Uncle Jack -
IMHO, it's not entirely certain that SVRA left RA solely due to increased track
costs.
Please remember that SVRA picked up a track date somewhere out East (VA?)
to put on a much higher profile event involving Brian Redman's race promotions.
RA appears to be in good financial health. Untold millions of dollars have been
spent on upgrading the track and facilities over the last decade. The actual
number
escapes me now, but I've seen it and it's respectable! (When they can remodel a
fairly new - and modern - VIP/Media center so it looks more like the other rural
farm
buildings on the property, well... they're not cutting corners to reduce
expenses...
the bank account must be healthy.)
While losing a May vintage race date, they picked up a larger (spectator) date
in
July with the Grand American Road Racing Series. This new date also marks the
return of the "Road America 500", which will include International Sports Racing
World Cup cars along with the varied Grand Am classes.
A nice trade-off? Probably.
Losing a lesser motorcycle date may well be offset by the addition of a much
bigger
International motorcycle event. This does not bode well for cycle racers like
your
friends (who have now lost a Midwestern event), but it does appear that the
cards
are being played so that the track will be around for another 5 decades.
Later,
Greg
'58 Bugeye
Cedarburg, WI
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