First of all I don't think I'd be out of line to say that our meeting facility is getting worse as time goes by. This time we had to share the room with another group, who was apparently there just to be loud and drink beer. Oh yeah, that's why we were there too, but, the difference is we've had the damn room booked for the last two years!! Anyway, because of the loud environment our meeting was even less productive than usual. Here's what I came away with.
I-80 is HISTORY!!
As many of you know, I-80 Speedway has been sold and renamed Nebraska Raceway Park. We will be racing there this season. Up until today, there was some serious doubts about our season. However, our overworked and under paid President Jesse Urwin and The Honorable Phil Cram met with the new General Manager of the facilty, Craig Kelley, today. Several questions have been ansewered. 1. We will be paying for the ambulance. This is not something new however. We have been footing our part of the ambulance bill since we started racing at I-80. The difference is that we will have to pay for the drive out and back and the time spent on site. We are looking into some options on the ambulance to save a few dollars. 2. They will cover insurance. 3. Mr. Kelley said he would help us with our track by providing a loader. 4. We have been given permission to use any of the fencing and other spare materials in the storage area. 5. We have permission to put up a GPORRA sign at the entrance. 6. He will get us two Porto Potties, one for the pits and one for the stands. 7. He is planning on providing concesions, possibly with BEER! 8. Wrist bands will get discount admission to the following night's circle track race.
QUADS-
The new guy from last month was back and brought a very anxious youngster (his son I assume) as well as GPORRA regulars Don Grey and Jim Gergen. Four Quad guys! Not much got discussed as far as I know. Probably because it was so loud in there. Hopefully we can get these guys back next month and get some meaningful discussion in. Yet to be decided is if Quads should join the club to run for season long points fund.
NEW and IMPROVED TRACK
Track and Truck day is set for April 21. This is the time to build our track, put up fence, fix the bleachers and give the water truck a new set of main bearings.
TEST and TUNE
The "OFFICIAL" Test and Tune date has been set. Again. Sunday May 6. I wasn't smart enough to ask what time, so I'll have to put that on later.
Mike Jensen from Plattsmouth was at the meeting to represent the Tough Trucks. Mike races a SUZUKI SAMURAI in events all around the Midwest and does well. He brought a video which was put up on the big screen and added motor noise to the competion between the juke box and the baseball game on TV. Mike apparently will be helping us with setting up the rules and the course, and other aspects of the Tough Truck event scheduled for June 16.
SCHEDULE CARDS
The 2001 race schedule business cards are ready. Stop by CRAM Foreign Auto and pick some up.
WE ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 2001 RACING SEASON.
Volunteers get paid admission into the races, best seats in the house, and a free meal at the end of the season. We are in need of scorekeepers, pit steward, flagmen etc. Please call Jesse Urwin at (402) 944-2193
VOLUNTEER LIST STARTS HERE
We have had a few volunteers step forward and dedicate themselves to making 2001 another successful racing season. They are:
Bob Keith, Head Flagman
Mike Helmberger, Announcer, PA system
Cindy Price, Scorekeeper
MORE ABOUT Nebraska Raceway Park
Ted Carlson of Sioux City IA purchased the I-80 facility as a nice addition to their collection of other race facilities including: Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson SD, Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City KS, and San Antonio Speedway in Texas.
The facility will be the only track in the state to run the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. The program will include the ConAgra Grand Nationals, O'Reilly Auto Parts Pro-Ams and Hobby Stocks. In addition the World of Outlaws will return in September.
My apologies for not getting your pictures posted as well as other inhancements to the site. I have been waiting for an ADSL line to be installed so I can upload all of the photos in an evening instead of a month. I signed up for the service well over a month ago but the service proveder is having some "equipment problems". Please stand by...
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