Foreclosure auction on the Speedbowl on 7/29? Owner says track is safe?

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

Foreclosure auction on the Speedbowl on 7/29? Owner says track is safe?

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From speedbowl.com:

Speedbowl Management Remains Committed
The New Waterford Speedbowl, LLC remains committed to the 2007 schedule starting with Wednesdays Wild N Wacky Wednesday event and Saturdays five division program featuring the USAC Ford Focus Midgets. While we remain hopeful the present problems can be solved, we were aware the recent development regarding our landlord was a possibility. We took measures that will enable racing to continue whatever the eventual solution. We understand the commitment our fans and competitors have to the Speedbowl and we pledge to keep you informed as situations develop. We hope you understand we cannot comment further because of the legal ramifications.

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

More from the Norwich Bulletins Peter Vander Veer:

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/NEWS01/707180303/1006/SPORTS

real modified fan · "Flashback"

All, My thoughts are that the Speedbowl will still be here for many years to come. Something will happen in the eleventh hour and the auction will be cancelled. But if I'm wrong, it appears that there are many people waiting in the wings to place a bid on the track. The Cerovolo's, Pasteryak's, Finkleday family, Ben Dodge and John Lombardi have been cited at the Bowl in the last few weeks. It could just be a coincidence or maybe they're giving the track the once over. It is also rumored that Frank Rocco and Kenny Horton could be interested in becoming track owners/promoters, and last but not lease Bill Roth and Jerry Robertson - who are presently promoting the track. These are my thoughts, does anyone else have any other suggestions they would like to share? RMF

Warren · Car Owner

I hate to think bad but I really doubt the auction will be cancelled.

Someone would need to step up and purchase the property before auction, I have a feeling the commercial value of the property to some buyers will be far more then the racetrack value to those interested in buying a racetrack. I hope I'm worng but the 11th hour was 59 minutes ago.

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

I guess all we can all do is hope that if the auction does take place that one of the rumored, racing people that are interested in buying the track will bid higher than one of the rumored out of state developers who are interested in turning it into anything but a race track.

Will the auction even take place? I guess will all know pretty soon but as Warren said, the clock is ticking.

All I can say is if it remains a race track for the forseeable future it will obviously be great but hopefully either the current leasers or possibly new owners can breathe new life into the old girl.

And if the unthinkable happens........It will be an emotional day for a lot of people for sure if it all does come to an end.

MandyB · Stafford's Turn 1 "Princess"

I would haul backside to the Waterford area the day of the auction if I had the chance to do so. But knowing the luck I have sometimes, I'd get there and the auction would be cancelled or postponed. Just to see who's really interested in the track for racing purposes and who's just trying to to build something else on the property; that's what I'd like to know.

This is the first time I have heard any sort of name dropping as to who might be there to try to keep the Bowl around as a track. And quite honestly, I think any name would just surprise me if (when?) we all find out who the highest bidder is.

Do I think the auction will take place? At this point in time, I just don't know. If anything pops up unexpectedly over the course of tomorrow and early Saturday, then good for the track. I would love to see the place get an extra life. It should be like a cat and have its nine lives. It hasn't lived every one of those lives yet.

I've only been there a couple of times in the past few years. If it does go to someone else, I will be forever saddened to see such a great facility go.

Sid · WSB Mini Stock Guru

Pray for the best... even I'm pretty nervous....

No matter how many races we have a chance to watch there, just have the time of your life while it's still around....

richard savage · Car Owner

Wheels, I agree with you 100% that it would be a VERY sad day to many. I think the Harvey Window Co. may be draging out buying 10 acres in hopes to bid on the hole track. I myself started going in 1970, some of you longer. There has been a Savage racing at the bowl in the 50s-60s-70s and in the 1980s My hole Family raced there. We all have had great times at the Bowl, But every couple of years we all hear that the bowl will close. It never does, somehow it all works out. I think this time with so many interested party's it might not make it. We all know that Money is King to everything we do in life. I myself don't go every week like I did before, maybe twice a year or so. For people to bring there Family it's $100.00 or so and some Folk's just can't afford to pay that much. I hope that Terry can retain the backing needed by Friday. The last Deposit he got and the deal fell thru was able to bail him out then. Don't get me wrong, I don't want people to loose there Deposit. But that is what happened the last time. I think the guys running the track now are doing ok. They do need to buckle down on who the rules are meant for, not just some. Some get away with alot and that's wrong. Well good luck to the bowl and I hope it will work out again, Richie.