Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

http://kniakrls.com/2017/06/bryan-clauson-suite-tower-groundbreaking-is-today/

http://www.journalexpress.net/news/local_news/suites-honoring-bryan-clauson-in-the-works/article_2157ec57-47f3-50be-abb2-8e2de4f24f76.html

Looks like the new suites in turn 1 idea has been scratched and now a different suite attached to the hall of fame building. 

This is part of the Hall of Fame - their project, not the tracks or Marion County Fairboard.

The project in turn #1 was a proposal by previous track management.  Current management is focusing on other priorities like fan experience and putting butts in the seats on a weekly basis.

The Picture in the article is showing it connected to the current Hall of Fame building at the end of turn 2.  Previously there was talk of turn 1 but fell thru.  

Here is the Old Article I think you are talking about, this is no longer happening: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-politics-insider/2015/02/13/knoxville-raceway-expansion-legislature/23363493/

Vande's point is that these suites are owned and operated by the NSCHoF&M, not Knoxville Raceway.  The proposal for suites in turn 1 would have been owned and operated by Knoxville Raceway alone.  The 2 projects have nothing to do with each other.

Signature here.

Turn #1 didn't fall through.  It was re-evaluated by the Fairboard (it was only ever presented by the management of the track at the time that quit when the vote didn't go their way as I recall). 

The Hall of Fame has a waiting list for suites and the ones on their list had no intention of ever renting one on the racetrack side.

The other thing is the Hall of Fame is building this off of donation $$$.  The building will be paid for by donations, not out of profits like it would on the Racetrack side.

I'd rather they spend those profits making the current facility better and upgrading the current facility.

Some of those things are already happening, handrails in the stands, the removal of 5-7 seats per row to make it roomier for fans during the Nationals beginning in 2018, infratructure upgrades, more handicap accessability, etc., etc.  And hopefully at some point, HOT WATER to wash your hands in the bathrooms which has to be my #1 pet peeve.  The restrooms, while nice for a dirt track, are horrendous when you compare them to the competion they face (Iowa Speedway, Wells Fargo Arena) for paying fans.  And it's things like that that hold the track back from having 8-10,000 people in attendance weekly.

Really appreciate the additional information!  I didnt understand what all was behind it or that they were upgrading the facilities.  

So if someone could enlighten me on how the relationship between the Hall of Fame & the racetrack/Marion County works it would be much appreciated. I'll be honest, I figured both were of the same entity and all money gained and lost came from the same pot/budget. So does the  Hall of Fame pay dues to the ractrack since they rent suites to view an event put on by someone other than themselves or how would that work?

The Hall of Fame sits on County Property that is leased from the County on an 99 year lease.  Original lease was signed in 1990 or 1991 as I recall.

The Hall of Fame is an independent entity.  They have no direct correlation with the Raceway other than the fact they sit on County Property.

I know the Hall of Fame pays the racetrack something for every ticket they sell, but I do not know if what that amount is. 

Primary source for revenue for the Hall of Fame is Suite Rentals, ticket sales on 2nd Floor, Raffles, Donations.  They are not subsidized by the track in any way.  Thankfully, they do not owe $$ on the main building or the staging facility and have an Endowment (but it could always use more $$ in it if you want to donate) to help with day to day operations and salaries.

Interesting. Had no clue. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Thought about trying the 2nd floor before but not really sure what to expect. Been in the suites there once maybe twice. I would have been pretty young and the other time I really remember was for the Harris Clash. Its a really cool experience. Wish there were more chances to get in there.

So is the SCHoF in the City limits? Is the Racetrack in the City limits? Not being a smart ass it just made me wonder if that whole area (including HyVee) is County or City Limits. As Develped as that whole area is one would assume it is all just a part of the City of Knoxville. I could see where the Campgrounds that I stay at (North Campgrounds) could be considered "County Property" but it not the Museum or the Raceway.  I assumed the City limits were some wheres near the Campground on the North end. 

Bummer, I thought they had removed seats in rows for roomier seating already for this year.

It's a strange situation.  The Racetrack is within the City Limits, but it is County Property since it is the Marion County Fairgrounds.  If you call 911 from the grounds, they dispatch the Sherriff's Office, not the City PD. 

You may have noticed that anytime there is a distrubance that requires law enforcement, it's the Marion County Sherriff's Office that takes care of it and they are the cops that are patroling the grounds during the races and after during the Turn #4 Party every night.  City Cops are only used if needed or they are asked to assist.

Many years ago other local law enforcement would help the Sherriff's Office (I remember Pella, Newton, Indianola, Chariton) by having reserves help staff during the Nationals.  For whatever reason, most cities no longer allow their officers to do so.

I think the North Campground as well as Van Donselaar's are within the Ciry Limits as well.  Marion County Park is not as I recall.

My understanding is they wanted to make sure they displaced as few people as possible during the process, therefore they started the planning last season with implementation next season (thus the letters that went out to all seat holders with their Nationals renewals late last year).

IMO, I'm glad they are doing it this way rather than the alternative of just saying everyone goes into a lotto for seats since they removed some.  

My guess is outside of the top few rows, most people will get to keep the seats they have sat in for years, but there will be less people in the row so it will be a lot roomier.

For every ticket sold on the second floor of the hall of fame, The HOF has to give the race track $15 (The tracks admission price) Which is why the HOF charges $30 for a ticket on the second floor. I am not sure how much it is to be in a suite in the HOF.