PUNTA GORDA/Three Palms Speedway

[lmracer]

Found this PR from Three Plams:

We are letting everyone know that we will not be opening on August 30th as planned. We are truly sorry for this inconvenience for everyone and we do apologize to all the people that were planning on racing or attending the races that night. We still have a couple of issues that need to be resolved before we can start racing on a regular basis and I will assure you that those issues are being resolved. We continue to work diligently at the things that we can fix on our own and work with others on the ones that we can not do ourselves. We are not going to put out another date at this time but it will be announced shortly. Over the next couple of weeks everyone will begin to see all the changes that we have promised and we will have racing back up and running. The fence and bleachers are both being put up by local contractors so once that process begins it will move along rather quickly and both of these projects can be done at the same time. Again, our apologies for the delay. We hope to have more news for everyone shortly.

[turnleft]

????

I would very much like to see this track open! How long has it been since the new owners took over? I am thinking over 1 year?

The racers and fans need some honest answers as to what's going on.

If anyone can let us know what is going on, please post on Karnac.

Thanks Vince Patola

[Phil Jacques]

Need to get a hold of somone at the track? Well no problem. Just give us a call at (941) 444-9461 or send us an email at contactus@threepalmsspeedway.com.
Jamie Haase - President/CEO
jamiehaase@threepalmsspeedway.com

Aaron Haase - Vice President/IT and Facility Management
aaronhaase@threepalmsspeedway.com

Andy Haase - Vice President/Marketing and Corporate Sales
andyhaase@threepalmsspeedway.com

[Phil Jacques]

I've emailed Jamie numerous times... Always get the same generic response. Not sure what to think. He always says the same thing... This was the last email I recieved...

Phil,

We are still moving forward and getting close to announcing the date we will have our grand opening. Looking forward to having your come to our track.

Jamie Haase
Three Palms Speedway
8655 Piper Road
Punta Gorda, FL. 33982
Phone: 941-444-9461
Fax: 941-296-8738

[lmracer]

NBC 2 did a story 6/20/13.


http://www.nbc-2.com/story/22648680/...a#.U_ZhFvldUyQ

[turnleft]

No money

I do not think the family ever had the money to open the place. Just can't believe airport gave them the lease. Total waste of time. Period

[lmracer]

NBC 2 did a new story today.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/26341176/...t#.U_aCS_ldUyQ

No rent paid = speedway may be back up for rent

[scottgarrity07]

I may be completely wrong, but from the look of that video it doesn't look like anything has changed there in the past 1 year plus. Where is all the work that was supposedly getting done?

[kendo]

Not paying the rent because of code violations that are not your fault? That should work out well.
Another one with good intentions and no capital.

Last one out,turn off the lights...

[Darren]

good intentions and no capital. same as anyone on this board that thinks that they can run or start up a speedway. talk doesn't cost a thing, doing it is when you you have to have the money.

[Phil Jacques]

good intentions and no capital. same as anyone on this board that thinks that they can run or start up a speedway. talk doesn't cost a thing, doing it is when you you have to have the money.

Gotta spend a lot of money to make a little in racing... Don't really think Jaime and his staff were prepared for what they were getting themselves into. The last time I drove by PGS it didn't look like it was well kept, that was in 2010 right before I moved back here.

[Matt Albee]

good intentions and no capital. same as anyone on this board that thinks that they can run or start up a speedway. talk doesn't cost a thing, doing it is when you you have to have the money.

There's a lot of people on this board that could start up and run a race track. Exactly what type of genius do you suppose it takes to start one? The most successful tracks were started in many cases by people with very little money or experience. Earl Baltes for instance. Or the guys who first built NSS before Clyde Hart took over. Or NASCAR in 1949. What experience did Bill France have in building or operating a race series or race track when he started? And he sure didn't have much money in the beginning.
You want to see how money DOESN'T help at all? Look at Stimus with Desoto, or look at the mess the France family has made of a great series that the elder France started on a shoestring. Or any number of high dollar owners who lease tracks, lose interest and quickly move on.

[Darren]

The time frame you mention, almost 60 years ago, bowling centers were popping up everywhere. AMF and Brunswick were handing out package deals to people that wanted in the bowling business, no large sum of money needed. It was a blue collar sport. So was stock car racing. To get in either did not take a lot of money. In the last ten years over 1000 bowling centers have closed. 10 years ago 1000's of golf courses open up due to the fanfare of playing golf, many of them are closing. The cost of playing golf and/or bowling plus the cost of buying what is needed to play each sport has become overpriced. Didn't take a genius to do the above 60 years ago. because people wanted to bowl and go to stockcar races. Were are the fans now for just about anything thats been around for a very long time?

[mpf74]

More than money

I'm sure it does take a lot of money, but what is equally or more important is a front man that has an understanding that most of the people in the pits don't have unlimited capital. You have to love the sport, you must be honest, and fair.
If the racers don't have faith in the owner/ or promoter, then it is destined to fail, I know of one that failure is on the horizon if something doesn't change FOR THE BETTER.