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http://www.quartermidgets.org/Article_View_Search_Results.asp?ID=898&keyword=save+capitol

 Randy       

       DIRT TRACKIN
"When it's wet slide it in"

Thank you all for your support, we realise this is a local issue. But how many more of are local race tracks across the nation are we going to allow to be demolished in the name of progress.

Don't get me wrong, I am for progress but when it gets in the way of preserving History, what do our Children, our Grandchildren, or even or Great Grandchildren have to look back on.

Auto Racing is a part of American history. And Oklahoman's have been involved in that tradition for as long as the first engine went "puter puter".Oklahoma City is the State's Capital. So, for local Officials to decide the fate of an industry that will no doubt affect many businesses in our Community. And the recent decisions of our current City Leaders is absurd. We already have one of the finest Facilities in our great country that will take millions of Tax Dollars to remove, and for what another Parking lot.

Many do not know that when the current site of Oklahoma City's Fair Grounds Speedway was built it was also built as a Bomb Shelter for OKC residents. The stage in the center of the track has a full basement and there is also a basement under the Grandstands with a tunnel that leads to the infeild stage.

As far as ADA compliant none of the original buildings on the property including the State Fair Arena which holds all of the Horse shows are in complience.

Ok, so here's an idea that I haven't read anywhere so far :

Since the 1/2 mile is no longer being used, pull it out. Close the existing covered grandstands, and build a new grandstand where the back stretch of the 1/2 mile sits. Reverse the track so the back now becomes the front. The additional room generated by removing the 1/2 mile provides parking for the fans, and also provides room for the new building designated for that area by the MAPS3 project. ADA problem solved. Wiring problem solved.

Obviously there is a lot of cost associated with these, but the alternatives are expensive as well, right ? 400K to fix the electrical, + the ADA issues, or $3MM to tear the stands down . Seems like you could build a decent grandstand for the cost of the electrical and ADA fixes.

That's thinking "outside the box" but is logistically unfavorable as that would put the setting sun in the eyes of the fans as well as the prevailing winds from the west would blow dust into your proposed stands' location.

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

Thanks to all we are at 1162, spread the word we need all the signatures we can get. The more out of town signatures the better, to show our Mayor and the fair board the money that comes to there city from out of town and out of state.

 Randy       

       DIRT TRACKIN
"When it's wet slide it in"

I see your point on the dust, but I can't believe Lanny's tracks ever get dusty? As far as the sun, we race at night where I'm from. If you don't want the sun in your eyes, just show up after hot laps.

1227 signatures and still counting. Thanks to all keep them coming.

 Randy       

       DIRT TRACKIN
"When it's wet slide it in"

it is really hard at times to "keep the fight going". when they closed down "ascot", one of the best tracks in the nation to "Big Money" and politics, it was very sad indeed.

keep up the fight as long as you can guys.....

Ascot was the greatest of all time..

West Capital wasn't half bad either..

Life is good...

Here in the Summer it doesn't get dark til about 9:30-ish in midsummer - the races start at 7:30 with hotlaps at 7 so the sun would be in the fans' eyes for a lot of actual racing. There's an 11pm curfew (due to the residential area location) so they can't start them later.

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

Interesting, where are you from Phil? I'm not sure when OKC used to start or if there was a curfew or not. I do attend Devils Bowl where they start at 8 p.m. (sometimes later). I've never been aware of the Bowl having a curfew.

I'm in OKC now - grew up not far from Granite City IL. Devil's Bowl is in a remote/rural location (at least it was last I was there in '99) compared to the OKC State Fairgrounds. There are residences directly North of it across 10th street, semi-industrial/commercial East across May Ave. with some residences nearby there as well, buncha nuthin South for a bit to I-40 and past that and West is the bulk of the fairgrounds, I-44 then some commercial mixed with some residences a bit farther. I'd imagine most of the noise complaints (if there are indeed any) come from North and East.

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

Devils Bowls is not in such a remote location now. There are now houses built within about 1/2 mile of it. I hope that doesn't wind up causing, but eventually I suspect it will.

We talked to some guys that run Devils Bowl and they said they are watching this issue very close. They siad they are worried about what exactly you said.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

1478 keep them signatures coming ... Thanks

 Randy       

       DIRT TRACKIN
"When it's wet slide it in"

People, This is not about Who's Track is better. It's about preserving the History of our sport. We all go to several Tracks across the nation and even abroad. But I dare you to find a more Fan friendly Grandstands, or a more Racer friendly Pit Area that this current facility holds.

I know there are some that rival State Fair Speedway and are more current with amenities. But most likely those tracks have their City Leaders behind them, and supporting their efforts. If you stop to think about it, all of those Tracks are successful in their efforts.

State Fair Speedway is at the top of the list for both Fan and Driver comfort. Granted improvements need to be made, but what can you expect from a 55 year old Monument. If our City Leaders had not neglected some simple repairs over the years, we would not even be at this point.

This appears to be plain and simple, our Government is hard at work for us, no matter what the cost. They have a better plan for all.

Muchas Gracias

Trust me, I get it..Manzy was not the most up to date facility in the country, but the tradition and the racing was second to none. There are a lot of us who still feel the pain of it's lose, and wish you all the best.

As far as moving around the seating and the track on that same piece of property, well that's almost the same as moving it to another county.

Kenny

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

The spectacle this speedway holds when the lights go on is hard to match in the region. A pipe framed replacement is not an equal.

Apparently rhilbers is posting and deleting his posts to bump this thread ... if you're gonna bump it at least post something ... I keep seeing a new "post time" but there is nothing new here ....

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

So what don't worry about it....

 Randy       

       DIRT TRACKIN
"When it's wet slide it in"

I'm not worried about it ... it's just annoying to click thinking there's new info ... that's all I'm saying ...

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com