Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

I heard one of them "quick rumor" type of things a lil bit ago. Heard that Lanny talked at the ORA Banquet something about lighting issues at SFS that would be pretty costly to fix.

Now in no way am I suggesting anything - I merely post this as a topic starting question about what exactly was said tonight at the banquet - and what, if any, thoughts some may have pertaining to it.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

WOW.. Cody I heard the same thing although I was not there the phone was ringing before the dance started. Again I was not there but what I heard was the cost to fix whatever electrical issues it would cost up-wards of $400,000.00 according to what Lanny Edwards told at the Banquet that the fair board told him and they were not going to do any repairs. And Lanny wants everyone to contact the fair board and your local politicians to complain. If it is true that means 2009 was it for SFS and that really sucks.

 Randy       

       DIRT TRACKIN
"When it's wet slide it in"

If those are correct in saying that the fair board does not want to spend anymore on the track and from what you guys are saying I have to agree we have had out last season at SFS.

I possibly could see this coming down to a breach of contract on the city part if Lanny wants to push the issue. Given that his contract is for another two years. BUt againt it comes down to politics.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

The truth is and what Mr. Edwards said was, the City of Oklahoma City will not honour or re-new his contract for the 2010 Race Season until the overhead electrical situation is corrected. Apparently there are OG&E power lines stretched across the top of the Grandstands and the City of Oklahoma City Inspectors have deemed it un-safe and want to replace it with underground service at the cost of $30 to $40 Thousand dollars for a Licensed Electrical Contractor to correct the problem or else the 2010 Race schedule is all for not.

Mr. Edwards has known of this for quite some time now, and the State Fair board left it up to him to correct the problem. But with the State Fair board only giving Lanny a Year to Year contract I can ceartanly understand his position.

Bottom line is the City of Oklahoma City and our elected Officials want to do away with what they consider an eye sore, without realizing the History that the Speedway holds.

I have a never quite until you beat the competitor attitude.....I only hope that you feel the same way.

What needs to be done is everyone that lives in OKC to call the mayor and their city council person and ask why this has all of a sudden became a issue. The gransstand has been there with this same placement of eletric lines since the 50's.

Lanny also stated that he had a electrical contractor that said it should not cost over 40-50 thousand to do, but they want the lines buried all the way to the North end of the fair grounds.

So race fans CALL the mayor and your council person and ask why this has became a problem.

This is sounding alot like Enid. No one knows if they should build a car. I thought 2011 was going to be the last season.

JIMMY MINTER 'AKA'dirtrack234                  
Yesterday 
is history, 
tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is 
why they call it the present.

There's a tremendous difference in $40 to $50 thousand and $400 thousand. Why does it have to be underground? That's where the big cost is. Just simply replace the cable that has been determined unsafe with new or approved shielded cable and be done with it. I doubt that any new or existing code requires cable to be buried. Sounds like the powers to be are just searching for a reason to shut SFS down. Lanny shouldn't have to pay for major upgrades but if the Fair Officials don't, then that indicates what side they are on. Now that Blue Ribbons Downs is closed down, why not move those Oklahoma Horse Racing Assn racing dates to SFS. Make it a horse track like Tulsa did and loose money every year, like Tulsa has. What? Did that same bunch that destroyed racing in Tulsa, all move to Oklahoma City?

I thought it was $40,000. Nonetheless only OG&E are the ones to do this. They are afraid that the electrical lines will fall on the grandstands and electricute people - far fetched. This coming from several people a couple months ago.

Just goes to show, when I talked to your Mayor over the phone last year and he assured the speedway was safe, that you can not trust politicians.

It is a step by step process. If the electrical line excuse doesn't shut us down then the A.D.A. deal would. Alot of you drivers wanted "Strength in numbers" will you better use that "strength in numbers" to fight the city and the fairboard.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

I have been attending races at Fairgrounds Speedway since I first got my driver's license in 1962, so I have been there for Mar Car, ORA Promoters, Fair Board, Larry Hill, and Lanny Edwards. Two things have been constant in those years, we have had a great facility for racing and everyone bitches and complains about the promoters and thinks they can do a better job. I have never been a participant or car owner, just a loyal fan for 46 years.

In my humble opinion we need to do several things to preserve our Fairgrounds Speedway.

1. Contact my letter, voice mail, or email members of the city council and mayor's office. Be polite, professional, and non-confrontational. Thank the people for their time and efforts in serving our city, and ask them for their help and assistance in preserving Fairgrounds Speedway. Remind them that we have approximately 30 weekly shows that bring 2,000 to 3,000 thousand people, those people spend money at the track, at restraunts and other business locations in the metro area, and we need to preserve that business

2. Your best source to deal with the city is your current promoter, Lanny Edwards. He has the contacts and resources to deal with the legal aspects and the political factons. If the ORA will unite behind Lanny and approach the city, it may not be too late to salvage our upcoming season.

Yes, you heard correctly, the city is now saying that a years old electrical wire is not a safety issus and threw out the number of $400,000.00 to replace the wiring and install underground wiring for the entire property. The wiring can be safely relocated around the grandstands for $60,000.00 to $80,000.00, a much more realistic cost factor for the promoter.

Regardless of your feelings and opinions toward the current management and promotions of the weekly racing program, unity is our only hope. I would be glad to do what I can to assist the promoter and the ORA to keep racing in the area, but we need to act now.

It should'nt be the promoter who has to pay the bill. The fair grounds should. The promoter don't own the place. I believe the fair grounds wants the track gone it's self. It's sad to say but the majority of people thank racing is not a sport and believe it is very stupid to watch car's go in a circle. Don't get me wrong I do understand were your coming from and I love the sport of racing. I hope everything works out but I don't see them spending the money when the track will be gone in two years anyway.

JIMMY MINTER 'AKA'dirtrack234                  
Yesterday 
is history, 
tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is 
why they call it the present.

Is it right for us to 'believe' the track is over in two years? Do we have to have this forced upon us? Does the entire community , as a whole, really want that track gone? Do they even know?

You guys are getting duped into losing your track.

The JUDGE said, ADA COMPLIANCE, NOT DEMOLITION. The American Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. For 19 years it wasn't a heavy issue , but all of a sudden it is. This is political manuevering and damage absorption (through legal means). Your legal system was used as a bumper.

You are not being dealt with in a just manner, you are being manipulated , and I am apalled.

Go ask Dutch Ter Steege what he thinks of this in comparison to the country he came from.

Take your prise money you got last nite and fix it your self. That was about $40,000 wasnt it? Or dont race? Or give back half and see if Lanny wont go in half on it. Another thought might be to race for free a nite or two next year and use that money to fix it. But if that can be accomplished have a garrentee to race until 2012.

There is always options out there, you just have to think of solutions not dweal on the problems. Maybe develope a plan to bring our speedway up to ADA compliance by racing for free a couple of nite a season . If we show we're willing maybe they might be more receptive.

"Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained"

"Racing is an Addiction cured by Poverty"         
BOBCAT

It's a sad deal but none of them will ever give a crap about us no matter what we do. They will lie to your face and say they will see what they can do but when were done saying whats on are minds they will just forget about it and do it there way and not even thank twice about us again.

JIMMY MINTER 'AKA'dirtrack234                  
Yesterday 
is history, 
tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is 
why they call it the present.

Anybody, have the phone numbers or the email addy's for the mayor and the city council members.?

David Foley

"Just let me make it to the Dirt Track.. Truck then u 
can break down!!!"

David might. I thank I saw a post on here were he said he talked to him, I thank.

JIMMY MINTER 'AKA'dirtrack234                  
Yesterday 
is history, 
tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is 
why they call it the present.

It was said last night that the phone numbers will be on the State Fair Speedway web-site by the end of next week. Hell JD we are running for peanuts now let the fairgrounds pay for it

There are a couple of phone numbers you can use to get email and phone number information for your councilman; 297-3884 is the administration number for the city council.

Ward 1 is Gary Marrs 297-2404

Ward 2 is Sam Bowman 297-2402

Ward 3 is Larry McAtee 297-2404

Ward 4 is Pete White 297-2402

Ward 5 is Brian Walters 297-2569

Ward 6 is Ann Simank 297-2402

Ward 7 is Skip Kelly 297-2569

Ward 8 is Patrick Ryan 297-2404

If you call the information/admisistration number they can usually give you the email address and tell you which councilman is your representative based on your address and zip code. Most of the email addresses are first initial,last name @okc.gov. For example [email protected]

The mayor office number is 297-2424.

Generally when you email these people you get a response from one of their staffers. It has been my experience when dealing with these people, if you are professional and polite with them, they will go out of their way to help you get your questions and issues addressed. In many instances I have been responded to from my councilman directly after contacting his personal assistant.

Last year (maybe it was 2008) I called and asked to talk to the Mayor and his secretary took my name and number. She then called back and set up a time where the Mayor would call me and I was quite impressed that he did. And yes he knew what was the basis of my phone call. He seemed honest and up front and assured me there was nothing to worry about concerning the speedway. In fact, I mentioned something on this message board about MAP3 back then and he asked not to bring it up right quick. See, there was an instance where he read tidbits as well.

To this day there are those not necessarily involved with racing who do read what is going on and being said.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

Very well stated David. Hopefully more people will contact the city officials and let them know our concerns for a facility with such a rich history for many of us.

Mike my only fear there is that if you wait for the Fairground, OKC or Lanny you wont even have peanuts. Every racer out there has left the track with peanuts and tore up racecars that cost in excess of $1000 to fix. If we show ANYTHING that the racing community is willing to do it might just might have a chance to be racin this year and there after. Its time to quit pointin the finger saying its your problem or its your fault and come up with a plan to save the track. Identify the problem-come up with a solution-make it happen is what needs to be taking place. Alot of people take my comments as being a troublemaker {that was made clear by one individual wed} but in reality the truth hurts in this situation and I dont here any other fesable solution. Hell I havnt heard of any solutions. I have always respected you and your family and hope you or anyone else dont take my comments as a personal attack. But waiting to see what happens is whats been taking place in the past and now look at what waiting got us. It was also stated in the meeting years ago that Drivers put up there own money for the purse and expenses and it seemed to work then why not now? I'm not even saying "put up money" as much as I'm saying "will race for my Track" {got that from will work for food} It dosent seem as thou greed was an issue then and I refuse to believe that in this day and time that it has changed to that. Remember Greed is one of the Deadly Sins, I thinks that guy also stated that "He loves a chearful giver". These free nites can be supplemented for the racer in the form of gift certificates by the local buss. that will be suffering from the closure. ITS TIME TO ACT if it's not too late!

"Racing is an Addiction cured by Poverty"         
BOBCAT