Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

For anyone who is interested, Mel Martin (former owner of Manzanita Speedway and the person responsible for the closing of the facility) is a member of the Ariz. Motorsports Hall of Fame. There is an online petition to have him removed from the Hall of Fame. After his destruction of Manzanita, it is felt that he does not deserve to have his name associated with names such as Bryan, Ball, Bisch, Weiler, Arnold and Taylor -- ETC. ETC. Anyone wishing to sign the petition may do so at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nomelmartin/

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Thats a little rough. If the track could have generated the income that he received for selling it, he probably would have kept it. You're in the middle of what some people feel is the end of the economic world and you have someone offering several seven figures to buy some ground, you're probably going to take it. Is it sad? Yes. As sad as Ascot or for someone like me, the second 16th street Speedway. It sucks, but I don't blame him.

Most promotors are basically benevelount racefans who hope to eventually break even and have the mortgage paid until the day someone wants to purchase the land. I don't know the guy, so I can't comment on him, but he must of felt it was that time for him. Who knows? Maybe something better will come out of it that you can't see yet.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I agree with Scott, This man put his heart and soul into Manzy over the years. I'm sure he thaught long and hard before selling the place. Besides, what he's done for racing over the years got him into the Hall of Fame. When one door closes another always opens, Things happen for a reason!
Dave Gansert
VCS Track Phtographer

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

It is amazing what people do when they don't get what they want. I agree, that is a little harsh.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Mel only owned the track for 18 months. Keith hall was the man who made manzanita what it was. The truth behind mel's purchase of the facility has come out following the sale - he never intended to keep it in the first place, although he promised the race fans it was there for good.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I wonder how many was there when mel martin promoted aaa & usac champ car races and cra sprint cars on the mile dirt track at fairgrounds??????????

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I've got to agree with Scott, the old story that "Money talks,and BS walks" hold true for Race Tracks also. It is a race track, but it is also a business, just like farming, seems like there are more people interested in getting a Box Store close to them, than they are a race track, so the Box Store wins, it has bigger bucks behind it. A few years back, we lost a mighty fine racing facility in Columbus, In, a fast half mile, with a 3 turn 1/4 or 3/8 in the middle, didn't take long, till it was a shopping mall, and I think now, some of the tennants wonder if they'll make it thru this year, it is sad, I've never been in a Wal-Wart store, have no desire to go in one, haven't lost a thing in one, my needs are simple, and as long as there are mom and pop stores left, that's where I'll buy what I need, I had my own business for several years, had a lot of good customers, hated to close it down, but no one misses you, service is not an issue anymore, if you don't like it, take it back, the Box Store's have the suppliers over a barrel, so they either give you another one, or return your money, at least that's what I've heard, it's kinda like another old story, "you reap what you sow", I suppose someday, we'll have to import all our food supplies, cause we wanted more big stores to shop in, and to heck with racetracks and downtowns. Folks that have never been in business, don't undertand, that you need to make a profit, in order to keep the business open, and when that lite gets dim, ya gotta do, what ya gotta do. It's a no win situation, you do it, because it makes you feel good, you get a chance to help people, and make a living at the same time, but it's not all roses. Bob

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by ARIZONAFAN:
Mel only owned the track for 18 months. Keith hall was the man who made manzanita what it was. The truth behind mel's purchase of the facility has come out following the sale - he never intended to keep it in the first place, although he promised the race fans it was there for good.

Wow is Keith Hall becoming the Wests version of Earl.....just trying to help the little guy
I guess people really do over look alot of things don't they

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I'd kinda call it one of them "watch what ya wish for deals", it appears it is not possible to have both, and once a race track is gone, it's gone, unlike a Wal-Wart, where folks welcome them, a perceived vision, of being able to buy "quality", at a "quantity" price. They now let the buying public, be the "inspector", if there is a problem with the product, the buyer will find it, and, chances are, they won't use it enough, or wear it long enough, to ever know the difference. So it is, in todays world, try to hang on to what you have, it'll never return. Bob

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by smbpreformance:
Wow is Keith Hall becoming the Wests version of Earl.....just trying to help the little guy
I guess people really do over look alot of things don't they

Keith Hall as the promoter of Manzanita was alot of things, some good and some not good. While there were many things that were done that were wrong, nobody can deny the fact that it was during Keith Hall's tenure that Manzanita was elevated to national prominence. All the big races and all the traditions at Manzanita started under Keith's promotion. Does that excuse some of the decisions and mistakes that were made? Not at all but like him or not we have to give him credit where credit is due.

As far as Mel Martin, he had a long history of supporting racing in Arizona. Unfortunately I think this is one of those times where he let a decision that is very hard to defend, I know I certainly can't, tarnish a very respected reputation. The sad thing is that instead of being remembered for his contributions to racing, he will probably be most remembered as the man who killed Manzanita.

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I don't think it is the legacy he intended to leave, but now it will forever be the one he has.

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When toyota came to our area there was a rumor that Tri State Speedway had been sold to the japs. It was really stupid condiering TMMI was nearly 15 miles or so from the track but we all bought in hook line and sinker. Heartbroken yes but blaming Tommy no. In reality its just a matter of time for any track. Urban sprawl will get you everytime. We here in this area probably about to lose Ellis Park, a one of kind horse track with a very big history not only for our area but me personally. Now that is one you can legitemately chalk up to greed, this jackass doesnt even have a plan on selling it, he is just simply not getting what he wants from the Kentucky government. Ron Geary, a real
south end of a northbound donkey.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by Joey Woods:
When toyota came to our area there was a rumor that Tri State Speedway had been sold to the japs. It was really stupid condiering TMMI was nearly 15 miles or so from the track but we all bought in hook line and sinker. Heartbroken yes but blaming Tommy no. In reality its just a matter of time for any track. Urban sprawl will get you everytime. We here in this area probably about to lose Ellis Park, a one of kind horse track with a very big history not only for our area but me personally. Now that is one you can legitemately chalk up to greed, this jackass doesnt even have a plan on selling it, he is just simply not getting what he wants from the Kentucky government. Ron Geary, a real
south end of a northbound donkey.

If it comes to that, maybe the Manzy operators will buy Ellis Park and run Sprint Cars there. There is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow! Hey, stranger things have happened.
:cheers

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I would sign the petetion in a heart beat. The guy probably knew before he bought the place someone was interested in it.

Money isn't everything and try and build a new race track today. I would like to see what it would take to try and build a new one.

Obviously this guys heart wasn't in racing, its in his billfold. Sure he made a good business deal .... so what ? There is more to life than money.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
I've got to agree with Scott, the old story that "Money talks,and BS walks" hold true for Race Tracks also. It is a race track, but it is also a business, just like farming, seems like there are more people interested in getting a Box Store close to them, than they are a race track, so the Box Store wins, it has bigger bucks behind it. A few years back, we lost a mighty fine racing facility in Columbus, In, a fast half mile, with a 3 turn 1/4 or 3/8 in the middle, didn't take long, till it was a shopping mall, and I think now, some of the tennants wonder if they'll make it thru this year, it is sad, I've never been in a Wal-Wart store, have no desire to go in one, haven't lost a thing in one, my needs are simple, and as long as there are mom and pop stores left, that's where I'll buy what I need, I had my own business for several years, had a lot of good customers, hated to close it down, but no one misses you, service is not an issue anymore, if you don't like it, take it back, the Box Store's have the suppliers over a barrel, so they either give you another one, or return your money, at least that's what I've heard, it's kinda like another old story, "you reap what you sow", I suppose someday, we'll have to import all our food supplies, cause we wanted more big stores to shop in, and to heck with racetracks and downtowns. Folks that have never been in business, don't undertand, that you need to make a profit, in order to keep the business open, and when that lite gets dim, ya gotta do, what ya gotta do. It's a no win situation, you do it, because it makes you feel good, you get a chance to help people, and make a living at the same time, but it's not all roses. Bob

You have NEVER been in a Wal Mart? Hell dude, I want to shake your hand and buy you a beer! :cheers:

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You're on, if you've ever owned your own business, doesn't matter what, you'd understand why I feel I've not lost anything in there. I'll take you up on the cold Beer! Bob

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Bob, if your in small business , competing against wally world, you have lost one thing in there , MONEY !
Look at any small town with a walmart, good bye mom and pop stores.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Honestly, I don't feel like we lost money, we just didn't make any, we did, however, lose some of our customers, that didn't understand the difference between service, quality, and product knowledge, which in the long run, didn't hurt all that much, and we did pick up some service work, which helped, as the markup in the initial sale wasn't that much. Actually, we held up pretty good, problem was that WalWart was telling the customers that things were covered by warranty, that weren't, which usually meant the left our store more aggrivated, than when they came in, but the bottom line still fell on WalWart. Like I have said, it is a "perceived" savings, or "assumed", we usually sold at prices that were lower, but just didn't see the numbers thru the doors to sell a lot of merchandise. They have really hurt the manufacturers, they have all kinds of "hoops" they have to jump thru, and they don't think a thing about calling in reps from several companies, that make about the same item, and have a "shoot out" right in the meeting, with the winner usually going broke a short time later. But, that's the age we now live in, so get used to it. Someday, that will be the only place you can buy anything, from new cars to haircuts, and it'll be on their terms, and their prices, then who'll be saving money? Bob

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You really dont want to get me started on the WAL-Mart thing what a bunch of greedy F&^%&$g B%$^&#@s they have trashed thousands of businesses and people run over each other to get inside one. BUT MARK MY WORDS THERE DAYS ARE NUMBERED. They will crash and burn big time they will reep what they got comming.:headbang:headbang:headbang:headbang:headb ang:headbang:headbang

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I went to Manzy a week before they closed it to see the ASCS Winged cars run. In the pits the people were saying that the owners of the track were going to open a new track a little further out of town. Was that just wishful thinking?

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by LEADERS EDGE:
As sad as Ascot or for someone like me, the second 16th street Speedway. It sucks, but I don't blame him.

At least Ascot and Manzy was or will be torn down so we don't have the opportunity to drive by it everyday and see it die a very very slow death which is the case with 16th Street.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same thing. If I bought that track 18 months ago for $2 million and sold it today for the reported $10-13 million (figures reported on the internet so who knows what the real amounts were)....I would have done it in a heartbeat. To take him out of the hall of fame is over reacting for sure. I hate to see a track with that much history go away but it is life and stuff happens.

For those people saying he didn't have any plans on keeping the track going long term....or didn't care for the races just his wallet....put yourself in his shoes....if your mom and dad bought the house you grew up in for $75,000 (back in 1965 that would have been a hell of a house), and a guy offers them $4 million for it today....don't you think mom and dad would sell the house in a heart beat......he didn't do anything most people wouldn't have done in his shoes.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by E.P.:
At least Ascot and Manzy was or will be torn down so we don't have the opportunity to drive by it everyday and see it die a very very slow death which is the case with 16th Street.

God I miss 16th street. :crying:

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

WHEN EARL SOLD NEW BREMAN SPEEDWAY AND PUT A END TO ONE OF THE OLDEST TRACKS IN THE USA! I DID NOT HEAR ALL THIS BITCHIN! ***? OR DAYTON SPEEDWAY READING TRENTON LANGHORNE ST PAUL AND MANY MORE! ITS OVER LET IT GO! THERE WILL BE MORE CLOSING:checkered:!

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by racefan20:
god i miss 16th street. :crying:

the one across from the 500?

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New Bremen, Dayton, Reading, Langhorne & St. Paul. Man what memories those places gave us.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by SUPERDUKE:
the one across from the 500?

Nope the one at the ballpark, I'm not nearly as old as you Duke. Back when those other tracks closed we didnt have an internet and therefore it wasnt as easy to ***** about a track closing as it is today

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by racefan20:
Nope the one at the ballpark, I'm not nearly as old as you Duke. Back when those other tracks closed we didnt have an internet and therefore it wasnt as easy to ***** about a track closing as it is today

GEE I'AM SORRY I'AM 65 AND GOT TO SEE RACES THERE! 3 RACES IN ONE NITE!!!!!!!!!!!!:applaud:

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Come on out to Calistoga, this Laborday weekend. The last real 1/2 mile west of that river. Support the racing out west. Before they shut it's doors.

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by Spud:
I went to Manzy a week before they closed it to see the ASCS Winged cars run. In the pits the people were saying that the owners of the track were going to open a new track a little further out of town. Was that just wishful thinking?

A local newspaper story stated there is a group of people that want to relocate the track to either Indian land near Firebird or land along 85 in Buckeye, a third location was never identified nor were the parties trying to relocate the track. The rumors I heard were Hollywood Leary the track promoter or manager was buying the name for basically nothing and relocating the track. Since this newspaper article ran I had a chance to question the Mayor of Buckeye, he had no idea Manzy had been sold or that anyone was interested in bringing the track to Buckeye. The Buckeye Fire Chief knows someone involved with the effort to try to relocate the track, although he never shared that persons name with me. He also knew all about the land in Buckeye on 85 it is all ready zoned for a race track, it is by the land fill owned by Phoenix which they are now trying to build a solar wind farm on with a prison across the road. Sounds to me like there would be no worrys of neighbors complaining in this area. So to anwser your question hopefully it wasn't wishful thinking and a new Manzy will be in the Phoenix areas future.

Patti

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

Originally Posted by gasman fan 50:
come on out to calistoga, this laborday weekend. The last real 1/2 mile west of that river. Support the racing out west. Before they shut it's doors.

i plan on being there!!!!!!!!!

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

:rolling

Originally Posted by Gasman fan 50:
Come on out to Calistoga, this Laborday weekend. The last real 1/2 mile west of that river. Support the racing out west. Before they shut it's doors.

WILL YOU HAVE PLENTY TO EAT AND DRINK? OSKIE & STEVE HOWARD WILL BE THERE!:rolling

Re: Destruction of Manzanita Speedway
 

PLEASE SEE "SAVING MANZANITA SPEEDWAY" ON THE MESSAGE BOARD FOR "abcmotorsports.com"