14 replies to this topic

[DoinItInTheDirt]

I have never been there, and now I would not even consider it. I've heard a lot of bickering about the owners antics and how he bans people that say negative comments about the track and yet he does the same thing! I guess I can consider myself banned then! Here's a recent letter he sent to one of his sponsors that has helped to promote his track. Certain names of the innocent parties will be left out for their privacy....... Please be advised that the Bradford Speedway has decided to cease its sponsorship of “**************” effective immediately. When I decided to invest the track’s money through a sponsorship of this message board back in June, I had a long conversation with you and you indicated that you would support our efforts to resurrect the Bradford Speedway. Therefore, it seemed a wise choice to invest $500 to purchase the “large” sponsorship for one year (June 2013-June 2014). However, I have reached the conclusion that your message board is harmful to the track. I see the same half-dozen to dozen members of the message board consistently making negative posts about the Bradford Speedway. Upon research, I have been able to identify less than 25 different people who have made negative posts about the Bradford Speedway at any point during the season—yet there are hundreds of posts that are negative toward the Bradford Speedway. What I discovered is that a very few people are making a lot of negative posts—the same person is posting ten, twenty, or more times. I wanted to try to be fair—so I attempted to find even a hint of “constructive criticism” in these posts; however, almost without exception the posts appear to me to be, frankly, nothing more than an attempt to “bully” or “name-call” and all of these posts seem to me to be ridiculously without merit. And since we are regularly drawing large crowds (including a free admission night back in August that drew 1,382 people) and have nearly 2,000 people who “like” us on Facebook (that’s over twice as many as any other local track), we remain the biggest, most successful track in the local area. So I’m having a hard time seeing how less than 25 people who repeatedly post negative comments on your message board are representative of the racing community at large here in McKean County. Instead of utilizing your message board to reach just a few race fans, we will promote our facility via the official Bradford Speedway website (www.BradfordSpeedway.com), our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BradfordSpeedway), and our TV/Radio group. This also seems to be a good time to discuss the relationship between the Bradford Speedway and MCR. In 2012, my first year as Track Promoter/Owner of the Bradford Speedway, the track enjoyed a good working relationship with the previous Lessees of MCR. However, 2013 has been different. Back in March, I was warned by MCR to “step aside” or I would be “run over.” And throughout the course of the season, the new MCR Lessee has seemed bent on trying to put the Bradford Speedway out of business. But the Bradford Speedway not only survived, but prospered. Our track celebrates 60 years in business next year in 2014—and I’m going to work hard to make 2014 the best season ever. As a believer in the capitalist/free-market system, I believe they have the right to do what they think is best for MCR, just as I have the right to do what I think is best for the Bradford Speedway. I’m pleased to announce that we were again profitable this year, while I’m told that MCR has lost a lot of money. And if MCR chooses to compete with the Bradford Speedway in 2014, I’m quite sure they’ll lose even more money next year. There are numerous reasons why MCR has not and will not ever be profitable. I’m not going to review all of those reasons in this letter because the details aren’t really germaine to our conversation—what is important is that MCR’s is not a business plan that I would invest in. I should also point out that the much ballyhooed “five-year lease agreement” that was recently signed apparently includes a clause that allows either party to cancel the lease with just thirty days notice. Obviously a five-year lease with a thirty day “cancel” clause is very different from a contract that commits both parties for five years. What I’m saying is that the currently Lessee of MCR is very fortunate to apparently be able to get out of the lease early after he tires of losing big money at their events again next year. And I’m going to again remind readers that MCR has made promises that remain unkept. In meetings, they promised to pave the fair midway. In meetings, they promised to build a new grange building. In meetings, they promised to improve the handicapped accessibility. In meetings, they promised to re-clay the track. I have brought up these promises before and at no time has anyone from MCR ever denied making these promises. But neither have they fulfilled any of the promises. Instead of living up to their word or at least explaining why the promises have not been kept, I received a hate-filled, vitriolic email from the Lessee of the track that vaguely threatened legal action. At that point, I immediately furnished copies of the email to members of the Fair Board so that they would be aware that their Lessee was potentially embroiling the Fair Board in a lawsuit. I thought then, and still think today, that my furnishing the email was the correct decision. I did not, as claimed, randomly “hand out” anything to the general public. In fact, I have continued to choose to not release the contents of his threatening, hostile email out to the general public so as not to further embarrass the current MCR Lessee. Having said that, I will continue to hold his feet to the fire and insist that he spend the money that he claims he has to make the improvements that he promised. In a final note, I want to point out that thoughts of the NDRL becoming profitable are apparently quickly sliding into oblivion. Whereas the World Of Outlaws and Lucas Oil tours require that tracks put up the purse, the NDRL puts up the purse and also has the further expense of leasing the track from the track owners. People in the racing industry have told me that the NDRL loses tens of thousands of dollars at every event with no hope of ever breaking even. To put it simply, this is (once again) not a business plan that I would invest in. Furthermore, the World Of Outlaws organization provided a thorough spanking to the NDRL back in August when they effectively barred WoO drivers from competing in the NDRL race at MCR. On the other hand, the entire Bradford Speedway staff has worked very hard last year and this year to bring the Bradford Speedway back from the brink of closure—and I take great pride in the efforts of each of the 59 staff members who work every Friday night to put on what we call the “Greatest Show On Dirt.” And it is quite a show! We combine “traditional” racing with great entertainment features for our fans like “Racing Roosters,” “Chicken Dances,” “Trophy Girls,” and our “Movin’ On Up” promotion where we take a family from the bleachers and “move them on up” to the best seats in the house-the Owner’s Suite. We even conducted a “Save A Horse/Ride A Driver” promotion (remember the country song by Big & Rich with a similar name?) for our drivers—the drivers gave piggyback rides to their wives/girlfriends down the front stretch for prizes! I’m not aware of another track anywhere in the country that does everything we do to entertain the fans—and it’s working for us. In a year when attendance is down over 25% at the average US track, our attendance is climbing. Because of the large crowds that attended the Bradford Speedway shows every week this past year, I believe that the association that is created by the Bradford Speedway’s sponsorship of the message board is having a detrimental impact on the good name of the Bradford Speedway. I’ve reached the conclusion that a continuation of our sponsorship of the message board would serve only to besmirch the excellent reputation that the Bradford Speedway currently enjoys. For these reasons, the Bradford Speedway hereby rescinds its sponsorship of “*************” message board effective immediately. We also offer a sincere apology to drivers and fans for associating a track with the history and reputation that the Bradford Speedway enjoys with a hateful, angry message board. It was a mistake that we truly regret. And, now, on to the business aspects of this decision. As I mentioned in my last voicemail message, you can act responsibly and business-like by issuing a pro-rated refund of my sponsorship payment to my office in Olean, NY. Or you can retain the balance of the sponsorship payment and turn the funds over to a racing charity of your choice—just let me know which charity is receiving the money. In either event, please be sure to remove all references to the Bradford Speedway, particularly the banner ads, as soon as practicable. Jeff Andrulonis Track Promoter/Owner of Bradford Speedway

[BaconBits]

Yeah, I read that a little whole ago on the other board. I don't know that I've ever seen something so unprofessional from a race track owner/promoter.

[TheLegend]

Yeah, I read that a little whole ago on the other board.

I don't know that I've ever seen something so unprofessional from a race track owner/promoter.

I think it's hilarious

[kip77]

I read it last night. That is one of the most unprofessional ways to deal with a sponsor that I have seen. It's not like his speedway is the Mecca of dirt track racing. Only thing I could say after reading it was Wow!

Edited by kip77, 06 September 2013 - 10:39 AM.

[BaconBits]

I think it's hilarious

It is hilarious, but it's also a little sad how delusional this idiot is.

[DoinItInTheDirt]

Simply unbelievable. What a douche!

[team2010]

John is professional!



With all due respect Mr. Andrulonis, you don't seem to have a grip on the truth or reality.
The NDRL team is more than happy with how our first season at MCR has gone, our continued relationship with the Fair Board and the events our other Series have put on this season - they have been incredible and well received by the racers and fans alike.

Mr. Keener - please refund Mr. Andrulonis his prorated advertising money as he requested at your earliest convenience. I will be more than happy to double that amount in a donation to a racing charity of your choice. That leaves Mr. Andrulonis no reasonable opportunity to disparage you, this fine message board or the great racers and fans who use it to voice their valuable opinions. The best part is, the charity of your choice still wins. Please keep doing the great things you have for our racing community and don't allow one person to ruin it for you.
Question - If everything is so wonderful at Bradford Speedway and it's the "greatest show on dirt" Mr. Andrulonis, why do you need to spend every waking minute spreading lies and making disparaging remarks regarding MCR? It's seems that MCR's poor business plan and lousy results this season (from your perspective) would be the furthest thing from your mind, and you would be too busy counting all the money you have made. No need to answer Mr. Andrulonis, it's called being facetious. The beauty of your continued hateful rants, is that everyone is beginning to see through your facade.
Last - we are looking for quality clay within a reasonable proximity of MCR. Every sample we have sent for testing has too high of sand content which would result in the same surface we have now (which has been smooth and racey by the way!). Please contact me or Chris Zuver if any of you know where we might be able to locate some good clay close to the track.
To all of our great fans and racers who support NDRL's McKean County Raceway or our other series, we are truly thankful. I hope to see you all at our upcoming Fall Classic Weekend!
Respectfully,
John Kennedy, OwnerNational Dirt Racing League, LLC

http://billsdirtlate...-TO-BILL-KEENER

Edited by team2010, 08 September 2013 - 08:09 PM.

[DoinItInTheDirt]

Very classy indeed. Mr. Kennedy is breathing new life into dirt track racing. I truly believe the NDRA is the next big thing in sanctioning bodies. World Racing Group.....look out!!!!

[PennL8Fan]

Thanks for posting it here. I have a hard time reading at Bill's with his default settings and such.

Edited by PennL8Fan, 09 September 2013 - 12:55 AM.

[snooky]

Wow, that has to be one of the most unprofessional things I have ever seen done by a track owner/promoter. While it may be the "greatest show in dirt" in his own dilussional mind, it is far from that in reality. I have found Mr Androlonus to be in the mold of the old flim flam man or snake oil salesman. His version of events in the few dealings I had with him are pretty far from the truth. That is why we will never go back to the 'Greatest Show on Dirt' at Bradford as long as Mr Androlonis is involved. I think the letter posted here speaks volumes about the type of individual he is.

[SprintFun]

WTF is Bradford Speedway.

[CHEYENNE]

WTF is Bradford Speedway.

You have to see it, to believe it. Up on the mountain in Rew PA. Makes Pennsboro,look like Eldora.

[TheLegend]

You have to see it, to believe it. Up on the mountain in Rew PA. Makes Pennsboro,look like Eldora.

Inside the shit tanks of alcosan doesn't make pennsboro look like eldora. Eldora is like an NFL stadium and pretty much every other track is like a pee wee football field In the ghetto

[CHEYENNE]

Inside the shit tanks of alcosan doesn't make pennsboro look like eldora. Eldora is like an NFL stadium and pretty much every other track is like a pee wee football field In the ghetto

You,ever been up there? I don't think, Virginia Motor or Lucas Oil Speedways,look like a pee wee football field. I know, you said pretty much every other track. Only a comparison.....

[TheLegend]

You,ever been up there? I don't think, Virginia Motor or Lucas Oil Speedways,look like a pee wee football field. I know, you said pretty much every other track. Only a comparison.....

Do they have any smoking hot half naked early 20's pit lizards though ?