New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

The 6 oclock news out of Terre Haute has a New or 2nd Bid from Greg Gibson and Thompson Thrift to by the Terre Haute Fairgrounds. This New offer seems to involve building a New Fairgrounds to the West of its current location. "Which I think was talked about in the past". I believe they mentioned this being done for 09, with an "Option" that would include or "NOT" the building of a new track.
This new offer seems to come at a time when we are all hoping that we have a new Promoter for the Action Track. It has to be disconcerting for those trying to put things back togather.
Hopefully Mike King and Co. can get things signed and sealed soon. I think the only way to insure the future of the track is to get it back up and running. The longer it sits the harder it will be in all aspects. Also, the longer it sits the better chance someone will have to buy it out and it seems the more time goes by the more people get onboard with the idea of it selling being OK...... To me its a flat out shame that one of the most Historic Dirt Tracks in the Midwest can find so few friends and fans to Stick UP for Her!
Good Luck to MiKe King and Co.........

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

More at trackforum.com

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=101341

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Just when we thought things were finally going to get straightened out at THAT.

I hope it can be spared and racing can return there permanently.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

$9.2 million seems like peanuts for that land. Then again, I don't really have much to compare to since Connecticut and Indiana are apples and oranges as far as real estate.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

The 9.2 million is a "cash incentive" so they can build new facilities. According to the article, the Fair Assoc. and Gibson would swap properties (Fair Grounds owns 111 acres and Gibson owns 72 acres). There is another big plus for the fairgrounds side according to the newscast, the addition of a equine show barn would bring in some national events......They are trying to butter it up as much as they can and maybe they can slip in the fact that they are killing a piece of historical property.......Hartman, a member of the board does say they are optomistic for what is going on at the Action Track.....New track would be great, but not the same.......

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Thank you Dan.
Thank you Dan.

What is the population in Terre Haute?

Where is mayor Shaw during all this news?

IMHO I would say that keeping the two race tracks in lieu of the 3 mill would be in the best interest of commerce for Vigo County. Thats peanuts when you consider what is spent at the local convenience stores and fast food joints during a race season from race patrons alone. 6.2 mill, new, bigger, better facilities, sign me up.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Sign the petition, all who care about the Action Track:

http://gopetition.com/petitions/vigo...irgrounds.html

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I'll try soon to find out what I can.

Jerry

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed......

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed. :thumb:

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

it doesnt seem like that long ago that i was growing up just a youngn' in terre haute. i remember the prestige and the honor that seemed to envelope the action track. i am only 28 and i would love to know what it was like back in the real hay day of the speedway. i remember the first time that i drove at the action track...it may as well have been the motor speedway. it was so exciting and memorable. i would challenge any driver who has an understanding of the action tracks history to refute their love and feelings for this wonderful and historical track. i feel very special knowing that i have raced on the same track as so many of the heros of the sport, and i am looking very forward to racing and being a fan of the action track for many years to come!

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed! Now we can only pray that wise decisions are made to save this historic facility.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

signed

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed. I am afraid we will needs lots of help on this one.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed...and I was wanting more than alotted 500 characters to type what I thought about this possible transaction.

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Signed. It would be a shame to see Terre Haute have a situation like Springfield had with Little Springfield's demise.

Hopefuly it won't happen there.

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Signed. Just yesterday everybody was so upbeat about the future. I guess it's like that old saying about the light at the end of the tunnel being an oncoming train.:headbang:

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed

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Signed! lets hope for the best! :thumb:

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed. Maybe we should drop a few notes to the mayor and city council if possible too.

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Terre Haute does NOT need any more shopping in that area. There are building sitting empty and they want to bulid more. They shouldn't sell to Greg and Thompson Thrift. That would be a big mistake. THAT need to be brought back to her former glory.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Signed. Hope it works out for the best.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Has anyone seen the "artists rendition" of what they are proposing. There is 30 some acers that would be ACROSS THE STREET AND DIRECTLY BEHIND the "shopping complex" for FUTURE EXPANSION (the race track). Can you say STUPID !!!!!!!. Also with the noise abament laws around, didn't the Indiana state legislater bacisly put the kabosh on building any "New Motorsports (race tracks) facilities"?. And do you think that the 27 member fair board is going to let go of 6 to 9 plus million $$$$ (cash) to build a race track/ drag strip, NOT ONLY NO, BUT H--- NO!!!!!!!. It appeares that the only positive aspect so far for the racers and fans is that the demo's and tractor/ truck pulls would be in a seperate area not the race track.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

All I know is that the developers (Thompson-Thrift and Greg Gibson) made quite an effort, yesterday, carrying out this media blitz. And that's just exactly what it was. IMO, if they thought the Fair Board was even close to being sold on this proposal, they wouldn't have done this. And from what I can tell, there will be more backlash from this deal, than a ground swell of support. The 4H (the Fairgrounds' main inhabitant) is already not happy bunch of campers. In fact, we just went through a mayoral ******** that saw a Democratic incumbent lose his job to a Republican challenger, becoming the first Republican elected mayor in Terre Haute, since 1968. And one of the major campaign points was that even though Mayor Burke had gotten a lot done, many of the projects ended up fattening the bank account of Gibson. With that said, considering the public backlash on the previous Mayor, I don't think Duke Bennett, the current Mayor, is in any hurry, to be accused of also being Greg Gibson's lap dog. And Bennett doesn't have to sign off on this, just that supporting it and/or helping push it through could have a high political price.

Not to bore everybody with local ********, just thought I would add a little background for perspective purposes. I don't know how this is going to end up, but the WVFA is a 501c3 Not-For-Profit, so personal profit for board members is not going to be a determining factor here. People go to prison for that kind of thing. The last time they voted on this (last year), it was a unanimous NO. And that was an offer that was almost as big as this one. Plus, anybody that's ever tried to get money out of a farmer knows that Thompson-Thrift and Gibson are unlikely to get this farmer-led Fair Board to sign what is a sweetheart deal, as far as the developers are concerned.

Just My Opinion,

Jerry

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

I hope your opinion is right Jerry. You seem to have some inside knowledge of the goings on and I appreciate you sharing it with all of us here at IOW.

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Well put Jerry! I hope logic plays into the boards decision. THAT has such history maybe the historical society could come in and lay some kind of claim to it and then build a small archrive building with pics, facts, cars and a list of who is who that "THAT":greenflag: has had in her ring!

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

From today's Tribune Star:

"Hartmann also noted that the existing fairgrounds has “some real positive things happening,” such as an upcoming world class dog show. He is also optimistic about the future of the Action Track and the 2008 Vigo County Fair, he said."

That's Fair Board President Dave Hartmann.

http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_...022122357.html

Jerry

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

signed :headbang: :crying:

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

I'm Glad to See that at least some of you think the ol gal is worth saving.....Ha, How about we put a Real Petition Togather, on Paper that is and we Start getting Names. I would think this Weekend would be a Great Time to Start. First at The Hoosiers RAcers Swapmeet and then on Sunday at the Harf Banquet. Lets See How Much Noise the Racing Community can Really Make. Then we will put it in the Hand on the FairBoard and see if we can find some Camera Time of our own... Maybe by having some of our Famous Drivers Deliver It....... A Crowd Can Make a Lot More NOISE than just a few of us...... They just had more coverage on the news... Sounds like they are putting a full court press togather, talking about how great an opertunity this will be for the 4H kids..... HELP Guys, we Need Ya...... .that is if ya ..........wanna race.........Wolfe-e

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

signed, with some commentary about the fact that Terre Haute without the track will not be a place I spend my money.

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

You guys have kicked ass on this thing! 116 race fans have signed it, since this morning. I bet the 4-H parent that started it will be pretty glad to see the support that he's picked up.

Jerry

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

signed

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I signed .....my wife signed.......my son signed.....his girlfriend signed and now my son is taking his laptop to all his friends and they are going to sign....I knew taking him there in 1978 would pay off some day.
respectfully...Sam Cheek Springfield, Illinois

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Jerry on the channel 10 news tonight it was stated that the fair board will meet again in February and it was open to the public can you find out the date,time and place this will take place that is the time we need to show up in force to support the Track

Re: New Bid to "Buy The Action Track"
 

Well well,although I am not a Vigo County taxpayer, if my schedule allows I for one would be willing to make the 100 mile trip and belly up to show my support of THAT. Anyone else care to join in? If this meeting runs too late maybe we can stay at Jerry's place or I know I am welcome at the SHORTBUS mansion.:thumb:

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I WILL BE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENS.
DAN YOU ARE WELCOME IN THE GARAGE THAT HAS NOT BEEN CLEANED UP SINCE LAST RACING SEASON. :shout

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The other thing we need to do is make sure there are plenty of a$$es in seats when Mike King and his group put on shows this season. Not just all of our sorry old a$$es but new fans especially all of the :eek: NASCRAP fans you know who would be amazed that there is other racing besides what they see on TV every Sunday