Our track is shutting down.

[SteddyTeddy]

Sunshine Speedway, our local 1/8 mile track is closing down. Some new guy with more money than brains, won the lease for the land from the county by outbidding the current track owner 10x. They plan to invest big money to get the circle track up and running again and use everything else as a parking lot. The track has been open since 1958. I expect to see street racing become a big problem around here again! Both Orlando and Bradenton tracks are at least a 2 hr drive each way. There is another 1/8 mile track in Lakeland but the shut down area is so short that anything running 5's or faster runs a huge risk of hitting the concrete wall at the end!! Looks like I will need to find a new hobby.

[Goobr]

Buy some land and build your own! I bet you could make some money.

[SteddyTeddy]

If only I had a couple million laying around. My wife said she was winning the lotery last night. I better check her #'s.

[cootertwo]

http://immraceway.webplus.net/schedule.html

[SteddyTeddy]

3 to 4 hour drive from me.

[eddie lane]

damn that sucks the big one. how far is it to a good street racing spot? i know it's not the safest thing but it sounds like your only option.

[lytnin]

Our track has been shut down for over a year which was ok with me because it took 3 days to get 2 runs in.

I do miss the Ford Chevy and Mopar nationals and Black Friday for bikes was racers from all over the states.

It is supposed to open back up but not until late this year or at least that was the last I heard.

[flying dave]

Sorry to hear that. I hate when things close as it is usually rare for another one to open.

[SteddyTeddy]

damn that sucks the big one. how far is it to a good street racing spot? i know it's not the safest thing but it sounds like your only option.

Tampa, Clearwater. Not my thing though. The laws in this state make it a felony. Loose your license, loose your bike, get thrown in jail. I'm a small guy. I wouldn't do well in jail.

[flying dave]

Man, I hope you don't give it up. I enjoy reading/learning from you and your lessons learned from the track/engine builds.

[SteddyTeddy]

I can still do special events a few times a year. Just won't be in top form without regular practice. Maybe I'll have to look into go cart racing. There is a little dirt track not too far from me.

[paulzrx]

Gainesville is doing double points nites now....2 points races in one day....Opens at 11am till 2 races are done....Loooong day for sure...Don`t know how good it will go over here...www.gainesvilleraceway.com

[YGOSLO]

I feel your pain. We have had 3 tracks shut down in Texas in the last year.

How's that "Hope & Change" working out for you?? This economy really sucks. Hate to see them close - because you know it will be slow going before they ever re-open if at all.

[mbleft]

Move.

Quarter mile, none of that eighth mile nonsense.




http://www.sanantonioraceway.com/

[SteddyTeddy]

I HOPE we CHANGE presidents! This one will most likely never reopen. It was still within city limits. Mbleft, if you can't get it done in the 1/8th, your just wasting your time with the 1/4. I'll run either. The 1/8 mile track was just closer.

[EL'zREX]

They closed the track here in Ct back in the 80's and now it's 2hrs to the valley,2 hrs to englishtown,3 hrs to Island,4hrs to Atco,3 hrs to Epping..I feel your pain. It's the distance to drive with a loaded trailer that has kept me from running t/t or for points.Just to run t/t is a 300.00 day..Fuel for truck ,fuel for bike,enterance fee for track,fee for event.. etc etc etc...

[mbleft]

I HOPE we CHANGE presidents! This one will most likely never reopen. It was still within city limits. Mbleft, if you can't get it done in the 1/8th, your just wasting your time with the 1/4. I'll run either. The 1/8 mile track was just closer.

I just like quarter mile better than eighth. This track has been open since the 50's also, but has been going downhill for quite awhile. It was quarter mile for a long time, but insurance and the fact that it cant handle the faster vehicles of today, due to it's too short. it's eighth now. I've seen alcohol funny cars run the quarter on it back in the 80's. They shut down over the winter due to lack of participation, but run short hours in the summer cause its too hot.


http://www.littleriverdragway.net/index.html

[Mr. Panhead]

The track north of Panama City just went down too. It wasn't the nicest track in the world but was a place to go. 1/8th mile. It was for sale a while back for 2M. It was 80 acres with 40 undeveloped with a truck boggin mud hole to boot. I'm only 1.999M away from owning it.

It ain't cheap with the cost of fuel these days thats for sure. Its a good 1.5 hrs for me to Orlando. Don't forget about the $12.00 worth of tolls, too.

[davemack]

That kills me to hear that. We used to do motocross there if that doesn't take you back a bit, that's probably a bit before your time. They had sidecar motocross there one year, t'was f'ing wild. This guy had an H2setup that dusted the field (mostly all Honda 750s and Trumpets). I saw Tommy Ivo, Shirley Muldowny and Don Garlits race 1/4 mile top fuel there with front engine rails before someone ran out onto Ulmerton Road hince the short shutdown area. Bradenton is not bad other than the extra 35 minute drive. I've run Bradenton and liked it, but it's been 12 years since I've lived there. Think of 1/4 mile as a mix between a holeshot and hiway cruzin', gear it tall and bring your ipod. Cheers.

[knedgr]

This sucks.

[SteddyTeddy]

That kills me to hear that. We used to do motocross there if that doesn't take you back a bit, that's probably a bit before your time. They had sidecar motocross there one year, t'was f'ing wild. This guy had an H2setup that dusted the field (mostly all Honda 750s and Trumpets). I saw Tommy Ivo, Shirley Muldowny and Don Garlits race 1/4 mile top fuel there with front engine rails before someone ran out onto Ulmerton Road hince the short shutdown area. Bradenton is not bad other than the extra 35 minute drive. I've run Bradenton and liked it, but it's been 12 years since I've lived there. Think of 1/4 mile as a mix between a holeshot and hiway cruzin', gear it tall and bring your ipod. Cheers.

They have an all new motocross track in the field south of the starting line. Been a couple variations of it over the last couple years. From what I here that is staying. New owner is just shutting down the drag strip in hopes of getting the circle track going. I'm told it will take a couple $mil to get it back in running shape. The DOT has been using it to test the E-Pass systems for toll roads and tore everything not needed out. Not sure where all these pavement roundy roundy guys are coming from to meet the $96K a month lease???

[JustaSpeedfreak]

Just a thought, did you write the new owner or stop by and STB? Let him know there is a lot of interest and the 1/8 mile track may be a good supplement to his existing money generating ideas...

[doug]

I feel the pain Teddy! Didn't you just get the frame raked?
All the tracks in St. Louis have closed, and as Lytnin said Gateway is suppose to reopen this year.

[SteddyTeddy]

Well I heard the other day, through the grapevine, that there is a chance the new owner may reopen the dragstrip. Apparently he had closed talk's with several who were working the track. The old owner, also part owner of Bradenton, tore out the entire timing system to use for spare parts. I'm told everything will have to be replaced and all new wiring pulled. Going to cost some $$. Not going to hold my breath, but it was positive news to hear.

[SteddyTeddy]

I feel the pain Teddy! Didn't you just get the frame raked?
All the tracks in St. Louis have closed, and as Lytnin said Gateway is suppose to reopen this year.

Yes frame raked and powder coated. Clutch cover out getting a quick access. I had a member contact me warning that I may get a shit cover back. The work better be good or me and my CC company will be filing a dispute!!! Head due to arrive from Jim at Comp CNC tomorrow. Removed right at 20lbs of weight off the bike. Plan on getting it running this weekend!!

[ninja11zx]

I read they are going to reopen the track. old owner,Todd also ripped out all the guardrails so it will probley get nice new concrete walls.

[SteddyTeddy]

The new owner had a meeting with some of the local racers Monday night. I couldn't go but Lee (smokinzx14) attended. Said they are going to extend the track to 1000ft so they can hold NHRA sponsered events. All new concrete walls are going up. Todd tearing out the guard rails was actually helpfull. Lee stopped by the track before going to the meeting and said it looked like the place was bombed! Everything was flatened! Said he even saw holes dug into the track surface. Lot of local racers are pissed. They moved one of the last races down to Bradenton and I was told only about 15 cars showed up!! Todd is part owner of the Bradenton track. After what was done the new owners are out for blood. Should mean good things for us. Will be a whole new track when they're done.

Where did you read about the situation? Got a link?

[ninja11zx]

i will see if i can find it again, was on one of the car forums i'm on.

[SteddyTeddy]

Couple pictures from another board. Looks like a tornado went through. I'm told they ran over everything but the tower.

[doug]

What kinda Asshats do that??