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DELAWARE RESURFACE

Guest · 2008-09-02T08:22:58Z

Operators seek go-ahead on projectTue, September 2, 2008STOCK CAR RACING: $2 million in renovations planned at Delaware Speedway, including new lighting, new grandstands, washrooms and private suitesBy JIM CRESSMANDELAWARE -- Delaware Speedway operators hope their ambitious $2-million renovation gets the green flag next week.The ownership group and the Spivak family, which has owned the property since 1972, will sit down to discuss a written long-term lease.The current lease runs through 2010, although the operators did receive a verbal commitment in January that it will stay a racetrack for at least the next 35 years."There's a commitment from the landlord, but that's not a written commitment and we have an ownership group that wants to invest money in the track; it's just getting the actual written agreement understood by both parties," Delaware race director Jeff Wilcox said during Sunday's APC 300 Great Canadian Race."The last thing anybody wants to do is spend a couple million dollars on property they don't have a long-term lease for. Nick Spivak wants the place here for a long time, it's just getting to an agreement."The operators want to see the Spivaks partner in the renovations since they'll ultimately own them.The track is operated by Arlen Scherba of Sombra (40 per cent), Dave Meldrum of Stratford (10 per cent), and John Sheppard of Scarborough and Dave McDonald of Freelton (50 per cent). They took over from Tony Novotny in November 2000.Wilcox also denied rumours the Spivaks are considering selling to a developer. "If it was for sale I think we'd know about it, because the ownership group did want to buy the land at one time."Once a deal is in place, Wilcox said the first task is to replace the asphalt track, which will likely pave the way for a NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race. NASCAR is concerned about the deteriorating racing surface and pit road."I would say it's a legitimate concern and we realize if NASCAR is to come back the track has to be done," Scherba said. Wilcox said the track surface also is a concern, "but we do need to make sure our facility is up to par for having that type of event."Scherba said it's important to get a NCATS race. It's been three years since the CASCAR Super Series, now NCATS, has been at Delaware."We asked them for a date in 2006 and when they delayed, we moved on," he said of the split. "We never shut the door. Whether you make money or not off that race, it's the image, the track awareness you get from NASCAR."Also included in the changes are a poured concrete wall around the half-mile, new lighting, new grandstands, washrooms and private suites.

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crewchief47

Sep 25, 2008 11:01 pm

(@crewchief47)

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They should consider doing Pit Road in Concrete

It already is but the frost has killed it.

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racingwrench

Sep 27, 2008 10:40 am

(@racingwrench)

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pit road is already concrete, however it was done with end of the truck load lots and sections of it stood up well and others didn't work well at all. perhaps different mixes of concrete or just the ground below I'm not sure. Some sign of progress in the next week or two will indicate whats up.

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TuFast

Sep 27, 2008 9:52 pm

(@TuFast)

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Pit road was in pretty good condition until a few years ago when they had the snowmobile races in Feb. All the bulldozers and dumptrucks moving snow around destroyed it.

Posts: 3382

Thayne

Sep 27, 2008 10:02 pm

(@barrie97ps)

Famed Member

Joined: 20 years ago

Pit road was in pretty good condition until a few years ago when they had the snowmobile races in Feb. All the bulldozers and dumptrucks moving snow around destroyed it.

sure, blame us! haha

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TuFast

Sep 27, 2008 10:20 pm

(@TuFast)

Joined: 1 second ago

Not your fault. Should have brought in temp bleachers and had the races in the camping area.

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