[kinser]

Dave announced his retirement on Facebook. So now is the time for all the armchair promoters to unite and take their shot at promoting a race track.

[Harvestman]

Didn't expect to see that, though it was probably only a matter of time. Hoping that someone steps up to the plate.

[Charles Nungester]

probably the end of racing here. IDK. Yall can do it better.

[Fat RR]

Kinda expected that. Hope someone comes in and promotes it and keeps the ole girl rollin! Been in operation for long time.

[openwheelfan1]

Although I’ve never attended Lawrenceburg in its newest incarnation as a high banked 3/8th mile, I attended quite a bit when we lived in Central IN and it was a 1/4. I’ve watched every USAC race on Flo from Lawrenceburg and it certainly seems like a racy place. I sincerely hope that someone can be found to promote Lawrenceburg and keep the history of the place continuing.

[BrentTFunk]

First off congrats to Dave on retiring. He stuck it out, and I always believe he tried his best. I think when the track was rebuilt, that it really wasn't designed to be a weekly track.
Maybe a good direction would be for whoever actually owns the property, to hire someone to promote 5 or 6 big shows a year. The only thing that hurts that idea is with the antique show every Sunday, it really makes it tough for campers doing a multi day show. Once again, I wish Dave nothing but the best. I am sure this year has taken what little fun there was out of it.

[cowboyhar69]

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk First off congrats to Dave on retiring. He stuck it out, and I always believe he tried his best. I think when the track was rebuilt, that it really wasn't designed to be a weekly track. Maybe a good direction would be for whoever actually owns the property, to hire someone to promote 5 or 6 big shows a year. The only thing that hurts that idea is with the antique show every Sunday, it really makes it tough for campers doing a multi day show. Once again, I wish Dave nothing but the best. I am sure this year has taken what little fun there was out of it.

Brent, the antique show is only the first Sunday of the month, May through October.

[opnwhlmnd]

Bob Sargent we need you to bid on another track to save.

Track Enterprises specials only.

[Charles Nungester]

Im going to Queue up a long one, Maybe explain some of the reasons I liked them, The track etc.

First, I've been going to Burg since I was a kid. Late 60s early 70s Running around the stage, rolling hot wheels up and down the benches They also had tractor pulls, (Actually seen Art Arfons green Monster there (Tractor) I know he was a drag racer before that. And once a year Chitwood or someone's thrill show..

Racing was Sprints, Most times I remember midgets being there and a VW Beetle class with stack exhaust. Fairgrounds were upkept and a fair was held every year. Dick Gaines, Butch Wilkerson, Millburn, Gillstrap, Krebs, Soliminto, Deputy and others including Ember Link in his roadster. All thrilled me, The track always had a hole in it that moved around the track from year to year. They went above, below or through it. Racing was clean. Burt Swofford over a Wendelman sound system. I think a few speakers still hang in the fairgrounds from..

Queue Late 70s-80's Carol Hamilton, Craig Stevens, Mel Johnson promoted during this time. Didn't know any of em at the time, Mel would always say hi though if I passed him. Sprints, LM's and early was a east coast style modified then sportsmen came in. (Basically a bomber)
(The Golden age of the Burg) Track was always heavy, You'd go out after the races and it'd still suck your shoes off. Track rolled all night. Had a cushion and a low high moisture groove off the botom of two. Staab, Kinsers, Norris, Law Brothers, Blands, Shields, Huntley, Briscoe, Bowling and too many to name in the sprints, The Hoosier Fall Classic was a don't miss. By the end of the 80s They ran on Sat and Sunday (Sunday LM and LM Sportmen with Jerry King running it on Mel's lease. The biggest problem with these times was the track set in the flood plain, When the water from the Ohio River would be above 40ft and start dropping. It would all backup into the surrounding area and bubble up thru the middle of the track. If it rained raceday or before. It was almsot impossible to get it run in. Many times I showed up to cancelled races due to this. Also had a season where a sewer line broke down there and it took all year to clean up. From what I understand it was a huge mess.

90s Fairgrounds no longer maintained, Wing Sprint racing falls off to 8-10cars for a regular show. Staab takes over returns to Non Wing. Counts come back. Track not very good. Then they demand to cut the track back and down as the wall in front of the stage is collapsing. Guardrails fall down if someone backs into em By the end of the 90 the grandstand is collapsing. The restrooms have four inches of yuck in em. Staab draws up plans for the new Grandstand, Concessions and Restroom. Casino gets built. But I think they just gave the track to Wiek

Early 2000s We got a awesome car count every night in all classes. Tracks usually rubber by end of hotlaps. New grandstand, Lighting, Concessions and Restrooms built. and some times 200fans in the stands. Mostly racers families. Fairgrounds coming back with rebuilt hall new shelters. Flags flying in front of the grounds.. Things looking good but no fans except for USAC shows and Hoosier fall classic which is still a thing. Racings almost always on bottom by feature time. Two heaviest cars win the championship in sprints for two or three years.

Mid 2000s. Casino money still rolling in. Decision made to make it a 3/8 showplace. Wiek not renewed as Promotor. Rudisells going to run it. But they don't have time to do the renovation for their first year.ds

Im just going to say this, They came in and tried everything. Giveaways, Free nights for DARF, HARF, BARC even IOW nights. Had three ten grand USAC races in a year. Tried triple sprints Winged 410, Non Wing 410 and 360 bandits. Had MSCS twice a year. Hoosier fall classic. Even a MSCS/USAC doubleheader.. Over the years they had more giveaways, Pizza trivia etc. etc. Eventually coming down to running a schedule they could maintain and mostly successful. They brought the WoO back not as a leased out operation but doing it themselves. (Try that and make a profit) Most can't. Had Rodeo's, Nights of destruction (Latter bigger than any event the race track has)

The tracks been everything from excellent, to holes in the transition. But has been mostly decent Even had a few problems with Rocks for a bit.

BOTTOM LINE, FAN count for regular shows was easily four times or more what it was some nights under previous track and promoter. the later years he's had to maintain the grounds.

Anyway, Your opionions are all valid, There were good track nights, Rough track nights, dusty track nights etc. etc. BUT A LOT OF BASHING that did nothing but piss me off.. Good track, Bad track, big count, small count. I was out on a saturday night, Bench and track racing with a lot of people who love it.

2012 I lost my Job. I sit back for awhile and about six months later land another job doing petty much same thing for same money. Third day my legs swells. I can't wear work boots. JOB Gone, Well put it this way, I got to down and out before I got the DR help I needed, most didn't know what it was or how to treat it.

RUDISELLS Send me PM. Where ya been?. Heck Dave, I couldn't afford it if I wanted too. Lets just say a whole season I seen races for free with pit pass including WoO, USAC.

They've always set our club up with a clubhouse and tables, clean fairground restroom for our annual Polish Luau and stopped by to make sure all was good.

Dave's always treated me as a brother. Kimb I haven't talked to a lot but has always said hi. asked how I was etc.

I know one thing. I've enjoyed every single visit. Yeah, sometimes something might have been not to everyones liking. I can agree with you on some things. Was it ever worth bashing? I seen them stay way late to help a team who's stacker wasn't working or what not, payout start money to people who blew in the heat. Im sure a hundred other helping hands or upmanship that someone like Jerry King would have flipped ya the bird and say sorry bout your luck.

I know this after about 9 years of it, You could see the wear on them. Many of the staff stuck it out the whole time, some were there before them. I hope some if it continues will come back.

I don't know if Burg will survive, I doubt without city help. I could be wrong, But replacing four concessions equipment, all the track equipment etc. Isn't going to be cheap. Let along find another top notch staff.

I've since met Carrol Hamilton, Craig Stevens I got to know over the years. Staab I knew from the early 80s.

Anyway, Thanks Dave and Kimberly. I consider you family. Keep in touch. And thanks to the staff, safety crew etc. All salt of the earlh. See you soon.

[Blacki-Suede]

Wow, your post sure brings back memories for me. You even remember Arfons’ jet powered tractor, our first event as promoters.
But, since those days so much has changed in the racing and entertainment world. Cost of racing, age of fans, televised local races, insurance, adverting costs, etc. I believe promoting a weekly track may be a thing of the past. Time will tell.

BTW. The city has a strong desire to keep the track operational.

Carroll Hamilton