Save the Speedway! And a cool Video

[z28james]

This is from their website and on face book a user added an old video with neat shot from the 70's of OKC and the racetrack, very nostalgic.

YouTube - Mar Car video #11 presented by Shane Carson- 1970s Supermodifieds


I know some don't care about the speedway(which is fine), and some do, I am one who does not want to see it go. If you like, they have a petition going as well on their site.

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[betts]

Thanks for posting. Although I've never been to the Speedway, I can understand people wanting to save it.

[Spartan]

I can understand the people who have used it throughout the years wanting to save it, and I'm not a big fan of spending money on the expo part of MAPS3..I guess expositions would help OKC? I have no idea. Sounds more like something that would be good for Lawton or Amarillo, but whatever.

The problem with this petition is that the speedway was dealt a pretty severe blow when people found out the residents around it wouldn't mind seeing it go away. If it's a nuisance to neighbors, and it's on a site that would be more ideal for the expo center, are there positives for keeping it that outweigh those negatives?

I'm just asking, I definitely don't have a strong opinion one way or another about this..

[Kerry]

z28James - here is the thing. I am a huge racing fan but I think you are trying to hold onto something that is never going to be like it was. The State Fair track has lived past its prime and it is probably time to let it go. Instead of protesting, ask the city for help in finding a new location. I don't know what a new race track cost but I imagine land is probably the biggest cost item.

OKC needs a decent racing facility and I think most people in OKC would support the idea if they were presented with a plan that delivered a quality racing facility. There is no reason something like the South Georgia Motorsport Park could be built in the OKC area.



Or better yet - maybe someone should look into this.
http://www.nextautos.com/private-3-r...ommunity-in-az

[circled9]

I have to agree with Kerry. I used to go to the races at both taft and the fairgrounds so i am not antiracing. However, I do live in the neighborhood---and yes i knew it was there when I purchased the house but had no idea how loud it was going to be. From what I understand, the neighborhood tried for years to get the promoter to work with them to abate some of the noise but received little cooperation. Lets look for a great new racetrack (with private funding) in a less populated area.

[Spartan]

Is there a private market for a new race track in OKC?

[rcjunkie]

Is there a private market for a new race track in OKC?

Probably not, with the ever increasing land values, it would be hard to justify the cost for a racing venue that would only be used a few days out of the year.

[Kerry]

Probably not, with the ever increasing land values, it would be hard to justify the cost for a racing venue that would only be used a few days out of the year.

That is why racing fans and participants need to think bigger. OKC could use a racing complex, and not just a dirt oval with some bleachers. I would like to see a facility that combined a dirt track, an asphalt oval, and maybe a road course. There is already a drag strip at Thunder Valley so another probably isn't needed.

In addition to local racing people, there are multiple racing leagues and circuits that could use an OKC facility, especially with the closing of the track complex in Memphis. I think somewhere out in the eastern part of Oklahoma County would be perfect due to the hills a road course could use, plus the oval tracks could be built into hillsides and surrounding tree could cut down on noise.

Some one who cares enough should put together a plan and present it to one of the local Indian tribes and connect it with their casino.

[theparkman81]

That is why racing fans and participants need to think bigger. OKC could use a racing complex, and not just a dirt oval with some bleachers. I would like to see a facility that combined a dirt track, an asphalt oval, and maybe a road course. There is already a drag strip at Thunder Valley so another probably isn't needed.

In addition to local racing people, there are multiple racing leagues and circuits that could use an OKC facility, especially with the closing of the track complex in Memphis. I think somewhere out in the eastern part of Oklahoma County would be perfect due to the hills a road course could use, plus the oval tracks could be built into hillsides and surrounding tree could cut down on noise.

Some one who cares enough should put together a plan and present it to one of the local Indian tribes and connect it with their casino.

I agree with you Kerry, I think that they should built a new race track out in the eastern part of oklahoma county, I think it would be a great spot for it, I wonder if they are still talking about put a race track down by lake Stanley Draper like they talked about a couple years a ago.

[rcjunkie]

That is why racing fans and participants need to think bigger. OKC could use a racing complex, and not just a dirt oval with some bleachers. I would like to see a facility that combined a dirt track, an asphalt oval, and maybe a road course. There is already a drag strip at Thunder Valley so another probably isn't needed.

In addition to local racing people, there are multiple racing leagues and circuits that could use an OKC facility, especially with the closing of the track complex in Memphis. I think somewhere out in the eastern part of Oklahoma County would be perfect due to the hills a road course could use, plus the oval tracks could be built into hillsides and surrounding tree could cut down on noise.

Some one who cares enough should put together a plan and present it to one of the local Indian tribes and connect it with their casino.

It's not that I'm against racing, I'm a big race fan, but I don't think there's enough interest or MONEY locally to support a new track venue. In addition, it's going to be very hard to find a suitable location, one that isn't met with resistance from adjoining property owners. (noise, traffic, pollution)

[Spartan]

That is why racing fans and participants need to think bigger. OKC could use a racing complex, and not just a dirt oval with some bleachers. I would like to see a facility that combined a dirt track, an asphalt oval, and maybe a road course. There is already a drag strip at Thunder Valley so another probably isn't needed.

In addition to local racing people, there are multiple racing leagues and circuits that could use an OKC facility, especially with the closing of the track complex in Memphis. I think somewhere out in the eastern part of Oklahoma County would be perfect due to the hills a road course could use, plus the oval tracks could be built into hillsides and surrounding tree could cut down on noise.

Some one who cares enough should put together a plan and present it to one of the local Indian tribes and connect it with their casino.

I just don't see the value in the city building a racing complex. It's not like the NBA or even the AHL.. what does a racing complex add to the city at this point, how does it help us get where we want to be? No offense to racing aficionados but I just don't see it.

[z28james]

I am totally down for a new facility, however I just dont see anyone building a new one, maybe they will, but I think the chances are very slim, that's why i would want to save the old one.

[betts]

What amount of land would we be talking about to build a new speedway? And, do they generate the kind of income or bring in significant numbers of people from elsewhere that might interest the city in creating a facility? One nice thing about it would be that it would be one part of the city where we wouldn't have to worry about new home sprawl.

[Spartan]

What amount of land would we be talking about to build a new speedway? And, do they generate the kind of income or bring in significant numbers of people from elsewhere that might interest the city in creating a facility? One nice thing about it would be that it would be one part of the city where we wouldn't have to worry about new home sprawl.

That's very true. I propose we put it out at MacArthur and 164th..

[Kerry]

First of all, who said anything about the City building the facility? Second, the City built the current facility so maybe it is something they should help fund again. However, this could be done without any city money. That is why I suggested one of the Indian tribes. Several Indian casino around the country have sport facilities attached. In fact, there was a partial plan to move the Sonics to an Indian casino and horse racing facility south of Seattle before they relocated to OKC.

As for demand for racing facilities - demand is there. My in-laws live in Bowling Green, KY part time and almost every weekend there is an NHRA event going on at their track. It is the same with the South Georgia Motorsport Park in Adel, GA.

I think with a good plan one of the local tribes would love to have an auto racing facility on their property. As for sound, if done correctly sound can be greatly reduced. When I was in the Army we operated very loud machinery in the woods. If you got a few hundred feet way you couldn't hear it. Tree are a very good noise reducer. So is the Earth.

This is Lanier Speedway in Buford, GA (metro Atlanta). The track is cut into a hill on three sides. I have a freind who live about 2 miles from here and he can't hear it.

[Spartan]

Maybe the reason the Sonics moved after all was to avoid playing at Indian casinos.

[Kerry]

Maybe the reason the Sonics moved after all was to avoid playing at Indian casinos.

I don't know about the Sonics and their view of playing in an Indian casino but the this is the casino the Sun of the WNBA plays in.

[jmlight]

The noise issue is the only part of the argument against the track I really have no answer for. The city has imposed curfews and the track has abided. There is also a muffler rule. I wish the majority of the residents near the track were race fans, like they are in Indiana and Iowa, where you probably have to hose dirt and rubber off your satellite dish 20 nights a year after the races are over.

But don't tell me the State Fair Speedway is past its prime as a facility. For the type of racing featured there, it is still one of the best I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch of them.

[rcjunkie]

The noise issue is the only part of the argument against the track I really have no answer for. The city has imposed curfews and the track has abided. There is also a muffler rule. I wish the majority of the residents near the track were race fans, like they are in Indiana and Iowa, where you probably have to hose dirt and rubber off your satellite dish 20 nights a year after the races are over.

But don't tell me the State Fair Speedway is past its prime as a facility. For the type of racing featured there, it is still one of the best I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch of them.

It's a good race facility unless your in a wheelchair or use a walker to get around, or prefer decent public restrooms and clean/modern snack bars, or a decent public address system. The track surface is fine, but the grandstands need immediate attention and the cost does not justify the means.

[jmlight]

It's a good race facility unless your in a wheelchair or use a walker to get around, or prefer decent public restrooms and clean/modern snack bars, or a decent public address system. The track surface is fine, but the grandstands need immediate attention and the cost does not justify the means.

I can't speak for those unfortunate enough to attend who are in wheelchairs, but I see a lot of them out there every Friday, and it looks to me like they're having a good time, and there is plenty of wheelchair seating. And if they've got someone there to help them, the whole place is a ramp.

Restrooms are better than Knoxville. Much better, in fact. And Knoxville is considered world class for the same kind of racing as State Fair Speedway. The only complaint I have about the snack bars is how horrible it must be to work in them during the summer. Otherwise, they are beyond adequate. PA system, too. I've never had a problem hearing it, unless you're talking about hearing it over the races, but I don't see the point in that.

If anything, the track itself is what needs the biggest overhaul. The abandoning of the half mile was the first blow, and the new smaller track has been dicey ever since. But the grandstands and the facilities, particularly the paved pit area, are some of the very best I've ever seen. Still are.

[rcjunkie]

I can't speak for those unfortunate enough to attend who are in wheelchairs, but I see a lot of them out there every Friday, and it looks to me like they're having a good time, and there is plenty of wheelchair seating. And if they've got someone there to help them, the whole place is a ramp.

Restrooms are better than Knoxville. Much better, in fact. And Knoxville is considered world class for the same kind of racing as State Fair Speedway. The only complaint I have about the snack bars is how horrible it must be to work in them during the summer. Otherwise, they are beyond adequate. PA system, too. I've never had a problem hearing it, unless you're talking about hearing it over the races, but I don't see the point in that.

[COLOR="Red"]If anything, the track itself is what needs the biggest overhaul. The abandoning of the half mile was the first blow, and the new smaller track has [/COLOR]been dicey ever since. But the grandstands and the facilities, particularly the paved pit area, are some of the very best I've ever seen. Still are.

The size of the track has nothing to do with it's pending closure, the decision to do away with the 1/2 mile track was made by the track director, not the City or State Fair Officials.

Again, to spend millions to do a major overhaul of this facility would be financially unfeasible, especially for a race venue that's used a few time out of the year.

[jmlight]

The size of the track has nothing to do with it's pending closure, the decision to do away with the 1/2 mile track was made by the track director, not the City or State Fair Officials.

Again, to spend millions to do a major overhaul of this facility would be financially unfeasible, especially for a race venue that's used a few time out of the year.

I didn't mean to imply that it was anyone but the track director, I just mentioned it because you implied the grandstands and facilities are in poor shape but the track is not, when the opposite is true.

Do you race R/C cars, junkie?

[Kerry]

jmlight - if the track is good enough for you that is cool. But OKC can do better, and should do better. A better track facility will bring in more people, which will bring in more sponsors, which will bring in larger winnings and more racers. I am serious about someone contacting one of the local Indian gaming facilites.

A nice road course and a half mile dirt track could bring in a lot of people, not just every Friday or Staurday night, but there would be a good chance of landing some quality racing events from some nationwide circuits. Getting a date on the World of Outlaws schedule would be cool.

How many people attend races at fairground speedway now?

[rcjunkie]

I didn't mean to imply that it was anyone but the track director, I just mentioned it because you implied the grandstands and facilities are in poor shape but the track is not, when the opposite is true.

Do you race R/C cars, junkie?

Years ago I drag raced, but the sport got too expensive, now I just restore and enjoy street rods. My 15 year old son races nitro gas powered remote control cars, it's a hobby I thought would be inexpensive, boy was I wrong. RC racing is a growing sport, especially on the W. Coast, it, like most things take a sharp decline when the economy takes a downturn. To get in the RC Racing sport on a somewhat serious level, it takes costs about $3,000--$4,000 dollars.

I'm a huge car nut, I would love to see a quality race track built on OKC, I just don't see the City or anyone else stepping up to do it.

[jmlight]

Years ago I drag raced, but the sport got too expensive, now I just restore and enjoy street rods. My 15 year old son races nitro gas powered remote control cars, it's a hobby I thought would be inexpensive, boy was I wrong. RC racing is a growing sport, especially on the W. Coast, it, like most things take a sharp decline when the economy takes a downturn. To get in the RC Racing sport on a somewhat serious level, it takes costs about $3,000--$4,000 dollars.

I'm a huge car nut, I would love to see a quality race track built on OKC, I just don't see the City or anyone else stepping up to do it.

I've raced most every Saturday for the past four or five years at Competition R/C in OKC. Some nights we'll have upwards of 70 cars, some nights 20, but there is always a crowd. The track director generally accommodates whatever is the hot class of cars in a particular season. During the winter months there is indoor 1/10th scale oval and road course, and during the spring and summer the action moves outdoors. Check it out sometime.