gateway rumors

[moparsteve636]

To my understanding!N.H.R.A is still putting the 2012 sched.together.It will not be announced until the track owners conv. in Jan.

[gdog]

Didn't we see something in here some weeks back that Johnny Gray's spokesperson said he was not interested in purchasing GIR and was not involved in talks to do so?

[stang35th]

I discussed the 2012 NHRA schedule with a very good source at the US Nationals and he had the 2012 schedule in hand. The only thing holding up its release is the tentative St. Louis sale/race. Once that is finalized, the schedule will be made public.

[dennismopar73]

well we will see soon enough,
i would be surprized to see that g r w is what holding anything up, altho, it a nice thought for sure,, ,would bet that they are just putting in more time on next year schedule for reasons of fuel cost travel, for the teams, instead of the crappy one last year,
where they criss crossed to many times
but we will see something soon no matter,
yes im sure g r w if it gets done real soon, they will a race here,

[dennismopar73]

bret keptner state an announcement is forthcomming?
stand by your stations,
the computors are going to lock up when it comes down

[bud SE/JF 5821]

anyone know were is the nearest ihra track to missouri ? I would like to go to one of there tracks sometime.

[richdetert]

The rumor that a buddy told me about Gateway is that the guy that's supposed to be buying the track is basically arguing with the state over the new access road coming from the bridge that's to be built over the Mississippi.

The new road is supposed to come directly to the west side of the track.
The state wants to build a two lane road and the track buyer wants them to build a four lane road.
He's supposedly telling the state that if they don't build it four lane he's not buying the track and they'll lose the tax revenue because they wouldn't build a four lane road.

Is the rumor true? Who knows.

[mouthracer]

Sept 7, 2011 21:29:39 GMT -5 bud SE/JF 5821 said:

anyone know were is the nearest ihra track to missouri ? I would like to go to one of there tracks sometime.

Tennessee
Cherokee Raceway Park (1/8 Mile)
Rogersville, TN www.cherokeeracewaypark.net
I-40 Dragway (1/4 Mile)
Crossville, TN www.i40dragway.com
Jackson Dragway Inc. (1/8 Mile)
Beech Bluff, TN www.outlawten5.com
Knoxville Dragstrip (1/8 Mile)
Maynardville, TN www.knoxvilledragstrip.com
Memphis International Raceway (1/4 Mile)
Millington, TN
racemir.com
Middle Tennessee Dragway (1/8 Mile)
Buffalo Valley, TN
www.mtdragway.com

Kentucky
Bluegrass Raceway (1/8 Mile)
Owingsville, KY www.bluegrassracewayinc.com
London Dragway (1/8 Mile)
London, KY www.londondragway.com
Mountain Park Dragway (1/8 Mile)
Clay City, KY www.mpdragway.com
Louisiana
State Capitol Raceway (1/4 Mile)
Port Allen, LA www.statecapitolraceway.com
Thunder Road Raceway Park (1/4 Mile)
Shreveport, LA www.thunderroadracewaypark

Or just type in IHRA track locations like I did .

[sg3526]

Rogersville used to be..

[stang35th]

Gateway International Raceway to reopen next year

A group of investors led by a former professional race car driver are purchasing and reopening the Gateway International Raceway in Madison.

Real estate developer and former driver Curtis Francois leads a group of local investors who have reached an agreement with the National Hot Rod Association to open the track in October 2012, according to a press released issued Thursday morning.

Previous owner, Delaware-based Dover Motorsports Inc., closed the track last November citing declining profits.

Read more: www.bnd.com/2011/09/08/1851396/gateway-international-raceway.html#ixzz1XNO3sqri

[stang35th]

More: www.ksdk.com/sports/article/275672/6/Gateway-International-Raceway-to-reopen

Madison, Ill (KSKD) -- A group of investors, led by real estate developer and former professional race car driver Curtis Francois, have reached an agreement to operate the Gateway International Raceway for the 2012 racing season.

"With the 2012 racing season fast approaching, we had to move quickly and negotiate a lease for the facility," Francois said. "We were excited to reach an agreement with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to return in October 2012 with the NHRA Midwest Nationals. This event is very important for the future viability of the track and illustrates the interest the industry has in revitalizing this wonderful entertainment venue."

Gateway International Raceway, previously owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. out of Dover, Delaware, ceased operations in November, 2010 citing the inability to run the operations with acceptable returns. The new, local investors have plans to expand the use of the facility, and operate in a manner that will be more cost-effective for the long term.

"We are currently working with state and local governments to put together a redevelopment plan that will allow us to purchase the facility and lay a firm financial foundation for the track. We've received incredible interest and support from the racing industry, state and local officials, local businesses and racing fans," Francois said. "We are very excited about the jobs this investment can create and the overall economic impact it can have on the region."

"My staff and I have been working closely with Curtis Francois over the past few months as this deal was nearing completion, and we are excited with this great news," said Mark A. Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman. "I've known Curtis for many years and I look forward to the reopening of the Gateway Raceway as it means so much to our region, and in particular St. Clair County. The Raceway will once again attract crowds and fans from throughout the region and country."

"I'm delighted that the Gateway International Raceway will be reopened and once again become a wonderful entertainment center for the region," said City of Madison Mayor John Hamm. "This nationally renowned facility is a breath of fresh air for the City of Madison. New operator Curtis Francois has been great to work with and every City Council Member has given me the green light to get this deal done."

About 50 full-time jobs and up to 300 part-time jobs are expected to result from the reopening of the track, and officials are optimistic about the impact this investment will have on the overall region.

Thursday, the NHRA released its 2012 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule and the reopening of the Gateway track was highlighted as a premier event. Francois says plans are for the track to open for a full season of racing sometime in the March of 2012, and there are plans to hold some limited racing events yet this year.

"We are excited to return to the St. Louis area, as we have a very strong fan base in the region and they have always supported NHRA Drag Racing," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.

Gateway International Raceway is a 150 acre facility located at 700 Raceway Boulevard
in the City of Madison within St. Clair County Illinois. The first racing event at Gateway was held in 1997 and the last held in 2010 under former ownership. Former General Manager Rod Wolter will serve as a consultant on this project with Francois.

As a racing industry veteran, Francois raced for several sanctioning bodies throughout the years including Grand AM, Indy Racing League, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). He has been a residential and commercial real estate developer since 1998 concentrating primarily on the developments in the metro east.

[stang35th]

NHRA 2012 schedule:

www.nhra.com/story/2011/9/8/nhra-announces-2012-full-throttle-drag-racing-series-schedule