Forum: Minnesota Dirt Track Racing Forum (go)
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No Jackson Speedway Promoter in Place Yet
The racing committee presented a brief report to the county board, noting that it is not quite ready to make a recommendation at this time for a new promoter for the Jackson Speedway. The committee had indicated at the last board meeting that it had hoped to bring forth an individual by the Dec. 26 meeting, but that will be put on hold temporarily, according to County Coordinator Jan Fransen and Commissioner Loren Tusa. "We don't want to just pick someone out to run the track," said Tusa. "We believe delaying it for a meeting or so is in the best interest of the county." Fransen said the committee will have another update at the next board meeting, scheduled for Jan. 2.

I hope that they name their promoter as soon as they possibly can to be fair to the new promoter and not start them out behind the eight ball.... I know what we went through and the humungous amount of work that it took for us to be ready for our first show in Owatonna after being named promoters the first part of January last year.....

i have heard from two different drivers that houseman was gonna be named but now i am beginning to wonder

This is Bullshit leaving us in the dark like a mushoom, after we were told we have a promoter on the 26th of Dec, but  no? You owe us an explaination as to too why we don't have a promoter yet! 

Maybe they are asking to much for there precious lease?? Just a thought.

There is more on this subject on the who-won forum, Mr Mark DeVary had his name in the hat, but explaned why he pulled out.

No one owes you a thing. This is a business, not a fairy tale. Lose the attitude unless you are involved in the decision making (which you obviously are not). Why would anyone in their right mind owe you an explanation?

Just a Note for Those Interested!

I (Mark DeVary) submitted a proposal and came up with a couple options as to the way I would like to see Jackson run. Interviews with the committee showed many things they would like to see and how they were willing to work with a new promoter to make sure it would be the correct person. Upon talks with the committee, financial insts. and consultants, things were way to risky for me and another person that was willing to help. The risk involved is very great with the situation that the track is in, most places I talked to stated it was not so much the financials that were the problem as the plan looked good as much as the history of the track. I told the committee that at this time financially things were not going to work for me.

As many do not know that there is alot of equipment involved that the track does not own that the promoter must purchase themselves and from my standpoint the track (county) should own this equipment to lessen the burdon on the promoter as it is essential to the racetrack operation (i.e: concession equipment, PA system).

I left it with the committee when I backed down that if they would look at hiring a manager I would be interested and very willing to do so. I have everything laid out and planned for the 2007 season. Many new ideas and some exciting things that could take place. I feel at this time with the history of the track due to previous situations left by the prior promoters, albeit maybe they did some right and some wrong. That the track needs to get back on its feet and renew it's reputation. I realize the county is not wanting to have the weight of burdon on their shoulders with the financials, but this may have to be the step to take at this point in time. I believe firmly that they can keep the current classes and make it work, and I think they should put a manager in place and run it for a year or two and then look at it with that manager going towards a lease.

These are my feelings, situations I dealt with and I do not regret applying for the promoter, it was a hard to walk away as I want to see Jackson succeed and am willing to help in any capacity to make sure there are races in 2007! And working with the committe was great they are a good group that deserves alot of credit.

I alone could not bare the financial burdon that comes with it but hope and wish the committee the best and if they go towards a manager I would hope to be given a chance as I have many things in place and have talked to many people who had an interest in the track to help make it work.

If anyone has questions of me email me, call me I will gladly talk to everyone interested.

Good luck to everyone in 2007!

Mark DeVary

Bring on the Rubins or Housmen! lets get someone in here that can run races. People have always bitched about them, but the fact is there were races when Denny ran it and Rubins still find a way to get cars and fans at Huset's....I don't care anymore who gets it to tell ya truth. It would just be kinda nice to know whats in store for the home track. Your right Lanny, they don't owe US anything, but you would think that for the racers and the crews that have supported the track for years through think and thin... maybe they would like to know so they can make plans for next year ya know. Its getting to be that time of the year for people to make up there minds on what there gonna do. And really there isn't anything to explain... they want to much money to lease the track. Thats as simple as it gets. You can't pay as much as they want for it and turn a profit without really fucking somebody or pissing them off. These are just a few of my thoughts on the subject, and honestly i really don't care anymore i just want to see some racing and i would hate to drive to Knoxville every Saturday night just to see it when i can go 10 miles and watch the same thing. So let me have it!

P.S. This should livin things up a bit

.

AJ, I feel your pain bud. I was just commenting to the person above that no one "owes" them anything. I understand the frustration over there, but I think the fair board in your town is doing everything they can to "get it right" this time. I wasn't trying to be jerk on my comment above but just get tired of hearing that certain people "owe" something. In all reality, I hope things work out well for all of you people from Jackson and the surrounding area.

Excerpt from the Jackson County Pilot from "back in the day".

April 4th, 1986

After 32 years in operation of racing, the Jackson VFW Speedway will apparently remain dark this season following a recent vote of the VFW board. Sources indicate the board voted 7-5 not to open the speedway this year, citing high insurance premiums and a slumping economy as the main reasons for closing the track. The VFW leases the facility from the fair board, but had used its own money over the years to operate and improve the facility. A movement is underway by several area residents to reopen the speedway, but no details were available at press time. With the closing of the VFW Speedway, Fairmont Speedway promoter Denny Houseman, reports he will move his racing programs from Friday night to Saturday beginning with the season opener, May 4^th. Fairmont Speedway is approximately 35 miles from Jackson, will present a weekly card consisting of Sprint Cars, Limited Sprint Cars, IMCA modified, and street stocks.

20+ Years later and Jackson Speedway cannot rid itself of these issues.

Was kinda cool as the Jackson Racing Association formed in late May of '86 and one of the better Nationals went to Bobby Allen that year and things were looking up. Until....Well for another time.

Actually, since this is a COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS, they do owe the TAXPAYERS of Jackson County accountability for their decisions.

AJ...I do not want to cause problems but I want to tell you this. When you really find out the facts as to what they are asking for the lease maybe you'll back off. It truly shows how much you know. So unless you can tell us and me what they are asking for a lease that I have saw first hand then comments like that are the reason the track is in the shape it is. You are not helping Jackson or the new promoter any at all. These comments are some of the reason the financial instutions I worked with did not want to take the risk to give you your track back. I feel the same you do I don't want to see it sit but when banks are worried about giving you money only because they are worried there are P.O racers, fans, sponsors etc that it will be hard to get them back because of the past couple years. It goes back to whomever is making those comments that does not help. So when you figure out the true facts behind the lease and those figures, let me know. Just cause it was a certain amount in the past does not mean that is what it is being done as today. I am not devulging the figures or terms of it that is, I am not who should say that should come from the committe but its comments like those that stopped you from getting a promoter on the 26th who was planning a full season of sprints, just a little tidbit for you!

Mark, let's hope they decide that they'll incur the financial burden and hire you or someone else as a manager for the facility. Really, they're the ones at this point who stand to get nothing out of the facility if no races are run. Maybe then they'll learn in full what it really costs to put on a weekly race program. I have always found it funny (and I'm not saying this is the case here, but I know it's been in several places) that the fairgrounds will lease you the facility, but expect you to make several permanant improvements (to which in many cases they won't reimburse you). That'd be like your landlord makes you remodel his house and tell you to get f*cked when you ask him for your money that you put in and can't take out!! Again, I'm not saying this is the case at Jackson....but I'm finding it hard to believe they can't find someone to put on a show for any more than a couple of years at a time. Just seems as if something is amiss somewhere.

Posted by Mad2race

AJ...I do not want to cause problems but I want to tell you this. When you really find out the facts as to what they are asking for the lease maybe you'll back off. It truly shows how much you know. So unless you can tell us and me what they are asking for a lease that I have saw first hand then comments like that are the reason the track is in the shape it is. You are not helping Jackson or the new promoter any at all. These comments are some of the reason the financial instutions I worked with did not want to take the risk to give you your track back. I feel the same you do I don't want to see it sit but when banks are worried about giving you money only because they are worried there are P.O racers, fans, sponsors etc that it will be hard to get them back because of the past couple years. It goes back to whomever is making those comments that does not help. So when you figure out the true facts behind the lease and those figures, let me know. Just cause it was a certain amount in the past does not mean that is what it is being done as today. I am not devulging the figures or terms of it that is, I am not who should say that should come from the committe but its comments like those that stopped you from getting a promoter on the 26th who was planning a full season of sprints, just a little tidbit for you!

Okay, the fans the racers and the community did not elect the past promoters, so lets blame them. This statement makes alot of sense in many ways. #1 There are alot of pissed off people. #2 Why should they have to shut there mouths. #3 AJ lets hope that if and when there is a promoter named it is not just for the sake of lets go racing. It needs to be done and done right, or it will end up with the same mess left behind like the last two years to clean up.

Quote,

"I am not devulging the figures or terms of it that is, I am not who should say that should come from the committe but its comments like those that stopped you from getting a promoter on the 26th who was planning a full season of sprints, just a little tidbit for you!"

Spoken as a true promoter. Blame the people who have done nothing wrong and been screwed over and supported the track for years for the situation that we are left with.

Maybe the voices of those who have been screwed over are being heard. Maybe Joe Blow is not just going to come in with delusions of granduer and put it on us one more time!

Mark I am not saying you are not the guy for the Job, but to put blame on anyone else other than the past promoters or the powers that be that put them there is wrong.

Lanny it's not the fair board that is in charge of the negotiations of the speedway .It's the jackson county board, & I,m sure there are trying to do the best thing for the speedway & all concerned ,.

mccarl1....I realize what I stated there was not totally right. I meant to say is that it does not help the situation. I know that the past promoters are alot to blame but you can't tell me when people are reading this that some of them are not the bankers or other racers who talk etc and it does weigh in some of the decision that the bankers make, when they talked to me they said the fans commitment and loyalty is down, which can hurt the attendence and new fans hearing these can be turned away. So no it is not totally our faults but we are some to blame. And I will admit I have stated my option before and realized that all it is doing it hurting the track itself that if I want to see something changed the best way is to go help and try to get it changed or help out to make it better. Thus why I went to work for JP.

As for the committee, they are doing everything in their powers to get someone in there to promote the track. They had no idea that JP was going to up and leave like that nor did they with Jon. So to put blame on them is a little out of line also. They are trying their hardest and they have no way of knowing if someone will up and leave or pull out, there sure didn't seem to be the signs of JP doing that this past year, it was a shock to alot of people. They are a good group of individuals who give alot of thier free time to find the right person, and are working extra hard this time to get it right and workable with the next promoter. I just wish I could of gotten the chance to help the track or to even promote it i see alot of potential in the track itself even if you have to start over from square one which is what the new promoter should look at is starting over and trying to wipe a clean slat, not to try to outdo the last promoter but to just put on a good quality show then worry about the other stuff in years to come. The first year should be a building year in my option for anyone new. Just like starting a new business, don't expect the world in the first year and you should grow from there.

If anyone has questions of me or what I was proposing or willingness to help get someone into the promoter positions I will help as much as I can....Email me at: mad2race@hotmail.com

OK I'm not writing on here to defend anyone or put anyone down. You all are right in some perspective. It doesn't really matter who is picked to promote, they are under scrutiny from the word go. Be it from the almighty powers of the fans to the scrupulous eye of the financial institutions. All are looking at their own bottom line. From the fans, we want a good interesting show. From the banks, they want a profitable venture. From the racers, well they want a race that they can via for in a competitive and safe manor. The reasons for where and why come to their own personal reason only to be held by them.

Bottom line is we want to see the track live and survive. Promoting the track isn't just a lead person(promotor). He can only do a job that he or she is able to do by promoting a show and running the track in their own way, good or bad its their reflection on the track. Then there is the fans. We sit back here on these boards or coffee shops or just our own conversations, and either choose to downgrade or commend on our own personal level of understanding, Choosing to speculate on either this or that does in no way help the situation. Are we not helping to promote the track also? Via word of mouth is the one major way a track is promoted , good or bad. I think thats what Mark was trying to get across. I'm not saying that the fans are wrong or right. Yes, McCarl1 is right also. Saying that the past track promoters brought their own faults into the mix. But that still reflects on the track itself as Mark so put it " from the bankers" point of view for viability to back a new promoter.

So? What are we to do? Stop the put-downs on everyone that offers an interest in the job? How about some support of the good that can be expected from the track and help out?

I've heard a lot of hearsay and speculation on the whole subject in the last month, both privately and at work along with publicly. Lets just drop it and let the people that were put in charge do their job, hire the right person for the job, based on what they have to go with. They are taking this seriously. So should we, and help it out. If you can't, then for now at least take a back seat to possibilities. We knew nothing of what layed ahead when Jon and J.P were hired. How are we to know for the next? We can't... period. There are reasons for every decision, pro's and con's. Obviously Mark had his as with the bankers and board having theirs. Thats why there are NEGOTIATIONS. Why can't we just but out for now and hope that something comes soon so we can race, and race here in the future.

Well I would have to agree with Mark Devary on this Jackson speedway situation, well from what I have been hearing is the lease is just part of the deal, you also have some equipment issuese to deal with such as the concessions building with all it's contents (stoves, tills, grills and whatever- else is behind the counter is the big issues as is the motor grader and water truck, tractor with packer and all the way down to the lawn mower). This place is very much a profitable venue... but... it's all the extra's that come with this deal that adds to the responsibility of the next promotor. I guess I would take alook at knoxville speedway and see how that is run, I know this place has along history and is finacially sound but this track (K-ville) is run with Board Members and A Race Director. Maybe Jackson should look at something like this in the future. To me asking some-one to come in and lease this track and take on all the equipment responsibliity may be to much, Just my thoughts.

Racing, promoting or competing, is a business. It requires a plan that works in the market.

IMO, it will take a minimum of three years to turn Jackson into a profitable, sustainable business. During that time the promoter will need to be full-time, meaning the plan has to accommodate keeping them and their families fed, while paying the business expenses and funding the capital improvements needed.

The different mix of classes determine the overall amount of capitalisation needed, but do not directly determine the time needed to build a sustainable program . High payout classes such as sprints or late models require more money in the plan. They also require a different and more expensive marketing strategy as the fan and team base is geographically disperse. Also those classes have well established competition for both the fan and the team. Lower cost classes require less funding and generally have a smaller geographic market. However, the time required is not likely to vary. The state of dissatisfaction locally inhibits the local market. The competition inhibits the higher end.

Of course one can change the situation. Throwing a lot of money at a local market will likely improve business in a shorter time. However, this approach is not likely to yield a decent return on the investment dollar, if it yields a return at all. So unless the promoter is self-funded, they are unlikely to make a compelling business case for an investment banker or venture capitalist to take interest. The amount of capital needed or a higher end program is also unappealing to funding sources. Given the dollar amount involved, the same money can be applied to other business types that have less risk and higher return.

Bottom line? To do something significantly different at Jackson requires a promoter (person or group) that is largely self funded, is willing to hold to a long term plan, is willing to accept less return on investment then non-racing alternatives provide, and is able to commit full time to the business. Not an impossible combination, but not something you find everyday.

[editted to fix my poor spelling, JK]