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Ken (on
right) with Styres Racing at Owendale |
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| Similar
to the previous question What is the best operation
you have seen and yet it is not normally on the tips of
most peoples tongues in terms of a good track to see
a great show, great concessions etc. |
Fremont Speedway (under the Jim / Joanne Ford direction) great show great food.
Always treat their fans and racers with respect and try real hard to entertain them. It has also been around for 50 plus years but was essentially resurrected seven years ago by the Ford family after being shutdown for a few seasons. |
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| A
two part question a): What is the biggest threat to
area sprint car racing? b): What is the biggest
threat to sprint car racing as a whole? |
Answer to both parts EXPENSE.
And it is not just to the cars and race teams it is also a major problem for the fans and promoters. Insurance, food, purses, fuel costs, employee wages, hydro, and on and on it is getting really expensive to put on a show that is affordable and entertaining.
That is one of the largest reasons for switching to weekly Sprint racing at Ohsweken.
First of all it gives the fans an option over the modifieds as a headline division on the area dirt tracks.
It will also give the racers an opportunity to race for a decent purse without as much travel so hopefully it will build up the basic car count in the area.
And it will hopefully provide enough return to some teams to make it possible for them to travel to SOS races and compete, rather than to have to park their equipment or totally sell out. |
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| What is the best race you ever saw? you can even say a pavement show if you want smile |
That is a hard one to narrow down. Seen a lot of good ones in a lot of different classes on both Dirt and Asphalt.
Lets just say that any race where there is real competition and skill being displayed is a good one. But it is no secret that I like 360 Sprint racing as much as I do. Very seldom is it a sleepy freight train run from start to finish. |
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| Okay,
a lot of us saw the article in the Toronto Star on Jan
12 when do we get to see the dome at Ohsweken? |
Good question my only comment is that if Glenn has the notion to do it it will happen eventually.
There is still much to do at Ohsweken before a dome needs to be erected. I believe that a good weekly (mid-week) go kart program needs to be developed to support the dome when it is ready to be erected.
With respect to the big track there is many improvements (additions) that need addressing. This year the front stretch spectator stands will all be removed and 8,000 seats erected going 26 rows high from turn four to turn one. The rest of the Musco Lighting will be installed and the original ten rows of stands from the front stretch will be moved to the pit.
Also in the future plans are new concessions and washrooms for the front stretch along with a VIP structure and new control tower complete with infrastructure to handle live internet broadcasts and support television for the major events. New signal lights along with retaining wall improvements need to be addressed. Then we have to look at the pit parking where light showers on Friday afternoons can cause the nightly programs to be scrubbed when the track can be made raceable.
Then up goes the dome (lol) |
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| What would fans be most surprised to find out about Ken & Cheryl
Pelkie? |
I dont know if it would be surprising but I think that if people knew the amount of time that we put into racing they would be amazed. We see somewhere between 80 and 90 shows each year starting in January and usually ending in November. From Florida to New York and as far west as Iowa, if there is a sprint car show running we have either attended it of at least considered it at some point. With that we served as race day officials with both SOD and the SOS last season along with the promotional duties involving the major events at Ohsweken including advanced ticket sales which were all done from our home on our private phone line. And why do we do it? Sometimes that is a good question but never believe that there is any motive that is not directed at strengthening sprint car racing in Ontario.
Rest assured that when entering competition under our direction, every competitor should know they are doing so on a level playing field. Even though we know some competitors better than others, we have no favourites once the green flag waves.
And when the day comes when it is time to walk away, that is what we will do with no regrets but not just yet! |
