Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

If Dave is out and Chris is indeed in, what happens to the Bandit schedule? 10 of 20 Bandit shows are at SMS. Will the GSC date stand? CRA? Anybody have some insight?

Geez, I had fun.

So . . . . . . .

You've obviously heard something that most of the rest of us haven't.

Wah's up?

Well, ya did'nt hear from me but...

Check out Dave's SMS site and the saturdaynightracer forum at latemodleracer.com. Forgive me if I violated any TOS by posting other sites, but I'd rather not try to explain it since I'm not even near the loop. Sounds like the schedule will stay intact though.

Geez, I had fun.

Should be interesting as this all shakes out.

...

True. The foremost "what if" has to be what happens to the Bandit tour if Kearns does'nt play ball with the current SMS and Bandit schedules?

I mean, since Kings has there own 360 non wing schedule in place, will Oildale, Ventura, Tulare and Chowchilla see any value in paying sanction and point fund fees if half the schedule is cancelled? Could a SCRA type deal be re-born? Very interesting for sure.

Here's hoping things work out for the best. With all this controversy, being a field filler in GSC is looking much more attractive.

Geez, I had fun.

The "new" Santa Maria promoter had this response on SCRAFAN. Pretty straight-forward concerning the sprint cars.

Hi this is Chris Kearns. Obviously there is alot going on right now. All I can tell you guys is that at 11:30 AM on Wednesday February 4th, I signed a 2 year lease with a 3rd year option for Santa Maria Speedway. This lease is between myself and Nettie Fort. It was signed at her attorneys office in Los Osos, CA. The contract points out that there is NO signed contract with Santa Maria Speedway and Dave Swindell. Now to discuss a few articles.

1) I have no intentions of canceling any Sprint Car races. Yes I have been a Late Model Promoter in the past, but now I am A Race Track Promoter. I am well aware that I need to promote all classes and I am also aware of how popular Sprint Car racing is. I am a Race Fan PERIOD.

2) I am not aware of the complete situation of the Bandit Series. If someone wants to call me regarding them, that would be great!

3) The front gate prices will be lowered from the price in 2008.

I am more than happy to talk to anyone about any concerns, anytime. I am also completly open to any suggestions. I will work as hard as I can, but I certainly dont know everything.

I have alot of things planned and a lot of repairs and improvements to do in a short time. I will accept any help I can possibly get.

Thank you,

Chris Kearns

Santa Maria Speedway

805-714-8538

Chris Kearns
SANTA MARIA SPEEDWAY
805-714-8538
[email protected] 

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

man would I love to hear Daves take on this. not picking sides. I dont know Mr Kearns, never met Mrs Fort, and Dave has always treated me very well over the years. Thats where Im at.

So please play nice. regardless of whats going on with Santa Maria. There is apparently stuff going on that is not for public knowledge. Be patient and dont burn a bridge you may want to cross later.

...

Thanks Tripcrwn for the Kearns post, I forgot all about that site. Looks like all the "insight" I was looking for was there all along.

And I agree Studeedoo. I've been around this nonsense long enough not to burn bridges. I did'nt intend to be bagging on Dave. After Faria and Shepherd added Bandit dates (kudos to Dave) my interest in the Bandit series as well as the Kings deal increased greatly. I see how my posting might appear imflamatory though. Just needed input is all. Looks like the Bandit series will be just fine.

And for the record, nobody runs a tighter show from back gate open to lights out than Swindell. I learned alot and had some of the best times of my racing life when I worked with him a short time in the late 90's...including a position as Bandit director.

Geez, I had fun.

I worked with Chris Kearns for 2 years with the Western All Stars. All I can say about Chris is he is a tireless promoter who works hard for his racers and wants to make things as fan friendly as he can. I think it's a great move for SMS to get a guy like Kearns in there.

http://www.raceimages.net

always good to have a promoter that plays nice with the people that want to help!

And Im glad Trips dog is not a promoter, lmao! Evil I tell ya!

...

He can be, lol

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

For me I was very happy to see the direction Dave took SMS. Good programs, on time and good food. Free parking and decent prices. Excellent track prep. His folks put a lot of effort into this and this year the results were starting to show with GSC willing to take another nibble. Now this crap comes along. Mr. Kearns comments sound a little too lawyer-like to me. He doesn't PLAN on cutting the sprints, BUT he doesn't say they'll be Bandit sprints.

There is an 18 minute interview with Kearns on Dirt Nation and it's very revealing in what it doesn't say.

Two things are not clear to me. Does Dave actually OWN the Bandit series? Why did Kearns and the Western All Stars split the sheets?

If Dave actually owns the Bandits then I think they're gone and that would be a disaster. That leaves a huge hole in the SMS schedule and I don't need to see anymore beer keg races or nickel tosses.

Whatever happens I'll follow the Bandits because there's some great young talent there.

I'm not afraid to sign my name.

Gary Hanes

I am with you on this one Gary. Good post.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Hello there gary im gonna see if i can fill you in on some of your questions. I do not know dave swindell personally and i dont know how he ran the races i heard they were ran fast and good this year and thats always a good thing. Some people liked him some didnt i dont know him so i just know what i hear about him. As for the "bandit" series no one owns the series or name its just been to referred to as a 360 group that was organized by swindell between santa maria and hanford that has started branching out to more race tracks when scra stopped racing. Kearns was the promotor of the western all star deal on a hand shake deal with 3 of the owners of the group. From what has been said publicly was that they sold it from underneath him before last season to roy piker for $1. Roy ran it for half the year and then sold it to Dirtcar organization for $1 where it stands now.Kearns will have some 360 races at santa maria but dont look for them to be "bandit" races as we can all see kearns and swindell dont like each other. Needless to say there will be plenty of 360 racing this year but i dont see an actual group like before. I think the drivers need to band together and have there OWN organization and sell there show to the tracks. Hope this helps a little.

Doug

I agree 100% Doug. The Bandits need to organize quickly. They have a great schedule finally and they could become a force. The Thunderbowl races will be a great place to show all those GSC fans what non wingers can do. Some of them have never even seen anything but the airplanes run.

Chowchilla will be on my calender at least once this year. Another good move

Kearns is a popular guy over here with the local drivers, but I don't remember anything spectacular that he did for that Late Model series. Another group that puts on a great show, but seems to be dying a slow death.

I think you're right that there is no actual owner of the Bandits, but supposedly Dave has taken money from a major sponsor for the series. Wonder what that means? Did he take it as the rep for the Bandit traveling series or as the Santa Maria promoter?

Every answer creates 3 more questions. I finally moved to 3 miles from a great track and people are doing their best to screw it up. I don't need this.

Here is a link to an interview on Dirtnation.

http://dirtnation.net/2009/02/09/chris-kearns-santa-maria-speedway-020909/