In The Pits Forum Board

Tulsa speedway has been closed since 2005 and has fallen victim to looters and vandals. The only thing in the stands for several years has been trees growing up through the bleacher seats. I first saw the condition of this track after the Chili Bowl last year. It was then that I started looking for the owners of the property. The owners have never had anything to do with racing and was not interested in seeing the track reopened. I entered into an agreement to purchase the 4,000 seat bleachers to bring them back to ACR. Recently while tearing the stands down to bring them back to Atchison many locals stopped by hoping that we were rebuilding the track. Unfortunately I did not have good news for them. I got some history lessons as well. As I understand it the stands and lights came out of the fairgrounds. They were given to the first promoter if he would build a track outside of town. Seems racing was not going to be tolerated in the city any longer. The track was opened in the early 80s at least that is what I am told. The one thing that is for sure is the stands (at least half of them) will be resurrected at ACR. Tulsa had what looked like to me a pretty good run putting on many big shows such as the World of Oultaws ect. Now on to a more local track. KCIR as you well know recently closed and had an auction last weekend. Many promotors/owners from our area and beyond were on hand. I of course was as well. I wasn't sure what I would find that I could use here at ACR. It immediatly became clear to me what I would be buying when I pulled into the lot. But before we get to that let me tell you I bought several miles of guardrail, bathroom and kitchen necessities, a golf cart, a suz. mule, fence ect. My most treasured item came at about midway through the auction and when I first saw it I said I would never let that history be cut up an melted down. I never even went and looked at it up close. I just knew when I say the "FOOTBRIDGE" it was going to ACR. Not sure if it will go up in one or two pieces but it is going up. Here at ACR we can't go out so we have to go up...so up we go. I intend to put together a commemorative plaque for the stands as well as the bridge. If you have any facts about the inception, biggest names to race at the tracks while equipment was there ect. let me know I would like to possibly include it. My number is (913) 370-2520 thanks for your interest and patience while I got my chance to bloviate.

Phil,After getting your text last week about this bridge,I have just one question my friend.Are you gonna put it up END to END or SIDE to SIDE over the track?? Sorry buddy but I just had to ask..

Merry Christmas to you and your family

Jim

ps. Are going to the Chili Bowl this year? If so,see ya down there my friend

I will be down at Tulsa next week during the shoot out. We still have one more section of stands to take out. Not sure if I can get freed up to go to the Chili Bowl or not. If I do I will see you there. Merry Christmas to you as well.