We're on the verge of losing another track

[Ma Green]

Believe me, Rich, there's no reason for me to make any of this up. But the truth is that Jim has been a pain in the a$$ of just about everyone around here since he showed up 7 years ago.

All I care about is seeing the track go to someone who really has the experience (which Jim didn't), the funds (again Jim didn't) and the desire (which we were never clear about) to make this place reach its full potential.

I'll keep you all updated as there's more information.

 

[rocketman]

I was told the equipment was all for sale on their website. So I go there and anything that was for sale has been removed from the site. Very interesting.

 

[Ma Green]

If we're still talking about Jim....he wanted $80,000 for all the equipment, as of his meeting (he thinks he can sell the scoreboards....WRONG). Then, of course, he changes his mind two days later and is staying afterall. Supposedly, he had a meeting with the County today....would love to have been a mouse in the woodwork. I think he's loosing it. One thing he has lost is any respect he might have had from the local racers. Keep your fingers crossed that we can get someone decent in there and soon!

 

[Baron]

It's being auctioned on 12/8.

I have been told that Yellowstone was sold to "a racer's brother." Amount cited was $315,000. If true, that level of capitalization makes for a better business proposition than the original investment amount which was said to be about $4 million.
Can anyone confirm? Who will be managing the track?
I've got my fingers crossed for great success there.
Cheers,
Ed

 

[clwill]

I have been told that Yellowstone was sold to "a racer's brother." Amount cited was $315,000. If true, that level of capitalization makes for a better business proposition than the original investment amount which was said to be about $4 million.
Can anyone confirm? Who will be managing the track?
I've got my fingers crossed for great success there.
Cheers,
Ed

Sold to the MacCarthy (sp?) family, local racers, apparently with some silent backing. Working on the 2012 schedule but it all looks a go, according to what I read.

I heard they had more than $7m in the track, but I've never made it there. Too bad, apparently the widow turned down an $800k offer last year. But at least there's another track in D6.

 

[rocketman]

Well Ma, apparently you were right as a rumor circulating my car show today has Jim bailing out.

 

[Ma Green]

True. He sent his letter to the County saying he was done. Thank God! Now, maybe we can get someone who a)knows what he's doing, b)really cares about the place & racers and c)has the resources to do it right.

The County will be putting out an RFP (request for purposal) shortly. If anyone is seriously interested, they should call the Jackson County Parks Dept., John Vial, to get more information.

Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Tom]

Pat,

I was talking to Ed garfield and he stated that the strip has vacant and the city was trying to get something together for the strip. Is there anything more concerning the strip running again? Ed also told me he was moving to Seattle.

 

[clwill]

I heard from a very closely connected source that Jim went in a few weeks ago and cleared the place out. Computers, timing equipment, even wiring. Anyone going to try to get it running again will have a lot of work to do and equipment to round up.

 

[Tom]

That is too bad! Did he pull the scales also? If so, it would definatly be like starting over with a new track. I was looking forward to some match racing there, however, it looks like we may bring the car to Redding for testing only and to get our driver some runs for his certification.

 

[Ma Green]

Jim took the timing equipment (not wiring) and catch net at the end of the track....which were his to take. However, he also took every one of the speakers off the poles, which he supposedly replaced during his tenure. Now if you're renting a house and a light bulb burns out and you replace it, do you take it with you when you move??? Those speakers were there when he got the track .... along with every chair, broom, shovel, custom track sprayer (a gift to the track, not Jim) and anything else that wasn't nailed down. So anyone taking the track will have another $3,000 or so in expense to replace all that stuff, in addition to the timing equipment.

The County will be putting out an RFP (request for purposal) soon, BUT only for 3 years. The contracts for the drag strip, 1/3 mile dirt oval and dirt cart track all come up for renewal at the same time, so the County can get one person to lease the entire Sports Park on a long term basis.

The drag strip is in very shabby condition, since Jim hasn't done anything to it in the past two years. However, a gang of racers and a couple of weekends could make a big difference.

Bottom line, if you know someone who wants a drag strip for three years, OR someone who wants a whole Sports Park, with tons of potential, send them to the Jackson County Parks Dept in Medford, OR.

 

[Tom]

Pat,

Thanks for the info. Please keep us us up to date and PM me if you folks come up with a fund raiser. I am willing to through a few bucks at this.

 

[Ma Green]

We had a racers meeting a couple of weeks ago and had plans to help all we can. However, the County has now told us they don't want us getting involved at this point (which tells me they have no intention of letting us run the track is no one else wants to). They are doing their thing and will let us know what's going on when we need to know. Standard when dealing with the County. I will keep everyone updated when we know more. Thanks for the offer of help.