Spokane County Raceway

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inkjunkie

inkjunkie

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Has been purchased by the Kalispell Tribe for $6.1 million. Am friends with a member of the Tribe,. He has told me that the Tribe is keeping it a racetrack. He has been tasked with gathering suggestions on what to do and what not to do ro try and make it a successful facility.
 
inkjunkie said:
Has been purchased by the Kalispell Tribe for $6.1 million. Am friends with a member of the Tribe,. He has told me that the Tribe is keeping it a racetrack. He has been tasked with gathering suggestions on what to do and what not to do ro try and make it a successful facility.
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:thumbsup: Spectator attendance is where the money's at.
 

Based on the article I read, they really wanted it. Outbid at least 2 other buyers.

Find some way to make the process of making runs smoother. Call people to the lanes, get them staged and run fairly and get the next group in the lanes. I've heard how nice Walla Walla (I think) was in that regard. And when I am there and watch the same car go through the lane twice while other cars sit, I get frustrated and I'm not the one paying the money to sit in the lanes and watch other people run.

Be nice to find a way to get the cost to "race" down for people just dabbling in it. Like the Friday Night Street Races where there was no pot to win. But I don't know what all that money covers (probably more than winners money) and I am sure everyone wants it cheaper.

Better sound system so people in the pits can hear (and understand) the announcer. I know they broadcast on a radio station (or used to) which is a good start but I don't usually carry a radio around with me while I walk the pits.

I hope they can bring concessions back. I know it would help the bottom line.

Try and spread the way they profit over multiple opportunities rather than only at the gate.

Maybe some covered parking in the pits? Probably something that costs to rent, but I bet there would be a bunch of people that race regularly that would jump on them. Just keep them open so people like me can still walk around on the edges of their pit stall.

Probably all ideas they have all ready thought about. I've never run a race track let alone a business, so might all be useless ideas. Just trying to give my perceptions.
 
I read about them pursuing it a while back, sounds like they are very serious about keeping it a racetrack, which is great news, far too many are closing due to "progress" like malls, bleccchh. Bringing in other attractions may be a good idea, like concerts and different shows. I'd like to see a track around here, (closer than 100 miles one way), and see some Friday night grudge racing, as well as an affordable alternative to racing in the street. Set up a "run what ya brung" event with a minimal entry fee, as a way to get people more interested in racing, and get them off the public roads. I know, we're probably all guilty of some "spirited driving" as I used to call it, but most of the junk we had back in the day wasn't as fast as what I can walk into a dealership and buy today. Well that's my .02.
 
fishmens67 said:
That is great news. I see a revamped track in our future, and big events to follow.
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The strip itself was redone not that long ago. Hoping for big events. "Previous Management" ran so many folks off. Leaving NHRA for IHRA didn't do anything to help out in regards to NHRA scheduling anything.

DionR said:
Based on the article I read, they really wanted it. Outbid at least 2 other buyers.

Find some way to make the process of making runs smoother. Call people to the lanes, get them staged and run fairly and get the next group in the lanes. I've heard how nice Walla Walla (I think) was in that regard. And when I am there and watch the same car go through the lane twice while other cars sit, I get frustrated and I'm not the one paying the money to sit in the lanes and watch other people run.

Be nice to find a way to get the cost to "race" down for people just dabbling in it. Like the Friday Night Street Races where there was no pot to win. But I don't know what all that money covers (probably more than winners money) and I am sure everyone wants it cheaper.

Better sound system so people in the pits can hear (and understand) the announcer. I know they broadcast on a radio station (or used to) which is a good start but I don't usually carry a radio around with me while I walk the pits.

I hope they can bring concessions back. I know it would help the bottom line.

Try and spread the way they profit over multiple opportunities rather than only at the gate.

Maybe some covered parking in the pits? Probably something that costs to rent, but I bet there would be a bunch of people that race regularly that would jump on them. Just keep them open so people like me can still walk around on the edges of their pit stall.

Probably all ideas they have all ready thought about. I've never run a race track let alone a business, so might all be useless ideas. Just trying to give my perceptions.
Click to expand...
George, from CAL, was the other bidder. I will include your comments in the letter I will be emailing my friend that has been tasked with getting input.
ocdart said:
That should help a bunch if it is now considered 'tribal land'.
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From what I was told it will be annexed into the Tribal land nearby.
Dartnut said:
And if it's ''Tribal Land'' now, does that make it tax exempt?
Glad to see that it will be kept alive and running!
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Last year the county collected less then $200 in property tax.

missing linc said:
I read about them pursuing it a while back, sounds like they are very serious about keeping it a racetrack, which is great news, far too many are closing due to "progress" like malls, bleccchh. Bringing in other attractions may be a good idea, like concerts and different shows. I'd like to see a track around here, (closer than 100 miles one way), and see some Friday night grudge racing, as well as an affordable alternative to racing in the street. Set up a "run what ya brung" event with a minimal entry fee, as a way to get people more interested in racing, and get them off the public roads. I know, we're probably all guilty of some "spirited driving" as I used to call it, but most of the junk we had back in the day wasn't as fast as what I can walk into a dealership and buy today. Well that's my .02.
Click to expand...
Will include tour thoughts in my Email to RJ.
 
67Dart273 said:
"We'll see". Sure do hope so!!
Click to expand...
Hmmm...from what RJ has told me there is no reason to have a "We'll see" attitude. The Kalispell Tribe already owns a golf course....
Kalispel Golf and Country Club
From what I have read the course has a very long history to it. RJ did tell me that the Tribe did research converting the SCR facility into a golf course but it simply would not be a very cost effective thing to do, RJ mentioned the fact that the Airway Heights area is comprised of a whole lot of shale.
He has also told me that the Tribe has named the 2 Tribal members that are going to oversee the facility. They are both young men...and are gearheads. From what I was told the Tribe is not going to simply open the track back up. Some improvements are going to be made to the grounds. RJ was a bit tight lipped last he spoke openly on Facebook about it but he mentioned that the man that are going to be running the facility will be visiting other facilities to how they operate.
From what I have been told all the equipment that was used to run SCR, the rotator tractor, the sprayer etc were all owned by Craig. Who has sold everything. Also gone is the timing system. A few years back I talked with Craig when we were at the ET Finals in Seattle. He mentioned that one of the "rules" for the track that hosts the event is to have a spare Christmas Tree on hand...which, according to him, takes quite a while to get one from Compulink. When I was at Renegade a few weeks back I was speaking with one of the members that was on the SCR PR crew. I mentioned what Craig had told me on Labor Day 2019 about Compulink being very slow in providing equipment. This individual told me that the tree that Craig had ordered in the middle of the 2019 season was delivered just prior to Craig asking the county to be let out of his agreement. This individual also told me that she had personally spoke with Compulink...and that they do not have any equipment available for purchase. So it may be a while before a timing system is available.
 
DionR said:
Based on the article I read, they really wanted it. Outbid at least 2 other buyers.

Find some way to make the process of making runs smoother. Call people to the lanes, get them staged and run fairly and get the next group in the lanes. I've heard how nice Walla Walla (I think) was in that regard. And when I am there and watch the same car go through the lane twice while other cars sit, I get frustrated and I'm not the one paying the money to sit in the lanes and watch other people run.

Be nice to find a way to get the cost to "race" down for people just dabbling in it. Like the Friday Night Street Races where there was no pot to win. But I don't know what all that money covers (probably more than winners money) and I am sure everyone wants it cheaper.

Better sound system so people in the pits can hear (and understand) the announcer. I know they broadcast on a radio station (or used to) which is a good start but I don't usually carry a radio around with me while I walk the pits.

I hope they can bring concessions back. I know it would help the bottom line.

Try and spread the way they profit over multiple opportunities rather than only at the gate.

Maybe some covered parking in the pits? Probably something that costs to rent, but I bet there would be a bunch of people that race regularly that would jump on them. Just keep them open so people like me can still walk around on the edges of their pit stall.

Probably all ideas they have all ready thought about. I've never run a race track let alone a business, so might all be useless ideas. Just trying to give my perceptions.
Click to expand...
About the concessions stand. With all the Covid restrictions it was impossible for Craig to open it....remember, there was supposed to be 0 spectators at the track. I realize that was not the case but with the Covid restrictions in place....and the fact that some d-bag filed several complaints with the county forcing Craig which forced him to cancel an Open Road Course Event that was scheduled for a Saturday the Friday night before it he did not want to take a chance opening the concession stand. Couple that with the fact that the track was under a "pack it pack it out" trash mandate by the County it would have been very difficult to have the concession stand open. Not to mention all the restaurants were closed down last summer and it would have just been a disaster in the making. Craig openly told me that the Concession stand and the Liquor Hut was the only way he made any $$.

Personal opinion...I know that Craig was paying, pre-Covid at least, a $65k a year lease. The insurance tacked on another $40k or. $105k a year lease on a facility that at best can be used for 7 months of the year...don't see how anyone could pull that off. My biggest fear that the county was going to decide not to sell it, that they were going to just look for another lease holder. I spoke with a racer from the South East that actually, for a very brief while, was talking with the County about leasing the facility. He told me that when the county laid out there terms he walked away.

Suppose time will tell what actually happens at SCR. I jokingly told RJ that he needs to plant a seed in the ears of the 2 Tribal Members that are going to run the place about knowing some fat guy who is a half decent camera guy...his reply to me made me believe he already has done so. Patiently waiting to be back on the wall at SCR (or whatever it will be called).
 
They need to bring back the old glory days of SRC. That was the place to race back in the late 70's and 80's.
The place would be rocking every weekend during the season and during the AHRA World Finals the place was slammed with racers and spectators.
 
fishmens67 said:
They need to bring back the old glory days of SRC. That was the place to race back in the late 70's and 80's.
The place would be rocking every weekend during the season and during the AHRA World Finals the place was slammed with racers and spectators.
Click to expand...
You mean....the days it was owned by a criminal? Because that is what Orville was, a criminal...which, in my opinion is the very reason the track has been on life support ever since Spokane County took possession of it.
 
inkjunkie said:
You mean....the days it was owned by a criminal? Because that is what Orville was, a criminal...which, in my opinion is the very reason the track has been on life support ever since Spokane County took possession of it.
Click to expand...
I don't know about Orville, I do know his chums and relatives are the reason my last visit was in the early to mid 90's.
We hadn't been there in a few years during the mid to late 80's. I think the crack or meth took the track over during that time. lol
We spent our weekends over at Pacific most of the time after seeing the downturn at Spokane.
 
inkjunkie said:
About the concessions stand. With all the Covid restrictions it was impossible for Craig to open it....remember, there was supposed to be 0 spectators at the track. I realize that was not the case but with the Covid restrictions in place....and the fact that some d-bag filed several complaints with the county forcing Craig which forced him to cancel an Open Road Course Event that was scheduled for a Saturday the Friday night before it he did not want to take a chance opening the concession stand. Couple that with the fact that the track was under a "pack it pack it out" trash mandate by the County it would have been very difficult to have the concession stand open. Not to mention all the restaurants were closed down last summer and it would have just been a disaster in the making. Craig openly told me that the Concession stand and the Liquor Hut was the only way he made any $$.
Click to expand...

I was aware of why the concession stands weren’t open, wasn’t blaming the track. It was less suggestion and more hope. I should have worded it differently.
 
inkjunkie said:
Hmmm...from what RJ has told me there is no reason to have a "We'll see" attitude. The Kalispell Tribe already owns a golf course....
Kalispel Golf and Country Club
From what I have read the course has a very long history to it. RJ did tell me that the Tribe did research converting the SCR facility into a golf course but it simply would not be a very cost effective thing to do, RJ mentioned the fact that the Airway Heights area is comprised of a whole lot of shale.
He has also told me that the Tribe has named the 2 Tribal members that are going to oversee the facility. They are both young men...and are gearheads.

it may be a while before a timing system is available.
Click to expand...

That sounds very encouraging. So far as timers, there's always the bikini clad flag girl!!!

starter.jpg
 
It became official...the Kalispell tribe now owns Spokane County Raceway....this was the post on FB from my friend RJ about the Tribes intentions...
WARNING! This will be a long read but I hope you find it worthy.
If you look at the picture most of you know who I am, but if you look at my car closely, you’ll also see what I am. I am a Member of the tribe that made the offer to buy SCR. Many of the older generation may not know me because in my early days I only ran different street cars in trophy & moved away for years for work, & only started racing again 6 years ago. I have been reading & sometimes commenting on a few posts in various groups. Mostly because people seem to be pulling facts out of their orifices or grabbing them out of the air (I heard it from 4 different people!, it’s on the interweb!). I don’t know who started the thing about the golf course, but I have said elsewhere that the tribe did want to offer golf as an amenity to our guests but to develop a golf course in the west plains basalt would have been cost prohibitive. So, they bought an old (1910) golf course on the north side & saved it from financial ruin. Renovating it, upgrading it & running it to save a piece of Spokane history. I have seen one post where the OP says “why be mad that the tribe gets it? Who’s to say that they won’t turn it into a 1st class facility like everything else they touch?” would those folks griping be griping if it was a Russian outfit that bought it like the paper mill up here? What would their plans for it be? Just because someone may have deep enough pockets to buy it, doesn’t mean their intentions are in OUR best interests.
I have been asked by the Tribal Business Council to ask YOU the racers what can be done to make the track a better place for you? Why? Because they want to make a go of it but want YOUR input! Not insults or speculation! Now you can send me a PM or post a response, realize however that I am going to be bombarded with messages & probably will not respond to every comment/message I receive, maybe just a “got it.” Please understand that I am not dismissing your input & will pass them up the chain. For example, people who do know who I am & that I am a tribal member have blasted me since the news went public. It’s also a given that no matter what is done, not everyone will be pleased.
Also know that in the past few years different people have posted questions here on social media, “what would you do if you were in charge at the racetrack?” I read those posts & comments & have made a file that has some of those suggestions in it, so I have been listening.
Remember too, this isn’t set yet either, we can talk about how to improve it for years & the tribe may never get control. So, we are still talking hypothetically.
So, Instead of bashing my people for trying to buy it, why don’t you provide your input & help them make it into what you want it to be? I want to hear from EVERYONE, drag racers, circle side, road course, cart racers. remember however that Craig wasn't joking about the stands on the circle side being costly to repair, maybe give ideas for how to remedy that situation. I may not know about those other types of racing very well but I’m just gathering intel so share away.
I could have just went out & about the pits in Walla Walla & Renegade with questions but thought this might be easier & I would never have heard from other types of racers. keep it civil or stay off please.
One last thing, HUGE thanks to those people who are positive about the outcome, many of our tribal members who don’t race are excited about the venture as well!!!!
 
inkjunkie said:
It became official...the Kalispell tribe now owns Spokane County Raceway....this was the post on FB from my friend RJ about the Tribes intentions...
WARNING! This will be a long read but I hope you find it worthy.
If you look at the picture most of you know who I am, but if you look at my car closely, you’ll also see what I am. I am a Member of the tribe that made the offer to buy SCR.
Click to expand...

Where did you get this? The post I mean?

EDIT Found an email on one of the tribal pages associated with RJ and sent them one. Hope they get that
 
Last edited:
67Dart273 said:
Where did you get this? The post I mean?

EDIT Found an email on one of the tribal pages associated with RJ and sent them one. Hope they get that
Click to expand...
I got it from one of the Facebook SCR groups.....
 
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