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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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REBIRTH OF KINGS SPEEDWAY by Norm Bogan |
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After delays and a sparse outing by a promoter early this year, the racing season finally got off to a good start with an outstanding crowd and car counts in all three divisions participating for the evening of August 12, 2006. To explain the scenario, you must understand
that the Fair Board is responsible to contract with promoters to
operate the racing facility. The
Fair Board develops a calendar with dates open for the racing events
and then the promoter fills those dates with shows that will produce
increased fan attendance and larger car counts for the race
participants. The race
promoters contract to turn over a percentage of their intake from
each event to the Fair Board, which goes toward making continued
improvements to the overall Fairgrounds.
Other stipulations may be in the contract, concerning certain
improvements to the facility and an ongoing maintenance program to
make this an attractive venue for local citizens and visiting race
fans from the Central Valley and points beyond. After submission and rejection of several bids,
the Fair Board finally settled on an agreement with local
businessmen, Scott Woodhouse and Frank Diaz to operate the racetrack
for the balance of this race season and possibly for future seasons. For Scott and Frank, their first outing as
promoters had a shaky beginning with the track kicking up dust in
wheel packing. It was
then necessary to rework the track with water and a massage to try
and maintain a satisfactory racing surface, although some rutted
sections developed. Soon
all of their diligence paid off and the fans got to see the racing
they had yearned for earlier in the year.
Keep in mind that the track sat dormant for a number of
months through the hottest period of the year.
I am sure that Woodhouse and Diaz will provide a much better
prepared track for future events.
Getting back to a routine upkeep and preparation should bring
back the surface that fans and racers alike have enjoyed for many
years. The racing program consisted of the twenty-five
SCRA 360 non-wing cars, plus twenty-three IMCA Modifieds and twelve
Dwarf Cars. Due to the
reworking of the track, the show started late, but the events moved
along fairly well with several shunts and flips, creating delays.
To complete the program pushed the curfew envelope, but the
fans were generous in their praise of the efforts of the new
promoters and the racers on hand for the evening. Plans are underway for a NST event in the fall, plus several more SCRA functions and a two-day extravaganza with a mixture of Sprints, Modifieds and Stock Cars for an increased purse. For those fans that have attended programs at this venue for many years, it was sure good to see the old speedway back up and running. Long a favorite in the Central Valley, Kings Speedway appears to have been reborn. It will take ongoing support from the fans and racers to continue the rebirth. In return, the promoters hope to make improvements to the restrooms, concessions and other facilities as well as, providing an outstanding agenda of racing for the legions of loyal fans that have frequented Kings Speedway in the years past. |
