Sounds Like The End of Gateway International

**markjohnson** · #1 10-08-2010, 12:10 AM

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 · #2 10-08-2010, 01:29 AM

Sad [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]

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

Dan

**markjohnson** · #3 10-08-2010, 02:32 AM

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 · #4 10-08-2010, 04:27 AM

<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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]

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

Dan</div></div>
We began exploring "plan B" 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 "shoot me an email", which I did immediately...20+ voicemails and numerous phone calls to the switchboard later, and still nothing...

396L35 · #5 10-08-2010, 05:16 AM

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** · #6 10-08-2010, 05:50 AM

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 · #7 10-08-2010, 02:02 PM

<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** · #8 10-08-2010, 02:25 PM

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** · #9 10-08-2010, 02:42 PM

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

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 · #10 10-08-2010, 02:49 PM

<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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]

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...

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