Post by Randy Moses II on Dec 18, 2009 22:18:27 GMT -5
By Donna Hales
Phoenix Staff Writer
Thunderbird Speedway — the historic half mile dirt track at the Muskogee Fairgrounds — is making a comeback.
“I’ve always wanted to do this (lease the track)” said Stanley Slader, who raced 33 years on the track. “Charlie Fulton’s given me a good opportunity to do it.”
Slader said he plans to reopen the track in March.
Police Lt. Devin Beach took a day off work to celebrate at the track Thursday and was one of about 20 people there to see Fulton turn over the keys to Slader.
Beach admitted he was excited.
“A bunch of people are excited,” Fulton said.
Beach said his red and white race car is coming out of storage — he’s ready to go.
Local dignitaries were present to say it will be a good thing for Muskogee.
“To bring back racing to a landmark track like Thunderbird Speedway will be a huge impact on motels and restaurants,” said City Councilor Jim Ritchey. “I want them (Outlaw Motor Speedway and Thunderbird Speedway) to work together and promote racing.”
The grandstands at Muskogee may be boarded up — but Slader said he just bought “everything but the dirt” from a race track in a neighboring state. It comes with bleachers that will seat 4,000.
Tommy Little has already offered to help him get the new seating to Muskogee, Slader said.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the people wanting to help,” he said.
The track was a horse track in 1903, Fulton said. Auto racing made its debut in about 1955. Fulton was the last person to operate the track.
“I haven’t raced since ‘91,” he said. “I think I’m going to get me a car one more time.”
“Tommy says no (to racing again),” Charlie Fulton said. “But I know better.”
Slader said he’ll probably have to go through a lot of red tape with the city, but he won’t have any problems going by the rules.
Slader plans to meet with operators of Outlaw Motor Speedway near Oktaha. Hopefully, they can work together, with races at one track one night and at the other the next night, Slader said.
“If we can all cooperate, we can have something big right here,” Slader said.
A lot of the people coming into Outlaw Motor Speedway stop at motels along Interstate 40, south of Muskogee, Fulton said.
Those present predicted when the track at the fairgrounds reopens, motels all over Muskogee will be full.
Several car organizations want to race at the track, Slader said.
“Right now, the tentative classes will be Street Stocks, Super Stocks, Sportmods and Modifieds — with possibly some type of pure stock,” Slader said.
All modifieds will run a feature and receive pay. Intentions are for the class to combine the modifieds with the 360 modifieds.
“Our method should provide very competitive races and put on a great show for the fans,” he said. “We have had some really good input on this idea.”
Slader’s Web site listed 36 sponsors Wednesday. Dennis Slader told him as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday that number was 41.
The rules are being put together and should be ready around the first of the year, he said.
“We are really looking forward to bringing racing back to what it used to be,” he said. “Our goal is to show drivers and fans a great night of racing and make them feel like they are at home.”
Phoenix Staff Writer
Thunderbird Speedway — the historic half mile dirt track at the Muskogee Fairgrounds — is making a comeback.
“I’ve always wanted to do this (lease the track)” said Stanley Slader, who raced 33 years on the track. “Charlie Fulton’s given me a good opportunity to do it.”
Slader said he plans to reopen the track in March.
Police Lt. Devin Beach took a day off work to celebrate at the track Thursday and was one of about 20 people there to see Fulton turn over the keys to Slader.
Beach admitted he was excited.
“A bunch of people are excited,” Fulton said.
Beach said his red and white race car is coming out of storage — he’s ready to go.
Local dignitaries were present to say it will be a good thing for Muskogee.
“To bring back racing to a landmark track like Thunderbird Speedway will be a huge impact on motels and restaurants,” said City Councilor Jim Ritchey. “I want them (Outlaw Motor Speedway and Thunderbird Speedway) to work together and promote racing.”
The grandstands at Muskogee may be boarded up — but Slader said he just bought “everything but the dirt” from a race track in a neighboring state. It comes with bleachers that will seat 4,000.
Tommy Little has already offered to help him get the new seating to Muskogee, Slader said.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the people wanting to help,” he said.
The track was a horse track in 1903, Fulton said. Auto racing made its debut in about 1955. Fulton was the last person to operate the track.
“I haven’t raced since ‘91,” he said. “I think I’m going to get me a car one more time.”
“Tommy says no (to racing again),” Charlie Fulton said. “But I know better.”
Slader said he’ll probably have to go through a lot of red tape with the city, but he won’t have any problems going by the rules.
Slader plans to meet with operators of Outlaw Motor Speedway near Oktaha. Hopefully, they can work together, with races at one track one night and at the other the next night, Slader said.
“If we can all cooperate, we can have something big right here,” Slader said.
A lot of the people coming into Outlaw Motor Speedway stop at motels along Interstate 40, south of Muskogee, Fulton said.
Those present predicted when the track at the fairgrounds reopens, motels all over Muskogee will be full.
Several car organizations want to race at the track, Slader said.
“Right now, the tentative classes will be Street Stocks, Super Stocks, Sportmods and Modifieds — with possibly some type of pure stock,” Slader said.
All modifieds will run a feature and receive pay. Intentions are for the class to combine the modifieds with the 360 modifieds.
“Our method should provide very competitive races and put on a great show for the fans,” he said. “We have had some really good input on this idea.”
Slader’s Web site listed 36 sponsors Wednesday. Dennis Slader told him as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday that number was 41.
The rules are being put together and should be ready around the first of the year, he said.
“We are really looking forward to bringing racing back to what it used to be,” he said. “Our goal is to show drivers and fans a great night of racing and make them feel like they are at home.”
