Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

I haven't seen a lot of pictures, Just what Ballou has posted, But wow. I've seen four groove racing at THAT before. Im just wondering if it could lead to Armco runners now. with others slow rolling the inner?

Anyone have a link to more pictures? Im excited for it.

I will get some photos from Saturday I took in here shortly. Here is what I know is done or will be.

-new turn walls
-Infield tower renovated due to rot and working restrooms
-new lighting but I’m not sure of the details of what and when it will be done
-concession stand under grandstands has been gutted and will be renovated
-new track equipment
-water tanks got a new concrete pad (not exciting but it is something)
-new push lane

That is what I know for sure. After talking to Bernie, he wants to see the track be around for a long time. It was interesting that he talked about seeing the track on abcs wide world of sports. I remember doing the same thing with my grandpa.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Love the improvements, hope they address the PA system. Excited to get there Sunday!!

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Weird thing with the PA is sometimes You could hear it ok, Others not. Always heard Chris Nunn ok.

we was by there yesterday, place looks great, people will be surprised by the work that has been done.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

These are a few I got Saturday.

Terrehutian It needs to be around for a long time, it already has been. I will admit I was skeptical that it would lose the ambiance that was and is, if not the most historically significant track left running in the country, it’s certainly top 3. I’m glad that from what you posted, it’s not lost on the new proprietors. Maybe I’m alone on this opinion but, it has never ceased to be great. The only time it ever disappoints is when the proper effort is not applied. And I will acknowledge it’s not easy with a big track like that. Many on this board have said it and I’ll say it again, I can’t think of a more awesome sight in Sprint Car racing than standing in the infield entering turn 3 and watching a brave racer in a wingless car, come off 2 and sail down the back stretch and turn it into 3. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I’m glad it seems to be in proper hands. Gives me hope I’ll take my grandkids there to get the same thrill I got when dad took us there in the 70’s

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Im really hoping the promotors got a good contract. It seems some time and $$$ are getting put into it (Long time coming) But we've seen the board do stupid things before. A few years from now the view may not be favorable to racing. SO SUPPORT IT. it's the only way to quash that notion. Also pleased to see that Ballou put in a lot of work on it. he missed some races because of it as well..

Also hope that many who wouldn't race do to the concrete will now give it a chance.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Back in the day this one promoter only took from the track and everything he spent was charged to the fair board till they got rid of him. Sargent was the first decent promoter but only done what he could without spending lots of money. It was time for a change. I remember going to Terre Haute and seeing the sprints race, only USAC ran a Terre Haute back then and the pits was across the track in front of the grandstand. I never seen more than 15 or 20 race cars racing back then, no support classes ever, this was before the sprints has roll cages. Later on, a local guy Paul Sizemore made a deal with the fair board and got a date for running stock cars in exchange for putting on a demo derby for the fair board. When that race was ran the whole infield was used for the pits. Lots of late models and hobby stocks showed up. I graded and watered the track for Sizemore.

I think Terre Haute is one of the best places to introduce new fans. So many different perspectives for viewing. Up in turn 4, under the roof in one, and let's not forget standing in the corners In the infield during hot laps. The one thing the promotional group could do to
Set themselves apart from all the rest would open pits till 1 hour prior to heat in the motor. The interaction with the fans and teams is critical to growing the sport. This could be THAT'S signature low cost move that creates maximum gain.

Do you mean Don Smith? I remember full fields, no support class in that era.

36 silver crowns this weekend, most since 1997.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

If they all make it. Couple are searching for tires or other parts. Starter stuff. etc. But yeah, COOL!

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Are you sure about that. I tell you what, I will pay you $20 for every car under 34, you pay me $20 for every car over 34. We will see if you believe what you said.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

While we are not on the published entry list, we are trying hard to make this race. It will be my first time driving a Silver Crown car.

But I do have a question. Who wins your bet if the "R" word reins supreme? Get it? "R" word reins supreme.

Ok, I will admit I haven't had a lot of sleep the last few days.

Tom Paterson
Sprint and Silver Crown car #11

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

I couldn't reply for some reason earlier, But the answer is the same, The actual show ups usually is a bit lower than the registered cars. I've seen a couple that were struggling to get last minute things together.

So no $$. Im just glad the interest is high!

Info I received from Facebook

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

That is fine, but I hate to see you post a negative when everything is looking up. I am sure that people wouldn't have said they will be there if they weren't sure. Hope all the effort put into the track is rewarded with a good crowd. Mr. Paterson, I hope you make it, and good luck to you.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

I didn't say anything negative. All that show up will be there.

Tried to post a photo of the tunnel improvements but for some reason it wouldn’t post. Photo is from Terre Haute Action Track Facebook page. Anyone that’s knows how to post the photo please do!! It was just posted 35 minutes ago

He will have no part of that BTF.🤔

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Tunnel link

https://www.facebook.com/terrehautea...8902177456517/

Thanks, Charles

Thanks for that link. Sure sounds like Bernie and Scott get it. With the loss of the Indy Mile, this track is really the last dirt track that links the true giants of the sport to modern racing. You don’t have to look very far to see images of the legendary racers of our sport doing battle on these hallowed grounds. I hope everyone that can be there show’s up and support the big cars this Sunday. Big hat shake to Scott, Bernie and everyone else who has lent a hand to the preservation of this iconic facility!

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Really? I guess you would know. I thought you wheeled one before.

Are you SURE? Think hard. :)

Seriously, though, you are a gift to open wheel racing and us fans, Tom.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

On Twitter they also say they are working on lighting and Pa, not everything will be ready for this weekend but they are working on it.

Terre Haute could be a Diamond in the rough, it seems like it’s got the ability to host big time racing with right promoters. Seems to have alot of seating, not sure what the camping situation is there.

Got wood bleachers under the grand stands. Aluminum bleachers to the west of the grandstands.

Camping is via the fairgrounds management on site and it has electric/water hook ups but not sure how many. Also non hook ups. Not on site is many campgrounds (three county parks have campgrounds and there is a private campground). I have seen people tent camping also.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Current list

SUMAR CLASSIC ENTRY LIST: (36 Entries)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Steffens Motorsports)

1 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Dyson Racing)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

7 KYLE ROBBINS/New Castle, IN (KR Racing)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)

16 AUSTIN NEMIRE/Sylvania, OH (Nemire-Lesko Racing)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)

27 JASON McDOUGAL/Broken Arrow, OK (Daigh-Phillips Motorsports)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 (R) GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

33 (R) RONNIE WUERDEMAN/Cincinnati, OH (Wuerdeman Family Racing)

40 DAVID BYRNE/Shullsburg, WI (Byrne Racing)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

49 (R) BRIAN RUHLMAN/Clarklake, MI (Brian Ruhlman)

52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)

53 BRADY BACON/Broken Arrow, OK (Five Three Motorsports)

54 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (Westfall Motorsports)

55 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (Patty Bateman)

57 DALLAS HEWITT/Troy, OH (Dallas Hewitt)

66 BILL ROSE/Plainfield, IN (Bill Rose Racing)

69 (R) CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)

74 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Hodges Motorsports)

77 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

81 BRIAN TYLER/Parma, MI (BCR Group)

88 TERRY BABB/Decatur, IL (Terry Babb)

89 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

97 (R) BUDDY KOFOID/Penngrove, CA (Hans Lein)

99 ERIC GORDON/Greenfield, IN (Brad & Tara Armstrong)

110 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (DMW Motorsports)

199 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

It was a diamond in the rough, When it was in rough shape :)

Big crowds at Sprint week and plenty of campers there and tent campers too.

I would love to see some red, white, and blue added to the walls at some point, and a lap counter/scoreboard. All the improvements look great, though, and I’m looking forward to Sunday.

From the action track social media.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

Really like the local and racer involvement in bringing the place back up to snuff. Robert Ballou and Reece and others on track improvements. Tony Epperson on painting. Mrs Carmichael etc. etc. They bought some new light poles, I think they were extras from Haubstadt or Kokomo. Hope the ol girl gets in every show this year. Rumors are swirling of a WoO and Xtreme show in the fall.

Re: Terre Haute, It's a new beast with lots of history
 

I agree with everything you said, but if i was looking at the TBA dates for the Extreme series that would be up against the Cocapoh USAC dates. Hope I have that wrong. I will definitely be there on Sunday.