GEORGETOWNS CLOSING UP ??

[eddie55lcrew]

I've seen post on other boards that Friday is the last night of racing at Georgetown ? Can Wade or anyone that works at the track shed some more light on this subject ?

GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY'S FINAL NIGHT OF RACING....

Author: Ernie Saxton Date: 8/16/2007 2:13:43 PM


According to David Brown, he called me just a few minutes back, Georgetown Speedway will close after this Friday night's racing events.

There is a possibility of a weekend show when the NASCAR Cup weekend is presented at Dover International Speedway in September.

Brown also indicated that the future, next year, does not look good for Georgetown. Investors are just tired of losing money.

Ernie Saxton


I see nothing on the website stating this information ?

[RedBud69]

Thanks for the update! It is a shame!

[certifiedcarnut]

This is really bad news. I wish it was not true. I went to Georgetown Speedway years ago and really enjoyed the track. When it reopened last year, I thought it was a miracle that a track was actually reopening. I went as often as I could. This year I injured my back late in the spring and I have been unable to attend. I have been getting better and last week I was going to go, but I heard all these severe thunderstorm warnings and stayed home only to find out that there was a shower and then they got the show in.
I am all set to go this Friday and now I find out it will be the last. I am feeling good enough to go to the rest of the season to make up for missing so many. What a disappointment! How did it come to this? With all the fans coming where did the money go? I guess there were too many expenses and still not enough income. I hope someone can come in and salvage the situation and get racing going next year. This is so sad!

[certifiedcarnut]

Bonnie, do you have any more info or details on the closing of GT?

[Redneck]

That is true where did all the money go the stands were packed every friday night so how did they lose money.

[vafan]

I guess you were at a different Georgetown than me, or you just came on the nights when they ran special shows (BB and LM). Last year the crowds were good. This year they fell off. The car count - especially BB - was down also.

Tonight they had 8 BBs start the heat. I left before it was over.

[dustin]

Yes the crowds were down over last year, but that should have been expected. When something new opens, or reopens, the first year is always the biggest. It happens with anything. The crowds this year were better than most tracks get. The car counts were down, and you say the BB were really down, if you do the math, the LM were only averaging more than 1 car than the BB. So both were not good.

[chbaker]

The announcement last night to drivers and crowd at Georgetown was last night would be the last regular show. However, the Investors announced they intend to run the Melvin Joseph Memorial Race which is scheduled for 9/21. More details of that event will be posted later on. Georgetown Speedway would like to thank all the fans, race teams, drivers, owners, and sponsors who have supported the Speedway in the past two years. Many have worked hard to make Georgetown happen during the past two years. I saw one glimmer of hope today on South Jersey Dirt. Jeremy was asked to post a question to drivers/teams to see if they were interested in continuing to run some more races this year but with a reduced purse. If this is for real teams need to voice their opinions. The intent last year was to try and reopen the Speedway to show the property is more valuable as a Speedway than as a housing development. So many were happy to see the Speedway open once again. Now it the time for teams and fans to support the Speedway and the investors in their effort. No one is blind in this effort. Dirt tracks are going by the wayside but if we want to continue to enjoy Dirt Track racing the locals tracks have to see support. Nothing wrong with Hagerstown, Bridgeport or NES but I don't want to have to travel that far regularly in years to come to see a good race. Georgetown has always been a great track. The surface was absolutely perfect last night. Is Delmarva going to give up on Georgetown?

[truth]

Yes they are and Cathell will be the only game in town! I can't believe the number of teams that chose not to run Georgetown. We had a shot at good purses and it was forcing Cathell to start to look at things in a new way. The next time I hear someone complain about Cathell remember we are the ones who chose the monopoly. I wouldn't blame Cathell if he cut his purse in half because now he has the upper hand. I know Georgetown is hard on motors, but with continued support we had the opportunity to have big races and larger purses. When the cars quit coming naturally the fans quit coming, so the ones who stayed home made their own bed. It just goes to show that teams will never stick together and people will go where they can win no matter what the purse.

[hotrod]

they done it to their self by poor management,cutting the purse and laps,letting the cars cheat in the crates classes, no tech ,the races lastyear was better than this year and the tech, it was a shame the manangement didn't get the equipment he needed and backed him like they should of and then the cars wouldn't be cheating

[RedBud69]

I'm sure the cost is a lot more to run the facility than most know. I loved having more tracks in our area. It gives me the opportunity to let fans, and all know what is going on at our tracks. Plus how good the racing is here.

The project took so much work to get it going last year and it ran well. It was fast put together but worked. This year it has gone to hell in a hand basket. It is very sad to see all that work just go by the way side because of miss management or too many chiefs and not enough Indians or cars or whatever has happened.

I do know a lot of drivers did not like the purse changing every week. All tracks car counts have been down this year all over if you notice. The economy has changed. The drivers did not like the no teching on the crates with many cheating their asses off. It is suppose to be fun, competitive, to race, not so much a headache. I really hate to see the track close. It is hard to run two tracks for drivers, and GT does use more HP. But then again there are a lot that go to GT that don't go to DIS and vice versa.

A lot may cut up on Charlie, but you know the rules or enforcement is the same each week. Not wishie-washie and changing every week. There is a lot more to run a track, rather than just opening up and say let's go racing! I love dirt racing!! I am spoiled by having tracks close by over the travel time to other tracks. I really, really, hate to see the day when we don't have any tracks to go to. What will I do, without racing, I have no idea what my life would be without racing. I think a part of me would die!

So if there is anyway to support the tracks and keep them going we need to do it, now! I just really hate to see all that hard work to get it going just vanish. I know there have some complications for Lou and others which is understandable. That is why we really need to make it work some how. Everyone was so happy last year and proud!! Just my thoughts?

[hotrod]

the racetrack made money by parking spaces,food, renting the track out for people to practice during the day, fans,etc,where did that money went to and mr.parson that never raced and doesn't understand how much it cost to up keep maintenance expenses of a racecar,talking about the bs like he does asking if the owners would keep racing there for even less money and would he work for less money

[andyt79]

In the drivers meeting they said insurance was costing them $8,000 dollars a month. If thats the case, thats a lot of money right off the top. But its something you have to have. Hopefully there is someone out there that can save Georgetown Speedway.

[sunny044]

What a shame to see Georgetown close. My family has enjoyed many hours of entertainment for many years, at both local tracks and have traveled to many different facilities as well, but there nothing like being able to watch a great show so close to home. If anything, can we all possibly learn something about the racing business from this experience? For one thing, negativity breeds negative results. Age old rule in business and marketing. Some people just don't get it. Seriously, get real for just a minute .. comments like "... Cathell will be the only game in town! I can't believe the number of teams that chose not to run Georgetown. We had a shot at good purses and it was forcing Cathell to start to look at things in a new way. The next time I hear someone complain about Cathell remember we are the ones who chose the monopoly. I wouldn't blame Cathell if he cut his purse in half because now he has the upper hand. I know Georgetown is hard on motors, but with continued support we had the opportunity to have big races and larger purses. When the cars quit coming naturally the fans quit coming, so the ones who stayed home made their own bed. It just goes to show that teams will never stick together and people will go where they can win no matter what the purse...." Since when did running down another promoter or another track help one track become successful. Look back at history .. usually always a predictor of the future. One thing you have to say for the Cathell family and the Delmar operation is they are consistent, they have hung in there for so many years and withstood all of the mudslinging, backstabbing actions of all of those that thought they knew better, could do better, etc. They enforce the rules and the people crying the loudest are those that don't like rules or being told what to do by anyone else. Without consistent rules where would we be? The easy way out would have been to sell the land a long time ago and not have to put in the hours or listen to the crap they have to listen to. It appears as though the folks who tried to keep Georgetown up and running got a little taste of what the Cathell family has had to endure for so many years. It is a sad day for Georgetown and all of the people who worked so hard to try to make it a success. But, if you truly love racing, and I assume that most people on here do, do something about it. Support your local track, your local racers, involve your kids in racing and keep the sport alive locally. The economy is tough right now, people just don't have a lot of extra money. Give them their moneys worth at the race track and THEY WILL COME! "TALK UP" racing, involve more people, friends, sponsors, instead of whining, complaining and breeding more negativity. I have watched generations, grandfathers, fathers, sons, daughters, stay involved in racing and family time is the best possible way to bond people together and keep these kids on a good path. If you truly love racing .. get over yourself and your negativity and do something about it!!!

[australia57]

hi all

what a shame, never been to usa ( will be next year) but its not good at all when a track is closed down

here is oz we are lucky that none of our tracks close down i think the last one is bendigo speedway back in 1998, we have great car counts and fans flock to see the guys race on a saturday night,
best of luck with georgetown lets hope someone is watching from above and gets this track back on track

[RedBud69]

Yes it would be nice for a miracle!

I know they have been thinking about it, and trying to get new investors. But I also heard the housing project was approved to start in 2 yrs. These are just things I've heard

[rockinrobselle1]

Any word yet on what will be happening at Gtown in 2008??ROB