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

another dirt track has closed in the valley as chowchilla speedway was closed by the fair board on friday...chowchillaspeedway.com click on messsage board,sad to hear......

That is too bad. The loss of any track is not good news. I was there for the first NARC race in 2000 and also the 2nd NARC race later in the year -- The Thrilla in Chowchilla! Neither races were perfect, but Tom and his crew tried to change things for the better. Since I haven't been there in 7 years, I can't speak to the subsequent changes, but I understand there were many. In 2000, the track was very narrow and tight -- maybe too much for winged 410's. Who can forget Brent with the mag-lites on his front wing so he could see in the very dark turn 3-4 area, or the Thrilla once the mud packing was done (seemed like it took hours). It was one hell of a race once we got going. I will miss the place.

Are we having fun yet?

DAMMIT!! Although I only started going there in the last 4 years, I will definitely miss that place. As a fan from SJ, it was one of the closer dirt tracks and generally put on a good show. From the description above, the track must have changed alot in the last 7 years. Was actually a pretty nice to see a race- Specs, midget lights, modifieds, dirt late models, SCRA, and 410 Wangers at the shoot-out all put on a good show at the place. I'll admit to being a little leary of Chowtown the first time out, but the track definitely grows on ya.

Hopefully it'll reopen soon.

-Mike

Another fair board strikes again!

Thats to bad, I helped a guy with a spec sprint last year. The track was smooth as glass.
Fast, wide and lots of room to race. Nice people and listened to the drivers most of the time.

In the last 7 years Chowchilla has improved greatly every year under the promotion of Tom and Cindy Sagmiller and their crew. Tom is what many refer to as a "Racer's Promoter": always listening to constructive criticism, always asking what you thought of the track, always thanking teams for coming, and each and every week doing his darndest to give everyone a great racing surface and a FUN racing experience.

In the last few years they have added lots of extra entertainment for the fans, especially the kids: lawnmower races, bike races and giveaways, pie throws, Easter egg hunts, school bus races, and just this season they added monthly races for the Okie Bowl Hardtops, an awesome group to watch.

The Sagmillers have supported the ever growing Wingless Spec Sprint class since 2001, long before it's recent surge in popularity, usually with 6-10 shows per season culminating with the annual Open Wheel Roundup, a fun 2 day show in October. Our team has supported every Spec Sprint show there, and we are so very grateful for all of the fun racing that the Sagmiller Family has provided us at Chowchilla Speedway.

The Shipherd Team

how long till they open THEIR ampitheater..... If San Jose is any example I'm sure they will be making a TON of money EVERY weekend with nothing going on... bunch of jack a$$e$

Or for that matter, Baylands...

To this day I wish I had the chance to go to San Jose Speedway, being a Bay Area native and all...it closed when I was 12 or so. 

- Chris

I think these fair boards fail to realize how much money a race brings into their community. I remember reading an article on JPM a couple of years ago, during week after week of rainouts, about how much money was brought into p-ville on a race day( i think the number was above $20 grand). Think about it, who doesn't go to in-n-out in p-ville?? Are the fairgrounds really losing so much money that closing a speedway benefits a community?

Someone actually remembered on of our press releases?

Good points goat. In today's economy combined with environmental issues and the value of commercial land, realistically the majority of tracks are subject to challenges and operational road blocks in the future. What we all need to do as a joint force is make it known in the community what these facilities produce in way of family entertainment, income to the community, etc. This is not just limited to promoters and managers but drivers and fans can all join together and positively promote this sport by making it visible to the public and the county officials.

We as employees, promoters and fans know what it brings to a community but we have to remember that all too often those who make political decisions or force such issues are often simply uneducated in the statistics, facts and figures, in other words the people that are deciding to close tracks or make it difficult for tracks to operate have probably never been to a race twice, I say twice because attending a race once is not a fair judgement, anything could make a good night not so good (i.e. July Fourth Placerville two years ago).

What can fans and teams do...simple, write your county supervisors, county officials, city council, etc...many of them have website...just type in the county. 

But most of all...invite a neighbor to a race with you sometime, recruit the fans of the future and continue the traditions have all been passed to us !

Contact info:

Chowchilla Fair Board of Directors: [email protected]

Madera County Board of Supervisors: [email protected]

Chowchilla City Council: [email protected]

Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce Pres. Waseem Ahmed: [email protected]

Newspaper article in the Fresno Bee re: Chowchilla located at;

http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/v-printerfriendly/story/102953.html

After reading the article it sounds to me like there is still hope, so lets step up and voice our opinions to the Chowchilla Fair Board.