Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Hey guys and gals,

I'm part of a group looking to purchase a local speedway. This track has been closed for a while now so the answers I need are not readily available and I have never seen a race take place at this track.

This track is a 1/2 mile, EXTREMELY high banked red dirt oval. Throughout our research, most racers have come to the conclusion that reducing the banking will help the racing action. In order for us to reduce the banking, we must either remove and replace the wall around the exterior of the track or remove the wall around the interior of the track and move the light poles back, adding dirt. We'd prefer to do neither obviously but if it's a must, it's a must.

Are there ANY tracks in the US that are 1/2 mile and really high banked? All the research I've done of the big tracks such as Kville, the tracks are fairly flat. Are there any tracks with high banks that put on a good race? If yes, please tell me which tracks so that I may purse the owners of that track to help get tips on the surface.

This track is plenty wide but has banking that reminds me almost of Bristol. (Not the Bristol with dirt but the asphalt Bristol the Cup boys race on)

Is there any saving grace?

Sounds almost like another Eldora. Yee Haw!!! That would be great IMO. Where is this track located? There surely is at least one of us dirt fans that would remember.

Denison, Iowa is what I would call a high banked 1/2 mile. I have seen great racing there. I have only been there for special sprint car shows though, so I have no Idea if there weekly shows are any good. Anyway good luck with your project it sounds like a dream come true for alot of us!!!

Devin Heesch

I'd say leave it as is - but I love high banked tracks. What is the radius of the turns? Is it a true half in the groove or just a half around the outside wall? Post some pix so we can see what you are dealing with regarding the walls and light poles.

If all else fails -- you could tell the locals to grow a pair and come race

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee....4/10 mile track 32-34 degree banking in corners. Outlaw show in the spring was a good one.

Looking at photos of the Volunteer Speedway, banking is extremly close.

Are the shows there pretty competitive?  Can a guy starting 6 or 7 rows back pass cars or does it tend to become a follow the leader on the bottom?

Can someone please explain to me how to post a pic on this site?

Track has fairly good radiused turns and it's a true 1/2 in the groove.

Have your photo(s) stored somewhere in your computer where you can find them. Then write your message in the reply box and when you want to insert the photo(s) click on the "image" icon (5th one in from the right hand end on the top row). The pop up window allows you to browse your computer to find your photo. Click on the photo and click "Insert". You should then see the photo in the reply.
box. Like here's DMJ at Chico SDS in '03.

^ SkyRaider Ultralight -> ELSA

you can do WMV files(vidieos) the same simple way.

Save your butt, get a colon screening TODAY

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Get rid of the high banks. The worst racing I have seen is on the high banked tracks. Mostly follow the leader.

http://www.wytheraceway.com/

Salina Highbanks (Oklahoma) is banked so much that there is a "road" around the top for the water trucks and a "road" around the bottom. The water trucks never get on the track itself. They call it a 3/8ths but it seems bigger than that (but not as big as Knoxville). Since it is really wide there is plenty of room for good racing. So many lines that they can go anywhere... with plenty of slide jobs. I've seen Sprints, Modifieds and stocks on it and they have been good races.

Most important is probably the dirt. Red clay is usually good. Does it stay clumped together when it is wet?

Another way to "weigh" your decision might be what the insurance agencies have to say. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, insurance has greatly influenced our racing.

Good Luck

Belleville, Kansas is a barn burner.

There was also a track that ASCS ran on in Virginia last year that was really high banked half mile monster. High Vista Video had the clip of it.......they or ascs could let you know. Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite (dallas) Texas is a fast high banked half mile. with the back str8 raised no less.....great fast racing.

When we walked around Knoxville it didn;t really seem very flat at all...........

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Attica Raceway Park in Ohio (not a 1/2 but a 3/8) is high banked and has had some of the best racing I have ever seen in my many years as a fan. KC Raceway in Ohio is the same sort of thing. High banked and great racing all the time. I can't imagine a few more feet of straightaway is going to make the difference. TRACK PREP is tthe difference. Take note of that. Eldora has some strung out heat racing, but the feature is usually edge of your seat excitement. I go see the Outlaws and All Stars there every chance I get.

This isn't the best of the best when it comes to photos, but this give you all an idea. Where the inside guardrail is, the track actually will drop about 3 feet. There is a wall underneath the guardrail that is now covered up by all the erosion. So try to picture the slope coming from the top wall where it is now, to 3 feet below where the grass is currently.

Looks like it could be fast - I like it - I vote to leave it as is Just hope it's close enough to me to come see it in action.

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

sprint fans CRAVE banking like that...clear the overgrowth and RUN EM!

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

High banked half mile???  I love it!

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

That looks like Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore Tx.. It was a seriously fast full half mile.The Gumout series had a race there a few years back..before it closed down. If that is the place fix the parking lot and dont change the track.

Yes, leave it!