Don't look for Volusia to open...

[Frasson118]

In a statement from Brian Carter, the CEO of World Racing Group, owners of Volusia, his statement includes the following wording:

"WRG tried unsuccessfully to lease the Volusia track for 11 months a year, but keeping the profitable Feb. Speedweeks dates. WRG is now happy to keep the track closed all year, but ready for their highly successful February promotions, where there is racing every night".

Sounds like they couldn't find a fool to take up 90% of the responsibility per year, while at the same time, retaining 75% of all profits made during the season. They are NOT gonna run it themselves, they are NOT gonna share Speedweeks profits with anyone, and not willing to sell it outright. Other WRG tracks Rolling Wheels, Cayuga County (both in NY), and Lernerville Speedway in PA, are all for sale outright. They are keeping Volusia for February only, with no interest in the other 11 months.

This means we will only see that track open about 15-20 days a year.

[andre]

I think that with the right management, Volusia could make a hit by opening November through March(April). With all Northern tracks closed and all the Northerners moving South for winter, if it would be well managed & advertised, it could easely work.

I would even go to the point of incorporating a top Northern class like the BB Mods or the 358 Mods.

I would not be surprise to see some top guns move South for the winter and the $.

It would also create a momentum for Speed Week.

[scottgarrity07]

"WRG is now happy to keep the track closed all year..." This makes them HAPPY? What part of "fan-friendly" or "racer-friendly" does this statement represent? That should pack in the Florida based fans and racers during February.

[egspeedway]

Great concept but there has yet to be a promoter a at any track willing to put up the money to get the northern guys to come south. You simply do not have the population density needed to put enough people in the stands, We well know how prolific Florida drivers have been in the north but it won,t happen especially in this economy. Frankie Schneider is the only driver I can recall coming south to run some specials and that was in the early 50s.

[Darren]

they don't have to be fan friendly for a whole month in Feb when there is a bunch of northerners that will support them. The gentleman that built East Bay used to say that he could make enough money in the winternationals without running the rest of the time. Ken Sands tried it with Stan's money until that ran out and then just didn't pay people when he skipped. Why would someone that had the money want to lose it.

[Frasson118]

Scott... In all reality, the entire VSP Speedweeks has generally less than a dozen cars, in all classes, that come to these shows. Same with the grandstand side..... OVERWHELMINGLY Northerners, barely supported by Florida race fans.

Bottom line is, they don't NEED or CARE about Florida race fans nor racers. They care about the bottom line....

I believe a previous post was referring to Lonnie Prevatt, who built East Bay... he, and others including Robert Hart at Fascar, would agree that their HUGE events that happen once/twice a year, is the bread & butter that keeps a weekly program going.... big picture thinking. If not for the few weeks of comparably giant incomes that these events bring, they couldn't afford to even HAVE a weekly program.

The difference I see, is that NSS, East Bay, and probably Bubba's, is that they have the weekly show to support.... WRG doesn't. Take the money and run, but screw us, as racefans, in the process.

[kendo]

That is a shame but just up the road from them,Putnam Speedway has made alot of improvements and is getting ready to re-open soon!