. I guarantee you there's no comparison in the thrill. I've heard people complain about only getting to make 4 or 5 runs for $65 but will sit for HOURS waiting to see a slow import with fart cans racing on the street aka hourglass nationals. Probably spend at least $20-$30 in gas per weekend nite driving around trying to find the hot spots.

Another classic example of no logic.

[TwinTownTerror]

Also...people piss away more than $65 on Starbucks or McDonalds in a month. I guarantee you there's no comparison in the thrill. I've heard people complain about only getting to make 4 or 5 runs for $65 but will sit for HOURS waiting to see a slow import with fart cans racing on the street aka hourglass nationals.

They also bitch about $4 a gallon gas while holding their $6 12oz. coffee in their hand...

[Jumpercables]

There is no way that idea will happen in MN in todays day and age imo. Especially in our cat piss economy which likely will continue for a few more years. Still way to many housing forclosures and no job growth. Rising gas prices to.

Imo in order to satisfy the desire and need for a drag strip that most anyone can use, we dont need to build a giant high buck establishment. Rather someone with some money, some land, and some common sense, can build a strip like George Ray did years ago down in Arkansas. Anyone is welcome so long as they play by the few rules he had and pay the small fee to race. I went there several years ago and saw it for myself as a spectator.

In a nutshell he was a farmer who loved fast cars. He built a dragstrip in the middle of his land and it was successful for decades. Small out of the way place, word of mouth advertisement, and common sense management grew the place into legendary status in the south.

Leave BIR for the big dogs.

If they built whats proposed beer and pop would be $20 for a small lol.

RIP Gorge Ray.

http://www.odiesgarage.com/Pictures/GRWD/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZh-iltb2O0

[tcat55371]

Been getting emails from them also.

I'd like to see it happen but like everyone says it probably wont in this age.
I live jusy outside Princeton and in the summer it's nice to hear the motors at the dirt track. I suppose the people that live in that new development dont care for it.

Growing with North Star Dragways open gave us all a place to go on the weekends. We had a blast and even thou there was still street racing going on back then most of it was settled on the track. I really wish there was a strip close to the cities for everyone to use.

(if you guys need a laugh and get the Line Chaser from MSRA read the story Mike wrote on page 49)


John (aka:smokie) :rotfl:

[Fast One]

TTT,

I also agree with your statements. Very logical.

Glenn,

You nailed it. We're the 12th largest market in the country, yet we don't have a strip. Definitely an embarrassment to any true car buff. But then MN has been hostile to new motorsports developments for some time now. Remember the raceway park proposal up by Hinckley? If I remember correctly, the developers had the money, and they had their ducks in a row. They had even passed the environmental study, but a second study was ordered - which they didn't pass. At least that's the story I heard. Not sure if it is the real story, however. Also, wasn't there a proposal to build a NASCAR track down by the horse track? If I remember correctly, Earnhardt Jr & others were involved. Not sure what ever happened to that proposal.

Joel

[TwinTownTerror]

TTT,

I also agree with your statements. Very logical.

Glenn,

You nailed it. We're the 12th largest market in the country, yet we don't have a strip. Definitely an embarrassment to any true car buff. But then MN has been hostile to new motorsports developments for some time now. Remember the raceway park proposal up by Hinckley? If I remember correctly, the developers had the money, and they had their ducks in a row. They had even passed the environmental study, but a second study was ordered - which they didn't pass. At least that's the story I heard. Not sure if it is the real story, however. Also, wasn't there a proposal to build a NASCAR track down by the horse track? If I remember correctly, Earnhardt Jr & others were involved. Not sure what ever happened to that proposal.

Joel

The people trying to do the one up by Hinkley was the Cophams. They decided it was easier to just buy BIR...

[Fast One]

The people trying to do the one up by Hinkley was the Cophams. They decided it was easier to just buy BIR...

Ah, so that's what happened. Too bad this state is so anti-motorsports.

Joel

[Jumpercables]

Ah, so that's what happened. Too bad this state is so anti-motorsports.

Joel

Thank the lefties and remember this in November.