Orlando Speedworld CLOSED until October 2nd.

[Mark Keeler]

All Stock Car Racing at Orlando Speedworld will be canceled until October 2nd.
Orlando Speedworld GRAND RE-OPENING scheduled for Friday October 2nd.

The originally scheduled “Stunt Wars” was removed from the schedule and will be replaced by Stock Car Racing on Friday night Oct. 2nd. Details as to what divisions are running will be released shortly.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we deal with the unusually large amounts of rain and subsequent drainage issues. We will be working hard over the next few weeks to get the track prepped and ready for racing again on Friday night October 2nd.

[ancrdave]

Didn't I suggest doing that last week??? Good idea... Let's hope some action is actually going to be taken to fix the problem rather than letting the track sit and hoping it quits raining by October...

[Boneman]

Who is going to scrape the barnacles off the starters stand?

Looking forward to the grand re-opening!

[ancrdave]

My suggestion is still out there... start the season back up in October and, to be fair to the guys running for points, extend the 2009 season thru January, 2010... Run every week for points adding in some of the events that got canceled... You will still have the Thanksgiving Crash-a-Rama and Rick's Charity race, but run every week thru the end of January for points excluding the Christmas Holiday...

If this works and there is good response from the drivers and fans, I think it would be a good idea to run this way each year... Race from March-June. Take July-mid September off but run the Summer Crash-A-Rama in July... Crash n' Smash is more fun when it's wet anyway... Maybe put together a big Enduro race/Demo Derby night sometime in August...

Think outside of the box and there might be some success down the road...

[Rick B.]

Dave before you pat yourself on the back !

Before you pat yourself on the back, your idea had already been talked about over a month ago, but we did not want to give up on trying to race. You do not have the financial deal at stake Robert Hart does. And this decision was not made on your idea. There was a long meeting yesterday with many issues being looked at and thought over.

We will only run the remaining scheduled dates, we are going to try to make them fun nights and then get to work on fixing the issues over the off season. There will be a few things tried this month and surverys and plans made to make the fixes hopefully to end this altogether.

We will announce the remainder of the schedule next week, and try to keep folks up to date with plans and track work as we go.

For those who are willing to help please call Butch or Myself and we will try to plan a time to all work together to repair several things. Everyone needs to remember there has been no income for basically 3 months counting this closing, so we will need volunteers and all to make this work.

Everyone please know this has been tough on Robert and with his health he could just throw in the towel completely but he cares about Orlando is not quitting. You can be a part of the solution, or not ! Thanks

[Old Sunshine Fan]

re: Dave before you pat yourself on the back !

Before you pat yourself on the back, your idea had already been talked about over a month ago, but we did not want to give up on trying to race. You do not have the financial deal at stake Robert Hart does. And this decision was not made on your idea.

Hey Rick

A little harsh towards AnncrDave are we?

I'm not sure he was patting himself on the back... but I do appreciate the fact that he has been around for a long time and has very good ideas (some same ones as many many others regarding Orlando over the years).
Dave isn't the first one to suggest a calendar change for Orlando (and he doesn't claim to be).

I might be reading a bit more into your statement, but it sure sounded like you had a problem with Dave and didn't address it to him face to face, but rather take a shot at him on KARNAC. Everyone and their brother knows something has to happen at Orlando - doesn't take a great mind to know that... You, Robert HART and who ever should be glad people are taking their time to offer suggestions (and ya, there might just be repeated suggestions).
This wouldn't be the time to be nit-picking over who suggested what first, second or for the hundredth time - its time to GET ER DONE.

[Edm]

Before you pat yourself on the back, your idea had already been talked about over a month ago, but we did not want to give up on trying to race. You do not have the financial deal at stake Robert Hart does. And this decision was not made on your idea. There was a long meeting yesterday with many issues being looked at and thought over.

We will only run the remaining scheduled dates, we are going to try to make them fun nights and then get to work on fixing the issues over the off season. There will be a few things tried this month and surverys and plans made to make the fixes hopefully to end this altogether.

We will announce the remainder of the schedule next week, and try to keep folks up to date with plans and track work as we go.

For those who are willing to help please call Butch or Myself and we will try to plan a time to all work together to repair several things. Everyone needs to remember there has been no income for basically 3 months counting this closing, so we will need volunteers and all to make this work.

Everyone please know this has been tough on Robert and with his health he could just throw in the towel completely but he cares about Orlando is not quitting. You can be a part of the solution, or not ! Thanks

I don't think Dave meant to steal your thunder but this idea has been around for several years.

I have a shovel and some other tools and I will be happy to lend a hand.

[racnphotos68]

Three real quick things:

Rick, if I can throw in my two cents I think you should re-consider going with the "only running what was scheduled" idea. I personally did a lot of talking up the scout nights and it is a shame to see that they are not being added in when possible (at least one). I think that is a group of people that probably would not be out there otherwise that you might make fans out of (that is how I got started in racing way too long ago). Just my personal experience.

2nd, It seems like you might have been a little more rough on Dave then you meant to be, or at least that is how it came off. I could almost hear him laughing as he said that. Again, just my two cents.

3rd, you can be expecting a call from me to find out what you need help with and when. I want to be part of the solution and not the problem. I have been going to that track since the early 80's and want to see the track and the Hart family do well.

Thanks for you time reading this.

PS, can you email me the address you want that envelope of goodies sent to?

[Jane]

Like I said, I am more than willing to help in any way I can. I can handle a paint brush, sometimes a hammer but count me in for help. In spite of the fact that I no longer work there, that does not mean that I don't care what happens to Orlando because I do.

So just let me know how I can help and when.

[FLQuacker]

UNLESS...the facility is "fixed" by engineering, you are wasting your time and money.

It will take a big commitment to do what needs to be done. (financially)

If the current administration can't commit to it, find others who can.

If none can be found....continue to play the "bush league" game

(paintbrushes and shovels won't fix the problems)

[Edm]

UNLESS...the facility is "fixed" by engineering, you are wasting your time and money.

It will take a big commitment to do what needs to be done. (financially)

If the current administration can't commit to it, find others who can.

If none can be found....continue to play the "bush league" game

(paintbrushes and shovels won't fix the problems)

Well damn!!! all these years and we are now just finding this out?

[Rick Williamson]

I'm glad you did this. Alot of have "put " this idea in a post. But it's like I said the SSS were the first group "as far as I know" to do this. Skip the summer heat and rain thing. It will work for I'm sure.

[livinadream]

good luck on the grand reopenig osw , love the place!!!!!!

[racnphotos68]

FlQuacker

Are you putting up the money? I am sure Robert is doing as much as he can. You know owning race tracks doesn't really provide you with a 401K and great medical / retirement benefits. He can't control the weather and has not had money coming in for a while. He can't run himself out of money trying to fix this.
As I said before I want to be part of the solution, not come on here and stir things up. Don't you think he is going to fix it the best he is able so he makes the most money? I am glad that Rick B, Butch and Barbara, and the rest of the employees are going to let us help them to make it the best it can be right now.
I haven't seen people lining up to buy race tracks but I have seen a bunch of them close in the past few years. I don't want that to happen in my own town.

[Rick B.]

Answer to racnphotos68 three points !

1. What I meant was only racing the already scheduled nights that were on the schedule. He mentioned racing through end of Jan. But we will need to do work etc. and try to be ready for the little speedweeks deal. The Souts will have a night before the end of the season it will be annouced next week with the revised schedule We alos will get the driver promotion night set again as well. The Scouts will also be invited to the Charity Truckers weekend again.

2. My point was that the idea to close was talked about many weeks ago, and was not because he said it last week. Anyone that knows me and Dave knows we are friends, but this whole deal has been a serious isse and time and those that do not have the financial risk, do not completely understand. But it is all cool.


3. The help will be appreciated and we will try to plan a Saturday or Sunday afternoon work day. I will take all the names and contact info and get with Butch and try to set it up.

Thanks !