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Official word

Shadowracer · 2007-01-23T06:16:13Z

From The Free Press this morning, Tueday Jan 23rdGM Kevin Bulmer and operations director Amy DuGas have resigned.By JIM CRESSMAN, FREE PRESS SPORTS REPORTER Delaware Speedway has lost its top two management personnel and their departure has put the 2007 racing season in jeopardy. General manager Kevin Bulmer and operations director Amy DuGas both resigned, citing differences with the ownership group. Bulmer, who replaced Brad McGonigle as GM in September 2004, was with the track for nine years. DuGas began working there in 2002. "The short answer is I've resigned effective immediately due to untenable working conditions and lack of support from current ownership," Bulmer said last night. He wouldn't go into details but sources said there's a split among the four-man ownership group and that's what made working conditions "untenable" for Bulmer. Arlen Scherba of Sombra owns 40 per cent of the track, Dave Meldrum of Stratford has a 10-per-cent share while John Sheppard of Scarborough and Dave McDonald of Freelton, near Guelph, have a company that controls 50 per cent. The four, along with McGonigle, bought the track from Tony Novotny in November 2002. McGonigle, who spearheaded the purchase of the track from Novotny, was then bought out by his partners in what was not an amicable parting. Delaware's 56th season is scheduled to open April 28 with a 250-lap endurance race. Regular racing begins May 4. Race director Jeff Wilcox wouldn't comment on the suggestion the season might not go, instead referring that question to the ownership group. Messages left for Scherba and McDonald by The Free Press were not immediately returned. Delaware and Merrittville Speedway in Thorold -- also celebrating its 56th year -- are the oldest stock car tracks in Canada. "This would have been my 10th year and in that time I've come to know countless people in the business and racing community that have become like family," Bulmer said. "The dedication and commitment exhibited by the race teams and event staff is second-to-none. These people should expect nothing less from the people operating the race track." Sources said the track has fallen on financial difficulty and the pressure was on Bulmer to make up for the losses. That apparently created the reported rift that's developed amongst the ownership group. Many of the race teams said last season the on-track product was making considerable strides under Bulmer's leadership and his willingness to work with the drivers was a reason some had returned to Delaware. D.J. Kennington of St. Thomas returned last year after an eight-year absence. He continued to run in the CASCAR Super Series, but wanted to get back to his Friday night roots, where he began in 1993. He was track champion in 1996 at 19. "I thought things were going good," Kennington said last night. "It was fun again at Delaware and they were easy to work with, a lot better than it used to be. A lot of time in the past it was like pulling teeth, but they listened to the drivers and teams and did their best to help us out, and that made it better for us and the fans."

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DB71

Jan 23, 2007 1:01 pm

(@DB71)

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Just received the following email from Kevin and Amy. Nothing new just confirming the information.

"Amy DuGas" 23/01/2007 12:42 PM
Subject
Statement from Kevin Bulmer & Amy DuGas

Hello,
Please find attached a statement from Kevin and a link to the London Free Press.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Motorsports/2007/01/23/3430801-sun.html

As some of you many know, I have also resigned from my position as Director of Operations, effective immediately, for the same reasons stated by Kevin. I have enjoyed my time with the Speedway and have made many great friends because of it. The Speedway will always be a part of me and I will miss my racing family.

Please keep in touch,

Amy

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well.

I am writing to inform you that I have resigned from my position as General Manager of Delaware Speedway, effective immediately, due to untenable working conditions and lack of support from current ownership.

2007 would have been my tenth season as part of the race track. In that time, I have come to know and love countless numbers of people in both the business and racing community that have become like family.

The dedication and commitment exhibited by the race teams and event staff is second-to-none. These people should expect nothing less from the people operating the race track.

I am – and will continue to be – exceptionally grateful for the efforts and support of the race teams, staff, business partners and fans at Delaware Speedway. I wish only for good things for all of them and their families.

I hope that we will have the chance to see and talk to each other again soon.

Sincerely,
Kevin Bulmer

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The-fan

Jan 23, 2007 1:30 pm

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Thank you so much for sharing this and although I never meet either one on a personal and business matter truly appreciate their dedication and comitment to both the speedway and sport.

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Mobil1fan

Jan 23, 2007 1:33 pm

(@Mobil1fan)

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Well, you're welcome.

As far as a prediction, I don't imagine a sale. I'm just referring to whether the season is still a go or not. Thanks to this morning's article, the owners have to answer now. I think the season will fly. I also quote from another thread:

Based on the information I have received I am able to let you all know that the speedway WILL open for the 2007 season just as it has for the last 55 years.

I know jr52 knows his stuff. I believe him.

I don't think they'll get Novotny back. Sure he sold CASCAR, but he's still heavily involved in it I think. Am I wrong? (besides, only the racers can say whether that'd be a good thing or not anyway.)

If they start selling template bodies out of Performance Fibreglass, you'll have your answer... 😆

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Shadowracer

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Jan 23, 2007 1:39 pm

(@shadowracer)

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Joined: 20 years ago

If they start selling template bodies out of Performance Fibreglass, you'll have your answer... 😆

Ack! 😯 Please, no more Winston Cup car wannbees!
😉

CHECK OUT THE "SHADOW REPORT" GROUP ON FACEBOOK FOR LIVE RACE PICS AND UPDATES

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Mobil1fan

Jan 23, 2007 1:41 pm

(@Mobil1fan)

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LOL........And here I thought Speevak's still had a partial ownership role in the track...

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