Thanks for your input on this topic.  As racers and fans the state of the facility is VERY important to us, and we are constantly working to improve it from the racing surface, to safety, to fan amenities.

Regarding January - - lets take some perspective here.  The statement on track repairs was actually made before December with the previous management group and preliminary budgeting done.

January:  two key members of the management team resign.  Now the owners have to find a new management team, but also come to grips with the current financial status.

April:  New management team is in place.  YES – season already upon them.  Trial by fire!  Many people didn’t think the speedway was going to open this year, racers and fans included.  “Delaware Season In Doubt” article anyone?

The owners made the commitment at that meeting that the speedway WOULD open, but remember even though it is racing - - this is all business.  Continuing to throw money at something isn’t always the magic bullet.

Despite all the challenges; the racing did start as scheduled.  Every event has gone off, as scheduled.  Some - - like last week BETTER than as scheduled.  New Friday regular night attendance record last week (4,000+ in ticket numbers).  I’ve been working here seven years, and have NEVER seen the line-up go to the golf course - - especially for regular weekly show.

This Management team, which I am privileged to be a part of, has only had 4 months in this position - - and we’ve been racing EVERY WEEK.  These are not excuses - - this is reality!

In spite of the seemingly overwhelming prospect of kicking off a race season that practically in progress, the speedway has been able to pull off some improvements & projects.

1. Lighting – turn 3/4 last year was very dark.  This year the bulbs were replaced with a higher quality.  Today, it is the brightest corner of the track.  More needs to be done, but small steps are key.
2. Reserved Seating – Completely rebuilt.  Total overhaul.  Last week this section completely sold out – FIRST TIME IN RECENT MEMORY.
3. Water system upgrades, and regular testing for the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).
4. Improvements in the cleanliness of the washrooms by brining in a new contractor.  Hand sanitizers placed in some areas.
5. Main grandstand stairs – Filled in an totally reinforced.  Best they’ve been in 30+ years!
6. New lawn cutting equipment purchased to help control the grass on the hill so it is more comfortable for fans.
7. Fibreglass grandstands – fixed several benches that were not up to par.
8. Activated a new video team that allows us to work closer with the television media in the region, and allows competitors to purchase their races if they wish.
9. Adjusted admission prices to be more family friendly by introducing student rates (highschool & postsecondary), and allowing kids 12 and under in for free.
10. Increased fan communication with our new e-mail newsletter which is approaching 300 subscribers.
11. Totally new overhauled computer database system and new hardware that will allow the handicapping system to be clear and transparent in future.  Website upgrades, various improvements.  Race cars on the homepage!
12. Found a mascot, “Hoppy” & Introduced the “Ride-Along” program where we put a random child in the passenger seat of the Happy Hour race car when it is available - - talk about memories!
13. Pit Walk through & Flagstand – heavy construction to install a poured concrete barrier that closed off the stair opening that had been a trouble spot since the speedway was built.  Today it is totally filled in and new aluminum stairs are being constructed so crossing can resume at that gate.
14. Not to mention…  Tons of other stuff.  Everywhere.  All the time.

If the owners did not care about the facility long term, none of these projects would have gone forward.  There is always more to do.

I use these as examples to point out that you may not notice everything that is going on, but that doesn’t mean we are sitting on our hands.

Regarding the track improvements:

The schedule for the track improvements has always been the first part of August.  There has been two contractors at the faculty this week that were both here last year.  They were here this time to take a second look and schedule in the upgrades for the coming weeks.

Will the whole track be repaved?  No.  Not this year.

Will major portions of the track be repaved?  No.  Not this year.

Will we fix the worst spots on the race track and make it better?  Yes.  This is happening.  Now.

There is no easy solution or as I like to say, “Magic Bullets” or quick fixes.  To apply a rush job and quick one off solution would be a disservice the facility and its history.  Imagine, the track repaved quickly and cheaply as fast as possible without taking the proper time to engineer.  6 weeks later the asphalt peels up or the track is not any better race wise.  Now what have we done?  Accomplished nothing, and paid a premium, the legacy of which will be inherited by future race fans.

Racing as in life is a roller coaster.  There are highs and lows and stuff in between…  Sometimes a corkscrew.  We try to focus on the positives and push forward with positive attitudes and good things come with it.  Some think this sounds hokey or wishful, but this is our corporate culture at Delaware Speedway and how we do business.

Delaware Speedway as a business in 2007 has been doing very well.  The main reason for this is simple:  The fans, and loyal racers and sponsors that are out here week-in-and-week-out making this happen for everyone…  The weather has been good too.

We are always happy to answer any questions anyone has.  Give us a call, come on in and give us your input.  Trailer door is always open!

See you at the races,

Thanks,

-John Houghton
Announcer / Office Manager
Delaware Speedway

AAH....COMMUNICATION, it's a wonderful tool.
Thank You John for your input....at least now we know some major improvements are to be undertaken.
Possibly a monthly update to keep the "hardcore fans" apprised of upcoming and long term projects would cure the panicky concern of Delaware's well being.

I actually didn't have anything to add to this thread. But I can certainly back up what John just said.

Folks, these guys are working their butts off, have been since April, and have done a crackerjack job of getting the place back on its feet after a rough winter. We oughta be congratulating them right now.

Track improvements will come. Thes guys know it needs doing, and they're not stupid. As much as we'd like to complain about the track surface, there are more important things that needed doing. And they're doing them admirably.

I don't mind saying that although I'm not actually track staff, I have, over this past winter, developed a working relationship with them. And that relationship does not require me to be a shill..I can still say whatever I want here...that's part of the deal.

Anyway, I've been in the office trying to get a word in edgewise while they're all running like the proverbial headless chicken, getting stuff done. I've seen firsthand the work they do.

Delaware's in good hands.

One thing on the admission prices, it may be more "family friendly" on top, but it is crew gouging at the bottom. $27 for non-members? come on, its expensive enough to get a car to the track, 27 seems a little steep. I don't need the little song and dance about how it's still competitively priced with the other tracks, because I've been to quite a few, the only track it beats that I have been to this year is Cayuga, so thats not saying a whole lot.

Thanks for the input. It is so nice to read a post from a track representative that isn't scarcastic ,insulting a paying customer or telling it's customers to just stay away if they don't like the conditions . What a concept .