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Topic: SCRA TO SKIP 2008 SEASON
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Page 1 of 1 of 6 replies
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January 04, 2008 at
08:24:56 PM
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11/22/2004
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27816
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DATELINE HANFORD, 1/4/2008
SCRA TO SKIP 2008 SEASON
In 2005, Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) formed a 360 non-wing division with a goal of providing young talent with a forum to develop and hone their skills, and to provide a venue for ALL Sprint car drivers to feed their insatiable appetite for racing.
During the past three years, we presented 44 events, paid over $277,000 in prize money and distributed $60,000 in point fund monies and accessory prizes at our banquets. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished and feel that we definitely met our goals.
With the 2008 season on the horizon, it became obvious that Hanford's (CA) Kings Speedway would no longer serve as our home track when, on November 10th, they announced on their public address system, and at their pit meeting, they would host 11 “Bandit” series Sprint car shows in ’08.
We immediately contacted and secured seven shows at nearby Bakersfield Speedway, a foundation from which to build upon for the season. Those dates were posted on our website message board on November 27. We kept the door open for events at Kings and had two personal meetings with promoter Frank Dias, including December 5th, attempting to secure six dates.
Conversations were also held with Thunderbowl Raceway for one or two shows, and a lunch meeting was held in early December with Chuck Griffin, promoter at Merced and Chowchilla Speedways, negotiating for back-to-back shows at the two facilities. Once all dates were secured, we planned on contacting Victorville Speedway for possible dates. If successful in our efforts, we would have announced a schedule of approximately 16 to 18 shows.
On Wednesday, December 12th, we received an E-mail from Bakersfield canceling the shows previously obtained. Apparently, Bakersfield has aligned itself with Kings and Santa Maria Speedways to run a single series. We never heard back from Kings, but don’t expect to now in light of their new arrangement with the other facilities.
Therefore, with great sadness, we have decided not to field a series in 2008. It is impossible to retain our generous sponsors with only three or four shows to offer, and feel it is not in the best interest for our loyal drivers to be forced to choose between competing organizations, especially when the other series will host upwards of 30 shows. We will however, evaluate 2009 as a possible return to action based on results and developments during the upcoming year.
We wish the drivers and owners the very best as they continue their involvement in racing, and offer our thanks to them for their past participation and loyalty.
It was fun having them participate with us.
Sincerely,
Richard Harvey
Director, SCRA
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January 04, 2008 at
11:26:00 PM
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Joined:
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02/27/2007
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449
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Reply to:
Posted By: ljennings on January 04 2008 at 08:24:56 PM
DATELINE HANFORD, 1/4/2008
SCRA TO SKIP 2008 SEASON
In 2005, Sprint Car Racing Association (SCRA) formed a 360 non-wing division with a goal of providing young talent with a forum to develop and hone their skills, and to provide a venue for ALL Sprint car drivers to feed their insatiable appetite for racing.
During the past three years, we presented 44 events, paid over $277,000 in prize money and distributed $60,000 in point fund monies and accessory prizes at our banquets. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished and feel that we definitely met our goals.
With the 2008 season on the horizon, it became obvious that Hanford's (CA) Kings Speedway would no longer serve as our home track when, on November 10th, they announced on their public address system, and at their pit meeting, they would host 11 “Bandit” series Sprint car shows in ’08.
We immediately contacted and secured seven shows at nearby Bakersfield Speedway, a foundation from which to build upon for the season. Those dates were posted on our website message board on November 27. We kept the door open for events at Kings and had two personal meetings with promoter Frank Dias, including December 5th, attempting to secure six dates.
Conversations were also held with Thunderbowl Raceway for one or two shows, and a lunch meeting was held in early December with Chuck Griffin, promoter at Merced and Chowchilla Speedways, negotiating for back-to-back shows at the two facilities. Once all dates were secured, we planned on contacting Victorville Speedway for possible dates. If successful in our efforts, we would have announced a schedule of approximately 16 to 18 shows.
On Wednesday, December 12th, we received an E-mail from Bakersfield canceling the shows previously obtained. Apparently, Bakersfield has aligned itself with Kings and Santa Maria Speedways to run a single series. We never heard back from Kings, but don’t expect to now in light of their new arrangement with the other facilities.
Therefore, with great sadness, we have decided not to field a series in 2008. It is impossible to retain our generous sponsors with only three or four shows to offer, and feel it is not in the best interest for our loyal drivers to be forced to choose between competing organizations, especially when the other series will host upwards of 30 shows. We will however, evaluate 2009 as a possible return to action based on results and developments during the upcoming year.
We wish the drivers and owners the very best as they continue their involvement in racing, and offer our thanks to them for their past participation and loyalty.
It was fun having them participate with us.
Sincerely,
Richard Harvey
Director, SCRA
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Wow, questionable tactics by the promoter at Kings Speedway.
RADROBINLB
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January 05, 2008 at
02:59:19 AM
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12/07/2004
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Questionable to say the least. The biggest question is will anyone get paid and if they do, how much?? If we run any shows, I will not endorse the Bandit series. I am still an SCRA member whether they like it or not.
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January 05, 2008 at
02:41:36 PM
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12/03/2004
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365
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Reply to:
Posted By: RadRobinlb on January 04 2008 at 11:26:00 PM
Wow, questionable tactics by the promoter at Kings Speedway.
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Yeah...and its equally as shocking that the Santa Maria promoter is involved in the deal too, huh? What's next, a 3-track series to compete with the Western All-Stars late models?
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January 05, 2008 at
04:32:17 PM
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449
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I don't know much as to what is going on between the SCRA and Kings Speedway, but I do know how I felt when my father and I made the trip up north to see the USAC/CRA feature get cut short in favor of the Western All-Stars late models; I was disapointed that night, to say the least. Kings Speedway put a bad taste in my mouth, and I will probably never go see a race there again.
Just a thought, but maybe SCRA is better off without Kings Speedway. Maybe they could make a deal with the promoters at Victorville. Like I said, I do not know much, but maybe that is an option.
Question: Is it safe to say that most of the SCRA drivers are going to be running with the Bandit series next season?
And, if that is the case, what happens when SCRA starts up again? Are those drivers going to come back?
Thanks, have a good day!!!
RADROBINLB
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January 06, 2008 at
01:41:20 PM
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01/23/2007
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Well with the promoter at Kings Speedway not paying the racers last year not only to SCRA but i also believe a Wing race as well I don't see how any driver would run this series or support these tracks. Richard Harvey is a great man and proved what kind of a man he is with his series. He loves racing and would help anyone out at any cost. These promoters and tracks put the screw to him and a true racer would not support these tracks or promoters. I don't see Kings staying open for racing this year after the fiascos that happened last year. What is the Bandit series purse. is there a point fund. How many cars will they get at their shows. Sorry Richard you got screwed.
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January 07, 2008 at
12:34:14 AM
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12/08/2004
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235
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what about rocky hill speedway in porterville ca, (jimmy sills used to have a school there and they are opening it back up i heard of some imca shows they could run there..
get balls and run the top!!!
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