Sounds Like The End of Gateway International

[markjohnson]

After many, many rumors I just heard the official radio commercial that Gateway will "cease operations" after the big LS-Shootout this weekend for the dragstrip. There's a couple of Tuesday Night Test & Tunes still scheduled and I'm not sure of their status. That leaves St. Louis offically without a dragstrip. It doesn't seem that long ago in the early Nineties when you had a choice of 3 different dragstrips to go to.....now they're all gone.

[Postsedan]

Sad <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Will the SCR be looking for a new location? Perhaps Route 66 in Joilet, IL.

Dan

[markjohnson]

Who knows, I don't think anybody else here even cares about the Friday race portion of the SCR's anymore or we would've seen a discussion topic a long time ago about possibly moving it somewhere else. The SYC Reunions will become a Friday Banquet/Saturday Show event. Maybe Tom can find a Chevy Dealer (which isn't very easy itself anymore!) to host another Supercar parade/outside car show again like several years ago.

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markjohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who knows, I don't think anybody else here even cares about the Friday race portion of the SCR's anymore or we would've seen a discussion topic a long time ago about possibly moving it somewhere else. The SYC Reunions will become a Friday Banquet/Saturday Show event. Maybe Tom can find a Chevy Dealer (which isn't very easy itself anymore!) to host another Supercar parade/outside car show again like several years ago.</div></div>
There was never an official announcement from Gateway, just wild rumors, so we didn't see the need for any knee jerk reactions just yet...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sad <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Will the SCR be looking for a new location? Perhaps Route 66 in Joilet, IL.

Dan</div></div>
We began exploring &quot;plan B&quot; a month [or more] ago, and all of the tracks we talked to were *very* receptive and easy to talk to, with the *exception* of Rt 66. Dan, if you know someone over there, or could help, I'd *GLADLY* take it! I started calling a month ago, prior to their Goodguys show, and all I could get out of them was &quot;shoot me an email&quot;, which I did immediately...20+ voicemails and numerous phone calls to the switchboard later, and still nothing...

[396L35]

Rob I heard it on the radio twice today, the first time I thought I must have misunderstood but when I heard it the second time I listen to it closely and it said after the next couple of events the track will cease operations.

[markjohnson]

I've been hearing that Joliet RT.66 is also under the serious eye and threat of land developers lately but that's another subject for another day. What I and other people are wondering is if the Gateway portion of the Reunion was lost would that be reason enough to move the entire event? Everybody's become so comfortable with the current Convention Center, hotels, and Collinsville in general, that it might be worth just cancelling the Dragstrip portion. Then again, maybe a new city and track would be exciting and new but probably a lot more work to make the arrangements for after Collinsville has become so established.

[COPO PETE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markjohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Everybody's become so comfortable with the current Convention Center, hotels, and Collinsville in general, that it might be worth just cancelling the Dragstrip portion. </div></div>
While I have missed the last few years because of other commitments, the dragstrip portion is the part that makes me want to go! That would be tragic IMO!

Peter

[SmallHurst]

What Pete has stated. The drag strip was my only destination back in 2004 and I was trying to show up this year again, even if just for the drag racing!!!!

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sad <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Will the SCR be looking for a new location? Perhaps Route 66 in Joilet, IL.

Dan</div></div>

I think if you could get something worked out in Joliet you would see an even larger turnout from the Chicago contingent.

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RPOLS3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sad <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Will the SCR be looking for a new location? Perhaps Route 66 in Joilet, IL.

Dan</div></div>

I think if you could get something worked out in Joliet you would see an even larger turnout from the Chicago contingent.

</div></div>
Then I would appreciate any leads/legwork you Chi-town guys could lend...phone calls from this Hillbilly don't seem to be taken seriously. They have an nhra date in '11, so they'll at least be there next year. I'm serious here guys...

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markjohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been hearing that Joliet RT.66 is also under the serious eye and threat of land developers lately but that's another subject for another day. </div></div>

Mark - I'm certainly not an authority on this subject but I'd be surprised based on what I am hearing on the construction/real estate side.

There are so many very large pieces of farm land that was slated to be developed into residential subdivisions in that general area that has been going back to the banks and could be bought for 20-30% of what it sold for - I would think that these pieces would be bought and developed prior to the drag strip.

I'd be curious to hear more about what the plans are - maybe something completely different? Given the Chicagoland Speedway across the road and the dirt track on the same general parcel what else would go there?

Jake

[ANDY M]

Rob, have you contacted National Trails? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif
At least then I wouldn't need to hire a trailer. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

Hey Mark, just curious. What is a &quot;Carvette&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

[ORIGLS6]

I'm gonna throw in a vote for Union Grove! It's a nostalgic location, which we all obviously love; close proximity to the strong Chicago contingent, AND they hold a great meet on Labor Day weekend. The SCR gang might be able to work a deal for early Friday, then turn things over for their Friday evening-Saturday-Sunday show. And who says our Saturday show has to be inside? Maybe under a big tent on the grounds of da Grove???
More exposure for the sYc/SCR and it could be beneficial for everyone.

Just a thought. (Hey Gags, are you listening? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif)

[Born30YrsLate]

I'm all for Da' Grove!...

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORIGLS6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm gonna throw in a vote for Union Grove! </div></div>

Hmmmmmmm. That would be interesting. Byron could also be a possibility.

[markjohnson]

I've never been to Union Grove but have always wanted to go to that historic track. Cordova, ILL. is also another one I've always wanted to race at.

[markjohnson]

Ya know, you wouldn't believe the comments and PM's I've received about that &quot;Carvette&quot; thing! It's just a Missouri thing and tribute after 28 years of Corvette production here in St. Louis. My father worked at the 'Vette plant in the late Sixties into the Seventies.

[JK98SS]

Unable to cut and paste from my phone. I will copy Bret Kepner's post later tonight. The manager is leaving and took a job in Fla. They are under a mountain of debt. No NHRA events scheduled for next year. November events have been cancelled.

[Chevy454]

Official announcement posted on Gateway site, followed by Bret Kepner's post from Moparts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Final GIR Drag Races Consolidated Into One Huge Day of Racing

October 7, 2010

MADISON, Ill. – Gateway International Raceway has announced that its 2010 drag racing season will now end Oct. 30 with the final Outlaw All Stars event combined with the previously scheduled Gambler’s Race. The Outlaw All Stars event scheduled for Oct. 16 will still run as scheduled. The NHRA Drags Street Legal Style Presented by AAA and the Gambler’s Race scheduled for the week of Nov. 2 have been canceled.

The schedule has been altered due to several factors, including the potential for inclement weather and the departure of GIR Drag Strip Manager Rich Schaefer, who is taking over NHRA’s Division 2 headquartered in Gainesville, Fla.

For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Gateway International Raceway on Facebook at Facebook.com/GatewayRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/GatewayRaceway.</div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY REVISES OCTOBER SCHEDULE; ADDS SECOND OUTLAW ALL STARS SERIES EVENT!

The staff of Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois, has revised the October and November schedules for the final events of the 2010 season. While the seventh race in the Outlaw All Stars Series will still take place on Saturday, October 16th, the eighth and final event in the OAS series, (originally planned for November 7th), will now be held on Saturday, October 30th, and will close the season for the GIR complex.

As of October 7th, the remaining 2010 season schedule includes the following events.

October 7-10 (Thursday-Sunday): The National Muscle Car Association World Finals and LSX Shootout

October 12 (Tuesday): Street Car Shootout Series/Street Bike Shootout Series

October 13 (Wednesday): SCCA PDX Road Racing

October 15 (Friday): Midnight Madness

October 16 (Saturday): Outlaw All Stars Series

October 19 (Tuesday): Street Car Shootout Series/Street Bike Shootout Series

October 23 (Saturday): NASCAR Nationwide Series

October 26 (Tuesday): Street Car Shootout Series/Street Bike Shootout Series

October 30 (Saturday): Outlaw All Stars Series and Gambler’s Bracket Race

The events originally scheduled for the month of November, including the aforementioned Outlaw All Stars Series finals, a Gambler’s Bracket Race and the final Street Car Shootout Series/Street Bike Shootout Series program have been cancelled. Gateway International Raceway has issued a statement concerning this change, stating, “The schedule has been altered due to several factors, including the potential for inclement weather and the departure of GIR Drag Strip Manager Rich Schaefer, who is taking over NHRA’s Division 2 headquartered in Gainesville, Florida”. However, the revised dates and events are not yet accurately reflected on the Gateway International Raceway website’s “Calender”.

The release posted by Gateway International Raceway does not mention future plans for the facility. However, it is a generally accepted fact that, if you want to race at Gateway one last time, you’d better be there in October.

--------------------
Bret Kepner
http://www.bretkepnerphotos.com
[email protected]
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA </div></div>