Last week I was at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Deer Creek is a 3/8th of mile dirt track located roughly 20 miles south of Rochester, MN. The promoters (Queensland Family) at Deer Creek Speedway won the 2010 National Promoter of the year award by RPM. Their hospitality during our week at the track went way beyond what any of us expected and there were many things I saw that made it clear why they won the award.

One of the many things that caught my attention about the facility was the VIP Suites they have. They have 24 fully customized air conditioned enclosed VIP suites and 36 open air deck suites. Each VIP Suite had closed circuit television, wireless internet access, instant access to race lineups and results. It was definately one of the nicer things I've ever seen at a race track.

The VIP Suites at Deer Creek are finsihed out with bare necessities, and then each suite owner is able to customize it however they want at their own cost not the tracks. I saw one suite with granite countertops, fridge, sink, very comfortable chairs and plenty of alcohol. I believe they required a 6 year lease agreement in order to customize each suite and if you don't renew your lease, the track keeps the suite as it is.

During a conversation I had with the promoter at Deer Creek Speedway, I was told that the track doesn't make any money from the racing program itself. If it wasn't for food sales, sponsors, and VIP Suites... the track would have a hard time operating on a weekly basis. He said, racing is their product, the entertainment is the business. From what I saw... their business is good for racing.

My question here is why doesn't some Indiana tracks build these VIP Suites? I'm sure a questionable demand for such a suite along with the upfront costs associated with the construction is one reason. I would think long term this could only benefit local tracks and let's be honest, a financially secure race track is good for all of us.

If your local track built VIP Suites would you be interested in purchasing one... and just so you won't say how much... let's just say $3,000/year? I'm guessing there could be several business owners who would be.

heard marlin burns already gave spiker the glass to build some this was eariler in the yr but after the news this week makes u wonder

Lloyd, What news would that be? Did I miss something.

somebody told marlin joe was gonna clean house and marlin was at the top of his list...just what we have heard

Oh... I wasn't aware of any of that. Well, they sure seemed to be pretty friendly a couple weeks ago. You know rumors fly around all the time. Most of the time it's someone just wanting to stir the pot. I'm just glad my pot is empty.

Royal Purple Raceway (former Houston Raceway Park) has VIP suites, but they only race about once a month or less. They are available for upcoming events.

http://www.royalpurpleraceway.com/ho...o-watch-a-race

That's very odd how little they race, glad track owners in our area aren't like that. I wonder how they survive?

LaSalle Speedway has those atop their grandstand, too. Although they're not quite as nice as the ones you've shown from Deer Creek.

Jerry

Thanks for sharing Carey. It looks like Drag racing is there primary event. It looks like they're alot like IRP/ORP/LORP only with a dirt oval.

Deer Creek reminded me alot like our local tracks here in Indiana... just without the suites. The promoters have been there for 10 years. It obviously took a large commitment by the Queensland family to do what they've done. I believe it's paying off because they just had one of the highest paying modified races ever.

I also forgot to mention that all of there suites are sold and they have a lengthy waiting list. Pretty impressive commitment by everyone.

Williams Grove has them. Maybe a dozen?