[TeamCGR]

Unfortunately it appears that another famous track in our Country is closing. 55 Year Old State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City, OK has been told to cease and desist immediately, due to ADA regulations compliance issues. They were supposed to have until 2012 to become compliant but leave it up to the Politicians to get involved. They Mayor shut them down now. Below is the Link to the News Cast and interview with the Mayor.

A petition has been formulated by some of the guys that race and attend the facility. It can be found on another link below. I would like to call on the IOW faithful to sign this petition in a show of support. Even if they don't reopen this track, which would be a shame, they may open another elsewhere in OKC. If we all show our support it may help the cause. Many of the Indiana Teams have raced there for years, including ours, with the TNT Series. It has been a regular stop for years. Coleman and our entire team have enjoyed racing at this very fast joint.

Here is the link to the News Cast:
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-...,3277252.story

Here is the link to the "SaveFairSpeedway" site with details and the link for the Petition:
http://www.savefairspeedway.com/

I know it is a sign of the times but perhaps the power of the IOW group can help make a difference.

Thanks,

Pete G. and Team CGR

[smith19]

is this the same track that shane carson and his dad promoted?

[CRA91]

Yes

[brian26]

From the glory days of MAR-CAR, Bud Carson was a genius in the right time.

http://www.youtube.com/user/vintagesupermodified

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------

MAR-CAR is from Buds wife, Mary. A LOT OF HISTORY HAS PASSED QUIETLY THROUGH THE FAIRGROUNDS.

[Jerry Shaw]

Originally Posted by TeamCGR Unfortunately it appears that another famous track in our Country is closing. 55 Year Old State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City, OK has been told to cease and desist immediately, due to ADA regulations compliance issues. They were supposed to have until 2012 to become compliant but leave it up to the Politicians to get involved. They Mayor shut them down now. Below is the Link to the News Cast and interview with the Mayor. A petition has been formulated by some of the guys that race and attend the facility. It can be found on another link below. I would like to call on the IOW faithful to sign this petition in a show of support. Even if they don't reopen this track, which would be a shame, they may open another elsewhere in OKC. If we all show our support it may help the cause. Many of the Indiana Teams have raced there for years, including ours, with the TNT Series. It has been a regular stop for years. Coleman and our entire team have enjoyed racing at this very fast joint. Here is the link to the News Cast: http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-...,3277252.story Here is the link to the "SaveFairSpeedway" site with details and the link for the Petition: http://www.savefairspeedway.com/ I know it is a sign of the times but perhaps the power of the IOW group can help make a difference. Thanks, Pete G. and Team CGR

I agree. I don't see a lot of IOW names there yet. Shortbus, Kevin Besecker, Jimmy Carter and Jim Spridgeon have all been there. There is a lot of power in the numbers, here on this board. Remember the Action Track petition? IOW reponse just flat overwhelmed that one.

Jerry

[Vertigo]

While I have many fond memories of the track including the Leep/Hahn/Howerton era of the early 70's and the Stone/Ewell/Wooley era of the early 80's, I don't really consider it nearly as historic of a track since they tore up the 1/4 & 1/2 mile tracks. I do feel for the fans and racers in OKC however.

[Seadog]

Not so fast here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that ADA is Americans with Disabilities Act. How would you feel - for instance - if you are a race fan and you were injured and put in a wheel chair while fighting in Iraq. Now you have no access to the speedway anymore. Is that right?

All people, disabled or otherwise should have equal access to public places.

Just my .02

[Jerry Shaw]

Originally Posted by Seadog Not so fast here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that ADA is Americans with Disabilities Act. How would you feel - for instance - if you are a race fan and you were injured and put in a wheel chair while fighting in Iraq. Now you have no access to the speedway anymore. Is that right? All people, disabled or otherwise should have equal access to public places. Just my .02

Gregg,

I don't think the argument they're making here is "Screw the handicapped. Let's go racin'." I think what they're saying is they should spend whatever they need to to get it ADA compliant, so they can continue racing. I could be wrong, but that was my impression.

And the place does have a series of ramps that go up to all of the levels, so I don't think it would cost that much.

Jerry

[Lucky161]

Originally Posted by Seadog Not so fast here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that ADA is Americans with Disabilities Act. How would you feel - for instance - if you are a race fan and you were injured and put in a wheel chair while fighting in Iraq. Now you have no access to the speedway anymore. Is that right? All people, disabled or otherwise should have equal access to public places. Just my .02

I am very much in favor of compliance with the ADA. However, the cynic in me would not be surprised to find out when it's all said and done that this situation has almost nothing to do with the ADA and almost everything to do with politicians helping themselves to taxpayers money.

There is an agreement to bring the track into compliance within a couple of years. The track was built over 50 years ago and has managed without ADA compliance all that time. What would it hurt to allow the agreement to go through? Those handicapped fans would soon be able to go to the fairgrounds to watch the races and so would everyone else. On the other hand if they tear the track down, nobody, handicapped or otherwise will be able to see the races there. How will that help the handicapped?

If the real issue is compliance with the ADA, then why isn't the mayor pushing something that would speed up that compliance?

[watkinsgrady]

I don't know how many drivers look at these boards, but it is disapointing that only a few have signed this petition

Grady