VCS
PART TWO
By Jack Taylor
(12/23/03)In a preceding article regarding the new promoter at Vermilion County
Speedway, the subject dealt with the energy expended by Bill Marietta as he
strived to bring the racetrack back into the respectability of fans and drivers
after a long period of unstable racing venues at the fairground speedway.
Nothing was spared in describing the constant, continuing, hard work that was
put into this rebuilding project by Bill and his band of volunteers. The
accolades were well deserved.
With his decision to surrender the reins as VCS leader, the County Fair Board inked a new contract with promoter, Jamie Reed of the Terre Haute Action Track in Terre Haute, IN. Reed previously had promoted racing at Sullivan, IN. before trying his hand at Terre Haute. His announced partner at Terre Haute Motorsports is probably Bob Sargent, who has promoted several races at that track in the past two years.
So let’s see where this leads us. After speaking with several drivers and fans of VCS, who had been told by Marietta that the new regime would not change any plans for the future of great racing at VCS, including the UMP Late Model Summernational $10,000 show, the $10,000 Battle of the Borders Late Model show, or the Richardson Memorial and Labor Day Classic Modified shows which have gained notoriety nationally, all of us breathed a sigh of relief as we looked forward to a continuation of exciting programs at VCS.
The first stumbling block to appear for VCS fans is the loss of a Sunday night UMP Summernational race, a perennial crowd pleaser and a drawing card of nearly seventy drivers in 2002. VCS is now penciled in for a Tuesday night race and a predictable loss of fans and drivers. One would think someone connected to UMP could have saved this yearly Sunday appearance. This should not have happened after Memmer was witness to the traffic jams, overflow crowds, and the spectacular show put on by the drivers in 2002. But it happened because nobody cared.
The second stumbling block this writer foresees is the second running of the Battle of the Borders. A 2003 schedule for the speedway will tell that tale when it arrives, but there might not be another running of that great $10,000 show. What a shame.
Time
will tell as to the outcome of great Modified racing at VCS. A visionary with
the 10th Annual Richardson Memorial in his crystal
ball had predicted a $10,000 to win race for the UMP Modifieds this
coming May, but it probably will not happen.
Some thought this could be the
highest paying Modified race in history. Nationally famous drivers have
continually journeyed to VCS on Memorial Day weekend to battle for the crown.
One might wonder if the new promoters have ever witnessed a Modified
championship race at VCS or any racing that has been held there.
The gate receipts for special events at VCS were probably enticing, but there has been nothing in the past on regular race nights to attract a new party to the mix. All of this past success on special programs has been solely due to hard work and publicity by people interested in the VCS program.
The following is a published letter from Jamie Reed………..
I've
read about the concerns some people have about the new promotership at the VCS.
My partner and I of Terre Haute Motorsports, Inc. have taken over VCS with many
plans to continue what Bill Marietta had started in making it one of the best
tracks in the Midwest. I will be handling the every day operations as well as
Sunday night racing and special events. I have no intention of changing
divisions or rules. I have noticed several areas for improvement which you will
see developing thoughout the '03 season. If any one has any questions or
concerns that they would like to discuss, please contact me. I can be reached at
812/234-6868 or [email][email protected][/email].
Jamie Reed-President
Terre Haute Motorsports, Inc.
Terre Haute Action Track
Vermilion County Speedway
Also in the previous article, there were critics when the fair board was mentioned as never bending in their co-operation with promoters in the past. Well, they have now bent. It has been rumored that new members have been appointed to the board, namely Mr. Marietta and three of his hard-working volunteers. Not sure what this accomplishes now, after the struggles in the past, but maybe it’s a reward. No one did more to enhance racing at VCS than those three. Few board members understood the plight of the promoters, so maybe this will help the situation.
Former promoters such as Phil Richardson, Mike Petersak, Steve Cannon, and Marietta have all been local residents who were known by the board. Only Roger Williams was an outsider and that ended in a battle.
As this column is released on Christmas Eve of 2002, maybe it should be titled as ”The Grinch Who Stole Quality Racing From VCS Fans.” If my loyalty to VCS is questioned after this writing, I can only reply that I have served the track and fans to the best of my ability. In return, I was always treated with respect and dignity as a dedicated VCS booster. For the last four years, VCS has shown a harmony in the pits, grandstands, and track workers, unseen in the past, which testifies that things were being done the right way for a change. I will miss that and so will most VCS followers.
So, VCS fans, here is what you should prepare for in 2003. Possibly less hassle getting to your seat because of the smaller crowd, fewer cars in the pits, a smaller Tuesday night Summernational race, probably no Battle of the Borders race, little hype on a 10th Annual Richardson Memorial, and a predictable collapse of all that was built in the last four years.
Happy
Holidays to all from the old man in the pits of the best Modified track in the
country. I will always think that is true.